Abstract: A hydraulic machine includes a housing interior space and a group of hydrostatic working chambers which are mounted in said housing interior space so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation and which, as the group rotates, are connectable alternately to a high pressure and to a low pressure of the hydraulic machine and exhibit leakage into the housing interior space. A heat exchanger device is accommodated in the housing interior space. The hydraulic machine may be associated with a hydraulic assembly and a hydraulic axle.

Abstract: An airplane is provided. The airplane includes a pack. The pack includes a shaft, a compressor, and a turbine coupled to the compressor via the shaft. The turbine receives and expands a first medium to provide power to the compressor via the shaft. The compressor receives and compresses a second medium in accordance with the power provided by the turbine via the shaft. The turbine is fluidly coupled to a heat exchanger of an air conditioning system.

Abstract: A compressor may include a compressor shell, a motor, a compression mechanism, and an assembly that houses an electronic component. The electronic component may control operation of the compressor and/or diagnose compressor faults. The assembly may include a shell, an electronic component, a fan, and an airflow deflector. The shell member may define an enclosure having an internal cavity. The fan and the electronic component may be disposed within the internal cavity. The airflow deflector may include a base portion, a first leg, and a second leg. The first and second legs may be spaced apart from each other and extend from the base portion. The fan may force air against the base portion. A first portion of the air may flow from the base portion along the first leg. A second portion of the air may flow from the base portion along the second leg.

Abstract: A high pressure gas lift compressor system and method of using the system for supplying compressed gas to multiple wells are provided. The system includes a compressor having multiple compressor cylinders. Each cylinder has its own gas inlet line and dedicated gas outlet line that supplies compressed gas from that cylinder directly to a wellbore to provide artificial gas lift. Each cylinder also has its own control valve upstream of the cylinder to control the suction pressure to the cylinder. A desired gas flow rate to each well may be input, and the control valve is adjusted accordingly to achieve the flow rate. By inputting a flow rate for each separate cylinder, the flow rate to each well may be independently controlled.

Abstract: The compressor presents a first and a second cylinder block arranged in V and defining, respectively, a first and a second cylinder, and being affixed on a base block, each cylinder housing a respective piston driven by a crankshaft which is housed and supported on the base block. The first and the second cylinder block incorporate, respectively, a first and a second duct portion having an outer end open to the interior of the cylinder head of the respective cylinder, and an inner end open to a third duct portion incorporated to the base block, said duct portions forming a compressed air duct connecting the first cylinder to the second cylinder.

Abstract: When a natural gas compressor completes its compression cycle, residual pressurized natural gas remains in the cylinders, valves, and conduits of the compressor. Gas leaks into the environment increasing greenhouse gas emissions and introducing safety concerns. The systems and methods herein provide ways for substantially reducing or eliminating leakage of natural gas to the atmosphere while the system sits idle between compression cycles.

Abstract: A compression unit, for a volumetric compressor, includes at least one cylinder, at least one piston, a drive shaft, operable in rotation around a rotation axis and associated with the at least one piston through a connecting rod/crankshaft kinematic mechanism, a casing for supporting the at least one cylinder and for housing at least one portion of the drive shaft and of the connecting rod/crankshaft kinematic mechanism, and which includes at least one air intake in communication with the outside of the compression unit and defining at least one passage for the air to be drawn therein and to be supplied to the at least one cylinder; the air intake is in fluid communication with the interior of the at least one cylinder through a path which is extended inside the casing and through at least one section of a wall of the at least one cylinder.

Abstract: The present application discloses a compressor including a crank shaft, a first reciprocation converter, a first cylinder body, a first pressurizing portion, a second reciprocation converter, which is connected to the crank shaft with a phase different by 180 degrees from the first reciprocation converter, a second cylinder body, a second pressurizing portion, and a connecting portion configured to interconnect the compression chambers. The compression chambers are arranged so that a timing at which the gas is discharged from a specific compression chamber among the compression chambers becomes the same as a timing at which the discharged gas is suctioned into another compression chamber at a higher side by one stage than the specific compression chamber.

Abstract: A natural gas compressor can include a pre-staging chamber that couples with a supply line to receive natural gas from the supply line. The compressor can additionally include a first-stage chamber that couples with the supply line to receive natural gas from the supply line. The first-stage chamber can additionally be coupled with the pre-staging chamber to receive from the pre-staging chamber natural gas that has been compressed by the pre-staging chamber. The compressor can also include a second-stage chamber configured to receive natural gas that has been compressed by the first-stage chamber.

Abstract: A vacuum pump with abatement function which can prevent contamination of a process chamber without allowing products generated by exhaust gas treatment to flow back to the process chamber, and can reduce the amount of gas to be treated without allowing a purge gas and a diluent gas to be contained in an exhaust gas, and thus can achieve energy saving by reducing the amount of energy required for the exhaust gas treatment in an abatement part is disclosed. The vacuum pump with abatement function includes a vacuum pump to which at least one abatement part for treating an exhaust gas is attached. The vacuum pump comprises a dry vacuum pump having a pair of multistage pump rotors each of which comprises a plurality of rotors arranged on a rotating shaft, and the at least one abatement part is connected to an interstage of the multistage pump rotors.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to adaptively control a hydraulic fluid supply to supply a driving fluid for applying a driving force on a piston in a gas compressor, the driving force being cyclically reversed between a first direction and a second direction to cause the piston to reciprocate in strokes. During a first stroke of the piston, a speed of the piston, a temperature of the driving fluid, and a load pressure applied to the piston is monitored. Reversal of the driving force after the first stroke is controlled based on the speed, load pressure, and temperature.

Abstract: A natural gas compressor can include a pre-staging chamber that couples with a supply line to receive natural gas from the supply line. The compressor can additionally include a first-stage chamber that couples with the supply line to receive natural gas from the supply line. The first-stage chamber can additionally be coupled with the pre-staging chamber to receive from the pre-staging chamber natural gas that has been compressed by the pre-staging chamber. The compressor can also include a second-stage chamber configured to receive natural gas that has been compressed by the first-stage chamber.

Abstract: A multi-stage electric centrifugal compressor and a supercharging system for an internal combustion engine with a driving unit of a rotational shaft that can be readily controlled when a single-shaft and two-stage centrifugal compressor is employed is provided. A multi-stage electric centrifugal compressor includes: an electric motor; and a pair of centrifugal compressors coupled to either side of the electric motor, the pair of centrifugal compressors comprising a low-pressure stage compressor and a high-pressure stage compressor connected in series. The low-pressure stage compressor and the high-pressure stage compressor are formed to have different pressure ratios from each other.

Abstract: An aircraft air conditioning system, powered solely using electrical energy, to draw bleed air from outside the aircraft and deliver conditioned air to the aircraft's interior, includes at most three motorized rotary machines, which include: independent first and second motorized turbocompressors, each turbocompressor includes a turbine compressor and an electric motor; and a motor compressor interconnected between the turbocompressors via an interconnection pipe. The motor compressor: generates a primary air flow, which drives a secondary air flow, allowing a breathing air flow to be cooled in a first operation phase, corresponding to a ground operation or at relatively low altitude and relatively low aircraft speed; be at shutdown or at low idle in a second phase of operation at relatively low altitude and relatively high aircraft speed; and, provide a top up breathing air flow in a third phase of operation at relatively high altitude and relatively high aircraft speed.

Abstract: A natural gas compressor can include a pre-staging chamber that couples with a supply line to receive natural gas from the supply line. The compressor can additionally include a first-stage chamber that couples with the supply line to receive natural gas from the supply line. The first-stage chamber can additionally be coupled with the pre-staging chamber to receive from the pre-staging chamber natural gas that has been compressed by the pre-staging chamber. The compressor can also include a second-stage chamber configured to receive natural gas that has been compressed by the first-stage chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to diagnosing a compressor. A method may include operating a compressor to compress air from a first stage compressor into an intermediate stage reservoir, to deliver air from the intermediate stage reservoir to a second stage compressor, and to further compress the air in the second stage compressor into a primary reservoir, monitoring an intermediate stage pressure of the intermediate stage reservoir, and identifying a condition of the compressor through recognition of a change in the monitored intermediate stage pressure during a time period in which the compressor is operated. A vehicle system is also provided including an engine, a compressor operatively connected to the engine, and a controller that is operable to identify a condition of the compressor.

