JSK
Well-known member
Maybe you're like many of the other curious lift shoppers in the market for a four-post garage lift. You like the BendPak, but are concerned about the requirement for air. You don't have an air compressor and are not really interested in acquiring one or going through the trouble of plumbing airlines etc. So reluctantly you settle for a lesser quality lift with a manual lock system. What if you could have both?
SOLUTION SOLVED – PATENT IS APPLIED FOR AND IS NOW PENDING
We’ve developed a system where the lift itself actually creates its own air source each time the lift is raised. As you are most likely aware, BendPak lifts (and others) employ a hydraulic cylinder to raise the platform or runways. The hydraulic cylinder will usually have two fitting ports. One port is for the input of hydraulic fluid that activates the movement and power. The second port is a vent port where the atmosphere escapes the backside of the cylinder as the piston moves through the cylinder body. With this system, air is simply captured and stored into an auxiliary air bottle attached to the lift. A cylinder and piston really is an air compressor isn’t it? When activating the pneumatic locks you use little air volume. The locks require no more than 20 PSI to release. The air volume and PSI created as the lift rises just once creates an air source ample enough for multiple full descent lock release operations.
PATENT DESIGN FEATURES
• OPTION 1 - Bottle is attached to the lift as a separate component. (As shown)
• OPTION 2 - Bottle and stated components are integrated into the standard hydraulic power unit/manifold assembly with the bottle stored within the oil reservoir.
• The bottle has a one-way check valve so that when air enters the bottle, it can’t escape.
• The bottle has an additional one-way check valve that operates independent of the other that allows the cylinder to reverse direction without creating a vacuum. It pulls air from the atmosphere rather than the air bottle.
• Bottle has an out port that feeds directly to the pneumatic safety push-button operator.
• Bottle system has a pressure gauge to identify charged status.
• Bottle system has an integrated “pop-off” safety valve (typical component found on air compressors) so that if pressure exceed 150 PSI, the valve relieves the pressure.
For those asking the obvious question….”What if I leave my vehicle stored for months in the raised position and I come back and find the bottle empty”. We did add to the design an independent valve stem attached to the bottle in the event you ever had to re-charge the bottle with the lift elevated. However, my simple answer to that question is this. The bottle and fittings are made of steel and for the most part impermeable. Your vehicle tires are made out of rubber. The bottle will hold air much longer than your tires. If you return to find the bottle empty, most likely, all of your tires will be flat.
An added feature – Any micron bypass of fluid through the hydraulic cylinder seals will work its way to the bottle, thus lubricating the pneumatic safety components.
Price - $75.00'ish. Still working on that.
My best to all!
Jeff Kritzer
BendPak
SOLUTION SOLVED – PATENT IS APPLIED FOR AND IS NOW PENDING
We’ve developed a system where the lift itself actually creates its own air source each time the lift is raised. As you are most likely aware, BendPak lifts (and others) employ a hydraulic cylinder to raise the platform or runways. The hydraulic cylinder will usually have two fitting ports. One port is for the input of hydraulic fluid that activates the movement and power. The second port is a vent port where the atmosphere escapes the backside of the cylinder as the piston moves through the cylinder body. With this system, air is simply captured and stored into an auxiliary air bottle attached to the lift. A cylinder and piston really is an air compressor isn’t it? When activating the pneumatic locks you use little air volume. The locks require no more than 20 PSI to release. The air volume and PSI created as the lift rises just once creates an air source ample enough for multiple full descent lock release operations.
PATENT DESIGN FEATURES
• OPTION 1 - Bottle is attached to the lift as a separate component. (As shown)
• OPTION 2 - Bottle and stated components are integrated into the standard hydraulic power unit/manifold assembly with the bottle stored within the oil reservoir.
• The bottle has a one-way check valve so that when air enters the bottle, it can’t escape.
• The bottle has an additional one-way check valve that operates independent of the other that allows the cylinder to reverse direction without creating a vacuum. It pulls air from the atmosphere rather than the air bottle.
• Bottle has an out port that feeds directly to the pneumatic safety push-button operator.
• Bottle system has a pressure gauge to identify charged status.
• Bottle system has an integrated “pop-off” safety valve (typical component found on air compressors) so that if pressure exceed 150 PSI, the valve relieves the pressure.
For those asking the obvious question….”What if I leave my vehicle stored for months in the raised position and I come back and find the bottle empty”. We did add to the design an independent valve stem attached to the bottle in the event you ever had to re-charge the bottle with the lift elevated. However, my simple answer to that question is this. The bottle and fittings are made of steel and for the most part impermeable. Your vehicle tires are made out of rubber. The bottle will hold air much longer than your tires. If you return to find the bottle empty, most likely, all of your tires will be flat.
An added feature – Any micron bypass of fluid through the hydraulic cylinder seals will work its way to the bottle, thus lubricating the pneumatic safety components.
Price - $75.00'ish. Still working on that.
My best to all!
Jeff Kritzer
BendPak
