The invention relates to a fluid compression apparatus having a plurality of compression stages, comprising a first compression chamber, a second compression chamber, an intake system communicating with the first compression chamber which is configured to allow fluid to be compressed into said first compression chamber, a transfer system configured to allow in an open position the transfer of fluid from the first compression chamber to the second compression chamber, a mobile piston for ensuring the compression of the fluid in the first and second compression chambers. The apparatus further comprises a discharge port which communicates with the second compression chamber and is configured to allow the exit of compressed fluid, the piston being translationally mobile in a longitudinal direction, wherein the first compression chamber is defined by a fixed lower cavity, a lower end of the piston and a first sealing system formed between the piston and a wall of the cavity, wherein the second compression chamber is defined by a fixed upper cavity, an upper end of the piston and a second sealing system formed between the piston and a wall of the upper cavity. The invention is characterized in that, in the operating configuration of the apparatus, the longitudinal direction of translation of the mobile piston is vertical, the intake system being located at a lower end of the apparatus and the discharge port being located in an upper part of the apparatus above the transfer system.

The invention relates to a fluid compression apparatus comprising a housing having a compression chamber, an intake system communicating with the compression chamber which is configured to allow fluid to be compressed into said compression chamber, and a mobile piston for ensuring the compression of the fluid in the compression chamber. The apparatus further comprises a discharge port which is configured to allow the exit of compressed fluid from the compression chamber, the compression chamber being defined by a portion of the body of the piston and a fixed wall of the apparatus, the piston being translationally mobile along a longitudinal direction. The invention is characterized in that the piston has a tubular portion mounted around a fixed central guide, a first terminal end of the central guide forming the fixed wall delimiting a part of the compression chamber. The apparatus also comprises a sealing system formed between the central guide and the piston according to the longitudinal direction of translation of the piston, the intake system being located at a first end of the apparatus, the discharge port being located at a second end of the apparatus.

The invention relates to a fluid compression apparatus comprising a first and a second compression chamber, an intake system communicating with the first compression chamber, a transfer system communicating with the first and second compression chambers, and a mobile piston for ensuring the compression of the fluid in the first and second compression chambers. The apparatus further comprises a discharge port which communicates with the second compression chamber and is configured to allow the outlet of compressed fluid, wherein the second compression chamber is defined by a part of the body of the piston and a fixed wall of the apparatus, the piston being translationally mobile according to a longitudinal direction, the piston having a tubular portion mounted around a fixed central guide, a terminal end of the central guide forming the fixed wall defining a part of the second compression chamber. The apparatus further comprises a sealing system formed between the central guide and the piston according to the longitudinal direction of translation of the piston, the intake system being located at a first end of the apparatus, the discharge port being located at a second end of the apparatus and the transfer system being located between the intake system and the discharge port.

A header and a pump end for a cryogenic pump are provided for efficient liquid pumping operation. The header directs supplied liquid into a sump and gas into a freeboard. The liquid in the header can be distributed along the header and decanted over a weir to the sump, the liquid being drawn from the sump and up through the vessel to the pump end. Gas in the freeboard is collected for venting or return to the liquid source. Pump head plunger stroke can be lengthened and operated at slower stroke rates using a large cross-sectional area intake and discharge valves. Plunger seals, supported as a seal pack in a sleeve, are field installable over the plunger. A plunger to drive shim arrangement permits filed adjustment of the stroke.

A reciprocating cryogenic pump 2 comprises a piston reciprocable within a pumping chamber 44. The pumping chamber 44 has an inlet suction valve 48 for cryogenic liquid to be pumped and an outlet 32 for high pressure cryogenic liquid. The inlet valve 48 for the cryogenic liquid communicates with a cryogenic liquid reception chamber 46 in the cold end or head 6 of the pump 2. The pump head 6 is at least partially surrounded by a first jacket 8 retaining primary vacuum insulation. The first jacket 8 is itself at least partly surrounded by a second jacket 10. The jacket 10 defines a chamber for the reception of a coolant fluid such as liquid nitrogen and the second jacket has an inlet 20 and an outlet 22 for the liquid nitrogen. The thermal insulation can be further enhanced by a trapped gas space 73 between the first jacket 8 and an inner sleeve 52, the latter defining with an outer sleeve 50 vacuum insulation for the pumping chamber 44.

A portable, cryogenic fluid pump apparatus with associated instrumentation, conduit legs and accessories, are optimally configured on a modular supporting platform for plug and play installation at a filling station and on-site inspection and maintenance at the filling station. Each of the associated instrumentation, conduit legs and accessories are positioned onto a condensed footprint such that access to the platform is possible. The plug and play connection system allows for the rapid connection or disconnection of the various instrumentation, conduit legs and accessories on the modular supporting platform to a vaporizer and a source tank at a filling station. The connections or disconnections may be made safely, quickly and, easily in advance.

A compressor assembly for use with a Pulse Tube cryocooler is disclosed. The compressor assembly includes a central hub having a plurality of faces, and at least four compressor modules mounted on the central hub. Each of the compressor modules is mounted on a face of the plurality of faces. Each compressor module comprises a piston mounted in the central hub and configured to reciprocate along an axis of travel within the central hub. The pistons are mounted head-to-head with each other and collective reciprocation of the pistons along the respective axes minimizes vibration forces of the compressor assembly in X, Y, and Z translational axes of motion.

A fluid pumping system may include an engine, an electric generator, an electrically driven pump, and a first electrical resistance heating element. The engine may drive the generator, and the generator may supply power to the electrically driven pump and the electrical resistance heating element. The first electrical resistance heating element may be positioned to apply heat to fluid pumped by the electrically driven pump.

A liquid supply system that can be cooled efficiently. The liquid supply system 10 includes a container having an inlet 131b and an outlet 131c for liquid and provided with pump chambers P1, P2 inside it, supply passages 131e, 131Xc through which the liquid flowing in from the inlet 131b is supplied to the pump chambers P1, P2, and a discharge passage 190 through which the liquid discharged from the pump chambers P1, P2 is brought to the outlet 131c. A thermal resistance layer 500 is provided on a surface 180, 181 of a wall that is in contact with the liquid in the pump chamber P1, P2. The thermal resistance layer is made of a material (e.g. PTFE) having a thermal conductivity lower than the material of the wall 180, 181.

A liquid supply system that can prevent or reduce the occurrence of cavitation without an increase in the overall size of the apparatus. The liquid supply system includes a first pump chamber P1 formed by a space surrounding the outer circumference of a first bellows 141, a second pump chamber P2 formed by a space surrounding the outer circumference of a second bellows 142, a first check valve 160A provided in a fluid passage passing through the first pump chamber P1 to block backflow of fluid, and a second check valve 160B provided in a fluid passage passing through the second pump chamber P2 to block backflow of fluid. The first check valve 160A and the second check valve 160B are both provided in the container 130 and disposed on the side opposite to an actuator 110 that drives a shaft member 120, with respect to the shaft member 120.