Dynamically Controlled Compressors

Abstract

In systems comprising at least two compressors, the present invention provides an adequately sized vessel or tank in either or both the suction line or the discharge line of multiple compressors, in such a fashion that if the conditions of the first compressor change, it does not have an immediate effect on the other compressors, the vessel acting as a means of dampening the change.

1 . A multiple compressor system, comprising:
 at least two compressors in parallel between a low pressure side and a high pressure side; and   at least one inertia vessel of a predetermined size connecting at least one of: i) suctions lines of the at least two compressors on the low pressure side and ii) discharge lines of the at least two compressors on the high pressure side;   wherein said inertia vessel dampens operation fluctuations of the at least two compressors.   
   
   
       2 . The multiple compressor system according to  claim 1 , comprising a first inertia vessel of a predetermined size connecting the suctions lines of the at least two compressors on the low-pressure side and a second inertia vessel of a predetermined size connecting the discharge lines of the at least two compressors on the high-pressure side. 
   
   
       3 . The multiple compressor system according to  claim 1 , comprising a first inertia vessel of a predetermined size connecting the suctions lines of the at least two compressors on the low pressure side and a second inertia vessel of a predetermined size connecting the discharge lines of the at least two compressors on the high pressure side; wherein said first inertia vessel is formed of a vessel installed in the suction line of a first one of the compressors connected to a vessel installed in the suction line of a second one of the compressors, and said second inertia vessel is formed of a vessel installed in the discharge line of the first one of the compressors connected to a vessel installed in the discharge line of the second one of the compressors respectively. 
   
   
       4 . The multiple compressor system according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least first and second compressors are selected among hermetic and semi-hermetic compressors, said inertia vessel comprising a first housing of the first compressor connected to a second housing of the second compressor. 
   
   
       5 . The multiple compressor system according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least first and second compressors are contained in a common housing, said inertia vessel being formed by said common housing. 
   
   
       6 . The multiple compressor system according to  claim 1 , comprising a first inertia vessel connecting the suctions lines of the at least two compressors on the low pressure side and a second inertia vessel connecting the discharge lines of the at least two compressors on the high pressure side; wherein said first and second inertia vessels each are modular inertia vessels, whose respective size is adjustable. 
   
   
       7 . A method for controlling a compressor system including at least two compressors arranged in parallel between a low pressure side and a high pressure side, comprising the step of connecting at least one inertia vessel of a predetermined size to at least one of: i) suctions lines of the at least two compressors on the low pressure side and ii) discharge lines of the at least two compressors on the high pressure side; whereby the inertia vessel dampens operation fluctuations of the at least two compressors. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , comprising the step of connecting a first inertia vessel of a predetermined size to the suctions lines of the at least two compressors on the low-pressure side and a second inertia vessel of a predetermined size to the discharge lines of the at least two compressors on the high-pressure side. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 7 , comprising:
 installing a first inertia vessel of a predetermined size in the suction line of a first one of the compressors, installing a second inertia vessel of a predetermined size in the suction line of a second one of the compressors, and connecting said first and second inertia vessels on the low pressure side;   installing a third inertia vessel of a predetermined size in the discharge line of the first one of the compressors, installing a fourth inertia vessel of a predetermined size in the discharge line of the second one of the compressors, and connecting said third and fourth inertia vessels.   
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 7 , comprising selecting the at least two compressors among hermetic and semi-hermetic compressors, said method comprising connecting a housing of a first one of the compressors to a housing of a second one of the compressors and connecting each housing in parallel between the low pressure side and the high pressure side. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 7 , the at least two compressors being contained in a common housing, said method comprising connecting the common housing to the low-pressure side and to the high-pressure side respectively. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 7 , comprising connecting a first modular inertia vessel to the suctions lines of the at least two compressors on the low pressure side and a second modular inertia vessel to the discharge lines of the at least two compressors on the high pressure side; whereby a respective size of the first and second modular inertia vessels is adjustable.