Compressor system with purge air control

Abstract

The invention relates to a compressor system. One exemplary embodiment of the compressor system has at least one compressor, at least one sensor and a controller connected to the at least one compressor and / or to the at least one sensor. The controller is designed to evaluate data of the at least one compressor and / or data of the at least one sensor and to control, in an open- and / or closed-loop manner, a purge air of the compressor system on the basis of the evaluated data.

Description

[0001] Compressor system with purge air control

[0002] The invention relates generally to a compressor system. More particularly, the invention relates to a compressor system with a purge air control system.

[0003] A general description is given of a control system for purge air and a variable purge air control system for use with (oil-free) compressors. Such compressors are already known in dentistry and are also used in printing machines or for painting work. Furthermore, such compressors can also be used for or in vehicles, particularly to support engine technology. These compressors are characterized by their exceptional performance and low noise levels and are predominantly oil-free. In the dental or medical fields, such compressors supply a suitable selection of commercially available handpieces and contra-angles, powder blasting devices, CAS and CAM devices, as well as other treatment units with hygienic, oil-free, and dry air, especially compressed air.

[0004] Oil-free refers to the special use of materials for pistons and cylinders in the compressor system, which are normally subject to oil lubrication during the compression process. Adequate hygiene is generally ensured by multiple filter levels, such as fine dust filters and bacteria filters, as well as the dry air itself. The dry air is generally provided by special membrane drying systems, which also ensure constant power availability. The drying process is carried out in such a way that no bacteria buildup or corrosion occurs on the tank due to the moisture extracted from the air.

[0005] The temperature at which water vapor condenses is defined as the pressure dew point (DTP). In other words, the pressure dew point is the indicator that accurately indicates the water content of the air.

[0006] A disadvantage of the current state of the art is that the process air nozzle with a fixed bore diameter does not allow for variable control of the purge air. This prevents it from responding to changes in process air demand. This necessitates a design based on a single operating point, which is then fixed. This makes all other operating points compromises, with either too much or too little purge air (static method).

[0007] Initial attempts have recently been made to provide variable purge air by switching between different, in particular at least two, process air nozzles with fixed nominal bore diameters (dynamic process). Apart from the multiple nozzle cross-sections to cover wider fluctuations, particularly in the demand for purge or process air, a disadvantage is that the (DTP) sensors used may not be reliable in intermittent operation or may not provide reliable measurement data. The pressure dew point fluctuates greatly due to the pressure hysteresis present in intermittent operation. The rapid change caused by this is difficult for sensors, especially DTP sensors, to detect. After the phases in which the respective sensor is not purged, it takes a considerable time until an associated pressure dew point sensor displays or records reliable data again.However, pressure hysteresis is present in real compressor operation due to tank loading and unloading, and thus significantly impacts the control and / or regulation options, as well as the reliability of the sensors. In addition, a continuous process air component (dew point sensor purge), which is sometimes necessary for stable DTP detection, is required, for example, by venting the tank or compressed air reservoir, to ensure their proper function. This would be different with a constant pressure range, i.e., no hysteresis. However, under these ideal conditions, a continuous purge air flow would still be necessary to ensure sensor functionality.

[0008] Furthermore, the process air requirement for membrane drying depends on variable volume flows. Furthermore, the membrane dryers known from the state of the art, which are connected to a compressor, are dependent on variable volume flows. These arise from the number of compressors connected in series, their speed control, and the associated variable operating pressures, which influence cyclic operation. Furthermore, the process air volume is pressure-dependent and subject to fixed assumptions or presets, which may be energetically or technically disadvantageous under certain operating conditions. The pressure dew point can be adjusted by the user, but not as dynamically as would be necessary to achieve energetically advantageous results. Added to this is the influence of ambient conditions, such as the influence of temperature on the DTP level, wear and tear, etc.Aging of the components and the efficiency and / or performance of the drying unit.

[0009] In short, the current state of the art typically operates with constant flow rates and operating pressures with minor deviations. However, variable purge air is advantageously required.

