Ingersoll-rand Company

Daniel T Martin

William H Harden

John T Gunn

Dale R Herbstritt

Devin D Biehler

William R Hutchinson

David R Pritchard

Donald G Smith

James R Dickey

Dilip K Mistry

Michael J Shannon

An integral separator and cooling apparatus is provided for removing a lubricant from a heated, compressed lubricant and gas mixture, and for cooling the separated lubricant. The apparatus includes a lubricant reservoir for containing a liquid lubricant. A receiving plenum is made integral with the lubricant reservoir. The receiving plenum has an inlet for receiving the heated, compressed lubricant and gas mixture, a first outlet through which a heated, compressed gas exits, and a second outlet through which the separated lubricant flows from the receiving plenum. An apparatus is provided within the receiving plenum which causes a liquid lubricant to precipitate from the lubricant and gas mixture. A cooling core is made integral with the lubricant reservoir and the receiving plenum. The cooling core fluidly communicates with the lubricant reservoir and with the receiving plenum. The cooling core includes: a header apparatus mounted on the cooling core, a first flow passage which extends from the second outlet of the receiving plenum to the header apparatus, and a second flow passage which extends from the header apparatus to the lubricant reservoir. An apparatus directs a flow of cooling fluid across the first and second flow passages in response to a control signal from a thermal control apparatus.

Integral apparatus for separating lubricant from a hot compressed gas

A self-contained seal air and instrument air system for a compressor includes a pneumatically controllable inlet valve and a pneumatically controllable valve means for depressurizing the compressor. An electronic controller directs compressor operation. A receiver tank is provided which includes an inlet through which compressed air enters and an outlet port. A means is provided for separating the compressed air flowing from the receiver into a first path which provides a first source of seal air to seals of a rotating shaft of the compressor, and a second path which provides instrument air. A means is provided for separating the compressed air flowing in the instrument air path into a first path which provides actuating air to the inlet valve and the valve means for depressurizing the compressor, and a second path which provides a source of signal air. First and second current-to-pressure converters are flow connected in the signal air path and are disposed in electronic signal receiving relation to the electronic controller. A second source of seal air is provided from a tap port disposed at a predetermined location on the compressor discharge.

Self-contained instrument and seal air system for a centrifugal

An air cooling system for an engine driven, multi-stage compressor is provided which includes a fan means for providing a cooling airstream to the air cooling system and an engine radiator. An intercooler has a predetermined height dimension and receives heated, compressed, interstage air. An oil cooler has a predetermined height dimension which is substantially less than the height dimension of the intercooler. An aftercooler receives hot, compressed, final stage air. The intercooler, the oil cooler, the radiator, and the aftercooler are arranged in two banks, each bank comprising two cooling cores juxtaposed one to each other. The intercooler and the engine radiator define the first bank which is positioned substantially adjacent to the fan means to receive the coolest cooling airstream. The oil cooler and the aftercooler define the second bank which receives warmer cooling air which has first passed through the first bank. The oil cooler is positioned behind the intercooler and the aftercooler is positioned behind the radiator.

Cooling system for engine-driven multi-stage centrifugal compressor

Front control panel for a microprocessor

A portable compressed air system includes a housing, and a diesel engine having a predetermined torsional inertia, a predetermined cranking speed, and a predetermined idle speed. A centrifugal compressor is flexibly coupled in motive force receiving relation to the diesel engine. The flexible coupling has a predetermined spring rate which places the torsional interia of the compressor above a highest predetermined cranking speed and below the predetermined idle speed of the diesel engine. A microprocessor-based electronic controller controls compressor operation. A receiver stores compressed air. A cooling means cools the portable compressed air system. The cooling means has a fan, an intercooler, an oil cooler, an engine radiator, and an aftercooler. The intercooler, the oil cooler, the radiator, and the aftercooler are arranged in two banks, and each bank is defined by two cooling cores juxtaposed one to each other.

Portable diesel-driven centrifugal air compressor

An apparatus for loading a compressor includes a microprocessor based electronic controller, a pneumatically driven, spring loaded open first valve, and a normally open, electrically driven second valve flow connected in series with the first valve. The first valve and the second valve are fluidly disposed intermediate a receiver tank and the compressor. The second valve is disposed in signal receiving relation to the controller. An orifice and muffler combination is flow connected intermediate the first valve and the second valve. The orifice has a predetermined inside diameter dimension suitably sized to establish a pressure signal to close the first valve to thereby load the compressor. During operation, at a predetermined time, the controller closes the second valve thereby directing a predetermined volume of fluid to be compressed through the orifice and muffler combination to cause fluid pressure to rise to a predetermined magnitude, at which time sufficient actuation pressure is available for control of the spring loaded first valve.

Bootstrap method of loading a compressor having a spring loaded blowoff

A compressor includes an air cooled lubricant temperature regulator and an engine for providing motive force to the compressor. A first, electric-driven, self-priming pump provides a supply of lubricant to the compressor prior to starting the engine and for a predetermined period of time after the engine is operating. The first pump is flow connected in fluid receiving relation with a lubricant reservoir. A first electronic controller means directs compressor operations, including directing operation of the first pump. A second electronic controller, external to the first controller means, directs operation of the first pump after engine operation. A second, compressor-driven, self-priming pump provides a primary lubricant pumping function during engine operation at predetermined run speeds. A valve means is flow connected intermediate the discharge of the first pump and the discharge of the second pump for preventing lubricant cross flow between the first and second pumps during simultaneous operation thereof. The first pump preprimes the second pump to facilitate the self-priming duty of the second pump.

Self contained lubricating oil system for a centrifugal compressor

A method and apparatus for controlling working fluid surge in a centrifugal compressor include preventing surge by using a variable-speed prime-mover to achieve a minimum desired surge margin. Surge prevention is also accomplished by continuously modulating a blowoff valve to maintain an actual compressor pressure ratio at a predetermined target maximum value. Surge detection is accomplished by monitoring the time rate of change of the final stage discharge pressure.

Surge control and recovery for a centrifugal compressor

An aftercooler through which a first fluid passes. A cooling fan applies a cooling fluid to the aftercooler. A variable speed motor is rotatably coupled to the cooling fan. A temperature sensor, in communication with the first fluid, is located downstream of the aftercooler. A controller controls operation of the variable speed motor based upon the temperature applied to the temperature sensor to prevent condensate freeze-up.

Compressor aftercooler apparatus for use in low temperature operations,

A compressor, used for compressing a working fluid to be discharged into a reservoir, includes at least one compressor element. A prime driver, capable of operating at varying angular velocities, applies motive force to the compressor. A ratio maintaining device, disposed between each compressor element and the prime driver, ensures that a ratio defined as an angular velocity of the compressor element divided by the angular velocity of the prime driver remains constant. The prime driver is typically internal combustion engine powered. A controllable fuel valve is in communication with the prime driver and is positionable for controlling a fuel flow to the prime driver. A controller positions the fuel valve based upon a combination of parameters including a variable setpoint reservoir pressure, ambient pressure and ambient temperature, wherein the prime driver is operated at an angular velocity at which the actual pressure at the reservoir can be maintained at the setpoint reservoir pressure. The controller is microprocessor or microcomputer based.

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Clemmons, NC, United States of America

Daniel T Martin