U.S. patent application number 15/794918 was filed with the patent office on 2018-11-08 for air compressor.
The applicant listed for this patent is TTI (MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE) LIMITED. Invention is credited to C. Eric Lagman, Clinton C. Thackery, Justin Toner.
Application Number | 20180320677 15/794918 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62104153 |
Filed Date | 2018-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180320677 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thackery; Clinton C. ; et
al. |
November 8, 2018 |
AIR COMPRESSOR
Abstract
An air compressor system. The system includes a frame configured
to be supported on support surface defining a plane. An air storage
tank, supported by the frame, has a center of gravity at a first
height measured along a direction perpendicular to the plane. A
power supply, removably coupled to the frame, has a center of
gravity at a second height measured along a direction perpendicular
to the plane. A motor, driven by the power supply, has a center of
gravity at a third height measured along the direction
perpendicular to the plane. An air pump, fluidly coupled to the
tank and driven by the motor, has a center of gravity at a fourth
height measured along the direction perpendicular to the plane. The
first height and the second height may be less than the third
height and the fourth height.
Inventors: |
Thackery; Clinton C.;
(Clemson, SC) ; Toner; Justin; (Pelzer, SC)
; Lagman; C. Eric; (Anderson, SC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TTI (MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE) LIMITED |
Macau |
|
MO |
|
|
Family ID: |
62104153 |
Appl. No.: |
15/794918 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15584854 |
May 2, 2017 |
|
|
|
15794918 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 41/02 20130101;
F04B 39/14 20130101; F04B 35/06 20130101; F04B 35/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F04B 35/06 20060101
F04B035/06; F04B 35/04 20060101 F04B035/04; F04B 41/02 20060101
F04B041/02 |
Claims
1. An air compressor system comprising: a frame configured to be
supported on a support surface, the support surface defining a
plane; an air storage tank supported by the frame, the tank having
a center of gravity at a first height measured along a direction
perpendicular to the plane; a power supply coupled to the frame,
the power supply having a center of gravity at a second height
measured along the direction perpendicular to the plane; a motor
driven by the power supply, the motor having a center of gravity at
a third height measured along the direction perpendicular to the
plane; and an air pump driven by the motor and fluidly coupled to
the air storage tank, the pump having a center of gravity at a
fourth height measured along the direction perpendicular to the
plane, wherein the first height and the second height are less than
the third height and the fourth height.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first height is substantially
the same as the second height.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the power supply includes a
battery.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the battery is a first removable
battery, and the power supply includes a second removable
battery.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the power supply is disposed
directly below the motor along the direction perpendicular to the
plane.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the power supply is disposed
directly below the air pump along the direction perpendicular to
the plane.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the tank is spaced apart from the
power supply along a direction parallel to the plane.
8. An air compressor system having a center of gravity, the system
comprising: a frame configured to be supported on a support
surface, the support surface defining a plane; an air storage tank
supported by the frame; an air pump fluidly coupled to the tank; a
power supply coupled to the frame, the power supply being disposed
directly below the pump along a direction perpendicular to the
plane; a motor driven by the power supply to operate the pump; and
a handle coupled to the frame and including a grip portion, the
grip portion being disposed directly above the center of gravity of
the air compressor system along the direction perpendicular to the
plane.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the power supply includes a
battery.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the battery is a first removable
battery, and the power supply includes a second removable
battery.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first battery and the
second battery are movable between an engaged position, in which
the first battery and the second battery are coupled to the frame,
and a disengaged position, in which the first battery and the
second battery are removed from the frame, and wherein the grip
portion is disposed directly above the center of gravity of system
along the direction perpendicular to the plane when the first
battery and the second battery are in the engaged position.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein, when the first battery and the
second battery are in the disengaged position, the center of
gravity of the system is moved along a direction parallel to the
plane such that the center of gravity is no longer directly below
the grip portion.
13. The system of claim 8, wherein the power supply is disposed
directly below the motor along the direction perpendicular to the
plane.
14. The system of claim 8, wherein the tank is spaced apart from
the power supply along a direction parallel to the plane.
15. The system of claim 8, further comprising a fitting in fluid
communication with the tank to dispense compressed air, the fitting
being above the center of gravity of the system.
16. An air compressor system having a center of gravity, the system
comprising: a frame configured to be supported on a support surface
defining a plane; a power supply removably coupled to the frame and
movable between an engaged position, in which the power supply is
coupled to the frame, and a disengaged position, in which the power
supply is removed from the frame; an air storage tank supported by
the frame; an air pump fluidly coupled to the tank; a motor driven
by the power supply to operate the pump; and a handle coupled to
the frame and including a grip portion, an axis being defined
between the grip portion and the center of gravity of the system,
the axis having a first orientation relative to the plane when the
power supply is in the engaged position, the axis having a second
orientation relative to the plane when the power supply is in the
disengaged position, the grip portion being disposed directly above
the center of gravity of the system along a direction perpendicular
to the plane one of in the first orientation, in the second
orientation and in between the first orientation and the second
orientation.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the power supply is disposed
directly below the motor and the pump along the direction
perpendicular to the plane.
18. The system of claim 16, further comprising a fitting in fluid
communication with the tank to dispense compressed air, the fitting
being above the center of gravity of the system.
19. The system of claim 16, wherein the grip portion is disposed
directly above the center of gravity of the system along a
direction perpendicular to the plane in the first orientation when
the power supply is in the engaged position.
20. The system of claim 16, wherein, when the power supply is moved
between the engaged position and the disengaged position, the
center of gravity of the system is moved relative to the grip
portion along a direction parallel to the plane.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of and
claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/584,854,
filed May 2, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to air compressor systems and,
more particularly, to the spatial arrangement of components for air
compressor systems.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Air compressors include compressor units for compressing air
and storage tanks for storing the compressed air for later use. Air
compressors are often used at work sites, for example, to power
pneumatically-operated tools. Existing air compressors are often
large, heavy, bulky, and difficult to transport by hand.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one independent aspect, an air compressor system may
generally include a frame configured to be supported on a support
surface, the support surface defining a plane; an air storage tank
supported by the frame, the tank having a center of gravity at a
first height measured along a direction perpendicular to the plane;
a power supply coupled to the frame, the power supply having a
center of gravity at a second height measured along the direction
perpendicular to the plane; a motor driven by the power supply, the
motor having a center of gravity at a third height measured along
the direction perpendicular to the plane; and an air pump driven by
the motor and fluidly coupled to the air storage tank, the pump
having a center of gravity at a fourth height measured along the
direction perpendicular to the plane. The first height and the
second height may be less than the third height and the fourth
height.
[0005] In another independent aspect, an air compressor system,
having a center of gravity, may generally include a frame
configured to be supported on a support surface, the support
surface defining a plane; an air storage tank supported by the
frame; an air pump fluidly coupled to the tank; a power supply
coupled to the frame, the power supply being disposed directly
below the pump along a direction perpendicular to the plane; a
motor driven by the power supply to operate the pump; and a handle
coupled to the frame and including a grip portion, the grip portion
being disposed directly above the center of gravity of the air
compressor system along the direction perpendicular to the
plane.
[0006] In yet another independent aspect, an air compressor system,
having a center of gravity, may generally include a frame
configured to be supported on a support surface defining a plane; a
power supply removably coupled to the frame and movable between an
engaged position, in which the power supply is coupled to the
frame, and a disengaged position, in which the power supply is
removed from the frame; an air storage tank supported by the frame;
an air pump fluidly coupled to the tank; a motor driven by the
power supply to operate the pump; and a handle coupled to the frame
and including a grip portion, the grip portion being disposed
directly above the center of gravity of the system along a
direction perpendicular to the plane when the power supply is in
the engaged position, the center of gravity being moved along a
direction parallel to the plane when the power supply is in the
disengaged position.
[0007] In a further independent embodiment, an air compressor
system having a center of gravity, may generally include a frame
configured to be supported on a support surface defining a plane; a
power supply removably coupled to the frame and movable between an
engaged position, in which the power supply is coupled to the
frame, and a disengaged position, in which the power supply is
removed from the frame; an air storage tank supported by the frame;
an air pump fluidly coupled to the tank; a motor driven by the
power supply to operate the pump; and a handle coupled to the frame
and including a grip portion, an axis being defined between the
grip portion and the center of gravity of the system, the axis
having a first orientation relative to the plane when the power
supply is in the engaged position, the axis having a second
orientation relative to the plane when the power supply is in the
disengaged position, the grip portion being disposed directly above
the center of gravity of the system along a direction perpendicular
to the plane one of in the first orientation, in the second
orientation and in between the first orientation and the second
orientation.