[0010] There is a need for an improved compressor system. In particular, there is a need for a compressor system including a variable purge air compressor and a control system, as well as an associated method, that overcome one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0011] According to a first aspect, a compressor system is proposed. The compressor system has at least one compressor, at least one sensor, and a controller connected to the at least one compressor and / or to the at least one sensor. The at least one compressor is designed to generate compressed air. The at least one sensor is designed and arranged to detect at least one parameter of the compressed air. The controller is designed to evaluate data from the at least one compressor and / or data from the at least one sensor. The controller is designed to control and / or regulate purge air of the compressor system based on the evaluated data.

[0012] Compressed air, colloquially also known as compressed air, can generally be understood here as compressed / condensed air.

[0013] A compressor can also be referred to herein as a compressor. In this case, the compressor system comprises at least one compressor. The at least one compressor can be configured as an air compressor with, for example, a fixed speed or as a speed-controlled compressor. The controller can also be referred to as a control unit. The controller can, for example, be connected only to the at least one compressor. The controller can, for example, be connected only to the at least one sensor. The controller can, for example, be connected to both the at least one compressor and the at least one sensor. "Connected" can be understood here as a direct or an indirect connection. In a direct connection, no further components are arranged between the connected components / elements / units other than the connection itself, e.g., the line.In an indirect connection, additional components / elements / units can be arranged between the connected components / elements / units. The connection can be wireless and / or wired.

[0014] In particular, the controller can be configured to control and / or regulate a volume flow of the purge air of the compressor system based on the evaluated data. The at least one compressor can be configured to generate compressed air with a predetermined / predetermined and / or adjustable volume flow.

[0015] The terms "control" and "regulation" are deliberately used herein to refer to two different technical processes. However, the control system is consistently referred to as a controller (or control unit), regardless of whether it can or does perform a control and / or regulation process.

[0016] The standard DIN IEC 60050-351 contains the following definition of the term control: Control is a process in a system in which one or more variables as input variables influence other variables as output or control variables due to the laws inherent in the system.

[0017] The characteristic of the control is either the open effect path or a temporarily closed effect path, in which the output variables influenced by the input variables do not act on themselves continuously and not again via the same input variables

[0018] The standard DIN IEC 60050-351 contains the following definition of the term control: Control or regulation is a process in which a variable, the controlled variable, is continuously recorded, compared with another variable, the reference variable, and influenced in the sense of an adjustment to the reference variable.

[0019] A hallmark of closed-loop control is the closed-loop control process, in which the controlled variable continuously influences itself throughout the control loop. In control engineering, the setpoint of the controlled variable in a control loop is usually the instantaneous value of the reference variable.

[0020] The controller can be designed to control the purge air of the compressor system based on the evaluated data of the at least one compressor and / or based on the evaluated data of a first sensor of the at least one sensor. In other words, the controller can be designed to control the purge air of the compressor system exclusively based on the evaluated data of the at least one compressor. The controller can be designed to control the purge air of the compressor system exclusively based on the evaluated data of a first sensor of the at least one sensor. The controller can be designed to control the purge air of the compressor system based on the evaluated data of the at least one compressor and based on the evaluated data of a first sensor of the at least one sensor.

[0021] The controller can be designed to regulate the purge air of the compressor system based on the evaluated data from at least a second sensor of the at least one sensor. The regulation can take place after, for example immediately after, the above-mentioned control. For example, the purge air can initially be controlled by the controller, for example for a predetermined and / or adjustable period of time. This allows a rapid and / or timely adjustment of the purge air by the controller. Subsequently, for example immediately thereafter, the purge air can be regulated by the controller. This allows a more precise adjustment of the purge air. The predetermined and / or adjustable period of time can start, for example, when / with commissioning of the compressor system and / or the at least one compressor and / or the at least one dryer.

[0022] The at least one sensor can have two or more sensors. The controller can be configured to control the purge air of the compressor system based on the evaluated data of the at least one compressor and / or based on the evaluated data of a first sensor of the two or more sensors. The controller can be configured to regulate, for example, readjust, the purge air of the compressor system based on the evaluated data of at least a second sensor of the two or more sensors.

