Gaseous fluid compressor control system

[0001] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for optimizing compressor output flow when a maximum power consumption limit exists and the compressor inlet pressure can vary. This invention is applicable, for example, to control speed of gaseous fluid compressors in aircraft.

[0002] Situations exist wherein gaseous fluid compressors are subjected to variations in gaseous fluid inlet pressure. A drop in inlet pressure will normally result in a drop in output flow performance. For example, an airborne compressor will normally experience a drop in flow performance as the aircraft gains altitude.

[0003] The present invention ensures that the maximum compressor outlet flow can be obtained even while the inlet pressure to the compressor varies. According to the teachings of the present invention, the power to the electrical motor driving the gaseous fluid compressor is monitored and the speed of the electrical motor and the compressor speed are increased to maintain the power at its maximum limit.

[0004] The apparatus of the invention includes a gaseous fluid compressor having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. An electrical motor drives the gaseous fluid compressor.

[0005] A motor speed controller connects the electrical motor to a source of electric power.

[0006] A monitor operatively associated with the electrical motor and with the motor speed controller monitors electric power being delivered to the electrical motor. The motor speed controller is operable to increase the speed of the electrical motor and the gaseous fluid compressor responsive to the monitored electric power delivered to the electric motor falling below a predetermined value.

[0007] The method of the invention is for optimizing gaseous fluid compressor output flow when a predetermined maximum power consumption limit exists and gaseous fluid inlet pressure to the gaseous fluid pressure can vary.

[0008] The method includes the step of driving a fluid compressor having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet with an electrical motor.

[0009] A motor speed controller is interposed between the electrical motor and a source of electric power.

[0010] The electric power being delivered to the electrical motor through the motor speed controller is monitored. The motor speed controller is utilized to increase the speed of the electrical motor and the gaseous fluid compressor responsive to the monitored electric power delivered to the electrical motor falling below a predetermined value. Conversely an increase in inlet pressure will cause the motor speed to decrease and prevent the motor from exceeding its power limit.

[0011] Other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

[0013] Referring now to FIG. 1, a gaseous fluid compressor 10 is illustrated. The compressor has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet as represented by the arrows associated with the compressor. The compressor is of conventional construction and is driven by a conventional electrical motor 12.

[0014] The motor and compressor may, for example, be on board an aircraft, resulting in changes in air inlet pressure to the compressor. A decrease in inlet pressure will normally cause a drop in flow performance as the aircraft gains altitude. In conventional arrangements, the compressor motor operates at a uniform normal speed. In such situations there is a fall off in electric power consumption, the power dropping below the predetermined maximum power available from an electric power inlet source 14. An increase in inlet pressure will cause the motor speed to decrease and prevent the motor from exceeding its power limit.

[0015] The purpose of the present invention is to ensure that the maximum compressor outlet flow can be obtained even while the inlet pressure to the compressor varies and drops. An airborne compressor, for example, will normally experience a drop in flow performance as the aircraft gains altitude. As stated above, the system of the present invention monitors the power to the air compressor motor and increases the compressor speed to maintain the power at its maximum limit.

[0016] According to the teachings of the present invention, a motor speed controller 16 is interposed between the electrical motor 12 and the source of electric power 14.

[0017] A monitor is operatively associated with the electrical motor 12 and with the motor speed controller 16, the monitor monitoring electric power being delivered to the electrical motor. In the arrangement illustrated, monitoring is carried out by an electric current sensor 18 which is part of a power monitoring circuit within the motor speed control. Such circuits per se are well known to persons skilled in the electrical arts and in the interest of simplicity a power specific monitoring circuit has not been shown.

[0018] The power monitoring circuit of the motor speed controller utilizes the measured current and voltage to regulate the RPMs of the motor 12 and compressor 10 to prevent the power applied to the motor from falling below a predetermined value, which may be the predetermined maximum electric power value available to the apparatus. The current sensor and motor speed controller essentially function as a feedback loop monitoring power consumption and regulating motor and compressor speed.

[0019] The system disclosed also incorporates an RPM limit control circuit of conventional construction in the motor speed controller to utilize feedback from an RPM sensor 20 measuring the rotational speed of the motor shaft to prevent the speed of the electrical motor and the gaseous fluid compressor from exceeding a predetermined speed limit. Such circuits are well known and a specific circuit is not disclosed herein. Alternatively, the motor speed control could incorporate a frequency limited control circuit of a well known character in the motor speed controller to accomplish the same end.