Abstract: An air compression apparatus includes an air tank, an air compressor, and a governor. The air compressor delivers compressed air to the air tank by using power of an engine at the time of load running and stops the delivery of the compressed air to the air tank at the time of no-load running. The governor switches between the load running and the no-load running of the air compressor. Furthermore, the governor changes, when an engine speed is equal to or more than a threshold value, switchover timing for switching the air compressor from the no-load running to the load running in comparison with a time when the engine speed is less than the threshold value.

Abstract: A device for pumping and treating gases is disclosed. The device features a stator having a plurality of pumping stages connected in series one after another between a suction side and a delivery side by the inter-stage ducts. The device also includes an inner tube and a blind outer tube, the tubes inserted one inside the other and made of ceramic material, the inner tube connected to the delivery side of the rotor housing of a pumping stage and the outer tube connected to the stator and communicating with at least one inter-stage duct formed in the stator, the tubes defining a path for the pumped gases. The device also includes a plasma source located outside the stator to generate a plasma in the path of the pumped gases.

Abstract: Provided is a highly reliable oil free screw compressor including a first sensor for detecting a temperature of lubrication oil, second sensors for detecting temperatures of intake air, and a cooling fan controller having a storage portion storing therein a set temperature of lubrication oil and a set temperature of intake air, and a computing portion for computing a control signal for increasing the speed of the cooling fan if a detected value of a temperature of the lubrication oil, delivered from the first sensor, becomes higher than the set value of lubrication oil stored in the storage portion, and computing a control signal for increasing the speed of the cooling fan if a detected value of a temperature of the intake air, delivered from the second sensor, becomes higher than the set temperature of the intake air, stored in the storage portion.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a novel arrangement for equipment used to compress fluids. A single prime mover is connected to a plurality of compressors. A supply conduit with parallel branch conduits directs fluid to be compressed to at least two compressors and parallel output conduits from each compressor are connected to a common output conduit, which directs compressed fluids to at least one additional compressor.

Abstract: A rotary pump has a pump housing enclosing a flow space and provided with an intake opening and a discharge opening, wherein the intake opening and the discharge opening are connected to each other by the flow space. An impeller wheel is disposed in the flow space and is driven in rotation. An expansion body is provided that is fluidically connected to the flow space. A spiral casing surrounds, in a mounted position in the pump housing, an outer circumference of the impeller wheel, wherein the spiral casing is a single-part or multi-part shaped component and is embodied separate from the pump housing.

Abstract: An internal heat exchanger for an air conditioning system, having: a high pressure side through which a coolant under high pressure flows in operation; and a low pressure side through which coolant under low pressure flows in operation. The heat exchanger is configured in such a way that pulsations of the coolant flowing therethrough dampen noise.

Abstract: A vertical gas cooler suitable for use as an intercooler in a multi-stage compressor includes an inlet at its upper portion, a tube bundle, a centrally disposed mist eliminator assembly and a side-draw outlet. Optionally provided is a drain pipe from the mist eliminator assembly to a sump located below the side-draw outlet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing a gas flowing comprising at least 0.1 vol % water, include a compressor containing N compression stages, in which each compression stage includes a compressing means and an exchanger directly or indirectly connected to a water-coolant circuit; and in which at least a first exchanger and a second exchanger, in first and second consecutive or non-consecutive compression stages, are connected in series to the water-coolant circuit. The exchangers, which are not connected in series to the water-coolant circuit, include at their water-coolant output a pressure drop device.

Abstract: Method for controlling a compressed air unit which is provided with at least one controllable drain valve (8, 27, 37 or 39), where the above-mentioned drain valve (8, 27, 37 or 39) are controlled at least on the basis of a system parameter which is not a system parameter on the feed side of the drain valve (8, 27, 37 or 39).

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly in one embodiment includes an inlet, an outlet, and a core. The inlet is configured to accept a fluid to be cooled and the outlet is configured to provide an exit for a flow of the fluid that has been cooled. The core includes at least one passageway formed therein configured for passage of the fluid to be cooled from the inlet to the outlet. The core also includes a receiving surface configured to receive a cooling flow therethrough. The core is configured to direct the cooling flow to pass by at least a portion of the at least one passageway to cool the fluid. The core is comprised of a high temperature geopolymer composite material. The composite material may be configured for use at temperatures above about 300 degrees Celsius, and may have a thermal conductivity below about 20 Watts/(meter*degree Kelvin).