[0008] Other independent aspects of the invention will become
apparent by consideration of the detailed description, claims and
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an air compressor
system according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the air compressor
system of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is another rear perspective view of the air
compressor system of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the air compressor of FIG. 1,
illustrating a pair of batteries coupled to the air compressor.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side plan view of the air compressor of FIG. 1,
illustrating the pair of batteries removed from the air
compressor.
[0014] Before any independent embodiments of the invention are
explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited in its application to the details of construction and
the arrangement of components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention
is capable of other independent embodiments and of being practiced
or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for
the purpose of description and should not be regarded as
limiting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an air compressor system 10
including a motor 14, an air pump 18, and an air storage tank 22
fixedly coupled together by a frame 24. The system 10 is supported
on a support surface or ground surface 28 generally defining a
plane. The motor 14 is powered by a DC power supply (e.g., one or
more batteries 26 (two shown)), which are removably coupled to the
frame 24. In other embodiments (not shown), the motor 14 may
alternatively include an electrical cord that is selectively
coupled to a power supply, e.g., an AC power supply (120 volts, 230
volts, etc.).
[0016] The motor 14 is driveably coupled to the pump 18 via a crank
shaft 30 to pump ambient air into the tank 22. Air gauges 32 and a
regulator knob 34 are fluidly coupled to the tank 22 to monitor and
control air entering and exiting the tank 22. An outlet or fitting
35 provides fluid communication between at least one pneumatic tool
(e.g., nailer, drill, etc.) and the tank 22 to operate the
pneumatic tool.
[0017] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the illustrated pump 18
includes a piston head (not shown) located within a cylinder 36
with the piston head being coupled to the crank shaft 30 by a
piston rod 37. An air intake manifold 38 is coupled to a top
portion of the cylinder 36 and includes an inlet 42 and an outlet
46. The inlet 42 is located fluidly between the ambient air and a
compression chamber, which is defined by the cylinder 36, the
piston head, and the manifold 38. The outlet 46 is located fluidly
between the compression chamber and the tank 22. A check valve (not
shown) is associated with the inlet 42 and the outlet 46 allowing
air to flow in only one direction (e.g., into the tank 22).
[0018] With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a filter cap 58
and an air inlet control valve (not shown) are coupled to the air
intake manifold 38 and is configured to regulate the ambient air
entering the inlet 42. An inlet conduit 62 is attached to a filter
housing 66, which includes an air filter (not shown), by threadably
engaging a portion of the filter housing 66 to the inlet conduit
62. The inlet conduit 62 is directly attached to the air intake
manifold 38.
[0019] With reference to FIG. 4, the frame 24 of the system 10
includes a handle 70. Generally, the handle 70 is disposed directly
above a center of gravity 74 of the system 10 to ensure there is no
inadvertent swaying or tilting of the system 10 when the system 10
is lifted from the ground surface 28.
[0020] The handle 70 includes a grip portion 78 that an operator
grasps for maneuvering the system 10. An axis 82, defined between
the handle 70 and the center of gravity 74, is substantially
perpendicular to the ground surface 28. The frame 24 further
includes a base 86 adjacent the ground surface 28 and a pair of
uprights 90 extending upward from the base 86 which, in turn,
converge to define the handle 70 of the frame 24. In the
illustrated construction, all of the components of the system 10
are substantially confined within the boundary defined by the base
86, the uprights 90, and the handle 70.
[0021] With respect to the system 10, the center of gravity 74 is
found where the weighted relative positions of the various
components (i.e., the motor 14, the pump 18, the tank 22, the
batteries 26, etc.) sums to zero. The location of the center of
gravity 74 is at least below the fitting 35 to ensure that the
system 10 remains upright in case an operator applies a force on
the fitting 35 during use.
[0022] The tank 22 has a center of gravity 94 at a first height 98
measured along a direction 102 that is perpendicular to the ground
surface 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the first height 98 is
approximately 102 millimeters to 108 millimeters above the ground
surface 28. More specifically, the first height 98 is substantially
105 millimeters above the ground surface 28.
[0023] Also, the power source (and each battery 26) has a center of
gravity 106 at a second height 110 relative to the ground surface
28 measured along the direction 102. In the illustrated embodiment,
the second height 110 is approximately 90 millimeters to 98
millimeters above the ground surface 28. More specifically, the
second height 110 is substantially 94 millimeters above the ground
surface 28.
[0024] The motor 14 has a center of gravity 114 at a third height
118 relative to the ground surface 28 measured along the direction
102. In the illustrated embodiment, the third height 118 is
approximately 210 millimeters to 220 millimeters above the ground
surface 28. More specifically, the third height 118 is
substantially 215 millimeters above the ground surface 28.
[0025] As for the pump 18, the pump 18 has center of gravity 122 at
a fourth height 126 relative to the ground surface 28 measured
along the direction 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the fourth
height 126 is approximately the center of gravity of a motor
bracket 127 because the motor bracket 127 weighs approximately six
times more than the piston rod 37. The center of gravity of the
motor bracket 127 is coincident with the axis of rotation of the
motor 14. More specifically, a majority of the weight contributing
to the center of gravity 122 of the pump 18 is from the motor
bracket 127, a large pulley 129, and the air intake manifold 38. As
such, the fourth height 126 is the sum of the center of gravity of
the motor bracket 127, the large pulley 129, and the air intake
manifold 38. As a result, the center of gravity 122 of the pump 18
is slightly below (relative to the ground surface 28) the axis of
rotation of the motor 14. More specifically, the fourth height 126
is approximately 105 millimeters to 215 millimeters above the
ground surface 28.
[0026] By summing the centers of gravity 94, 106, 114, 122 of the
components 22, 26, 14, 18, the overall center of gravity 74 of the
system 10 is substantially located. Although each component of the
air compressor 10 has its own center of gravity that contributes to
the overall center of gravity 74 of the system 10, only some of the
component centers of gravity are described in further detail as
these components (i.e., the motor 14, the pump 18, the tank 22, the
batteries 26) have the greatest impact on the center of gravity
74.
[0027] With continued reference to FIG. 4, the first height 98 of
the tank center of gravity 94 is substantially the same as the
second height 110 of the power source center of gravity 106, such
that the tank 22 and the batteries 26 are disposed at a similar
height relative to the ground surface 28. Specifically, the center
of gravity 94 of the storage tank 22 is disposed approximately 11
millimeters above the center of gravity 110 of the batteries 26.
Accordingly, the first height 98 and the second height 114 are
positioned closer to the ground surface 28 than the third height
118 and the fourth height 126.
[0028] As shown, the batteries 26 are disposed directly below the
motor 14 and the pump 18 along the direction 102 that is
perpendicular to the ground surface 28. Also, the tank 22 is spaced
apart from the motor 14, the pump 18, and the batteries 26 along a
direction 130 that is parallel to the ground surface 28. In other
words, the motor 14, the pump 18, and the batteries 26 are located
towards a rear of the system 10, whereas the tank 22 is located
toward a front of the system 10.
[0029] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the batteries 26 are
selectively coupled to the frame 24 between an engaged position
(FIG. 4), in which the batteries 26 are coupled to the frame 24 and
operable to selectively supply power to the motor 14 via a power
switch 134, and a disengaged position (FIG. 5), in which the
batteries 26 are removed from the frame 26 (e.g., for charging
and/or use to power another device). As shown in FIG. 5, the center
of gravity 74 of the system 10 is moved along the direction 130
(e.g., forward of the axis 82 toward the front of the system 10)
when the batteries 26 are in the disengaged position. As a result,
the center of gravity 74 is no longer below the grip portion 78 of
the handle 70.
[0030] The effect of engagement/disengagement of the batteries 26
on the orientation of the grip portion 78 and the center of gravity
74 relative to the ground surface 28 depends on the size of the
batteries 26. For lighter batteries 26 (i.e., with relatively fewer
and/or smaller cells (e.g., an 18 volt battery 26 with a single set
of cells (5 cells)), the effect is small and may not be perceptible
to a user. For heavier batteries 26 (i.e., with relatively more
and/or larger cells (e.g., an 18 volt battery 26 with three
parallel-connected sets of cells (15 total cells)), the effect is
greater.
[0031] The location of the handle 70 relative to the center of
gravity 74 has a greater effect for a heavier system 10 compared to
a lighter one. For a lighter system 10, the distance between the
location of the handle 70 and a position directly above the center
of gravity 74 may be greater before the effect is noticeable.
[0032] The location of the handle 70 relative to the center of
gravity 74 also has a greater effect the greater the vertical
distance between the handle 70 and the center of gravity 74. If the
vertical distance is small, the distance between the location of
the handle 70 and a position directly above the center of gravity
74 may be greater before the effect is noticeable.
[0033] Although the invention has been described in detail with
reference to certain embodiments, variations and modifications
exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent
aspects of the invention as described.
[0034] One or more independent advantages and/or independent
features may be set forth in the claims.
* * * * *