MULTISTAGE AIR PUMP WITH ADJUSTABLE INTER-STAGE MASS TRANSFER AND INTER-STAGE SORBENT CARTRIDGE

摘要

A hand operated reciprocating multistage pump has an upstream stage and a downstream stage, each stage having a compression chamber. A regulating valve controls a mass of compressed air passing from the upstream stage to the downstream stage. By controlling the mass of compressed air passing to the downstream stage, the required force to operate the compression chamber of the downstream stage can be controlled. A sorbent cartridge can be located between the upstream stage and the downstream stage, such that the partially compressed air passes through a sorbent such as a desiccant before being compressed in the compression chamber of the downstream stage.