FLUID COMPRESSOR AND MOTOR VEHICLE REFUELLING APPARATUS

摘要

A fluid compressor (10) comprising a stator (22), having a bore shaped first chamber (26) and an annular second chamber (30), and a piston (18) comprising a central piston rod (36) having a first piston head (44) and a concentrically arranged cylindrical piston sleeve (38) having a second piston head (48). The stator (22) and piston (18) together define a first compression chamber (12), a second compression chamber (14) provided concentrically around the first chamber (12), and a third compression chamber (16) provided concentrically around the first chamber (12) and linearly with the second chamber (14). The compression chambers (12, 14, 16) are interconnected via intercooling conduits (72, 74). A hydraulic actuator (20) is coupled to the piston (18) by a hydraulic ram (82). During left to right movement of the piston (18) fluid enters the third chamber (16) and fluid is compressed in the second chamber (14). During right to left movement of the piston (18) fluid in the first and third chambers (12, 16) is compressed.