A gas compression system is operable to deliver a flow of compressed gas to a point of use. The gas compression system includes a compressor that is operable to produce a flow of compressed gas at a first pressure, a motor operable to drive the compressor at a compressor speed, and a gas treatment member positioned to receive the flow of compressed gas from the compressor and deliver the flow of compressed gas to the point of use at a second pressure. A controller is operable to vary the compressor speed in response to a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an airflow system embodying the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is a flow chart of processing carried out in some embodiments of the invention.
Claims
1. A gas compression system operable to deliver a flow of compressed gas to a point of use, the gas compression system comprising:
a compressor operable to produce a flow of compressed gas at a first pressure;a motor operable to drive the compressor at a compressor speed;a gas treatment member positioned to receive the flow of compressed gas from the compressor and deliver the flow of compressed gas to the point of use at a second pressure;a controller operable to vary the compressor speed in response to a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure.
2. The gas compression system of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a variable-frequency drive.
3. The gas compression system of claim 1, further comprising a first pressure sensor positioned to measure the first pressure.
4. The gas compression system of claim 3, further comprising a second pressure sensor positioned to measure the second pressure.
5. The gas compression system of claim 4, wherein the controller computes the difference between the first pressure and second pressure.
6. The gas compression system of claim 5, wherein the controller varies the compressor speed at least partially in response to a second difference between the difference and a reference value.
7. The gas compression system of claim 1, wherein the gas treatment member includes a dryer that is operable to remove moisture from the flow of compressed gas.
8. The gas compression system of claim 1, wherein the second pressure varies in response to a rate of use at the point of use.
9. A method of controlling airflow generated by a compressor, the method comprising the steps of:
measuring a first pressure value associated with the compressor;measuring a second pressure value indicative of a rate of use of air at a point of use;determining a pressure differential between the first pressure value and the second pressure value; andadjusting a motor speed based at least partially on the pressure differential.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of comparing the pressure differential to a reference value.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of increasing the motor speed when the pressure differential is greater than the reference value.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of decreasing the motor speed when the pressure differential is less than the reference value.
13. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of positioning a dryer between the compressor and the point of use such that the first pressure is measured upstream of the dryer and the second pressure is measured downstream of the dryer.
14. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of operating the dryer to remove a portion of moisture contained within the airflow.
15. A gas compression system operable to deliver a flow of compressed gas to a point of use, the gas compression system comprising:
a compressor operable to produce a flow of compressed gas at a first pressure;a variable speed motor operable to drive the compressor at a compressor speed between a low speed and a high speed;a dryer positioned to receive the flow of compressed air from the compressor and deliver a flow of dried compressed air to the point of use at a second pressure;a first pressure sensor positioned to measure the first pressure and generate a first signal indicative of the first pressure;a second pressure sensor positioned to measure the second pressure and generate a second signal indicative of the second pressure; anda controller operable to receive the first signal and the second signal and to calculate a third signal indicative of the pressure difference between the first pressure and the second pressure, the controller operable to vary the compressor speed in response to the third signal.
16. The gas compression system of claim 15, wherein the controller includes a variable-frequency drive.
17. The gas compression system of claim 15, wherein the first pressure sensor is positioned substantially adjacent to a compressor discharge.
18. The gas compression system of claim 15, wherein the second pressure sensor is positioned substantially adjacent to a dryer discharge.
19. The gas compression system of claim 15, wherein the controller increases a drive speed of the motor when the third signal is greater than a reference value.
20. The gas compression system of claim 15, wherein the controller decreases a drive speed of the motor when the third signal is less than a reference value.
21. The gas compression system of claim 15, wherein the second pressure varies in response to a rate of use at the point of use.
Patent Application
20070177983
