초록 ▼

A gas compressor includes a compression module, an adjustable inlet valve for precisely controlling the supply of a compressible gas to the compression module, and a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure of the gas discharged from the compression module. The gas compressor also includes an internal

A gas compressor includes a compression module, an adjustable inlet valve for precisely controlling the supply of a compressible gas to the compression module, and a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure of the gas discharged from the compression module. The gas compressor also includes an internal combustion engine for driving the compression module, the internal combustion engine having a cooling system including an engine coolant, a coolant sensor for sensing a temperature of the engine coolant, the coolant sensor being in signal sending relation with the electronic control module, a fuel control device for controlling the amount of fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine and an electronic control module (ECM) having a memory and a logic routine for controlling operation of the compressor. The ECM has a set point speed for the engine and a set point minimum coolant temperature for the engine stored in the memory. The ECM is in communication with the coolant sensor for receiving the sensed temperature of the engine coolant. The ECM is also in communication with the pressure sensor for receiving the sensed discharge pressure and comparing the discharge pressure to a set point discharge pressure range stored in the memory. The ECM generates a signal for positioning the adjustable inlet valve so that the discharge pressure remains within the set point pressure range. A method for controlling the gas compressor includes executing a compressor start routine including the steps of opening the fuel control device for supplying fuel to the engine, and accelerating the engine to the set point speed stored in the memory of the electronic control module. After the internal combustion engine reaches the set point speed, the ECM executes the compressor load routine including sensing an actual temperature of the engine coolant and comparing the actual temperature of the engine coolant to the set point minimum coolant temperature; and opening the adjustable inlet valve after the actual engine coolant temperature is at least equal to the set point minimum coolant temperature, wherein the position of the adjustable inlet valve is controlled by the ECM.

대표청구항 ▼

[ Having described the invention, what is claimed is:] [1.] A method for controlling operation of a gas compressor, the compressor including:a compressor module;a precisely adjustable inlet valve for precisely controlling the supply of a compressible gas to the compression module;a pressure sensor f

[ Having described the invention, what is claimed is:] [1.] A method for controlling operation of a gas compressor, the compressor including:a compressor module;a precisely adjustable inlet valve for precisely controlling the supply of a compressible gas to the compression module;a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure of the gas discharged from said compression module;an internal combustion engine for driving the compression module, the internal combustion engine having:a cooling system including an engine coolant,a coolant sensor for sensing a temperature of the engine coolant, the coolant sensor being in signal sending relation with the electronic control module,a fuel control means for controlling the amount of fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine comprising a fuel control valve and a fuel solenoid valve,an electronic control module having a memory and a logic routine for controlling operation of the compressor, the electronic control module having a set point speed for the engine and a set point minimum coolant temperature for the engine stored in the memory, the electronic control module being in communication with the coolant sensor for receiving the sensed temperature of the engine coolant, the electronic control module being in communication with the pressure sensor for receiving the sensed discharge pressure and comparing the discharge pressure to a set point discharge pressure range stored in the memory, the electronic control module generating a signal for positioning the adjustable inlet valve so that the discharge pressure remains within the set point pressure range, the method comprising the steps of:A) executing a compressor start routine comprising the steps of:(I) opening the fuel control device for supplying fuel to the engine; and(II) accelerating the engine to the set point speed stored in the memory of the electronic control module;B) after the internal combustion engine reaches the set point speed, executing a compressor load routine comprising the steps of:(I) sensing an actual temperature of the engine coolant and comparing the actual temperature of the engine coolant to the set point minimum coolant temperature; and(II) opening the adjustable inlet valve after the actual engine coolant temperature is at least equal to the set point minimum coolant temperature, wherein the position of the adjustable inlet valve is controlled by the electronic control module.