Method for controlling a compressor which provides the drive of a pneumatic tool

A pneumatic tool driven by a compressor, the pneumatic tool having a maximum allowed pressure (p_max) and an associated compressed air consumption (q_max), wherein the compressor is provided to be controlled by a method comprising a basic step of regulating the operating pressure (p_compr) of the compressor by regulating the flow rate supplied by the compressor (q_compr), wherein the method further comprises the following steps:

• if the operating pressure (p_compr) of the compressor is lower than the maximum allowed pressure (p_max) of the pneumatic tool minus a predetermined value (Z) that is greater than zero, controlling the compressor according to said basic step wherein the flow rate supplied by the compressor (q_compr) is not limited by the method;
• if the operating pressure (p_compr) of the compressor is higher than or equal to the maximum allowed pressure (p_max) of the pneumatic tool, controlling the compressor according to said basic step wherein the flow rate supplied by the compressor (q_compr) does not exceed the compressed air consumption (q_max) of the pneumatic tool at the maximum allowed pressure (p_max);
• if the predetermined value Z is greater than zero, the operating pressure (p_compr) of the compressor is higher than the maximum allowed pressure (p_max) of the pneumatic tool minus the predetermined value (Z), and the operating pressure (p_compr) is lower than the maximum allowed pressure (p_max) of the pneumatic tool, controlling the compressor according to said basic step wherein the operating pressure (p_compr) of the compressor remains lower than the maximum allowed pressure (p_max) of the pneumatic tool.

A pneumatic drilling device, which drilling device is provided with a drilling tower, a drilling rod with a drilling hammer and a compressor which provides the drive of the drilling hammer, wherein the drilling hammer has a maximum allowed pressure (p_max) and an associated compressed air consumption (q_max), and wherein the compressor is provided to be controlled by a method comprising a basic step of regulating the operating pressure (p_compr) of the compressor by regulating the flow rate supplied by the compressor (q_compr), wherein the method further comprises the following steps:

• if the operating pressure (p_compr) of the compressor is lower than the maximum allowed pressure (p_max) of the pneumatic tool minus a predetermined value (Z) that is greater than zero, controlling the compressor according to said basic step wherein the flow rate supplied by the compressor (q_compr) is not limited by the method;
• if the operating pressure (p_compr) of the compressor is higher than or equal to the maximum allowed pressure (p_max) of the pneumatic tool, controlling the compressor according to said basic step wherein the flow rate supplied by the compressor (q_compr) does not exceed the compressed air consumption (q_max) of the pneumatic tool at the maximum allowed pressure (p_max);
• if the predetermined value Z is greater than zero, the operating pressure (p_compr) of the compressor is higher than the maximum allowed pressure (p_max) of the pneumatic tool minus the predetermined value (Z), and the operating pressure (p_compr) is lower than the maximum allowed pressure (p_max) of the pneumatic tool, controlling the compressor according to said basic step wherein the operating pressure (p_compr) of the compressor remains lower than the maximum allowed pressure (p_max) of the pneumatic tool.