Fluid compressor and control device for the same

Abstract

An air compressor includes a tank configured to contain compressed air, an inlet configured to receive compressed air from the tank, an outlet, and a control device, positioned between the inlet and the outlet, configured to regulate an output pressure of compressed air discharged through the outlet. The control device includes a housing having a chamber, and a pressure regulator in fluid communication with the chamber. The pressure regulator is configured to regulate discharge of compressed air through the outlet. The control device also includes a mechanical valve which, when opened, is configured to fluidly communicate the chamber and the tank to adjust the pressure regulator, and an actuator coupled to the mechanical valve. The actuator is configured to at least selectively open the valve.

1 . An air compressor comprising:
 a tank configured to contain compressed air;   an inlet configured to receive compressed air from the tank;   an outlet;   a control device, positioned between the inlet and the outlet, configured to regulate an output pressure of compressed air discharged through the outlet, the control device including
 a housing including a chamber; 
 a pressure regulator in fluid communication with the chamber, the pressure regulator configured to regulate discharge of compressed air through the outlet; 
 a mechanical valve which, when opened, is configured to fluidly communicate the chamber and the tank to adjust the pressure regulator; and 
 an actuator configured to engage the mechanical valve, wherein the actuator is configured to at least selectively open the valve. 
   
   
   
       2 . The air compressor of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second mechanical valve which, when opened, is configured to discharge compressed air from the chamber to the atmosphere; and   a second actuator configured to engage the second mechanical valve, wherein the second actuator is configured to at least selectively open the second mechanical valve.   
   
   
       3 . The air compressor of  claim 2 , wherein the first actuator is configured to operate the first mechanical valve to increase the air pressure in the chamber, and wherein the second actuator is configured to operate the second mechanical valve to decrease the air pressure in the chamber. 
   
   
       4 . The air compressor of  claim 3 , wherein the first actuator directly operates the first mechanical valve, and wherein the second actuator directly operates the second mechanical valve. 
   
   
       5 . The air compressor of  claim 2 , wherein the first mechanical valve includes
 a first inlet and a first outlet;   a first conduit disposed between the inlet of the first mechanical valve and the tank;   a second conduit disposed between the first outlet of the first mechanical valve and the chamber;   wherein the first mechanical valve is configured to increase the pressure in the chamber by transferring compressed air from the tank, through the first and second conduits, and to the chamber; and   wherein the second mechanical valve includes
 a second inlet and a second outlet; 
 a third conduit disposed between the second inlet of the second mechanical valve and the chamber; and 
 a fourth conduit disposed between the second outlet of the second mechanical valve and the atmosphere; 
 wherein the second mechanical valve is configured to decrease the pressure in the chamber by releasing air from the chamber through the second mechanical valve into the atmosphere. 
   
   
   
       6 . The air compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured as a push-button. 
   
   
       7 . The air compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is configured as a three-way valve. 
   
   
       8 . The air compressor of  claim 7 , wherein the actuator is configured as a toggle positionable between a first position, in which the chamber is fluidly isolated from the tank and the atmosphere, a second position, in which the chamber is fluidly communicated with the tank to adjust the pressure regulator, and a third position, in which the chamber is fluidly communicated with the atmosphere to discharge compressed air from the chamber into the atmosphere. 
   
   
       9 . The air compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is configured as a needle valve. 
   
   
       10 . The air compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the control device comprises a non-electrical mechanical device. 
   
   
       11 . The air compressor of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one pressure gauge in fluid communication with the outlet, wherein the pressure gauge is configured to measure the pressure of compressed air discharged through the outlet. 
   
   
       12 . The air compressor of  claim 11 , further comprising a second pressure gauge in fluid communication with the tank, wherein the second pressure gauge is configured to measure the pressure of the compressed air in the tank. 
   
   
       13 . The air compressor of  claim 1 , further comprising a second chamber at least partially defining the inlet and the outlet. 
   
   
       14 . The air compressor of  claim 13 , wherein the pressure regulator is disposed in the second chamber. 
   
   
       15 . The air compressor of  claim 14 , wherein the pressure regulator includes a movable regulatory element separating the first chamber and second chamber, and wherein the movable regulatory element is configured to alter the pressure in the second chamber. 
   
   
       16 . The air compressor of  claim 1 , further comprising a second chamber including a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion, wherein the first chamber portion is in fluid communication with the inlet and the second chamber portion is in fluid communication with the pressure regulator and the outlet, wherein the first chamber comprises an inlet valve chamber and an outlet valve chamber, wherein the inlet valve chamber is in fluid communication with the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion, and wherein the outlet valve chamber is in fluid communication with the second chamber portion and the atmosphere. 
   
   
       17 . The air compressor of  claim 16 , wherein the actuator includes a lever at least partially disposed within the first chamber portion, and wherein the lever is configured to operate the first mechanical valve to selectively inhibit fluid communication between the inlet valve chamber and the first chamber portion, and the first chamber portion and the outlet valve chamber. 
   
   
       18 . The air compressor of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a second mechanical valve; and   a second lever at least partially disposed within the second chamber portion, and wherein the second lever is configured to operate the second mechanical valve to selectively inhibit fluid communication between the second chamber portion and the outlet valve chamber.   
   
   
       19 . The air compressor of  claim 1 , further comprising a return spring coupled to one of the actuator and the valve, wherein the return spring is configured to bias the valve to a closed position.