Air Compressor Combination Control for Stable Flow Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air compressor control systems in air compression stations rely on passive control based on pressure feedback, leading to fluctuations in output pressure and flow, which results in inefficient energy use and unstable operation.

Innovation Solution

The method involves acquiring instantaneous flow data, determining relationships between flow and time, and adjusting the combination of air compressors to match production and consumption amounts, thereby achieving active control and reducing pressure fluctuations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If PID control technology is used to control air compressor output, then the control principle is simple and robustness is strong, but there is delay in adjustment command and large fluctuation in output pressure and flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol principle simplicityVSAvoidoutput pressure and flow stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of historical flow data to predict future air consumption patterns. By determining the relationship between instantaneous flow and time, and identifying stable periods based on index values during time windows, the system proactively adjusts compressor combinations before pressure fluctuations occur, rather than reacting to them after they happen as PID control does.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If passive control based on pressure feedback is used, then the control system is simple, but it leads to fluctuations in output pressure and flow resulting in inefficient energy use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from instantaneous flow data acquisition at sampling intervals to continuously update the relationship between flow and time. This feedback mechanism enables the system to identify stable periods and adjust compressor operations accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that actively responds to actual consumption patterns rather than relying on delayed pressure feedback alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system determines stable periods and optimal compressor combinations autonomously based on analyzed flow patterns. The control method automatically adjusts the air compression station operation without requiring external intervention, enabling the system to self-optimize energy usage by matching production to predicted consumption during stable periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the target given value of the air compressor is not constant but varies according to working conditions, then the system adapts to changing conditions, but it is easy to lead to large fluctuation in output pressure and flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to working conditionsVSAvoidoutput pressure and flow stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the target given value based on the determined relationship between instantaneous flow and time. By identifying stable periods through index value analysis and adapting compressor combinations to match predicted consumption patterns, the system maintains stability even as working conditions change. The dynamic adjustment is based on actual consumption characteristics rather than fixed targets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4296514B1Method of controlling a combination of air compressors in an air compression station
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 MOGULINKER TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • EP4296514B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4296514B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4296514B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices and medium for controlling an air compression station. A method comprises: acquiring an instantaneous flow of the air compression station based on sampling time; determining relationship between an instantaneous flow of the air compression station and time based on the sampling time and the acquired instantaneous flow; determining one or more index values of a flow of the air compressor station during one or more time windows based on the determined relationship; determining a period during which a flow of an air compression station remains stable based on the determined one or more index values; and during the determined period, adjusting a combination of air compressors in the air compression station such that an air production amount and an air consumption amount of air compressors in the air compression station are matched. With such a method, it is possible to realize "active control" of an air compression station so as to combine air compressors to supply air in an optimal manner based on characteristics of the demand for air to reduce pressure fluctuation of a pipe network so as to achieve the purpose of energy saving.