Abstract: Provided is a multi-stage compressor which includes: a first-stage compressing unit which includes a first compressing element with an impeller and a second compressing element with an impeller, the first and second compressing elements being connected to each other; and a rear-stage compressing unit which includes at least one rear compressing element with an impeller, wherein the rear-stage compressing unit receives a fluid compressed and output from the first-stage compressing unit.

Abstract: A method and a device for compressing a gas-phase medium, particularly hydrogen or natural gas, in a single-stage or multistage process using at least one piston compressor, wherein the medium may have a water content up to total saturation with water. The medium to be compressed is heated before the compression at least to such point that the water is unable to condense out during the compression process, and the compressed medium undergoes a water separation process.

Abstract: A ship engine includes a first turbocharger, a first intercooler, a second turbocharger, and a second intercooler. The first turbocharger is arranged at one end of the ship engine with respect to a crank axis direction. The first intercooler and the second turbocharger are arranged in an end portion of the ship engine with respect to a device width direction. The first intercooler and the second turbocharger are arranged side by side in the crank axis direction. The second intercooler is arranged at the other end (at the side opposite to the side where the first turbocharger is arranged) of the ship engine with respect to the crank axis direction.

Abstract: The present application discloses a natural gas compressor, a natural gas compressor assembly, a system for compressing natural gas, and a method of compressing natural gas. In certain embodiments, the natural gas compressor comprises a housing, a plurality of cylinder piston assemblies disposed within the housing, and a drive system for moving the pistons of the cylinder piston assemblies to compress natural gas within the cylinders of the assemblies. Each cylinder piston assembly comprises a piston for compressing natural gas within a cylinder of the assembly. The plurality of cylinder piston assemblies are fluidly connected in sequence such that each assembly forms a compression stage of the compressor.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) and a method for supporting one or more turbomachines, with the apparatus including a first package (12) module including a first frame (32) and a fluid-handling machinery mount coupled to the first frame, the fluid-handling machinery mount being configured to support one or more fluid-handling machines (42). The apparatus also includes a second package module (14) including a second frame (38) and a heat exchanger mount coupled to the second frame, the heat exchanger mount being configured to support one or more process fluid coolers (46), and the second package module being coupled to the first package module. The apparatus further includes an access passage (16) extending between the first and second modules and configured to enable personnel to proceed therethrough.

Abstract: A screw compressor includes a low pressure stage compressor body; a high pressure stage compressor body that further compresses a compressed air compressed by the low pressure stage compressor body; pinion gears for example, respectively, provided on, for example, a male rotor of the low pressure stage compressor body and, for example, a male rotor of the high pressure stage compressor body; a motor; a bull gear for example, provided on a rotating shaft of the motor; and an intermediate shaft supported rotatably and provided with a pinion gear, which meshes with the bull gear, and a bull gear, which meshes with the pinion gears. Thereby, it is possible to make the motor relatively low in rotating speed while inhibiting the gears from being increased in diameter, thus enabling achieving reduction in cost.

Abstract: The present invention pertaining to the field of refrigeration equipments was designed to allow an unexpected construction and operation, and which is more efficient than the one achieved by using existing similar equipments. It is consisted of a compressor (1) comprised of a shell (2) within which it is located a compression cylinder (3), whereas from the shell (2) it is projected an inlet tube (5) from an evaporator and a discharge tube (6), which conducts the fluid into a condenser; at least one pre-condenser (7) associated with the compressor (1), the pre-condenser (7) being fed by a tubing (8) from the compression cylinder (3) located within the compressor (1), and equipped with an outlet tube (11); and a heat exchanger (91) internal to the outer region of the compressor (1) and cooperative with the pre-condenser (7) through the outlet tube (11) of the pre-condenser (7), the heat exchanger (91) comprising tubes attached around the shell (2) of the compressor (1).

Abstract: A multistage compressor installation in which compression stages utilizing centrifugal compressors are independently driven by drivers that can be electric motors configured to be controlled by a speed controller. Intercoolers are located between stages to remove the heat of compression and the stages are connected such that outlets are located opposite to inlets of the compressors and conduits connecting the intercoolers to the stages are in an in-line relationship to inhibit the formation of pressure drops between stages. The conduits connecting the stages incorporate tapered transition sections configured such that flow velocity gradually decreases towards the intercooler and gradually increases from the intercooler to the next succeeding compression stage to further inhibit pressure drops.

Abstract: An integrated high-pressure compression unit for a process fluid that includes at least a first compression device able to compress the process fluid from a essentially gaseous initial thermodynamic state to an intermediate thermodynamic state, a second compression device connected mechanically to the first compression device and able to compress the process fluid from the intermediate thermodynamic state to a final thermodynamic state, a motor device able to drive the first compression device and the second compression device, and a pressure casing or housing in which at least the said first and second compression devices are mechanically coupled to each other.

Abstract: A forced induction system for an engine comprising a compressor for increasing the pressure of gas into the engine and a turbine arranged to be driven by engine exhaust gas. The system further comprises a generator and an electric motor. The generator is arranged to be driven by the turbine and the motor is arranged to drive the compressor, wherein the generator and motor are electrically connected. The system comprises electrical control means arranged to receive the electrical signal output by said generator during operation and to apply an AC control signal to said electric motor whereby the compressor is driven at least in part by an output torque of the turbine via the electrical connection therebetween.

Abstract: A system in some embodiments includes a machine block comprising features configured to support moving machine components within a lubricating fluid, wherein the machine block includes an integral valve block configured to route the lubricating fluid through a first filter without a second filter and configured to route the lubricating fluid through the second filter without the first filter. Further embodiments include a method that includes switching circulation of a lubricant between a first filter and a second filter in response to an angular position of a valve disposed in a valve block integral to a machine block having moving components lubricated by the lubricant.

Abstract: A multistage compressor unit consisting of a low-pressure charging device having a low-pressure compressor housing, a high-pressure charging device having a high-pressure compressor housing and a cooling device, characterised in that the cooling device comprises a cooling device housing and the cooling device housing of the cooling device is indirectly connected to the low-pressure compressor housing of the low-pressure charging device and the high-pressure compressor housing of the high-pressure charging device.

Abstract: A cold trap filter and method is provided for filtering chemical species from a vacuum system of an ion implantation system. A canister is in fluid communication with an exhaust of a high vacuum pump and an intake of a roughing pump used for evacuating an ion source chamber. One or more paddles are positioned within the canister, wherein each paddle has a cooling line in fluid communication with a coolant source. The coolant source passes a coolant through the cooling line, thus cooling the one or more paddles to a predetermined temperature associated with a condensation or deposition point of the chemical species, therein condensing or depositing the chemical species on the paddles while not interfering with a vacuum capacity of the high vacuum and roughing pumps. The paddles can also be electrically biased to electrostatically attract the chemical species to the paddles in one or more biasing steps.

Abstract: A multistage compressor installation in which compression stages utilizing centrifugal compressors are independently driven by drivers that can be electric motors configured to be controlled by a speed controller. Intercoolers are located between stages to remove the heat of compression and the stages are connected such that outlets are located opposite to inlets of the compressors and conduits connecting the intercoolers to the stages are in an in-line relationship to inhibit the formation of pressure drops between stages. The conduits connecting the stages incorporate tapered transition sections configured such that flow velocity gradually decreases towards the intercooler and gradually increases from the intercooler to the next succeeding compression stage to further inhibit pressure drops.

Abstract: A multistage compressor installation in which compression stages utilizing centrifugal compressors are independently driven by drivers that can be electric motors configured to be controlled by a speed controller. Intercoolers are located between stages to remove the heat of compression and the stages are connected such that outlets are located opposite to inlets of the compressors and conduits connecting the intercoolers to the stages are in an in-line relationship to inhibit the formation of pressure drops between stages. The conduits connecting the stages incorporate tapered transition sections configured such that flow velocity gradually decreases towards the intercooler and gradually increases from the intercooler to the next succeeding compression stage to further inhibit pressure drops.

Abstract: Method for recovering energy when compressing a gas using a compressor system with two or more compression stages, with each stage having a compressor element. Downstream from at least two compressor elements there is a heat exchanger having a primary and a secondary part. The coolant is guided successively in series through the secondary part of at least two heat exchangers, and the guiding sequence is chosen such that the temperature at the inlet of the primary part of at least one subsequent heat exchanger is higher than or equal to the temperature at the inlet of the primary part of a preceding heat exchanger, relative to the direction of flow of the coolant. At least one heat exchanger is provided with a tertiary part for a coolant.

Abstract: A method of operating a multistage gas compressor system including providing a plurality of compressor stages connected in series, receiving a gas flow having contaminants within a gas passage, and supplying solvent to the gas passage at or upstream of a compressor in a compressor stage of the plurality of compressor stages to entrap or dissolve the contaminants in the gas flow. The method includes resisting disabling fouling of the compressor in the compressor stage from any contaminants entrapped or dissolved in the solvent, for example, by controlling a discharge temperature of the compressor, and/or using a type of compressor that is not susceptible to being disabled by fouling in at least the first stage. The discharge temperature can be controlled by providing the compressor with a pressure ratio selected to provide a desired discharge temperature.

Abstract: A screw compressor comprising: a low pressure stage compressor body; a high pressure stage compressor body that further compresses a compressed air compressed by the low pressure stage compressor body; pinion gears for example, respectively, provided on, for example, a male rotor of the low pressure stage compressor body and, for example, a male rotor of the high pressure stage compressor body; a motor; a bull gear for example, provided on a rotating shaft of the motor; and an intermediate shaft supported rotatably and provided with a pinion gear, which meshes with the bull gear, and a bull gear, which meshes with the pinion gears. Thereby, it is possible to make the motor relatively low in rotating speed while inhibiting the gears from being increased in diameter, thus enabling achieving reduction in cost.

Abstract: An improved multi-stage compressor device for compressing gas, which compressor device (1) mainly consists of at least two compressor elements (2-5-28) placed in series one after the other, at least one of which (5-28) is driven by a motor (9), characterized in that at least one other compressor element (2) is driven separately, in other words without any mechanical link with said motor (9), by means of an expander (18) of a closed power cycle (12) with a circulating medium inside which is heated by the compressed gas.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for producing heated and/or cooled compressed air. The device may include a conventional air compressor, one or more filter stages to dry and purify the compressed air, a heat exchanger assembly including a heat exchanger enclosure with a heat exchange coil surrounded by ice or hot water for cooling or heating the compressed air, and an air distribution manifold to supply the temperature-controlled and filtered air to users. In a preferred embodiment, ice is used to cool the compressed air, and the cooled compressed air is supplied to protective gear worn by athletes to cool the athletes during rest periods.

Abstract: A cylinder head cover for a reciprocating compressor cylinder. The cover includes a first plate having a first and second channel in a surface of the first plate. The first and second channels merge within the plate at a first opening through the bottom surface of the first plate. A second plate has a pair of bores each aligned with one of the first and second channels in the first plate. A fourth plate is fastened over the second plate forming a cavity between the second and fourth plates. The fourth plate has a pair of spaced bores aligned with the bores through the second plate. A rotating third plate is disposed between the second and fourth plates. This third plate has a pair of spaced bores for sequentially aligning with one of the pair of bores through the second plate.

Abstract: A method of assembling a fluid compression system includes coupling at least one first compression apparatus to a first platform. The method also includes coupling at least one drive apparatus to one of the first platform and a second platform. The method further includes coupling the first platform to the second platform. The at least one second compression apparatus is coupled in series flow communication with the at least one first compression apparatus.

Abstract: An oilless screw compressor incorporating water-cooled cooling units for cooling compressed air discharged from compressor bodies having a pair of male and female screw rotors which can be rotated in a contactless and oilless manner, the cooling units comprising a plate type heat-exchanger, and the amount of cooling water for the plate type heat-exchanger being adjustable. With this configuration, a difference between a temperature during load operation and a temperature upon automatic stopping and during unload operation of the compressor can be reduced, so that the cooling unit can be restrained from being damaged or broken within a short period, thereby it is possible to provide a highly reliable oilless screw compressor.

Abstract: A multistage compressor installation in which compression stages utilizing centrifugal compressors are independently driven by drivers that can be electric motors configured to be controlled by a speed controller. Intercoolers are located between stages to remove the heat of compression and the stages are connected such that outlets are located opposite to inlets of the compressors and conduits connecting the intercoolers to the stages are in an in-line relationship to inhibit the formation of pressure drops between stages. The conduits connecting the stages incorporate tapered transition sections configured such that flow velocity gradually decreases towards the intercooler and gradually increases from the intercooler to the next succeeding compression stage to further inhibit pressure drops.