The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 04, 2000
Filed:
Oct. 30, 1998
John T Gunn, Charlotte, NC (US);
William H Harden, Yadkinville, NC (US);
Don John Gerhardt, Clemmons, NC (US);
Ingersoll-Rand Company, Woodcliff Lake, NJ (US);
Abstract
A method for optimizing the operating efficiency of a compressor having a compression module for compressing a fluid, the compression module including an inlet for receiving the fluid and an outlet for discharging compressed fluid, the compressor including a prime mover for driving the compression module and a rotatable fan for drawing ambient air into the compressor. The compressor includes a first temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of compressed fluid discharged from the compression module, a second temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of a coolant circulating through the prime mover, a third temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the fluid entering the compression module, and a fourth temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of a lubricant mixed with the fluid as the fluid is compressed in the compression module. The compressor includes an electronic control module (ECM) electrically connected to the four temperature sensors for receiving signals therefrom. The ECM includes a non-volatile memory containing empirical data relating to optimal operating set points of the compressor and a logic routine for controlling the rotational speed of the fan and the volume of the lubricant mixed with the fluid so as to optimize the efficiency of the compressor. The method includes the steps of executing a temperature sensing subroutine whereby the first, second, third and fourth temperature sensors collect temperature data and relay the temperature data to the ECM, executing a fan speed subroutine whereby the ECM generates signals in response to the temperature data received by the ECM for controlling the rotational speed of the fan, and executing a lubricant volume control subroutine whereby the ECM generates signals in response to the temperature data received by the ECM for controlling the volume of the lubricant mixed with the fluid in the compression module.