Method and apparatus for controlling a compressor

An apparatus for controlling a compressor for delivering pressurized fluid to a pressurized fluid system of a vehicle, comprising means for determining the temperature at said compressor, means for deactivating said compressor when the temperature at said compressor has exceeded a preselected maximum temperature, said maximum temperature being based on backpressure caused by said pressurized fluid system, and means for deactivating said compressor after a preselected maximum time period measured from actuation of said compressor has elapsed even if the temperature of said compressor has not exceeded said preselected maximum temperature.

In a pneumatic system including a compressor, a compressed air reservoir, and at least one pneumatic device, said pneumatic system having a first mode of operation of delivering compressed air from said compressor directly to said at least one pneumatic device and a second mode of operation of delivering compressed air from said compressor to said reservoir, a method for controlling said compressor, comprising the steps of:

• determining the temperature at said compressor, selecting a first maximum temperature associated with said first mode of operation, selecting a second maximum temperature associated with said second mode of operation, said first and second maximum temperatures being based on backpressure caused by said pneumatic system, deactivating said compressor during said first mode of operation when the temperature at said compressor has exceeded said first maximum temperature, and deactivating said compressor during said second mode of operation when the temperature at said compressor has exceeded said second maximum temperature.

In a pneumatic system including a compressor, a compressed air reservoir, and at least one pneumatic device, said pneumatic system having a first mode of operation of delivering compressed air from said compressor directly to said at least one pneumatic device and a second mode of operation of delivering compressed air from said compressor to said reservoir, an apparatus for controlling said compressor, comprising:

• means for determining the temperature at said compressor, means for deactivating said compressor during said first mode of operation when the temperature at said compressor has exceeded a first maximum temperature associated with said first mode of operation, and means for deactivating said compressor during said second mode of operation when the temperature at said compressor has exceeded a second maximum temperature associated with said second mode of operation, said first and second maximum temperatures being based on backpressure caused by said pneumatic system.

In a pneumatic system including a compressor, said pneumatic system having a plurality of modes of operation for delivering compressed air, a method for controlling said compressor, said method comprising the steps of determining the temperature at said compressor, allocating a separate maximum temperature to each mode of operation of said plurality of modes of operation, said maximum temperature being based on backpressure caused by said pneumatic system, and deactivating said compressor during one of said modes of operation when the temperature at said compressor has exceeded said maximum temperature allocated to said one of said modes of operation.

In a pneumatic system including a compressor, said pneumatic system having a plurality of modes of operation for delivering compressed air, an apparatus for controlling said compressor, said apparatus comprising means for determining the temperature at said compressor, means for allocating a separate maximum temperature to each mode of operation of said plurality of modes of operation, said maximum temperature being based on backpressure caused by said pneumatic system, and means for deactivating said compressor during one of said modes of operation when the temperature at said compressor has exceeded said maximum temperature allocated to said one of said modes of operation.