Method and apparatus for regulating a compressor lubrication system

A lubrication regulation system for use in combination with a compressed fluid system which includes a compressor, a receiver, and a heat exchanger which cools the lubricant, the compressor having an inlet for low pressure gas to be compressed, an inlet for lubricant, and an outlet through which a compressed gas and lubricant mixture are discharged, the lubrication regulation system comprising:

• a controller;
• a first temperature sensor which measures a discharge temperature at the compressor outlet, and which provides a signal corresponding thereto to the controller;
• a pressure sensor which measures the pressure at the outlet of the compressor, and which provides a signal corresponding thereto to the controller, and wherein in response to the pressure signal, the controller regulates the flow of low pressure gas to the compressor;
• valve means for regulating the flow of lubricant to the compressor, the controller continously controlling the valve means in response to the first temperature signal and the pressure signal to continously, selectively regulate the supply of lubricant to the compressor.

A method of regulating a lubrication system of an oil flooded compressor apparatus, the compressor apparatus including a compressor, a receiver, and a heat exchanger which cools the lubricant, the compressor having an inlet for low pressure gas to be compressed, an inlet for lubricant, and an outlet through which a compressed gas and lubricant mixture are discharged, the method of regulating the lubrication system comprising:

• compressing a gas in the compressor;
• supplying a lubricant to the compressor to remove heat generated by the compression of the gas;
• continously measuring a compressor discharge temperature at the compressor outlet;
• generating a first signal corresponding to the discharge temperature;
• continously measuring a pressure at the outlet of the compressor;
• generating a second signal corresponding to the compressor outlet pressure;
• continously measuring a temperature of the lubricant to be supplied to the compressor;
• generating a third signal corresponding to the supply lubricant temperature;
• inputting the first, second and third signals to a controller;
• in response to the first signal and the second signal, continuously controlling the supply of lubricant to the compressor;
• and
• in response to the third signal, continuously controlling the temperature of the lubricant supplied to the compressor, by controlling the amount of lubricant flowing through the heat exchanger.