[0023] The compressor system can further comprise at least one dryer, for example, a membrane dryer. The dryer can be configured to dry the compressed air using purge air. In other words, purge air can be used / required for drying the compressed air. The drying can be proportional to the volume flow. An example of the dryer here is a membrane dryer. Other configurations are conceivable.

[0024] The controller can receive data / information about the at least one dryer, for example, the at least one membrane dryer. The controller can be configured to evaluate the data / information of the at least one dryer. The controller can be configured to control purge air of the compressor system based on the evaluated data of the at least one dryer.

[0025] The at least one dryer, for example the at least one membrane dryer, can be connected, in particular indirectly or indirectly, to an output of the at least one compressor. The number of the at least one dryer can be matched to the number of the at least one compressor. For example, two or more compressors can be assigned to one dryer. According to one example, four compressors and two dryers can be provided in the compressor system, with two compressors each being assigned to one dryer.

[0026] The at least one sensor can be designed as a pressure sensor or can comprise a pressure sensor. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one sensor can be designed as a pressure dew point sensor or can comprise a pressure dew point sensor. For example, the at least one sensor can comprise two sensors, one of which can be designed as a pressure sensor and the other as a pressure dew point sensor.

[0027] The pressure sensor can be designed to detect a pressure of the compressed air, for example as a parameter of the compressed air.

[0028] The pressure sensor can be arranged at an outlet of the at least one dryer, for example of the at least one membrane dryer. The pressure sensor can, for example, be connected directly or immediately to an outlet of the dryer. The controller can be configured to control the purge air of the compressor system based on the evaluated data from the pressure sensor. The controller can be configured to control the purge air of the compressor system based on the compressed air pressure detected by the pressure sensor. Detecting the pressure is helpful for the control because the volume flow of the purge air (= purge air volume flow) and the volume flow (of the compressed air) are usually both dependent on the pressure.

[0029] The pressure dew point sensor can be designed to detect a pressure dew point of the compressed air, for example as a parameter of the compressed air.

[0030] The pressure dew point sensor can be connected to an outlet of the at least one dryer, for example, the at least one membrane dryer. The pressure dew point sensor can be connected, for example, indirectly or indirectly, to an outlet of the at least one dryer.

[0031] The pressure dew point sensor can be located at or behind an intersection point between a buffer tank for the compressed air and a compressed air pressure network. The compressed air pressure network can be a network into which the compressed air is to be or is to be discharged from the compressor system.

[0032] The controller can be configured to regulate the purge air of the compressor system based on the evaluated data from the pressure dew point sensor. The controller can be configured to regulate the purge air of the compressor system based on the pressure dew point detected by the pressure dew point sensor.

[0033] The compressor system may further comprise at least one aftercooler. The aftercooler may be arranged between the at least one compressor and the at least one dryer. The aftercooler can cool the air compressed by the compressor.

[0034] The compressor system described herein according to the first aspect enables control and / or regulation of the process air (purge air). This, in particular through initial control, allows a required pressure dew point to be reached quickly and precisely. For example, overshoot and undershoot can be reduced or at least virtually eliminated, since sufficiently dried air is present at least almost always or continuously, while simultaneously achieving the most efficient drying possible. When calculating and / or determining a target purge air volume flow, status data from the at least one dryer and / or the at least one compressor can be incorporated. This allows for a type of "self-learning" control that always sets the optimal volume flow.

[0035] For control purposes, the operating conditions of the connected compressor(s) and / or the environment allow the volume flow to be dried and the degree of drying to be achieved to be known. Therefore, a target purge air volume flow derived from a characteristic map can be set.

[0036] By positioning the pressure dew point sensor, it is possible to measure the pressure dew point of the air from the dryer and / or the air from the tank / buffer storage. This can, for example, also be used to increase air drying to more quickly adjust the dew point of the air from the tank / buffer storage to the target. This allows for an energy-efficient response to process air demand at any time. Furthermore, energy savings can be achieved because continuous process air is no longer required (purge air stop).

