US4969801A
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US
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Method and apparatus for shutting off a compressor when it rotates in reverse direction
Assignee: Ingersoll Rand Co
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Filing: 1989-11-06
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Granted: 1990-11-13
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Expires: 2009-11-06
Abstract
Abstract A fluid compression system includes a fluid compression device which pressurizes fluid. A pressure sensor senses pressure generated by the compression device. A control device indicates operating parameters and functions of the compression device, graphically displays the parameters and functions, sets limits of the parameters and controls the compression device in response to any of the parameters reaching a preset level of a corresponding function. A reverse rotation sensor determines when the compression device is operating in an incorrect direction by the initial pressure sensed by the pressure sensor after startup of the compression device, and in response, shuts off the compression device.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert K. Haseley
- 👤 Paul A. Kirkpatrick
- 👤 Jimmy L. Levan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:39
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04B; F04B49/00; F04B49/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
Apparatus for controlling a fluid compression system, comprising: compression means for pressurizing fluid; pressure sensor means for sensing pressure generated by said compression means; and reverse rotation sensor means for determining when the compression means is operating in an incorrect direction by negative pressure sensed by the pressure sensor means, and in response shutting off said compression means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus for controlling a fluid compression system, comprising: compression means for pressurizing fluid; pressure sensor means for sensing pressure generated by said compression means; and reverse rotation sensor means for determining when the compression means is operating in an incorrect direction by negative pressure sensed by the pressure sensor means, and in response shutting off said compression means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus as described in claim 1, further comprising: control means for indicating operating parameters and functions of the compression means, graphically displaying the parameters and functions, setting limits of the parameters and controlling the compression means in response to any of the parameters reaching a present level of a corresponding function.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein the compression means includes an inlet, an outlet and a sump.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein one of said functions is compression means outlet pressure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein one of said functions is compression means discharge temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein one of said functions is compression means sump pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein one of said functions is compression means discharge pressure and one of the functions is compression means sump pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein one of said functions is an indicated difference between the compression means sump and discharge pressures.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8, further comprising: valve means switching a pressure applied to the pressure sensor means from the compression means outlet to the compression means sump.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein one of the parameters is maximum compression means discharge temperature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein one of the parameters is off line pressure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein one of the parameters in on line pressure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein one of the parameters is automatic restart time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein one of the parameters is an indicated difference between the compressor sump and the compressor discharge pressures.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, further comprising; an unloaded stop switch.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the control means includes display select means having a tactile membrane.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the compression means operates in a mode wherein, after a range is set for compression means outlet pressure, defined by upper and lower outlet pressure limits, the control means alters the operation of the compression means to return the pressure to within the range when the pressure exceeds either of the upper and lower limits.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the compression means operates in a mode wherein after a range is set for outlet pressure, defined by upper and lower outlet pressure limits, the control means regulates airflow to the sump, while the compression means maintains constant rpm, to regulate the outlet pressure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
136 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the compression means operates in a first mode wherein, after a range is set for outlet pressure, defined by upper and lower outlet pressure limits, the control means will alter operation of the compression means, causing the outlet pressure to return within the range when the pressure exceeds either of the limits; the compression means operates in a second mode wherein, after the outlet pressure exceeds either of the limits, the control means will regulate airflow to the compressor sump while the compression means maintains constant rpm, to regulate the outlet pressure; and the control means determines which of the first and second modes is more efficient, depending upon the parameters determined by the control means compression means, and causes the compression means to operate in that mode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein when the control means is operating in the first mode of operation, and the outlet pressure reaches the upper limit, the control means switches the compression means from an on line to an off line state.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein when the control means is operating in the first mode of operation, and the outlet pressure reaches the lower limit, the control means switches the compression means from an off line to an on line state.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein when the compression means is in said first mode of operation, and the compression means cycles between an on line and an off line state an established number of cycles within a predetermined period, then the control means switches the compression means to the second mode of operation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said pressure sensor is a transducer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein the control means may be calibrated to read a known pressure setting when that known pressure is applied to the transducer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein the transducer is used to measure a plurality of pressures.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, further comprising: an unloaded stop switch means for permitting the compression means to return to an unloaded state prior to shutting the compression means off.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the control means comprises a graphical display including an L.E.D.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the pressure sensor means senses the pressure generated by said compression means immediately after initial startup.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor means senses the pressure generated by said compression means immediately after initial startup
Claim 31
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for sensing reverse rotation in a fluid compression system including the steps of: pressurizing fluid in a reservoir with a compressor; sensing the pressure in the reservoir with a pressure transducer; determining reverse rotation of the compressor by negative pressure read by said pressure transducer; and shutting off the compressor in response to said reverse rotation.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for sensing reverse rotation in a fluid compression system including the steps of: pressurizing fluid in a reservoir with a compressor; sensing the pressure in the reservoir with a pressure transducer; determining reverse rotation of the compressor by negative pressure read by said pressure transducer; and shutting off the compressor in response to said reverse rotation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-11-12 | 1994-05-14 | 1994-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-12 | 1998-05-14 | 1998-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-12 | 2002-05-14 | 2002-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |