An improved air compressor powered by water having an automatic water valve
regulation mechanism. The air compressor includes a resiliently biased
piston within a liquid chamber and a ram within a compression chamber, the
ram being conjoined with the piston. Inlet and outlet valves for
controlling the flow of water with respect to the liquid chamber are
provided in one end of the compressor. Ports for the inlet and outlet
valves are preferably aligned parallel to the axis of piston reciprocation
such that water flows through the ports in the same direction as the
direction of piston movement. The automatic valve regulation mechanism
includes a positioning disc and positioning spring, together holding each
of the water valves in one of two positions. The regulation mechanism
further includes a drive shaft connecting the water valves and the
positioning disc to pivot in unison between the two positions, a drive
disc pivotally mounted for depressing the positioning spring, and a coil
spring connected between the drive shaft and the drive disc. The
regulation mechanism also includes a trip rod having one end connected to
the drive disc and having a pair of spaced apart stops along its length
for contact with the piston at each end of the piston travel.
