Air demand adjusted compressor control

A method of modifying an operation mode for an air compressor motor in a hybrid commercial vehicle as a function of vehicle air demand, comprising:

• monitoring vehicle air system pressure;
• calculating air demand generated by the vehicle air system;
• determining that the vehicle air system air demand is greater than a predetermined air demand threshold;
• increasing a cut-out pressure threshold for the compressor motor and switching the air compressor motor from an on/off mode to a continuous run mode wherein pressure is maintained in the air system to be between a cut-in pressure threshold and the increased cut-out pressure threshold;
• and
• maintaining the compressor motor in the continuous run mode until air demand falls below the predetermined air demand threshold.

A system that facilitates modifying an operation mode for an air compressor motor in a hybrid commercial vehicle as a function of vehicle air demand, comprising:

• an air compressor comprising a compressor motor;
• a brake system that is supplied with air by the air compressor, and comprising a brake pedal;
• and
• a motor controller unit (MCU) comprising a processor configured to execute computer-executable instructions for modifying compressor motor operation mode as a function of vehicle air demand, the instructions comprising:
• monitoring vehicle air system pressure;
• calculating air demand generated by the vehicle air system;
• determining that the vehicle air system air demand is greater than a predetermined air demand threshold;
• increasing a cut-out pressure threshold for the compressor motor and switching the air compressor motor from an on/off mode to a continuous run mode wherein pressure is maintained in the air system to be between a cut-in pressure threshold and the increased cut-out pressure threshold;
• and
• maintaining the compressor motor in the continuous run mode until air demand falls below the predetermined air demand threshold.

An apparatus for modifying an operation mode for an air compressor motor in a hybrid commercial vehicle as a function of vehicle air demand, comprising:

• means for monitoring vehicle air system pressure;
• means for calculating air demand generated by the vehicle air system;
• means for determining that the vehicle air system air demand is greater than a predetermined air demand threshold;
• means for increasing a cut-out pressure threshold for the compressor motor and switching the air compressor motor from an on/off mode to a continuous run mode wherein pressure is maintained in the air system to be between a cut-in pressure threshold and the increased cut-out pressure threshold;
• and
• means for maintaining the compressor motor in the continuous run mode until air demand falls below the predetermined air demand threshold.