Patent ID: 6233954
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: F04C,F25B,G05D

Abstract:
A method for controlling the operation of a fluid compression system having a plurality of compressors, each compressor having a controller for controlling operation thereof and a sensor for sensing the pressure of compressed fluid discharged therefrom, the method comprising the steps of:designating one of said compressors as a highest ranked compressor; establishing a set point pressure threshold for loading and unloading each compressor;assigning a sequential ranking to said compressors beginning with the highest ranked compressor, wherein the highest ranked compressor will initiate all commands for controlling all lower ranked compressors in the compression system;commencing a loading subroutine including the steps of:loading the highest ranked unloaded compressor;setting a load delay timer;sensing the pressure of the compressed fluid discharged from said highest ranked compressor;comparing the sensed discharge pressure of the highest ranked compressor to the set point pressure threshold established for the highest ranked compressor;transmitting a load command from the controller of the highest ranked compressor to the controller of the next highest ranked unloaded compressor if:the sensed discharge pressure of the highest ranked compressor remains less than or equal to the set point pressure threshold established for the highest ranked compressor, andthe load delay timer equals zero; andrepeating the loading subroutine until the discharge pressure of the highest ranked compressor is greater than the set point pressure threshold established therefor.