Patent Abstract:
This disclosure describes improvements that can expand the operating envelope of a compressor device. These improvements implement devices that vary flow parameters of a working fluid at the exit of the compressor device. In one embodiment, the device utilizes a nozzle that installs into the discharge opening on a volute of a centrifugal compressor. Actuation of the nozzle modifies a flow area through which the working fluid exits the centrifugal compressor. The change in the flow area increases the velocity of the working fluid, without the need to change the operating speed and/or other operating parameters of the centrifugal compressor.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The subject matter disclosed herein relates to compressor devices and, in particular, to manipulation of flow parameters at an outlet region to expand the operating envelope of a compressor device (e.g., centrifugal compressors). 
         [0002]    Compressor devices draw a working fluid into an inlet, compress the working fluid, and expel the compressed working fluid from an outlet. The flow parameters of the working fluid at the outlet are often set to satisfy performance and/or other characteristics for a process, application, and/or setting, that utilizes the compressor device. For example, the process may require the compressor to deliver the working fluid at a set of designated setpoints, e.g., flow rate, pressure, etc. The compressor device must operate in a manner so that the working fluid enters the inlet at an inlet flow rate to achieve these setpoints. However, as a competing interest, many process owners wish to operate the compressor device as efficiently as possible to reduce operating costs. Minimizing power consumption may require the compressor device to operate at the lower boundaries of the desired operating envelop, which defines the minimum compressor speed (e.g., speed of rotation for the impeller) and/or inlet flow rates to achieve the setpoints. In some implementations, operation of centrifugal compressors to achieve efficiencies can vary the compressor speed to match inlet flow and discharge pressure, maintain a fixed compressor speed and throttle the flow at the inlet (with one or more inlet guide vanes), and/or utilize a throttling valve at the discharge of the compressor. However, by approaching these lower boundaries of the operating envelop, the compressor device can enter various fault conditions (e.g., surge) that can have adverse affects on the process and, notably, damage the compressor device. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This disclosure describes improvements that can expand the operating envelope of a compressor device. These improvements implement devices that vary flow parameters of a working fluid at the exit of the compressor device. In one embodiment, the device utilizes a nozzle that installs into the discharge opening on a volute of a centrifugal compressor. Actuation of the nozzle modifies a flow area through which the working fluid exits the centrifugal compressor. The change in the flow area increases the velocity of the working fluid, without the need to change the operating speed and/or other operating parameters of the centrifugal compressor. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    Reference is now made briefly to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  depicts a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a nozzle device as part of an exemplary compressor device; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  depicts a schematic diagram of a top view of the nozzle device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  depicts a schematic diagram of the nozzle device and compressor device of  FIG. 1  as part of an exemplary control system; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method to operate a nozzle device, e.g., the nozzle device of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a nozzle device in exploded form; 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of the nozzle device of  FIG. 5  as part of a compressor device; 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  depicts a front view of the nozzle device of  FIG. 5  in a first position on a compressor device; 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  depicts a top view of the nozzle device of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  depicts a front view of the nozzle device of  FIG. 5  in a second position on a compressor device; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  depicts a top view of the nozzle device of  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
       [0015]    Where applicable like reference characters designate identical or corresponding components and units throughout the several views, which are not to scale unless otherwise indicated. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a nozzle device  100  that can modify flow parameters of a working fluid (e.g., gas and liquids). The nozzle device  100  is part of a compressor device  102  that includes an impeller  104  and a flow housing  106  with an inlet region  108  and an outlet region  110 . The compressor device  102  also includes a drive unit  112  and a drive shaft  114  to transfer energy to the impeller  104 . This transfer causes the impeller  104  to rotate, as generally indicated by the arrow enumerated with the numeral  116 . 
         [0017]    At the outlet region  110 , the nozzle device  100  has a nozzle outlet  118  that defines a nozzle outlet area  120 . The compressor device  102  can couple with industrial piping at the outlet region  110 . During operation, the working fluid flows through the nozzle outlet  118  into the industrial piping with flow parameters (e.g., pressure, velocity, flow rate, etc.) as desired. Values for the flow parameters are particular to the application and/or industry setting that implements the compressor device  102 . Examples of these industries include automotive industries, electronic industries, aerospace industries, oil and gas industries, power generation industries, petrochemical industries, and the like. 
         [0018]    The nozzle device  100  can modify the flow parameters of the working fluid that exits the flow housing  106 . This feature effectively expands the operating envelope of the compressor device  102  to include, for example, flow rates at the inlet region  108  (also “inlet flow rates”) that would normally induce pressure pulsations indicative of surge. These pressure pulsations can disrupt operation and, often, stall the compressor device  102 . To this end, use of the nozzle device  100  permits the compressor device  102  to continue to operate at inlet flow rates below inlet flow rates that would induce surge conditions. This configuration can also change the velocity of the working fluid that enters the industrial piping without the need to modify operating parameters (e.g., operating speed) of the compressor device  102 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic diagram of a top view of the outlet region  110  taken a line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . In this schematic diagram, one exemplary geometry for the nozzle outlet  118  is shown to illustrate operation of the nozzle device  100  to change the nozzle flow area  120 . Although shown as generally annular shapes, this disclosure contemplates other geometry and, also, the myriad of configurations of components that can implement the select geometry to modify flow parameters of the working fluid. The selection of geometry and components may depend, for example, on the configuration of any one or more of the flow housing  106  ( FIG. 1 ) and/or the outlet region  110 , as well as the construction and/or operation of the compressor device  102  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the nozzle outlet area  120  can have one or more flow areas (e.g., a first flow area  122  and a second flow area  124 ). The change in the size of the nozzle outlet area (e.g., as between the first flow area  122  and the second flow area  124 ) can increase and decrease the velocity of the working fluid that exits at the nozzle outlet  118 . In one example, the second flow area  124  is smaller than the first flow area  122 . Reducing the flow area (e.g., from the first flow area  122  to the second flow area  124 ) restricts the flow of the working fluid that exits the outlet region  110 . The restriction increases the fluid pressure upstream, which in turn increases the velocity (or flow rate) of the working fluid proximate the nozzle outlet  118 . In contrast, increasing the flow area (e.g., from the second flow area  124  to the first flow area  122 ) facilitates flow of the working fluid through the nozzle outlet  118 . The larger flow area (as shown by the first flow area  122 ) reduces pressure of the working fluid downstream and, accordingly, decreases the velocity (or flow rate) of the working fluid proximate the nozzle outlet  118 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows the compressor device  100  as part of a system  126  (also “control system  126 ”) that can provide process controls and/or other operating signals, e.g., to instruct operation of the nozzle device  100  and/or the compressor device  102 . The system  126  includes a control device  128  that has a processor  130 , control circuitry  132 , and memory  134 , which can store one or more executable instructions  136 , e.g., in the form of software and firmware that are configured to be executed by a processor (e.g., the processor  130 ). The control device  128  can also includes busses  138  to couple components (e.g., processor  130 , control circuitry  132 , and memory  134 ) of the control device  128  together. The busses  138  permit the exchange of signals, data, and information from one component of the controller  128  to another. In one example, control circuitry  132  includes a sensor driver circuit  140 , a nozzle driver circuit  142 , and a motor driver circuit  144 . The sensor driver circuit  140  can couple with a sensor element  146 , e.g., a pressure sensor disposed in the flow of the working fluid in the flow housing  104 . The nozzle driver circuit  142  and the motor driver circuit  144  can couple with, respectively, the nozzle device  100  and the motor unit  110 . 
         [0022]    The control device  128  can communicate with a network system  148  with one or more external servers (e.g., external server  150 ) and a network  152  that connects the control device  128  to the external server  150 . This disclosure also contemplates configurations in which one or more programs and/or executable instructions are found on the external server  150 . The control device  128  can access these remotely stored items to perform one or more functions disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a computing device  154  may communicate with one or more of the control device  128  and the network  152 , e.g., to interface and/or interact with the compressor device  100  and/or system  126 , as desired. 
         [0023]    At the system level, the control device  128  can instruct operation of the nozzle device  100  to change the size of the flow area. Use of the control device  128  and sensor element  146 , for example, can create a feedback loop that monitors operation of the compressor device to select the appropriate flow area for the nozzle outlet  118 . Examples of the sensor element  146  include devices that generate signals in response to a variety of fluid properties (e.g., pressure, temperature, relative humidity, etc.) in one or more locations, e.g., at locations in the flow housing  106  upstream of the outlet region  110  as well as throughout the compressor device  100 . In one implementation, these signals contain data that reflects fluid pressure and, in particular, static fluid pressure in the flow housing  106 . The control device  128  can utilize this data to generate an output with instructions that cause the nozzle device  100  to orient the nozzle outlet  118  to reflect the flow area that corresponds to the fluid pressure. For purposes of the present example, the feedback loop facilitates operation of the compressor device  102  by operating the nozzle device  100  to form the appropriate flow area to avoid surge based on the value for the static fluid pressure measured by the sensor element  146 . 
         [0024]    In other implementations, the system  126  can improve operation and/or efficiency of the flow housing and, in particular, the collector portion of a volute. The system  126  can utilize a plurality of sensor elements  146  to measure static pressure at points proximate the inlet to the volute and at points proximate the outlet, or discharge flange. The system  126  can also calculate total pressure, which comprises a static pressure and a dynamic pressure (e.g., pressure due to velocity of gas). In one example, the efficiency of the volute collector can be calculated according to Equations (1), (2), and (3) below, 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
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         [0000]    wherein η collector  is the volute collector efficiency, P 1  is static pressure at a first point, P 2  is static pressure at a second point that is downstream of the first point, P O1  is total pressure at the first point, and A 2  and A 1  are the projected area perpendicular to flow at, respectively, the first point and the second point. In one example, the first point and the second point are found, respectively, proximate the inlet of the volute and proximate the outlet of the volute. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  depicts a flow diagram of a method  200  to modify flow parameters of working fluid that exits a compressor device, e.g., via the nozzle outlet  118  of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 . Broadly, examples of the method  200  can utilize operating conditions and properties of a compressor device (e.g., compressor device of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 ) to effectively instruct operation of a nozzle device (e.g., nozzle device  100  of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 ). Examples of these operation conditions and parameters include fluid pressure, discussed above, as well as temperature, flow rate, operating speed and temperature of the drive unit, and the like. The steps of the method  200  can embody one or more executable instructions, which can be coded, e.g., part of hardware, firmware, software, software programs, etc.). These executable instructions can be part of a computer-implemented method and/or program, which can be executed by a processor (e.g., processor  130  of  FIG. 3 ) and/or processing device. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the method  200  includes, at step  202 , receiving a first signal with data that reflects a first operating property of the compressor device. The method  200  also includes, at step  204 , selecting an outlet flow parameter for the working fluid at the outlet region relating to the first operating property. The method  200  further includes, at step  206 , generating an output to instruct the nozzle device to assume a nozzle flow area for the nozzle outlet to achieve the outlet flow parameter. 
         [0027]    The step for receiving the first signal (e.g., at step  202 ) can utilize data that arises from a sensor (e.g., sensor  146  of  FIG. 3 ) and/or components of a compressor device (e.g., compressor device  102  of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 ). This data can include information that relates to operating properties, e.g., pressure, temperature, operating speed, power consumption, etc. In one embodiment, the method  200  may include one or more steps for storing the data, which can be used for aggregating data and charting performance of the compressor device over time. 
         [0028]    The step of selecting an outlet flow parameter (e.g., at step  204 ) relates, in one example, the value of the operating property to the velocity (and/or flow rate) of the working fluid at the outlet region (e.g., outlet region  110  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). This feature can allow the compressor device to operate at lower inlet flow rates, e.g., by assigning values to the outlet flow parameter that will prevent surge and/or surge conditions that can stall the compressor device. In one embodiment, the method  200  can also include steps for comparing the operating property to a threshold criteria and determining whether the operating property satisfies the threshold criteria, e.g., is the same and/or greater than the threshold criteria, is the same and/or less than the threshold criteria, and/or is within an operating range relative to the threshold criteria. The operating range can, for example, specify a percentage (e.g., 10%) that the operating property must fall into relative to the threshold criteria before the method  200  changes the outlet flow area as set forth herein. 
         [0029]    The step for generating the output (e.g., at step  206 ) can activate the nozzle device to change the flow area of the nozzle outlet, e.g., between first flow area  122  of nozzle outlet  118  and second flow area  124  of nozzle outlet  118  of  FIG. 2 . As discussed above, and contemplated herein, the change in the flow area can modify flow parameters of the working fluid exiting the flow housing. This feature can advantageously improve operating performance, e.g., by preventing surge conditions and allowing the compressor device to operate at inlet flow rates outside the bottom threshold of the normal operating envelope for the compressor device. In one embodiment, the method  200  may also include steps in which the output also comprises data that can display on a screen and/or display. This data may help illustrate, graphically, operation of the compressor device and/or to show an end user the position, size, configuration, and other feature of the nozzle device during operation of the compressor device. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 , and  10  depict another exemplary embodiment of a nozzle device  300 . The exploded assembly of  FIG. 5  illustrates one construction for the nozzle device  300 . In this construction, the nozzle device  300  includes a nozzle body  356 , one or more guide elements  358 , and an actuator element  360 . The nozzle body  356  can take the form of an elongated cylindrical element  362  with a first section  364 , a second section  366 , and an longitudinal axis  368  extending therethrough. The elongated cylindrical element  362  has a generally tubular shape in the first section  364 . In the second section  364 , the elongated cylindrical element  362  forms one or more projections  370  that are disposed circumferentially about the longitudinal axis  368 . This configuration of the projections  370  forms the nozzle outlet area  318 . The guide elements  358  couple with the projections  370 . The guide elements  358  have a radially exterior edge  372  with a first end  374  and a second end  376 . In one example, the radial distance of the radially exterior edge  372  of the guide elements  358  as measured from the longitudinal axis  368  increases from the first end  374  to the second end  376 . The actuator element  360  includes an area control element  378  and one or more roller elements  380 , which can contact the radially exterior edge  372  of the guide elements  358 . 
         [0031]    The projections  370  can change position to modify the flow area of the nozzle outlet area  318 . This feature can change the size of the nozzle outlet area  318 , e.g., between the first nozzle area  122  and the second nozzle area  124  shown on  FIG. 2  and discussed above. Examples of the projections  370  may bend and/or flex radially relative to the longitudinal axis  368 . In one example, the projections  370  move independent of one another relative to the longitudinal axis  368 . 
         [0032]    The area control element  378  can form an annular ring (and/or partially-annular ring) that circumscribes at least part of the elongated cylindrical element  362 . This annular ring provides a rigid structure with a fixed inner diameter to secure the position of the roller elements  380 . Examples of the roller elements  380  may include rollers, as shown, as well as castors, wheels, and like devices that facilitate motion. For example, in lieu of the roller elements  380 , the actuator element  360  may include low-friction and/or bearing materials that can reduce friction, e.g., between the actuator element  360  and the guide elements  358 . 
         [0033]    In one implementation, the actuator element  360  can move along the longitudinal axis  358 , e.g., between a first position and a second position. This movement causes the roller elements  380  to engage a different part (and/or point, section, portion) of the radially exterior edge  372  at the first position and the second position. As the roller elements  380  engage parts of the radially exterior edge  372  proximate the second end  376 , the change in the radial distance of the radially exterior edge  372  will cause the roller elements  380  to apply force against the projections  370 . This force will push the projections  370  inwardly, e.g., toward the longitudinal axis  318  to reduce the size of the nozzle outlet  318 . On the other hand, engagement of the roller elements  380  with parts of the radially exterior edge  372  proximate the first end  374  will relieve the pushing force. In this position, the projections  370  will move outwardly, e.g., away from the longitudinal axis  368  to increase the size of the nozzle outlet  318 . In one example, the nozzle device  300  may include one or more resilient members (e.g., a spring) that applies a bias force to one or more of the projections  370  to aid the movement of the projections  370  away from the longitudinal axis  368 . 
         [0034]    Construction of the components (e.g., the elongated cylindrical element  362 , the guide elements  358 , and the area control element  378 ) can utilize a wide variety of materials (e.g., metals, plastics, composites, etc.). These components may be constructed as unitary components which are fastened together to form the nozzle device  300 , e.g., using screws, bolts, welds, and the like. In other constructions, the components (e.g., the projections  370  and the guide elements  358  are formed monolithically as an integrated structure. However, aspects of the implementation of the nozzle device  300  may dictate construction and materials with properties (e.g., corrosion resistance) or exhibit certain characteristics that are more appropriate, e.g., for certain types of working fluid, flow parameters, and other conditions. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  shows the nozzle device  300  on a compressor device  302 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the nozzle device  300  also includes an actuator  382  that can couple with the actuator element  360 . Examples of the actuator  382  can include pneumatic and electro-mechanical devices that can change the position of the area control element  378 . The flow housing  306  forms a volute  384  with a curvilinear body that winds about the impeller  304 . During operation, the drive unit  312  rotates the drive shaft  314 , which turns the impeller  304 . Rotation of the impeller  304  draws a working fluid (e.g., gas and/or liquid) into the inlet region  306 . The impeller  304  compresses the working fluid. The compressed working fluid traverses the curvilinear body of the volute  384  to exit the compressor device, e.g., through the nozzle outlet  318  of the nozzle device  300 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of the nozzle device  300  and the compressor device  302  with the volute  384  in phantom lines. In  FIG. 7 , the curvilinear body of the volute  384  terminates in the outlet section  310  at a discharge flange  386  that circumscribes a discharge opening  388 . The first section  364  of the elongated cylindrical element  362  fits into the discharge opening  388 . In one example, the first section  362  extends a distance from the discharge flange  386  into the volute  384 . The second section  366  extends above the discharge flange  386  to direct the projections  370  in a generally upwardly orientation relative to the discharge flange  386 . The actuator element  360  is in a first position, proximate the discharge flange  386 . As best shown in  FIG. 8 , this position of the actuator element  360  arranges the projections  370  to form the nozzle outlet  318  with a first outlet area  322  (and generally identified in phantom lines). 
         [0037]      FIG. 9  also illustrates a front view of the nozzle device  300  and the compressor device  302  with the volute  384  in phantom lines. The actuator element  360  is in a second position, spaced apart from the discharge flange  386 . As best shown in  FIG. 10 , this position of the actuator element  360  arranges the projections  370  to form the nozzle outlet  318  with a second outlet area  322 , which is relatively smaller than the first outlet area  320 . 
         [0038]    In light of the foregoing discussion, movement of the actuator element  360  between the first position ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ) and the second position ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ) can change the flow parameters of working fluid that exits the nozzle outlet  318 . Reducing the size of the nozzle outlet  318  to the second outlet area  322  can increase the velocity of the working fluid. The change in velocity can prevent a failure condition (e.g., surge and/or stall) on the compressor device  302 . This feature can increase the operating envelope of the compressor  300 , thereby allowing the compressor device  300  to operate at lower inlet flow rates. For variable speed operations, lower operating speeds consistent with the wider operating envelope will, in turn, improve operating efficiencies for the compressor device  300  by reducing energy consumption. 
