Patent ID: 11959473
Assignee: EATON-MAX, INC.
Field: Engines, pumps, turbines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F | IPC F

Claim 1:
2. A method of operating a reciprocating piston air compressor having a tank for storing compressed air, a reciprocating piston pump for compressing air and delivering it to the tank, an electric motor for driving the pump, a variable speed drive, an outlet for delivering compressed air from the tank for use external to the tank, a plurality of cylinder heads having channels therein, and a programmable logic controller for controlling operation of the air compressor, the method including the steps of:
determining the level of air pressurization needed for a particular application;
utilizing the programmable logic controller to input an operating pressure range having a minimum operating pressure below the determined level, a maximum operating pressure at or above the determined level, and a buffer pressure that is lower than the maximum operating pressure;
starting the electric motor;
monitoring the level of air pressurization in the tank;
utilizing the variable speed drive to increase the operating speed of the electric motor when the level of air pressurization in the tank reaches the buffer pressure;
for each 1 psi of air pressurization level in the tank above the buffer pressure, decreasing the speed of the motor until the pressurization level in the tank reaches the maximum operating pressure; and
circulating fluid through the channels.