Importance

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Abstract

A gas compressor with at least three hydraulic cylinders is connected to a source of natural gas by a gas line. The gas line can also be removably attached to a storage tank. A hydraulic system is also connected to the cylinders. The compressor additionally includes pressure controls which allow the pistons in the hydraulic cylinders to complete the compression stroke in a staged manner. The cylinders are thereby sequentially emptied of gas. Gas at a sufficient initial pressure, entering the cylinders at the completion of the compression cycle, drives the return stroke of the pistons. A pressure switch controls the pressure level of the compressed gas, and aborts the compression cycle when a predetermined pressure in the storage tank has been reached. If the initial pressure of the natural gas from the gas source is insufficient, a low compression one stage compressor is connected to the gas line upstream of the gas compressor to pressurize the natural gas to sufficient initial pressure prior to introducing the gas into the gas compressor. A pressure distribution assembly having a pressure relief cylinder can also be attached to one or more of the hydraulic cylinders.

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First Claim