         [0039]    Compressor devices that utilize electric motors as the prime mover of the impeller can also benefit from implementation of the proposed designs. Use of the variable volute can reduce current in-rush that can occur, for example, during start-up of a compressor device. In one implementation, compressor devices that are not able to operate at lower inlet volume flows must be shut down while another compressor device is brought on-line. Current in-rush can occur when the shut-down compressor device is activated and brought back on-line. 
         [0040]    As set forth herein, embodiments of the various control and processing devices (e.g., control device  128  of  FIG. 3 ) can comprise computers and computing devices with processors and memory that can store and execute certain executable instructions, software programs, and the like. These control devices can be a separate unit, e.g., part of a control unit that operates a compressor device and/or other equipment in an industry setting. In other examples, these control devices integrate with the compressor device, e.g., as part of the hardware and/or software configured on such hardware. In still other examples, these control devices can be located remote from the compressor device, e.g., in a separate location where the control device can issue commands and instructions using wireless and wired communication via a network (e.g., network  152  of  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0041]    These control devices may have constructive components that can communicate amongst themselves and/or with other circuits (and/or devices), which execute high-level logic functions, algorithms, as well as executable instructions (e.g., firmware instructions, software instructions, software programs, etc.). Exemplary circuits of this type include discrete elements such as resistors, transistors, diodes, switches, and capacitors. Examples of a processor (e.g., processor  130  of  FIG. 3 ) include microprocessors and other logic devices such as field programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”) and application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”). Although all of the discrete elements, circuits, and devices function individually in a manner that is generally understood by those artisans that have ordinary skill in the electrical arts, it is their combination and integration into functional electrical groups and circuits that generally provide for the concepts that are disclosed and described herein. 
         [0042]    The structure of these control devices can permit certain determinations as to selected configuration and desired operating characteristics that an end user might convey via the graphical user interface or that are retrieved or need to be retrieved by the device. For example, the electrical circuits of these control devices can physically manifest theoretical analysis and logical operations and/or can replicate in physical form an algorithm, a comparative analysis, and/or a decisional logic tree, each of which operates to assign the output and/or a value to the output that correctly reflects one or more of the nature, content, and origin of the changes in parameters (e.g., flow parameters of a working fluid) that are reflected by the inputs to these control devices as provided by the corresponding control circuitry, e.g., control circuitry  132  of  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, a processor (e.g., processor  130  of  FIG. 3 ) can also include state machine circuitry or other suitable components capable of controlling operation of the components as described herein. The memory (e.g., memory  134  of  FIG. 3 ) includes volatile and non-volatile memory and can store executable instructions in the form of and/or including software (or firmware) instructions and configuration settings. Each of the control circuitry (e.g., control circuitry  132  of  FIG. 3 ) can embody stand-alone devices such as solid-state devices. Examples of these devices can mount to substrates such as printed-circuit boards and semiconductors, which can accommodate various components including a processor, memory, and other related circuitry to facilitate operation, e.g., of control device  128  of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0044]    However, although processor, memory, and the components of control circuitry might include discrete circuitry and combinations of discrete components, this need not be the case. For example, one or more of these components can comprise a single integrated circuit (IC) or other component. As another example, a processor can include internal program memory such as RAM and/or ROM. Similarly, any one or more of functions of these components can be distributed across additional components (e.g., multiple processors or other components). 
         [0045]    Moreover, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. 
         [0046]    Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. Examples of a computer readable storage medium include an electronic, magnetic, electromagnetic, and/or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
         [0047]    A non-transitory computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms and any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
         [0048]    Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. 
         [0049]    Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language and conventional procedural programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). 
         [0050]    Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
         [0051]    These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
         [0052]    The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
         [0053]    Accordingly, a technical effect of embodiments of the systems and methods proposed herein is to identify operating settings for a compressor device (e.g., pressures, flow rates, etc.) to achieve one or more setpoints, and/or, in one example, to operate the compressor device at the operating settings, and/or, in one example, to arrange a nozzle device with an appropriate flow area to reduce power consumption of the compressor device. 
         [0054]    As used herein, an element or function recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural said elements or functions, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the claimed invention should not be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
         [0055]    This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5