COMPRESSION APPARATUS WITH VARIABLE SPEED SCREW AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A two stage compressor feed apparatus operable to compress loose feedstock material, said feed apparatus comprising:
- a first compressor stage and a second compressor stage;
said first compressor stage having a screw, said screw having a volute operable to drive the feedstock forward in an axial direction while compressing the feedstock;
said second compressor stage having an axial accommodation permitting an end of said screw to extend therethrough;
said first compressor stage having a drive connected to operate said screw;
said drive being a variable speed drive;
sensors mounted to monitor operation of said screw and said second compressor stage;
a controller operable to receive signals from said sensors and to control operation of said screw; and
said controller being operable continuously to vary operating speed of said drive in response to operation of said second compressor stage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for compressing a loose solid feedstock. The apparatus includes a two stage compressor. The first compression stage is a screw compressor. The second compressor stage is a reciprocating compressor. The reciprocating compressor operates co-axially with, and receives its feed from, the screw compressor. A choke cone maintains pressure in the outfeed from the compressor stages. The reciprocating compressor, the screw compressor, and the choke cone are all adjustable in real time to control the compression of the feedstock according to a pre-programmed schedule that need not have equal compression and retraction strokes. The operation of the screw compressor may be advanced or eased off depending on the motion of the reciprocating compressor. The operation of the choke cone may be actively controlled to obtain a coordination with the compressor stages.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A two stage compressor feed apparatus operable to compress loose feedstock material, said feed apparatus comprising:
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a first compressor stage and a second compressor stage; said first compressor stage having a screw, said screw having a volute operable to drive the feedstock forward in an axial direction while compressing the feedstock; said second compressor stage having an axial accommodation permitting an end of said screw to extend therethrough; said first compressor stage having a drive connected to operate said screw; said drive being a variable speed drive; sensors mounted to monitor operation of said screw and said second compressor stage; a controller operable to receive signals from said sensors and to control operation of said screw; and said controller being operable continuously to vary operating speed of said drive in response to operation of said second compressor stage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A two stage compression process for compressing loose feedstock material, comprising:
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providing a first compressor stage and a second compressor stage, said first compressor stage having a screw, said screw having a volute operable to drive the feedstock forward in an axial direction while compressing the feedstock; said second compressor stage having an axial accommodation permitting an end of said screw to extend therethrough; said first compressor stage having a drive connected to operate said screw; said drive being a variable speed drive; sensors mounted to monitor operation of said screw and said second compressor stage; a controller operable to receive signals from said sensors and to control operation of said screw; and operating said controller continuously to vary operating speed of said drive in response to operation of said second compressor stage. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification