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Air compressor controlRelated Patent Categories: Pumps, Condition Responsive Control Of Pump Drive Motor, Responsive To Pump Or Pump Fluid TemperatureAir compressor control description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060127224, Air compressor control. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to air compressor control in an internal combustion engine, and more particularly, to controlling activation and deactivation of an air compressor based on a temperature of compressed air. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Modern trucks contain air compressors which are used to charge an air tank from which air-powered systems, such as service brakes, windshield wipers, air suspension, etc., can draw air. In a typical trucking application, an air compressor can run in a loaded or activated state a large percentage of the time. Systems have been developed to reduce the amount of time the air compressor is activated. For example, systems have been developed that activate the compressor when pressure in a reservoir drops below a first predetermined value, and deactivates the compressor when pressure in the reservoir reaches a second, higher predetermined value. [0003] U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,449 to Nishar et al. discloses an air compressor control that monitors the pressure in the reservoir and the head metal temperature of the compressor. When the reservoir is of a pressure between the two set pressures and is in a loaded state, the air compressor will be unloaded after a set time interval that is based on a compressor head metal temperature to maintain threshold temperatures of the compressor head metal within a suitable range. Additionally, the compressor head is evaluated such that whenever the compressor head temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature the air compressor is placed in an unloaded state until the compressor head temperature drops below the predetermined threshold temperature. The head metal temperature is controlled to prevent excessive heating of the head. SUMMARY [0004] The present application relates to controlling air compressors based on a temperature of air compressed by the air compressor. In one method of controlling an air compressor, a temperature of air compressed by the air compressor is sensed. The sensed compressed air temperature is compared with a predetermined threshold temperature. The air compressor is deactivated when the sensed temperature exceeds the threshold temperature. In one embodiment, the air compressor is deactivated when the sensed temperature exceeds the threshold temperature and a sensed reservoir pressure is above the threshold pressure. In one embodiment, the threshold temperature is selected to inhibit carbon formation caused by oil breakdown. [0005] The temperature of the compressed air may be sensed at a variety of locations. For example, the temperature of the compressed air may be sensed in a compressor port, such as an exhaust port, or an unloader valve port. The temperature of the compressed air may be sensed in a compression chamber. In one embodiment, the temperature of the compressed air is sensed by a temperature sensor mounted in a compressor unloader valve that is in fluid communication with a compression chamber. [0006] One air compressor that is adapted for control based on a temperature of the compressed air includes a housing, a head, a piston, and a temperature sensor. The head is mounted to the housing, such that the head and the housing define a compression chamber and a fluid passage in communication with the compression chamber. The piston is disposed in the compression chamber for compressing air in the compression chamber. The temperature sensor is positioned to measure a temperature of air compressed by the piston. In one embodiment, the temperature sensor is substantially isolated from the head and the housing. [0007] One air compressor controller includes an input, a memory, a processor, and an output. The input receives compressor air temperature signals. The memory stores a compressor control algorithm. The processor applies the compressor control algorithm to the compressor air temperature signals. The processor provides an air compressor deactivation signal when the compressor air temperature signal exceeds the threshold temperature signal value. The output communicates the compressor deactivation signal to selectively deactivate a controlled air compressor. Alternatively, the controller can be comprised of discrete electronic components with no processor or memory. For example, the controller could comprise one temperature component integrated circuit could convert input signals to voltages and one voltage comparator component could control the output based on voltage thresholds. [0008] One vehicle air supply system includes a reservoir, an air compressor, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The reservoir stores compressed air provided by the compressor. The temperature sensor is positioned to sense a temperature of the compressed air. The controller is linked to the compressor. The controller compares a sensed temperature of the air compressed by the air compressor with a predetermined threshold temperature and deactivates the air compressor when the sensed temperature exceeds the threshold temperature. In one embodiment, the controller activates the compressor when an air pressure in the reservoir is less than a predetermined threshold pressure and the sensed temperature exceeds the threshold temperature. [0009] Further advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the following description and appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle air supply system; [0011] FIG. 2 is a flow chart that illustrates a method of controlling an air compressor based on a temperature of compressed air; [0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle air supply system; [0013] FIG. 4 is a flow chart that illustrates a method of controlling an air compressor based on a temperature of compressed air and a reservoir pressure; [0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a compressor controller; [0015] FIG. 5A is a schematic illustration of a compressor controller; [0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a compressor; and [0017] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an unloader valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0018] The present invention is directed to controlling activation and deactivation of an air compressor 10 based on a temperature of compressed air. The present invention can be implemented in a wide variety of different vehicle air supply systems. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of one such vehicle air supply system 12. [0019] The illustrated air supply system 12 includes an air compressor 10, a reservoir 16, a governor 18, and an air dryer 20. The air compressor 10 includes a housing 11, a head 13, and a piston 15. The head 13 is mounted to the housing 11 such that the head and the housing define a compression chamber 17. The piston 15 reciprocates in the compression chamber 17 to compress air in the compression chamber in a known manner. The compressor 10 may be driven by a vehicle crank shaft (not shown). The compressor 10 receives air from an air source 22, such as an engine air intake. The compressor 10 compresses the air and provides the compressed air to the reservoir 16. In the air system illustrated by FIG. 1, the governor 18 places the compressor 10 in an activated or loaded state when the pressure in the reservoir 16 falls below a predetermined minimum pressure and places the compressor in a deactivated or unloaded state when the pressure in the reservoir reaches a predetermined maximum pressure. In the example illustrated by FIG. 1, the governor 18 places the compressor 10 in an unloaded state by providing an air signal to a compressor unloader 24. The compressor unloader may take a variety of different forms. For example, the unloader 24 may be a mechanism that holds an inlet valve 25 open, or may be a separate valve assembly 54 (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7). Continue reading about Air compressor control... Full patent description for Air compressor control Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Air compressor control patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Air compressor control or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Abrasion resistant surface treatment method of a rotary member, runner, and fluid machine having runner Next Patent Application: Apparatus and method for controlling operation of reciprocating motor compressor Industry Class: Pumps ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Air compressor control patent info. 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