Patent ID: 7516755

Claim:
A system for producing and distributing compressed air, comprising: at least one compressor having connected thereto a suction pipe for the intake of air and an output pipe for air compressed by said at least one compressor; distribution piping connected to the output pipe for distributing air to sites of use; a return pipe arranged between the suction pipe and at least one site of use for receiving air reduced in pressure in said site of use and feeding it back to said at least one compressor; a source of compressed air; and equipment provided between the distribution piping and the source of compressed air for controlling intake of compressed air from the source of compressed air into the distribution piping for replacing air exited from a circuit formed by the compressor with its suction and output pipes, distribution piping, sites of use and the return pipe, the compressed air from the source being fed to the high-pressure side of the compressor.