Operation of gas compression apparatus

Claim 1

A control system for regulating the operation of a gas compression plant, selectively operable on either base mode or intermittent mode, including a motor-driven 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. means operable to energize said compressor motor; B. means for regulating said valve means governing flow of gas to said compressor including valve means operable in response to said compressor energizing means, having a first operating position and having a second operating position, said valve means being operable in said first position to direct a first control signal of a predetermined magnitude to said regulating means and being operable in said second position to direct a second control signal of a varying magnitude to said regulating means; and C. control means operable to place said valve means in said second operating position from said first operating position after a predetermined time interval has elapsed subsequent to energization of said compressor motor.

Claim 5

The method of regulating the operation of a motor-driven 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, compressed gas storage means, a discharge conduit connecting the outlet of the compressor with said storage means, dump valve means arranged between said compressor outlet and said storage means for selectively communicating the compressor outlet with the atmosphere to relieve pressure at the discharge side of said compressor, comprising the steps of: A. energizing said compressor motor; B. operating valve means in A control circuit in response to said energization of said compressor motor, said valve means having a first operating position and having a second operating position; C. transmitting a control signal from said valve means to said inlet valve positioning means, said control signal being of a predetermined magnitude when said valve means is in said first operating position and being of a varying magnitude when said valve means is in said second operating position; and D. transferring the valve means from said first operating position to said second operating position when a predetermined time interval has elapsed subsequent to energization of said compressor motor.

Claim 6

The method of regulating the operation of a motor-driven 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, compressed gas storage means, a discharge conduit connecting the outlet of the compressor with said storage means, dump valve means arranged between said compressor outlet and said storage means for selectively communicating the compressor outlet with the atmosphere to relieve pressure at the discharge side of said compressor, comprising the steps of: A. energizing said compressor motor; B. operating valve means in A control circuit in response to said energization of said compressor motor, said valve means having a first operating position and having a second operating position; C. transmitting a control signal from said valve means to said inlet valve positioning means, said control signal being of a predetermined magnitude when said valve means is in said first operating position and being of a varying magnitude when said valve means is in said second operating position; and D. transferring the valve means from said first operating position to said second operating position when a predetermined time interval has elapsed subsequent to energization of said compressor motor.