Embodiments relate generally to energy storage systems, and in particular to energy storage systems using compressed gas as an energy storage medium. In various embodiments, a compressed gas storage system may include a plurality of stages to convert energy into compressed gas for storage, and then to recover that stored energy by gas expansion. In certain embodiments, a stage may comprise a reversible compressor/expander having a reciprocating piston. Pump designs for introducing liquid for heat exchange with the gas, are described. Gas flow valves featuring shroud and/or curtain portions, are also described.

A reciprocating-piston machine, in particular a two-stage or multi-stage piston compressor, includes: a first connecting rod for deflecting a first piston and which has a connecting-rod eye, the first connecting rod being a drive connecting rod; a second connecting rod for deflecting a second piston and which has at least one further connecting-rod eye, the second connecting rod being a follower connecting rod; a coupling element which extends through the connecting-rod eye and the at least one further connecting-rod eye and about which the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are rotationally movable relative to one another; a coupling bearing element arranged between the coupling element and a connecting-rod eye inner surface of the connecting-rod eye; and a damping element with elastic damping action arranged in a damping annular chamber between the coupling bearing element and the connecting-rod eye inner surface of the connecting-rod eye.

An air compressor includes a compression machine configured to generate compression air, a main tank configured to store therein the compression air, an extension tank configured to store therein the compression air, a connection pipeline provided between the main tank and the extension tank to be removably inserted thereto, and a fastening unit configured to releasably connect the main tank and the extension tank with each other.

An oil-injected multistage compressor device that comprises at least one low-pressure stage compressor element (2) with an inlet (4a) and an outlet (5a) and a high-pressure stage compressor element (3) with an inlet (4b) and an outlet (5b), whereby the outlet (5a) of the low-pressure stage compressor element (2) is connected to the inlet (4b) of the high-pressure stage compressor element (3) via a conduit (6), characterized in that an intercooler (9) is provided between the low-pressure stage compressor element (2) and the high-pressure stage compressor element (3) in the aforementioned conduit (6) and that the compressor device (1) is also equipped with a restriction (10) for limiting the amount of oil injected in the low-pressure stage compressor element (2).

A multi-stage compressor for compressing a fluid, the compressor comprising two or more cylinders each having a compression chamber and a piston, so that a fluid in each of the compression chambers can be com-pressed by the associated piston; the cylinders being connected in series such that a fluid entering an inlet of the compressor can be compressed to a first pressure in the compression chamber of a first cylinder and, then, enter into the compression chamber of a second cylinder where the compressed fluid is compressed to a second higher pressure and, before the fluid exits from an outlet of the com-pressor; wherein each piston is driven by one and the same crankpin of the compressor. Furthermore, a method for compressing a fluid, and a system for comprising the multi-stage stage compressor are disclosed.

A compressor includes a low pressure stage having a low pressure cylinder, a high pressure stage having a high pressure cylinder, a low pressure piston guided in an axially movable manner in the low pressure cylinder, a high pressure piston guided in an axially movable manner in the high pressure cylinder, a piston rod rigidly connecting the low pressure piston and the high pressure piston, and a sliding block guide. The sliding block guide includes a recess arranged in the piston rod and further includes two substantially parallel sliding block tracks. One of the sliding block tracks has an arc-shaped indentation in a central portion. The sliding block tracks are constructed and such that a movement of the low pressure piston and of the high pressure piston follows a piston stroke curve that deviates from a regular sinusoidal stroke curve.

A three-stage compression air pump includes a pump head and a pumping device. The pumping device includes first and second cylinders and a plunger. The first cylinder is connected with the pump head and coupled to a first piston moving in the second cylinder. The second cylinder includes a first end cap and a second end cap respectively coupled to the two ends thereof. The first cylinder is inserted through the first end cap. The second end cap defines an orifice allowing outside air to flow into the second cylinder and includes a one-way valve preventing the air in the second cylinder from flowing outside the three-stage compression pump. The plunger is inserted in and movably coupled to the first cylinder and coupled to a second piston moving in the first cylinder and connected with the second end cap. The plunger is inserted through the first piston.

Provided is a reciprocating compressor including a third-stage compression unit, a fifth-stage compression unit, a drive unit, a discharge mechanism, a pressure sensor, and a discharge control unit. The discharge mechanism is capable of discharging hydrogen gas from a second connection pipe that allows hydrogen gas to flow to be suctioned into the third-stage compression unit. The discharge control unit controls the discharge mechanism to discharge the hydrogen gas from the second connection pipe when pressure of the hydrogen gas detected by the pressure sensor is higher than a set value preset.

A cylinder in a compression stage is provided with a first cooling channel through which a cooling fluid for absorbing heat generated between the cylinder and a first piston ring group flows, a second cooling channel through which a cooling fluid for absorbing heat generated between the cylinder and a second piston ring group flows, and a through hole penetrating a side wall of the cylinder in an intermediate part between the first cooling channel and the second cooling channel A hydrogen gas leaking from a compression chamber to the intermediate part through between the cylinder and a piston and then guided to a leak line. The leak line includes a piping part and a volume expansion unit in which volume in a predetermined distance range is larger than volume of the piping part at the same distance range as the predetermined distance range.

A compression stage includes a cylinder, a piston, a first piston ring group, and a second piston ring group. The cylinder includes a first cooling channel through which a cooling fluid for absorbing heat generated between the cylinder and the first piston ring group flows, a second cooling channel through which a cooling fluid for absorbing heat generated between the cylinder and the second piston ring group flows, and an intermediate part disposed between the first cooling channel and the second cooling channel. A communication channel is connected to the intermediate part and a connection pipe, and guides a hydrogen gas leaking from a compression chamber through the first piston ring group to the intermediate part, to the outside of the cylinder.