Method for controlling fluid flow through a compressed fluid system

In a compressed fluid system having a fluid compressor with an inlet valve, a compressor controller, a host system in signal receiving relation with a supply flow sensor and in signal transmitting relation with the compressor controller, the method comprising the following steps:

• a) sensing the actual compressed fluid supply flow;
• b) sending a first signal representing the actual compressed fluid supply flow from the flow sensor to the host system;
• c) sending a second signal, with a current corresponding to the required predetermined required inlet vacuum, from the host system to the compressor controller;
• d) calculating the required inlet vacuum required to achieve the required supply flow;
• e) sensing the actual vacuum at the fluid compressor inlet;
• and
• f) comparing the actual vacuum at the fluid compressor inlet to a predetermined target vacuum required to produce the desired supply flow through the compressed fluid system, and if the predetermined target vacuum is greater than the actual vacuum, performing the additional step of closing the inlet valve until the actual vacuum is substantially equal to the predetermined target vacuum;
• and if the predetermined target vacuum is less than the actual vacuum, performing the additional step of opening the inlet valve until the actual vacuum is substantially equal to the predetermined target vacuum.