Patent ID: 6394120
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: F04B,F04C,F04D,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of operating a compressor system having a plurality of compressors, wherein each of the compressors is capable of compressing a fluid at a predetermined volumetric flow rate capacity, said method comprising the steps of:establishing a set-point pressure; measuring the pressure of the fluid in the compressor system; measuring the volumetric flow rate capacity of the fluid within the compressor system; determining which of the compressors are operating; determining the online volumetric flow rate capacity, wherein the online volumetric flow rate capacity is equal to the sum of corresponding predetermined volumetric flow rates for each of the operating compressors; determining the excess volumetric flow rate capacity of the compressor system, wherein the excess volumetric flow rate capacity is equal to the online volumetric flow rate capacity minus the measured volumetric flow rate capacity; and unloading one of the plurality of compressors upon sensing that the pressure of the fluid in the compressor system is greater than the set-point pressure and that the corresponding volumetric flow rate capacity for said one compressor is less than the excess volumetric flow rate capacity.