[0037] Various information can be used as data for the at least one compressor, for example information about the age of the at least one compressor and / or information about the filter installed in the at least one compressor and / or information about the wear and tear of the at least one compressor and / or information about the type of the at least one compressor and / or information about the number of the at least one compressor and / or information about the speed of the at least one compressor. Information about the expected volume flow of the compressed air can be derived from this. As data for the at least one dryer, for example, information about the type of the at least one dryer and / or information about the number of the at least one dryer can be used. For example, the number of the at least one dryer can be derived from the number of the at least one compressor.

[0038] The compressor system may further include at least one condensate separator. The condensate separator may be arranged between the at least one compressor and the at least one dryer. For example, the at least one condensate separator may be arranged between the at least one aftercooler and the at least one dryer.

[0039] According to one possible arrangement, at least one compressor can be provided, the output of which can be connected to the at least one aftercooler, the output of which in turn can be connected to the at least one condensate separator, the output of which in turn can be connected to the at least one dryer.

[0040] The controller can specify a minimum value and a maximum value.

[0041] In the control system, a maximum value that is not to be exceeded and / or a minimum value that is not to be undercut can be specified as a target pressure dew point.

[0042] A target pressure dew point can be derived from all or a subset of the information about the at least one compressor and / or the information about the at least one dryer and / or the prevailing or anticipated ambient conditions.

[0043] For example, control can initially be performed based on compressor information and / or pressure sensor information. After a predetermined and / or adjustable time has elapsed, control can be performed based on pressure dew point sensor information. During control, a comparison can be made between the setpoint and the actual value of the pressure dew point. The actual value can be adjusted to the setpoint by the control system.

[0044] In case of an error, only control could be carried out.

[0045] According to a second aspect, a control method for a compressor system is proposed. The control method comprises detecting, by at least one sensor, at least one parameter of compressed air generated by at least one compressor. The control method comprises evaluating, by a controller connected to the at least one compressor and / or to the at least one sensor, data from the at least one compressor and / or data from the at least one sensor. The control method comprises controlling and / or regulating purge air of the compressor system based on the evaluated data. According to a further aspect, a compressor system is thus proposed which has a control unit. The control unit can evaluate data from at least one sensor in order to use it to control variable purge air. The at least one sensor can be a pressure dew point sensor and / or a pressure sensor.The controller can also perform a target-actual value comparison or a target-actual comparison of the pressure dew point, thereby variably controlling the water quantity in the compressed and / or purge air. This enables not only the control but also the regulation of the process air, especially the purge air, while achieving the required pressure dew point quickly and accurately. This makes it possible for the first time to avoid overshoots and undershoots, ensuring that the air is always sufficiently dried, while simultaneously ensuring the most efficient drying of the (purge) air.

[0046] By knowing the operating conditions of the connected compressor(s) and the environment, the volume flow to be dried and the degree of drying to be achieved are known. Therefore, a target purge air volume flow derived from a characteristic map can be set and / or controlled.

[0047] Status data from the (membrane) dryer and the installed compressor can also be incorporated into the calculation of the target purge air flow rate. This allows the controller to regulate the entire system in such a way that a type of "self-learning" control or (control) system can be implemented, which, for example, always or always sets the volume flow rate at least nearly optimally. The controller can be taught and / or trained for this purpose. For example, the controller can be taught and / or trained using status data from known dryers and / or compressors. For example, a taught and / or trained machine learning algorithm can be provided in the controller or connected to the controller.

[0048] By positioning the pressure dew point sensor, it is possible to measure and / or record the pressure dew point of both the air from the dryer and the air from the tank. This can be used, for example, to increase the air drying process in order to adjust the dew point of the air from the tank to the desired setpoint more quickly. This leads to improved energy efficiency of the entire system. In addition, the process air requirement or purge air requirement can be covered at any time. Furthermore, energy can be saved because continuous process air or purge air no longer has to be kept available and is therefore no longer necessary. As a result, the purge air does not have to be kept continuously and the continuous purge air can be interrupted. For this purpose, the control system can, for example, issue a stop signal to the controller(s) and / or valves.

[0049] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the variable purge air can be speed-controlled. This allows a direct influence on the inlet volume flow.

[0050] In one embodiment, the variable purge air can be provided via compressor timing. This can correspond to actual compressor start-up and requires neither an upstream nor a downstream control component. In one embodiment, the purge air control can be implemented without connection to the dryer unit. In one embodiment, additionally or alternatively, the valves can be independent of the dryer.

[0051] The design(s) described herein enable the control and regulation of process air. This allows the required pressure dew point to be reached quickly and precisely. Furthermore, an energy-efficient response to process air demand, for example, is possible at any time, and additional energy can be saved because continuous process air supply is no longer required.

[0052] Even if some of the details described above have been described with respect to the compressor system according to the first aspect, these details can also be implemented in a corresponding manner in the control method according to the second aspect and / or in the compressor system according to the further aspect and vice versa.

[0053] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a compressor system according to an embodiment;

[0054] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a DTP control over time that can be used in the compressor system of Figure 1; Figure 3a is a schematic representation of a conventional DTP control over time; and

[0055] Figure 3b shows a schematic representation of a conventional DTP control over time.

[0056] It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the explanations set out below may be implemented using hardware circuits, software means, or a combination thereof for controlling the overall system. The software means may be associated with programmed microprocessors, an artificial intelligence or general purpose computer, an application-specific integrated circuit, and / or digital signal processors. It is further understood that even though the following details are described with respect to a method, these details may also be implemented in a suitable device unit, a computer processor, or a memory connected to a processor, the memory being provided with one or more programs that perform the method when executed by the processor.

[0057] Figure 1 schematically shows a compressor system 10 according to an exemplary embodiment. The compressor system has at least one compressor 200, at least one sensor 700, 800, and a control unit 900 connected to the at least one compressor 200 and / or the at least one sensor 700, 800, as an example of a controller. The control unit 900 can also be referred to herein as a controller and will also be partially referred to as such below. The at least one compressor 200 is designed to generate compressed air. The at least one sensor 700, 800 is designed and arranged to detect at least one parameter of the compressed air. The control unit 900 is designed to evaluate data from the at least one compressor 200 and / or data from the at least one sensor 700, 800 and to control and / or regulate purge air of the compressor system based on the evaluated data.

[0058] In the example from Figure 1, exactly one compressor 200 is shown by way of example. However, more than one compressor can also be provided in the compressor system 10. The compressor 200 can also be referred to as compressor 200 and will sometimes also be referred to as compressor 200 below. Furthermore, in the example from Figure 1, exactly two sensors 700, 800 are shown by way of example, namely a pressure sensor 700 and a pressure dew point (DTP) sensor 800. Furthermore, the course of the compressed air or compressed air lines is represented by normal solid lines. Control lines and / or signal lines are symbolized by dashed lines. The bold lines represent the path of the purge air.

[0059] Further exemplary details are now explained with reference to Figure 1.

[0060] Figure 1 schematically shows a compressor 200 with variable purge air. The single compressor 200 shown serves as an example of at least one compressor being arranged in the compressor system 10. Two or more compressors 10 may also be arranged in the compressor system 10.

[0061] The compressor 200 draws in ambient air and compresses it to an operating pressure. The compressed air flows to an aftercooler 300, where the compressed air is cooled to near ambient temperature. The resulting condensate is separated from the compressed air stream in a condensate separator 400.

[0062] The compressed air then flows into a dryer 500. The dryer 500 can, for example, be designed as a membrane dryer. The compressed air is further dried by a membrane of the dryer 500. The separated water vapor is transported away by purge air and released into the environment outside the overall system (= the entire compressor system 10). In the example shown, the purge or process air is taken from between the dryer 500 and a check valve 600. Additionally or alternatively, the purge or process air can be taken from downstream of the check valve 600 or from a buffer tank 1100. Upstream of the check valve 600, the pressure of the process air is measured by a pressure sensor 700. Downstream of the check valve 600, the air flows, for example, into a distribution block 1000.

