System and method for operating a compressor

Abstract

A compressor includes a first stage of stator vanes having a first position and a second stage of stator vanes downstream from the first stage of stator vanes having a second position. A first actuator is engaged with the first stage of stator vanes, and a second actuator is engaged with the second stage of stator vanes. A method for operating a compressor includes adjusting a first position of a first plurality of stator vanes and adjusting a second position of a second plurality of stator vanes separately from the first position of the first plurality of stator vanes.

1 . A compressor comprising:
 a. a first plurality of stator vanes, wherein the first plurality of stator vanes has a first position;   b. a second plurality of stator vanes downstream from the first plurality of stator vanes, wherein the second plurality of stator vanes has a second position;   c. first means for adjusting the first position of the first plurality of stator vanes separately from the second position of the second plurality of stator vanes; and   d. second means for adjusting the second position of the second plurality of stator vanes separately from the first position of the first plurality of stator vanes.   
     
     
         2 . The compressor as in  claim 1 , wherein the first means comprises at least one of a hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric piston. 
     
     
         3 . The compressor as in  claim 1 , wherein the first means comprises at least one of a hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric motor. 
     
     
         4 . The compressor as in  claim 1 , further comprising a first member engaged with the first plurality of stator vanes. 
     
     
         5 . The compressor as in  claim 4 , wherein the first means is engaged with the first member. 
     
     
         6 . The compressor as in  claim 1 , wherein the second means comprises at least one of a hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric piston. 
     
     
         7 . The compressor as in  claim 1 , wherein the first means adjusts the first position of the first plurality of stator vanes independently from the second position of the second plurality of stator vanes. 
     
     
         8 . The compressor as in  claim 1 , further comprising a connector engaged with both the first means and the second means. 
     
     
         9 . A compressor comprising:
 a. a first stage of stator vanes, wherein the first stage of stator vanes has a first position;   b. a second stage of stator vanes downstream from the first stage of stator vanes, wherein the second stage of stator vanes has a second position;   c. a first actuator engaged with the first stage of stator vanes; and   d. a second actuator engaged with the second stage of stator vanes.   
     
     
         10 . The compressor as in  claim 9 , further comprising a first member engaged with the first stage of stator vanes. 
     
     
         11 . The compressor as in  claim 10 , wherein the first actuator is engaged with the first member. 
     
     
         12 . The compressor as in  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of vane arms connected to the second stage of stator vanes. 
     
     
         13 . The compressor as in  claim 12 , wherein the second actuator is engaged with the plurality of vane arms. 
     
     
         14 . The compressor as in  claim 9 , wherein the first actuator adjusts the first position of the first plurality of stator vanes separately from the second position of the second stage of stator vanes. 
     
     
         15 . The compressor as in  claim 9 , wherein the first actuator adjusts the first position of the first plurality of stator vanes independently from the second position of the second stage of stator vanes. 
     
     
         16 . The compressor as in  claim 9 , further comprising a connector engaged with both the first actuator and the second actuator. 
     
     
         17 . A method for operating a compressor comprising:
 a. adjusting a first position of a first plurality of stator vanes; and   b. adjusting a second position of a second plurality of stator vanes separately from the first position of the first plurality of stator vanes.   
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 17 , further comprising adjusting the second position of the second plurality of stator vanes independently from the first position of the first plurality of stator vanes. 
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 17 , further comprising opening the first plurality of stator vanes and closing the second plurality of stator vanes. 
     
     
         20 . The method as in  claim 17 , further comprising closing the first plurality of stator vanes and opening the second plurality of stator vanes.