Air Compressor and Reservoir For Topping Off Low Pressure Tires

Abstract

A small volume capacity pump is used to pressurize a small air tank, and the tank is used to top off pressure in an automobile tire or other receptacle. The tank preferably has a reservoir measuring 200-300 cc, and is pressurized to at least 500 psi. The pump preferably has a low volume capacity of 200-300 cc/min, thus requiring at least 15-45 minutes to refill the reservoir to its full operating pressure when empty. A pump can be operated by a DC or AC motor, which can be housed along with, or separately, from the pump. Especially preferred embodiments also include an automatic pressure regulator that can be set to deliver a desired pressure to a receiving device, and a trigger that controls release of air from the tank to the regulator.

1 . A device suitable for topping off air pressure in an automobile tire, comprising an air reservoir with a main cavity having a usable volume of at least 100 cc, pressurized to a full operating pressure of at least 500 psi; between 0.2 and 1 liters;
 a valve stem fitting having a first pneumatic coupling to the reservoir; and   a pump having a second pneumatic coupling to the reservoir.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the usable volume is 150-750 cc. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the usable volume is 200-300 cc. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure in the reservoir is 700-1,200 psi. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure in the reservoir is 800-1,000 psi. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pump has an input volume capacity of 100-800 cc of air/min. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pump has an input volume capacity of 200-300 cc of air/min. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a DC voltage connector through which power is supplied to a motor that drives the pump. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the DC voltage connector is electrically coupled to the motor through wiring having a length of less than 1 meter. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an AC voltage connector through which power is supplied to a motor that drives the pump. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a motor that drives the pump. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the motor is user-detachable from the pump. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure regulator. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the pressure regulator has a user-adjustable mechanical pressure setting. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the pressure regulator automatically delivers a desired pressure of between 30 and 40 psi. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the automobile valve stem fitting has internal threads. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising a trigger that controls release of air through the regulator.