Air compressor system and method of operation

A method of controlling an air compressor, the method comprising:

• receiving a working air requirement;
• determining an estimated air pressure of the air compressor for the air compressor to deliver the working air requirement;
• measuring a pressure of the air compressor;
• comparing the measured pressure of the air compressor with the determined estimated air pressure;
• if the measured pressure of the air compressor is greater than the determined estimated air pressure by a predetermined greater amount, then decreasing an output control of the air compressor;
• and
• if the measured pressure of the air compressor is less than the determined estimated air pressure by a predetermined lesser amount then increasing the output control of the air compressor.

An air compressor system, comprising:

• an air compressor having an air inlet and an air outlet, the air compressor configured to compress air from the air inlet and to deliver a volume of compressed air to the air outlet;
• an output control configured to control an amount of air compressed by the air compressor;
• a working air outlet valve in communication with the air outlet of the air compressor, the working air outlet configured to deliver at least some of the volume of compressed air from the air outlet of the air compressor as a working air when the working air outlet valve is open;
• a receiver having an air inlet and an air outlet, the receiver configured to store compressed air, wherein the working air outlet valve is in communication with the air outlet of the air compressor through the air outlet of the receiver;
• a main air discharge passage connected to the air outlet of the air compressor and the air inlet of the receiver;
• a first oil line connected to the air compressor and the receiver, the first oil line configured to enable oil to flow from the receiver to the air compressor in the first oil line;
• a second oil line connected to the air compressor and the receiver, the second oil line configured to permit oil to flow from the receiver to the air compressor in the second oil line;
• and
• an oil stop valve disposed in the second oil line between the receiver and the air compressor, the oil stop valve configured to close the second oil line so that oil cannot flow through the second oil line.

A computer program product, comprising:

• a computer-readable medium comprising:
• a first set of codes for causing a computer to determine an estimated air pressure of the air compressor for the air compressor to deliver a working air requirement;
• a second set of codes for causing a computer to measure a pressure of the air compressor;
• a third set of codes for causing a computer to compare the measured pressure of the air compressor with the determined estimated air pressure;
• a fourth set of codes for causing a computer to decrease an opening of an adjustable inlet valve if the measured pressure of the air compressor is greater than the determined estimated air pressure by a predetermined greater amount;
• a fourth set of codes for causing a computer to increase the opening of the adjustable inlet valve, if the measured pressure of the air compressor is less than the determined estimated air pressure by a predetermined lesser amount, wherein the adjustable inlet valve is configured to control an amount of air to an inlet of the air compressor.

An air compressor system upgrade kit, said air compressor system comprising:

• an air inlet and an air outlet, the air compressor configured to compress air from the air inlet and to deliver a volume of compressed air to the air outlet;
• a working air outlet valve in communication with the air outlet of the air compressor, the working air outlet configured to deliver at least some of the volume of compressed air from the air outlet of the air compressor as a working air when the working air outlet valve is open;
• the air compressor system upgrade kit comprising:
• a controller configurable to communicate with an output control for controlling an amount of air compressed by the air compressor and a pressure sensor, wherein the controller is configured to receive a working air requirement, and the controller is configured to adjust the output control based on the measured air pressure of the air compressor compared with a determined estimated air pressure for the air compressor to deliver the working air requirement.

A computer program product, comprising:

• a computer-readable medium comprising:
• a first set of codes for causing a computer to determine an estimated air pressure of the air compressor for the air compressor to deliver a working air requirement;
• a second set of codes for causing a computer to measure a pressure of the air compressor;
• a third set of codes for causing a computer to compare the measured pressure of the air compressor with the determined estimated air pressure;
• a fourth set of codes for causing a computer to decrease an output control configured to control an amount of air compressed by the air compressor if the measured pressure of the air compressor is greater than the determined estimated air pressure by a predetermined greater amount;
• and
• a fourth set of codes for causing a computer to increase the output control, if the measured pressure of the air compressor is less than the determined estimated air pressure by a predetermined lesser amount.