Granted Patent B2

US 9,352,933 · App. 14/013,425 · Granted May 31, 2016

Abstract

Claims (33)

1. A compression system, comprising:

a compressor;

a tank rotatably coupled with the compressor and configured to receive a compressed fluid therefrom;

a sheave configured to receive a hose, the sheave being coupled with the tank such that the sheave and the tank are rotationally fixed relative to one another and rotatable with respect to the compressor; and

a guide arm coupled with the compressor and configured to receive the hose, wherein the guide arm is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position, and wherein the compressor is prevented from powering on when the guide arm is in the retracted position.

2. The compression system of claim 1 , wherein the tank and the sheave are fixed together and rotatable as a single unit.

3. The compression system of claim 1 , wherein the tank forms a central portion of the sheave, such that the hose is wound around the tank when the sheave receives the hose.

4. The compression system of claim 3 , wherein the sheave comprises first and second endwalls that are coupled with the tank and separated apart along a longitudinal axis of the tank, wherein the sheave is configured to receive the hose between the first and second endwalls.

5. The compression system of claim 1 , wherein the sheave comprises a first endwall, wherein the tank is coupled with the first endwall so as to rotate therewith.

6. The compression system of claim 5 , wherein the sheave further comprises a second endwall spaced apart from the first endwall, wherein the second endwall is disposed between the first endwall and the compressor.

7. The compression system of claim 1 , further comprising a frame coupled to the compressor and rotatably coupled with the sheave, the tank, or both the sheave and the tank.

8. The compression system of claim 1 , wherein the guide arm is biased by a first biasing force toward the deployed position.

9. The compression system of claim 8 , wherein the sheave is angularly biased by a second biasing force, such that the sheave is biased toward retracting the hose, wherein, when the hose is retracted, the second biasing force on the sheave is transmitted to the guide arm via the hose, wherein the second biasing force on the sheave is larger than the first biasing force on the guide arm.

10. A method for manufacturing a compression system, comprising:

coupling a tank to a compressor, such that the tank is configured to receive a compressed fluid from the compressor and is rotatable with respect to the compressor;

coupling a hose sheave to the tank, such that the tank and the hose sheave are prevented from rotation relative to one another and are rotatable together as a single unit with respect to the compressor;

connecting a hose feed module to a frame that is rotatably coupled to the hose sheave, the tank, or both, wherein the hose feed module comprises a movable guide arm configured to receive a hose received onto the hose sheave; and

electrically coupling the guide arm with the compressor, such that movement of the guide arm from a retracted position to a deployed position allows the compressor to be powered on.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein coupling the tank to the compressor comprises fixedly coupling the compressor to a frame and rotatably coupling the tank, the hose sheave, or both to the frame.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein coupling the hose sheave to the tank comprises coupling two endwalls of the hose sheave to the tank, such that the tank forms a central portion of the sheave.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein coupling the hose sheave to the tank comprises coupling a first endwall of the sheave to the tank, wherein a second endwall of the sheave is positioned between the first endwall and the compressor.

14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising biasing the hose sheave such that the sheave is urged to retract the hose, wherein the biasing of the hose sheave applies a force on the guide arm, moving the guide arm from the deployed position to the retracted position, when the hose is retracted.

15. The method of claim 10 , further comprising coupling a rotation device to the hose sheave, so as to rotate the hose sheave, wherein the rotation device is selected from the group consisting of a crank, a spring, and a motor.

16. A compression system, comprising:

a frame;

a compressor coupled to the frame, the compressor configured to compress a gas;

an integrated tank and reel assembly rotatably coupled to the frame, the integrated tank and reel assembly comprising:

a generally cylindrical tank fluidly coupled to the compressor so as to receive the gas therefrom, the generally cylindrical tank defining a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends;

a first endwall coupled to the tank proximal the first end; and

a second endwall coupled to the tank proximal the second end, such that the first and second endwalls are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the tank,

wherein the integrated tank and reel assembly is configured to receive a hose between the first and second endwalls, such that the hose is disposed around the tank;

a guide arm defining an opening therethrough, the opening configured to receive the hose from the integrated tank and reel assembly, the guide arm being movable between a retracted position and a deployed position and being biased toward the deployed position; and

a switch coupled with the guide arm and the compressor, wherein the switch is configured to close when the guide arm is in the deployed position and open when the guide arm is in the retracted position.

Assignments (9)