SpudFiles

didn't you?

Has anyone looked at something called a pressure intensifier? Basically it does most of the work for you.

yeah, but it also wastes air. expensive and a pain to make, too.

Actually the air that powers the low pressure side is to be recycled into the inlet of the high pressure side, no waste. Double acting piston and two separate HP chambers. The outlets to the chambers are joined.

No, that would mean that a low pressure gas magically floats into the higher pressure tank because of this device.
Its basically that some of the air escapes, and in return for that, some air is pressurized further. You could see it as powering a small compressor with a pneumatic motor.
The pressure drives the engine, which turns on the compressor. You CAN make higher pressures, but it DOES cost more air then you get out of it. (thermodynamic laws!)

Yeah, I can see it now... Well, then, I guess you need a long stroke on a pump that starts out big to end big. If you're thinking about the force you would have to put on a pump like that, then how about using a lever at about 20:1 to force the handle down on a 1" piston? You're still going to pump your butt off, but it will be less strokes and an adventure in aerobics rather than body building.

Oh, the first stage of the intensifier discharges to the second stage, like a pump. Two in parallel, and spring return loaded. I guess its pretty much the same idea as the original pump.

I speak before I think.... I hate it when that happens.