US 12,304,441 B2
Air compressor load management system and method including an air compressor load control device
Charles R. Gilliam, Ellerbe, NC (US); and Kiel L. Locklear, Pembroke, NC (US)
Assigned to Air Production & Services Inc., Pembroke, NC (US)
Filed by Air Production & Services Inc., Pembroke, NC (US)
Filed on Feb. 15, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/672,042.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/168,354, filed on Mar. 31, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0314955 A1, Oct. 6, 2022
Int. Cl. B60T 17/22 (2006.01); B60T 13/26 (2006.01); B60T 13/68 (2006.01)
CPC B60T 17/228 (2013.01) [B60T 13/26 (2013.01); B60T 13/683 (2013.01); B60T 17/221 (2013.01); B60T 2270/406 (2013.01); B60T 2270/88 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An air compressor load control device, comprising:
a. a supply air inlet;
b. a first valve in fluid communication with the supply air inlet;
c. a controller in operative communication with the first valve;
d. a sensor in operative communication with the controller;
e. a regulator in fluid communication with a first outlet of the first valve;
f. a second valve in fluid communication with an outlet of the regulator via a first inlet of the second valve, and the second valve further in fluid communication with a second outlet of the first valve via a second inlet of the second valve;
g. a supply air outlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the second valve;
h. a sensing line in fluid communication with the supply air outlet at a first end and the sensor at a second end, wherein the sensor is configured to sense an air pressure at the supply air outlet, and wherein depending on the sensed air pressure at the supply air outlet the sensor signals the controller to cause the first valve to one of send air received from the supply air inlet directly to the second inlet of the second valve, to not send any air, or to send air received from the supply air inlet to the regulator upon the sensor sensing the air pressure at the supply air outlet is below a pre-set pressure threshold wherein the regulator is configured to regulate down the air pressure of air at the supply air outlet to a pre-set reduced air pressure; and
i. at least one of a first adjuster operatively connected to the sensor for adjusting the pre-set pressure threshold and a second adjuster operatively connected to the regulator for adjusting the regulated pre-set reduced air pressure.