Fuel gas compression system

• US 6,616,415 B1
• Filed: 03/26/2002
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Copeland Corporation LLC (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Copeland Corporation LLC (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Renken, Troy W., Langhorst, Phil
• Primary Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fastovsky, L
• Application Number:
  US10/106,652
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 417/26, 417/44.1, 602/77, 606/76, 622/28, 622/10, 290/52, 318/803, 318/433, 307/10.6, 388/934, 236/10
• US Class Current: 417/44.1
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 18/0215 where only one member is moving
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2240/803 Electric connectors or cables; Fittings therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/18 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/19 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 23/008 Hermetic pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 28/08 characterised by varying the rotational speed
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 29/0085 Prime movers
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 29/04 Heating; Cooling of machines or engines in general F01P; Heat insulation heat insulation in general F16L59/00

Abstract

A fuel gas compression system includes a system which operates on direct current, a system which operates on alternating current and a system which is capable of operating on either direct current or alternating current. In the system that operates on either direct current or alternating current, a jumper is provided which is placed in the circuit when an alternating current is provided. When a direct current is provided, the jumper is removed from the circuit.

Claims

1. A compressor system comprising:

a compressor;

an electric motor drivingly connected to said compressor;

a source of electrical power;

a control system disposed between said source of electrical power and said electric motor, said control system operable to provide transfer power from said source of electrical power to said electric motor, said control system including a jumper movable between a first position when said source of electrical power is an alternating current power source and a second position when said source of electrical power is a direct current power source, said jumper controlling the power input to said control system from said source of electrical power.

2. The compressor system according to claim 1 wherein said control system includes an inverter board in communication with said electric motor, said inverter board operable to supply alternating current to said electric motor.

3. The compressor system according to claim 1 wherein said electric motor is a variable speed motor, said control system including a motor controller for varying the speed of said motor.

4. The compressor system according to claim 1 wherein said control system includes a programmable logic control system, said programmable logic control system being in communication with a sensor which monitors an operating characteristic of said compressor.

5. The compressor system according to claim 4 wherein said sensor is a pressure sensor and said operating characteristic is discharge pressure of said compressor system.

6. The compressor system according to claim 4 wherein said programmable logic control includes a jumper board system for programming a pressure set point for comparison with said discharge pressure.

7. The compressor system according to claim 1 further comprising a heat exchanger fan, said control system including a fan controller board for operating said heat exchanger fan when a specified discharge temperature is reached.

8. The compressor system according to claim 7 wherein said control system includes a jumper board system for programming said specified discharge temperature.

9. The compressor system according to claim 1 wherein said control system includes a DC-DC power supply, said DC-DC power supply being in communication with said fan controller board.

10. The compressor system according to claim 1 wherein said control system includes a programmable logic control system, said programmable logic control system providing an output signal indicating the status of said compressor.

11. The compressor system according to claim 1 wherein said compressor is a scroll compressor.

12. A fuel gas compression system comprising:

a compressor for compressing fuel gas from a suction pressure to a discharge pressure selected from one of a plurality of preset discharge pressures;

a variable speed electric motor drivingly connected to said compressor;

a control system in communication with said electric motor and said compressor, said control system maintaining one of said plurality of discharge pressures by varying the speed of said variable speed electric motor; and

a jumper board system for selecting said one of said plurality of discharge pressures.

13. The fuel gas compression system according to claim 12 wherein said control system includes a temperature sensor for monitoring a temperature of said fuel gas at said discharge pressure.

14. The fuel gas compression system according to claim 13 wherein said jumper board system is operable to program a specified temperature for said fuel gas at said discharge pressure.