Method of and apparatus for controlling the operation of gas compression apparatus

Claim 1

A control system for regulating operation of a gas compression plant, selectively operable on either base mode or on intermittent mode, including a gas compressor, an inlet conduit, valve means governing flow of gas through the inlet conduit to the compressor, means for storage of gas delivered by the compressor, discharge means connecting the compressor and the storage means, and dump valve means for venting the discharge of the compressor to the atmosphere comprising: A. switch means operable to transfer said gas compression plant from said base mode of operation to said intermittent mode of operation or from said intermittent mode of operation to said base mode of operation; B. valve means operable in response to said switch means, having a first operating position and having a second operating position, said valve means being operable in said first position during said base mode of operation and being operable in said second position during said intermittent mode of operation; C. means for sensing the pressure of the gas flowing through said discharge means and for sending a first signal related to said discharge pressure; D. means for receiving a first signal of a predetermined magnitude and said signal relating to said discharge pressure and transmitting a resultant control signal; and E. means responsive to said resultant signal for regulating the dump valve means governing the venting of gas to the atmosphere, said means acting to modulate said dump valve means during said base mode of operation and selectively acting to fully open or to fully close said dump valve means during said intermittent mode of operation, said switch responsive valve means being operable to direct said resultant signal through a first flow path during base mode of operation, and through a second flow path during intermittent mode of operation.

Claim 5

The method of regulating the operation of a gas compressor, selectively operable on either base mode or intermittent mode, having an inlet conduit through which gas to be compressed is supplied to the compressor, an inlet valve in the conduit controlling the flow of gas to the compressor, a discharge conduit connected to the outlet of the compressor, dump valve means arranged adjacent said compressor outlet for selectively communicating the compressor outlet with the atmosphere to relieve pressure at the discharge side of said compressor, comprising the steps of: A. selectively positioning switch means to transfer the mode of operation of gas compressor from base mode to intermittent mode or from intermittent mode to base mode; B. operating valve means in response to said switch means, said valve means having a first position and having a second position, said valve means being operable in said first position, during said base mode of operation and being operable in said second position during said intermittent mode of operation; C. continually sensing the pressure of the gas flowing through said discharge conduit; and D. transmitting a signal related to said discharge pressure, operable to actuate said dump valve means, said switch responsive valve means being operable in said first position to direct said signal so said dump valve means is modulated during base mode of operation and said valve means being operable in said second position to direct said signal so said dump valve means is either fully open or fully closed during intermittent mode of operation.

Claim 6

The method of regulating the operation of a gas compressor, selectively operable on either base mode or intermittent mode, having an inlet conduit through which gas to be compressed is supplied to the compressor, an inlet valve in the conduit controlling the flow of gas to the compressor, a discharge conduit connected to the outlet of the compressor, dump valve means arranged adjacent said compressor outlet for selectively communicating the compressor outlet with the atmosphere to relieve pressure at the discharge side of said compressor, comprising the steps of: A. selectively positioning switch means to transfer the mode of operation of gas compressor from base mode to intermittent mode or from intermittent mode to base mode; B. operating valve means in response to said switch means, said valve means having a first position and having a second position, said valve means being operable in said first position, during said base mode of operation and being operable in said second position during said intermittent mode of operation; C. continually sensing the pressure of the gas flowing through said discharge conduit; and D. transmitting a signal related to said discharge pressure, operable to actuate said dump valve means, said switch responsive valve means being operable in said first position to direct said signal so said dump valve means is modulated during base mode of operation and said valve means being operable in said second position to direct said signal so said dump valve means is either fully open or fully closed during intermittent mode of operation.