Waters Technologies Corporation

Dunham-bush

Durham-bush, Inc.

David J First

David N Shaw

Joseph A Luongo

John Angelosanto

Frank Rubino

Stanley P Pensak, Jr

Jean-Pierre Pugnaire

Richard R Venable

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to method and devices for measuring the pressure of a pump chamber in which no internal opening or connections are needed. One embodiment of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for pumping fluid. The apparatus comprises at least one housing having a transducer surface. The transducer surface has a thickness exhibiting measurable deformation upon the chamber holding a fluid under pressure such that the transducer surface has a first position at which the chamber is at one pressure and a second position at which the chamber is at a second pressure. A strain sensor is affixed to the transducer surface producing; at least one signal upon the transducer surface assuming the first position and at least one signal upon the transducer surface assuming the second position to function as an integrated pressure transducer.

Device and methods of measuring pressure

An electronic control system for sequential actuation of a four-way solenoid valve is used to selectively load and unload a slide valve control for a screw compressor. The electronic control system can be responsive to output or refrigerant pressure or evaporator pressure or inlet pressure and pulses a four-way solenoid valve to selectively load and unload the compressor so that it will maintain system pressure within a preselected deadband. Selective pulsing of the four-way solenoid valve is used to gate hydraulic fluid to load and unload chambers separated by a piston coupled to a slide valve which shifts longitudinally and changes the capacity of the screw compressor. The control system senses system pressure (reflecting load), and when a limit pressure is reached, a gas bypass solenoid valve (or dump valve) and fast-unload system is actuated to entirely unload the compressor. The control circuit also monitors current to the motor which drives the screw compressor. When the motor current is above a normal limit, further loading of the compressor is inhibited. If the current continues to rise, indicating a decrease in voltage available for power, the compressor is driven to an unloaded state until the current matches the preset normal limits. By use of electronic control for selective pulsing of the four-way solenoid valve, energy savings are realized by maintaining operation within a narrow deadband of operation.

Control system for screw compressor

An electronic control system for sequential actuation of a four-way solenoid valve is used to selectively load and unload a slide valve control for a screw compressor. The electronic control system is responsive to output air pressure and pulses a four-way solenoid valve to selectively load and unload the system so that it will maintain system pressure within a preselected deadband. Selective pulsing of the four-way solenoid valve is used to gate hydraulic fluid to load and unload chambers separated by a piston coupled to a slide valve which shifts longitudinally and changes the capacity of the screw compressor. The control system senses output line pressure, and when a limit pressure is exceeded, a dump solenoid valve and fast-unload system is actuated to entirely unload the system of air pressure until reduced to a level below the set deadband. The control circuit also monitors current to the motor which drives the screw compressor. When the motor current is above a normal limit, further loading of the compressor is inhibited. If the current continues to rise, indicating a decrease in voltage available for power, the compressor is driven to an unloaded state until the current matches the preset normal limits. By use of electronic control for selective pulsing of the four-way solenoid valve, energy savings are realized by maintaining operation within a narrow deadband of operation.

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Carlisle, MA, United States of America

David J First