Patent ID: 8317490

Claim:
A method for limiting start-up current drawn by an electric motor used for moving pressurized fluid through a supply conduit, the method comprising: a) providing the electric motor capable of drawing a full load current from a current source when a mechanical load is operably coupled to a shaft of the electric motor while the shaft is rotating at a rated rotational speed; b) providing a plurality of starters disengagably coupled to the shaft of the electric motor to rotate the electric motor shaft; c) supplying the pressurized fluid from the supply conduit to the plurality of starters to cause the starters to rotate the electric motor shaft, one of said plurality of starters having a gear ratio different than at least one other of the plurality of starters; and d) selectively disengaging the plurality of starters from the electric motor shaft upon substantially reaching said rated rotational speed; and wherein, upon furnishing electric current to the electric motor, a rate of current drawn by the electric motor from the current source will not substantially exceed the full load current.