Air compressor including a disk oil slinger assembly

Abstract

A “splash” lubrication system having an oil slinger capable of providing an increased flow rate of lubricating and cooling oil to lubricated components of the system compared to conventional dip stick oil slingers while reducing oil atomization and oil loss through the crankcase vent is disclosed. In embodiments of the invention, the oil slinger is comprised of a disk coupled to the crankshaft assembly of a direct drive oil-lube air compressor. The air compressor includes a universal electric motor which drives the crankshaft assembly, thereby causing the crankshaft assembly to rotate, which in turn, rotates the disk for splashing lubricating oil from the crankcase's oil sump onto the moving parts of the air compressor being lubricated by the lubricating system.

1 . An air compressor assembly, comprising: 
 an air storage tank for storing at a first pressure;    an air compressor for compressing air from a second pressure to the first pressure for storage in the air storage tank, the air compressor including a cylinder, a piston disposed within the cylinder, a crankcase housing a crankshaft assembly for reciprocating the piston within the cylinder, an oil sump formed in the crankcase for containing lubricating oil for lubricating the cylinder and piston, and a generally disk shaped oil slinger positioned below the cylinder and co-planer with a plane passing though the cylinder, the generally disk shaped oil slinger being coupled to the crankshaft assembly; and,    a motor for driving the crankshaft assembly for reciprocating the piston within the cylinder;    wherein rotation of the crankshaft assembly by the motor rotates the oil slinger for splashing lubricating oil from the oil sump onto the cylinder and piston.    
   
   
       2 . The air compressor assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure regulator for regulating the pressure of air in the air storage tank to at least approximately the first pressure by starting and stopping the motor.  
   
   
       3 . The air compressor assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the air compressor assembly is a direct drive air compressor assembly.  
   
   
       4 . The air compressor assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the air compressor assembly is a belt drive air compressor assembly.  
   
   
       5 . The air compressor assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the motor is a universal motor.  
   
   
       6 . The air compressor assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a safety valve for releasing pressure within the air storage tank.  
   
   
       7 . The air compressor assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a check valve.  
   
   
       8 . The air compressor assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a drain plug.  
   
   
       9 . An air compressor assembly, comprising: 
 an air storage tank for storing at a first pressure;    an air compressor for compressing air from a second pressure to the first pressure for storage in the air storage tank, the air compressor including a cylinder, a piston disposed within the cylinder, a crankcase housing a crankshaft assembly for reciprocating the piston within the cylinder, an oil sump formed in the crankcase for containing lubricating oil for lubricating the cylinder and piston, and a generally disk shaped oil slinger positioned below the cylinder and co-planer with a plane passing though the cylinder, the generally disk shaped oil slinger being coupled to the crankshaft assembly; and,    a motor for driving the crankshaft assembly for reciprocating the piston within the cylinder;    wherein rotation of the crankshaft assembly by the motor rotates the oil slinger for splashing lubricating oil from the oil sump onto the cylinder and piston;    wherein the air compressor assembly is a direct drive air compressor assembly.    
   
   
       10 . The air compressor assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising a pressure regulator for regulating the pressure of air in the air storage tank to at least approximately the first pressure by starting and stopping the motor.  
   
   
       11 . The air compressor assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the motor is a universal motor.  
   
   
       12 . The air compressor assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising a safety valve for releasing pressure within the air storage tank.  
   
   
       13 . The air compressor assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising a check valve.  
   
   
       14 . The air compressor assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising a drain plug.  
   
   
       15 . An air compressor assembly, comprising: 
 an air storage tank for storing at a first pressure;    an air compressor for compressing air from a second pressure to the first pressure for storage in the air storage tank, the air compressor including a cylinder, a piston disposed within the cylinder, a crankcase housing a crankshaft assembly for reciprocating the piston within the cylinder, an oil sump formed in the crankcase for containing lubricating oil for lubricating the cylinder and piston, and a generally disk shaped oil slinger positioned below the cylinder and co-planer with a plane passing though the cylinder, the generally disk shaped oil slinger being coupled to the crankshaft assembly; and,    a universal motor for driving the crankshaft assembly for reciprocating the piston within the cylinder;    wherein rotation of the crankshaft assembly by the motor rotates the oil slinger for splashing lubricating oil from the oil sump onto the cylinder and piston;    wherein the air compressor assembly is a direct drive air compressor assembly.    
   
   
       16 . The air compressor assembly as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising a pressure regulator for regulating the pressure of air in the air storage tank to at least approximately the first pressure by starting and stopping the motor.  
   
   
       17 . The air compressor assembly as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising a safety valve for releasing pressure within the air storage tank.  
   
   
       18 . The air compressor assembly as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising a check valve.  
   
   
       19 . The air compressor assembly as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising a drain plug.  
   
   
       20 . The air compressor assembly as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising one or more gauges.