Multiple compressor controller and method
First Claim
1. A method for controlling the selective loading and unloading of a plurality of fluid pumps connected for fluid input to a fluid distribution system to maintain system pressure of a desired level, said method including the steps of:
- (a) determining the total volume of the fluid distribution system;
(b) determining the rate of fluid leakage from the fluid distribution system;
(c) determining the effect of the output capacity of each fluid pump on the fluid distribution system;
(d) measuring any variation in demand on the fluid distribution system;
(e) employing said total volume and/or said rate of fluid leakage to ascertain the amount of change in fluid input to the fluid distribution system required to match said variation in demand;
(f) selecting one or more fluid pumps having a combined output capacity at least equal to said amount of change in fluid input to the distribution system required to match said variation in demand; and
(g) loading or unloading said one or more fluid pumps to provide said change in fluid input to the distributution system.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The multiple compressor controller and method accomplishes the control of a plurality of variable sized compressors in a multiple compressor distribution system to maintain system pressure at a desired level while maximizing compressor operating efficiency. Control data for use in determining system volume and leakage and various individual compressor parameters is obtained by using the system compressors in a calibration mode and monitoring the effect of each compressor on the system. Once such data is obtained and stored, a plurality of system operating pressures can be preset into a time clock controlled controller, and the controller will automatically maintain these pressures over the time periods indicated by efficiently selecting one or more compressors with the output capacity necessary to match any variation in system demand.
-
Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A method for controlling the selective loading and unloading of a plurality of fluid pumps connected for fluid input to a fluid distribution system to maintain system pressure of a desired level, said method including the steps of:
-
(a) determining the total volume of the fluid distribution system; (b) determining the rate of fluid leakage from the fluid distribution system; (c) determining the effect of the output capacity of each fluid pump on the fluid distribution system; (d) measuring any variation in demand on the fluid distribution system; (e) employing said total volume and/or said rate of fluid leakage to ascertain the amount of change in fluid input to the fluid distribution system required to match said variation in demand; (f) selecting one or more fluid pumps having a combined output capacity at least equal to said amount of change in fluid input to the distribution system required to match said variation in demand; and (g) loading or unloading said one or more fluid pumps to provide said change in fluid input to the distributution system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A method for obtaining control data from a multiple compressor distribution system using the system compressors which includes
a. establishing a predetermined calibration psi range for each of said system compressors, b. loading one or more of said system compressors to raise the system pressure while monitoring said system pressure, c. unloading said one or more compressors when the system pressure exceeds the upper level of said calibration psi range to cause said system pressure to fall, and d. timing the period required for said system pressure to fall through said calibration psi range to obtain a system leakage value.
-
17. A method for obtaining control data from a multiple compressor distribution system using the system compressors which includes
a. establishing a predetermined calibration psi range for each of said system compressors, and b. sequentially loading and unloading system compressors and monitoring the rise and fall of system pressure within said calibration psi range and time of such rise and fall within said calibration psi range to obtain system leakage and individual system compressor data.
-
20. A method for obtaining control data from a multiple compressor distribution system using the system compressors which includes
a. establishing a predetermined calibration psi range for each of said system compressors, and b. sequentially loading and unloading system compressors and monitoring the rise and fall of system pressure within said calibration psi range to obtain system leakage and individual system compressor data, said system leakage data being the system leakage Δ - p/Δ
t and said individual system compressor data including the compressor Δ
p/Δ
t and the compressor loaded and unloaded reaction times. - View Dependent Claims (21)
- p/Δ
-
22. A multiple compressor and control system connected to a fluid distribution system so as to maintain system pressure at a desired level comprising:
-
a. transducer means positioned in said distribution system to sense the system pressure and provide an electrical output signal indicative of said system pressure, b. a plurality of compressors connected to said fluid distribution system, c. a plurality of compressor control means connected to said compressors to start, load unload and stop said compressors, each such compressor being connected to one of said control means, and d. a central multiple compressor controller connected to said compressor control means and to said transducer means, said multiple compressor controller including (1) electronic data generating means connected to both said transducer means and said compressor control means and operative to provide electrical data signals indicative of compressor condition and system pressure; (2) data storage means for receiving said electrical data signals from said electronic data generating means, said electronic data generating means including a data input means for permitting the manual input of control data, compressor data and system data into said data storage means and a clock means for inputting timing data into said data storage means, and (3) system controller means to provide control signals to said compressor control means. - View Dependent Claims (23)
-
-
24. A multiple compressor and control system connected to a fluid distribution system so as to maintain system pressure at a desired level comprising:
-
a. transducer means positioned in said distribution system to sense the system pressure and provide an electrical output signal indicative of said system pressure, said transducer means including a primary pressure transducer and a secondary pressure transducer, and electronic valve means for selectively connecting said primary transducer and said secondary transducer to either said distribution system or to atmosphere, b. a plurality of compressors connected to said fluid distribution system, c. a plurality of compressor control means connected to said compressors to start, load unload and stop said compressors, each such compressor being connected to one of said control means, and d. a central multiple compressor controller connected to said compressor control means and to said transducer means, said multiple compressor controller including (1) electronic data generating means connected to both said transducer means and said compressor control means and operative to provide electrical data signals indicative of compressor condition and system pressure; (2) data storage means for receiving said electrical data signals from said electronic data generating means, and (3) system controller means to provide control signals to said compressor control means.
-
-
25. A method for controlling the selective loading and unloading of a plurality of fluid pumps connected for fluid input to a fluid distribution system to maintain system pressure of a desired level which includes
a. obtaining the load and unload reaction time for each of said system fluid pumps; -
b. setting a desired pressure range at which said system pressure is to be maintained; c. bringing said system pressure to within said desired pressure range; d. measuring any variation of system pressure in said fluid distribution system; e. selecting one or more fluid pumps having a combined output capacity sufficient to offset said variation of fluid pressure; and f. loading or unloading said selected fluid pumps in accordance with the load or unload reaction times thereof to offset any variation in the fluid pressure of the fluid distribution system before the system pressure varies beyond said desired pressure range. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
-
Specification