Compressed air-generator for motorised valve - uses reciprocating hydraulic jack to drive lesser piston pushing compressed air into tank

摘要

The pump uses relatively low water pressure to compress air which may in turn drive a motorised canal sluice, using water under pressure to displace a major piston (24) in a first cylinder (11) and drive a minor piston (31) in a second cylinder (12). The two pistons are connected by a rod (13) and the water feed passes through a three-way slide-valve hydraulic distributor (14). The second cylinder comprises an air-compression chamber connected to a storage tank (7) and the atmosphere by a discharge valve (21) and an intake valve (22) respectively. Changes in position of the distributor slide valve are brought about by a rod-mounted finger (18) at the end of each run. A push button actuated bi-stable rocking lever retained by a sprung lever bolt may be released by the finger to start fresh piston cycles, the first cylinder comprising an hydraulic jack.