Compressor Pressure Control With Dynamic Switching Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compressor systems face inefficiencies in maintaining sufficient pressure fluid supply while minimizing energy consumption and reducing unnecessary switching operations, especially when pressure fluid extraction fluctuates, due to the limitations of traditional pressure band controls.

Innovation Solution

A method and control device that dynamically adjust compressor switching based on current conditions, using optimization criteria to select the best switching alternatives, maintaining a predetermined overpressure by increasing compressed pressure generation when needed and reducing it when not, with variable switch-on and switch-off pressures to optimize energy use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If traditional pressure band controls are used to switch compressors on and off, then the system can maintain basic pressure levels, but energy consumption increases and unnecessary switching operations occur when pressure fluid extraction fluctuates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidpressure supply stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic pressure thresholds that automatically adjust based on current system conditions. The switch-on pressure and switch-off pressure are no longer fixed values but dynamically adapt to fluctuating pressure fluid extraction rates, allowing the control system to optimize compressor operation in real-time and avoid unnecessary switching while maintaining stable pressure supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system continuously monitors the actual pressure development in the pressure fluid system and uses this feedback to determine optimal switching moments. By comparing real-time pressure measurements with dynamically adjusted thresholds, the system can make informed decisions about when to switch compressors on or off, minimizing energy consumption while ensuring pressure stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If compressors are switched on frequently to maintain pressure during fluctuating extraction, then pressure supply stability is maintained, but unnecessary switching operations increase wear and reduce efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure supply stabilityVSAvoidswitching operation frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts pressure thresholds based on the current extraction rate and system state. When extraction is high, the switch-off pressure is raised to prevent frequent cycling. When extraction is low, the switch-on pressure is lowered to reduce unnecessary启停 operations, thereby reducing wear while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters (switching pressure thresholds) based on system conditions. By modifying these parameters dynamically rather than using fixed values, the system can adapt to varying extraction rates and minimize unnecessary switching operations while ensuring pressure supply stability is maintained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If fixed pressure thresholds are used for compressor switching, then control simplicity is maintained, but energy optimization potential is lost during fluctuating demand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system simplicityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control system transitions from static fixed thresholds to dynamic adaptive thresholds. The switch-on and switch-off pressure values are automatically adjusted based on real-time monitoring of pressure fluid extraction rates and actual pressure development, enabling energy optimization without significantly increasing control complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system performs self-optimization by automatically adjusting its own parameters based on system conditions. The controller monitors pressure development and extraction rates, then autonomously determines optimal switching thresholds, eliminating the need for complex external optimization systems while reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2573400B1Method for controlling a compressor installation
Publication Date: 2021.10.13 KAESER KOMPRESSOREN SE
  • EP2573400B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2573400B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2573400B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Method for controlling a compressor system comprising a plurality of compressors, wherein the compressor system is intended to maintain a predetermined overpressure in a pressure fluid system, wherein the system control takes measures to increase the production of compressed pressure fluid upon reaching a possibly variable switch-on pressure and measures to reduce the production of compressed pressure fluid upon reaching a switch-off pressure, wherein the switch-off pressure is variable and is changeable depending on the current configuration of the compressor system and/or taking into account a defined switching operation.