Ingersoll-Rand Company

Daniel E Kincer

Alvin J Fisher

Troy S Smoot

Load sharing is achieved in a multiple compressor system by a program in a computer which sends signals to, and receives data from, a microcontroller located at each compressor. One compressor, designated as the lead compressor, furnishes its operating parameters, via the computer, to all the other, lag, compressors. The operating parameters include inlet valve position and bypass valve position of each compressor and the microcontroller controls the actuatation of both valves. When system demand decreases, compressors are gradually unloaded, and then stopped to go off-line. When system demands increase, compressors are first started, and then gradually loaded before going on-line. Compressors go both on-line and off-line subject to certain time delays so that compressors are gradually added to, or shed from, the load. To equalize running time, all compressors in the system may undergo a periodic rotation and compressors go off-line in reverse order that they came on-line.

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Mayfield, KY, United States of America

Daniel E Kincer