US3873239A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compressor control
Assignee: IC GROUP Inc A CORP OF DE
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Filing: 1973-04-26
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-04-26
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for control of the operation of a liquid flooded compressor using an inlet valve operated by a combination of biasing forces including the force of the pressure of the compressed gas to provide unloaded startup and warmup periods and modulated operation from full capacity compression at receiver pressures below a preselected minimum to fully unloaded operation at preselected maximum receiver pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur A Jamieson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:10
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04C; F04C28/00; F04C28/24; F04B; F04B49/00; F04B49/02; F04B49/22; F04B49/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for controlling the operation of a liquid flooded compressor provided with a normally completely closed gas inlet valve means, a circuit means for delivering flooding liquid under pressure to said compressor and a compressed gas receiving means comprising the steps of: providing a complete closing of such inlet valve means before start up, maintaining said complete closing of such inlet valve means during a start-up period, gradually opening such inlet valve means during a subsequent warm-up period when the temperature of said liquid has increased to a preselected minimum value, maintaining such inlet valve means fully open subsequent to said warm-up period whenever the pressure in such receiving means is below a preselected minimum pressure value; gradually closing such inlet valve means as said gas pressure increases through a preselected range from said minimum value to a predetermined maximum pressure value, completely closing such inlet valve means when said gas pressure reaches said maximum value, and gradually opening such inlet valve means as said gas pressure decreases within said range.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for controlling the operation of a liquid flooded compressor provided with a normally completely closed gas inlet valve means, a circuit means for delivering flooding liquid under pressure to said compressor and a compressed gas receiving means comprising the steps of: providing a complete closing of such inlet valve means before start up, maintaining said complete closing of such inlet valve means during a start-up period, gradually opening such inlet valve means during a subsequent warm-up period when the temperature of said liquid has increased to a preselected minimum value, maintaining such inlet valve means fully open subsequent to said warm-up period whenever the pressure in such receiving means is below a preselected minimum pressure value; gradually closing such inlet valve means as said gas pressure increases through a preselected range from said minimum value to a predetermined maximum pressure value, completely closing such inlet valve means when said gas pressure reaches said maximum value, and gradually opening such inlet valve means as said gas pressure decreases within said range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of controlling compressor operation as specified in claim 1 including the additional step of maintaining said last mentioned complete closing during shut-down of such compressor operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of controlling compressor operation as specified in claim 1 wherein said gradual opening during warm-up is produced by increasing pressure provided by such liquid supplying means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of controlling compressor operation as specified in claim 1 including the additional step of reducing pressure in said gas receiving means substantially to ambient pressure after said last mentioned complete closing while maintaining such inlet means completely closed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of controlling compressor operation as specified in claim 1 wherein said gradual closing is produced by reaction between liquid pressure from such circuit means and increasing gas pressure in such gas receiving means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
187 words
Apparatus for controlling operation of a liquid flooded compressor having a compressed gas receiving means and circuit means for delivering flooding liquid under pressure to said compressor, comprising; controllable inlet valve means operable from fully closed to fully open for supplying gas to such a compressor, said inlet valve means being operable at start up of such compressor to open from said fully closed position through various partially open stages during warm up of such compressor to fully open at the termination of said warm up; biasing means for biasing said inlet valve means in a direction to hold said inlet valve means completely closed, force applying means communicating with said liquid delivery circuit means acting on said inlet valve means in opposition of said biasing means for opening said inlet valve means by force of said liquid under pressure, and force modulating means communicating with said gas receiving means and producing a force, on said inlet valve means opposing said force of said liquid on said inlet valve means for gradually closing said inlet valve means in response to increasing pressure in said gas receiving means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
187 words
Apparatus for controlling operation of a liquid flooded compressor having a compressed gas receiving means and circuit means for delivering flooding liquid under pressure to said compressor, comprising; controllable inlet valve means operable from fully closed to fully open for supplying gas to such a compressor, said inlet valve means being operable at start up of such compressor to open from said fully closed position through various partially open stages during warm up of such compressor to fully open at the termination of said warm up; biasing means for biasing said inlet valve means in a direction to hold said inlet valve means completely closed, force applying means communicating with said liquid delivery circuit means acting on said inlet valve means in opposition of said biasing means for opening said inlet valve means by force of said liquid under pressure, and force modulating means communicating with said gas receiving means and producing a force, on said inlet valve means opposing said force of said liquid on said inlet valve means for gradually closing said inlet valve means in response to increasing pressure in said gas receiving means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 6 additionally comprising circuit means for delivering pressurized gas to said force modulating means at a pressure related to the pressure in said gas receiving means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 6 additionally comprising restricted fluid conducting means communicating between said force applying means and a throat portion of said inlet means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 6 wherein a valve member of said inlet means is movable by said force applying means and said force modulating means for opening and closing said inlet means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 9 wherein said valve member is force balanced under any pressure differential.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as specified in claim 6 wherein said liquid delivery circuit means comprises flow sensing means for maintaining said inlet means completely closed whenever liquid flow through said circuit is less than a predetermined minimum flow rate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |