초록 ▼

An air compressor is controlled such that when the pressure inside a tank for storing compressed air reaches a predetermined lower-limit value, the compressor is brought into a load running state to supply compressed air to the tank, whereas, when the pressure inside the tank reaches a predetermined

An air compressor is controlled such that when the pressure inside a tank for storing compressed air reaches a predetermined lower-limit value, the compressor is brought into a load running state to supply compressed air to the tank, whereas, when the pressure inside the tank reaches a predetermined upper-limit value, the compressor is brought into a stand-by state to suspend the supply of compressed air to the tank. The air compressor has a controller which judges the change in pressure inside the tank when the compressor is in a load running state on the basis of a signal delivered from a pressure sensor and effects control such that either one of two operations modes, that is, an intermittent operation mode in which the compressor stands by with the supply of electric power from a motor being cut off and a continuous operation mode in which the compressor stands by in a no-load state with the motor being supplied with electric power, is selected subsequent to a stand-by state. Thus, it is possible to obtain an air compressor having the advantages associated with both a pressure switch type control system and an automatic unloader type control system.

대표청구항 ▼

An air compressor comprising: an air tank for storing compressed air; a compressor body drivable to compress air, said compressor body connected to said air tank for supplying compressed air to said tank when the compressor is driven; a controllable drive means operatively connected to said compress

An air compressor comprising: an air tank for storing compressed air; a compressor body drivable to compress air, said compressor body connected to said air tank for supplying compressed air to said tank when the compressor is driven; a controllable drive means operatively connected to said compressor body for driving said compressor body when the drive means is controlled to be operated; pressure detecting means disposed in the compressor for detecting the pressure in said air tank and issuing signals corresponding to the detected pressure; a controllable unloader means operatively connected to said compressor body for selectively rendering the compressor in a no-load state and in a loaded state; and control means operatively connected to said drive means, said pressure detecting means and said unloader means for receiving the signals from said pressure detecting means, for controlling said drive means to operate and said unloader means to render said compressor in said loaded state to place the compressor in a load running state when the pressure in said air tank reaches a predetermined lower-limit value, for controlling said drive means and said unloader means to place the compressor in a stand-by state when pressure in said air tank reaches a predetermined upper-limit value, for determining on the basis of at least one of the signals a change in the pressure in said air tank when the compressor is in said load running state, and for selectively controlling said unloader and said drive means to place the compressor in either of two operating modes based on the determination, one of said operating modes being an intermittent operation mode in which the drive means is not operated when the compressor is placed in said stand-by state, the other of said operating modes being a continuous operation mode in which the unloader means renders the compressor in said no-load state while the drive means is operated when the compressor is placed in said stand-by state.