[0063] A DTP sensor 800 is also arranged in the compressor system 10. In the example shown, the DTP sensor 800 is located in a signal line to the control unit 900 behind an intersection point between the buffer storage 1100 and a discharge into the pressure network 1200. In a further embodiment (not shown), the DTP sensor 800 is located at an intersection point between the buffer storage 1100 and a discharge into the pressure network 1200.

[0064] Thus, the DTP can be used by both dryer 500 (compressor 200 running and no

[0065] Extraction from pressure network 1200), from tank / buffer storage 1100 (compressor 200 stopped and extraction from pressure network 1200), and / or from dryer 500 and tank / buffer storage 1100 together (compressor 200 running and extraction from pressure network 1200). In each case, the DTP delivered to pressure network 1200 is recorded, so that the air quality available to the customer or consumer, for example, can be monitored and adjusted.

[0066] The purge air control unit 900 receives the pressure in the dryer 500 detected by the pressure sensor 700, the DTP detected by the DTP sensor 800, and, for example, a speed of the compressor 200 received from the compressor 200. For example, the compressor 200 can have a frequency converter (not shown). The frequency converter of the compressor 200 can transmit corresponding information to the control unit 900. Additionally or alternatively, the control unit 900 can receive information about ambient conditions and / or information about the age of the compressor 200 and / or information about the age of the filters used. Based on this information, the necessary purge air requirement for the existing operating state (volume flow) is calculated, for example, in the control unit 900 and adjusted via the corresponding valves of the distribution block 1000 using controlled control elements.The adjustment can be made by designing the valves of the distribution block 1000 as proportional valves, or by clocking them as switching valves. The opening or closing of the valves determines the amount of purge air and thus the degree of drying of the compressed air in the main line. The speed, the pressure (detected by the pressure sensor 700), and the number of compressors 200 are used, for example, to control the amount of purge air. Additionally or alternatively, further or different information about the compressor 200 can be used. The DTP is used for readjusting the purge air. The DTP sensor 800 is used to detect the DTP. The control according to the DTP is described as an example with reference to Figure 2 below.

[0067] The purge air valves can be controlled in different ways (constant, PWM, etc.). The key factor is achieving the desired DTP.

[0068] Figure 2 schematically shows a minimum value DTPmin and a maximum value DTPmax of a target DTP stored in the control unit 900. The DTP is plotted on the Y-axis, corresponding to DTP, and the behavior of the compressor system 10 is measured over time on the X-axis. By preventing the maximum value DTPmax from being exceeded, no condensate will form in the tank or pressure network, which prevents bacteria and corrosion of the tank of the buffer storage 1100 and / or the piping network. Preventing the minimum value DTPmin from being undershot prevents unnecessary drying, thus saving unnecessary energy consumption in the compressor system 10.

[0069] Currently known methods use control curves, which are shown as examples in Figures 3a and 3b. A first variant, shown in Figure 3a, works with a constant reduction in the DTP. A second variant, shown in Figure 3b, works with drying to a fixed setpoint. In practice, both methods have their justification, but also corresponding disadvantages. As an example of a disadvantage of a constant DTP reduction, in the case of a rising inlet DTP, the resulting DTP can become so high that condensate precipitates in the tank or in the piping system. The method outlined with reference to Figure 2 and proposed here combines the advantages of both control principles and eliminates their disadvantages.

[0070] According to the control principle shown in Figure 2, a DTP should not exceed a maximum value DTPmax. This prevents condensate in the buffer tank 1100 and / or in the pressure network 1200. Furthermore, a DTP should not fall below a minimum value DTPmin. This prevents unnecessary drying. This saves energy. A constant reduction can be set in the range between the maximum value DTPmax and the minimum value DTPmin.

[0071] In Figures 2, 3a, and 3b, the upper curves describe an initial DTP, e.g., depending on the ambient temperature. The initial DTP corresponds to an actual DTP. The lower curves in Figures 2, 3a, and 3b describe the target DTP after drying.

[0072] Referring again to Figure 2, the control of the control unit 900 starts at time t1 with a constant reduction in the DTP. In other words, the course of the target DTP follows the course of the actual DTP between time t1 and t2. In other words, between time t1 and t2, the distance between the actual DTP and the target DTP in Figure 2 is constant. From time t2 onwards, the maximum target DTP DTPmax is reached by the target DTP (with a constant reduction in the actual DTP). The control of the control unit 900 therefore limits the target DTP to the maximum value DTPmax from time t2 to time t3. From time t4 onwards, a constant reduction in the actual DTP again leads to a target DTP that is below the maximum target DTP DTPmax. The control of the control unit 900 switches back to a constant reduction of the actual DTP from time t3 to time t4.Starting at time t4, a constant reduction in the actual DTP would result in the target DTP falling below a minimum value DTPmin. Therefore, starting at time t4, the control of control unit 900 switches to a reduction to the constant minimum DTP DTPmin.

[0073] In the following, a mechanical solution is briefly outlined as an alternative to the control unit 900 (control system) described with reference to Figure 1.

[0074] A variable air velocity (variable volume flow of the compressor 200) is used to move a piston (pulse set). Air enters, for example, through an orifice, nozzle, Laval nozzle, etc. Moving the piston opens a variable gap for regeneration air (purge air). This results in the principle that the movement of a conical pin in a conical bore and / or a cylindrical pin freely opens the nozzle(s) arranged one behind the other, etc., depending on the variable volume flow. The piston is reset, for example, by a spring. This means that the system can also be used as a check valve in the line.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A compressor system comprising at least one compressor configured to generate compressed air; at least one sensor configured and arranged to detect at least one parameter of the compressed air; a controller connected to the at least one compressor and / or the at least one sensor, wherein the controller is configured to evaluate data from the at least one compressor and / or data from the at least one sensor and to control and / or regulate purge air of the compressor system based on the evaluated data.

2. Compressor system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is designed to control the purge air of the compressor system based on the evaluated data of the at least one compressor and / or based on the evaluated data of a first sensor of the at least one sensor.

3. Compressor system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller is designed to regulate the purge air of the compressor system based on the evaluated data of at least a second sensor of the at least one sensor.

4. Compressor system according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the compressor system further comprises at least one dryer, in particular at least one membrane dryer, which is designed to dry the compressed air using the purge air.

5. Compressor system according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one sensor is designed as a pressure sensor and / or as a pressure dew point sensor.

6. Compressor system according to claim 5, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to detect a pressure of the compressed air.

7. Compressor system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the pressure sensor is arranged at an outlet of the at least one dryer.

8. Compressor system according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the controller is designed to control the purge air of the compressor system based on the evaluated data of the pressure sensor.

9. Compressor system according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the Pressure dew point sensor is designed to detect a pressure dew point of the compressed air.

10. Compressor system according to one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the pressure dew point sensor is connected to an outlet of the at least one dryer.

11. Compressor system according to one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the pressure dew point sensor is arranged at or behind an intersection point between a buffer storage for the compressed air and a pressure network for the compressed air.

12. Compressor system according to one of claims 5 to 11, wherein the controller is designed to regulate a purge air of the compressor system based on the evaluated data of the pressure dew point sensor.

13. Compressor system according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the compressor system further comprises at least one aftercooler arranged between the at least one compressor and the at least one dryer.

14. Compressor system according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the compressor system further comprises at least one condensate separator arranged between the at least one compressor and the at least one dryer, in particular between the at least one aftercooler and the at least one dryer.

15. Compressor system according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the controller has specified a minimum value and a maximum value.

16. Compressor system according to one of claims 1 to 15, wherein a maximum value not to be exceeded and / or a minimum value not to be undercut is or are predetermined in the control system as a desired pressure dew point.

17. Control method for a compressor system, comprising: Detecting, by at least one sensor, at least one parameter of compressed air generated by at least one compressor, Evaluating, by a controller connected to the at least one compressor and / or to the at least one sensor, data of the at least one compressor and / or data of the at least one sensor, and Controlling and / or regulating purge air of the compressor system based on the evaluated data.

Images