System and method for operating a compressor

Abstract

A compressor that compresses a fluid during a compression stroke to pressurize the fluid includes an inlet adapted to intake the fluid at an inlet pressure. An inlet valve is coupled to the inlet and adapted to employ a valve closing time during the compression stroke. The compressor further includes an outlet adapted to discharge the fluid subsequent to the compression stroke.

1 . A compressor, comprising: 
 an inlet adapted to intake a fluid at an inlet pressure;    an inlet valve coupled to the inlet and adapted to control intake of the fluid at the inlet pressure through the inlet;    a cam adapted to control a valve closing time of the inlet valve during a compression stroke of the compressor to pressurize the fluid; and    an outlet adapted to discharge pressurized fluid subsequent to the compression stroke.    
   
   
       2 . The compressor of  claim 1 , further comprising an electric motor adapted to drive the cam.  
   
   
       3 . The compressor of  claim 1 , further comprising a rotational solenoid adapted to drive the cam.  
   
   
       4 . The compressor of  claim 3 , wherein the rotational solenoid is rotated 90 degrees in an anticlockwise direction to hold the inlet valve at a closed position.  
   
   
       5 . The compressor of  claim 3 , wherein the rotational solenoid is rotated 90 degrees in a clockwise direction to hold the inlet valve at a closed position.  
   
   
       6 . The compressor of  claim 1 , further comprising an unloader adapted to be driven by the cam to control the valve closing time of the inlet valve for a predetermined time period during the compression stroke of the compressor.  
   
   
       7 . A compressor, comprising: 
 an inlet adapted to intake a fluid at an inlet pressure;    an inlet valve coupled to the inlet and adapted to control intake of the fluid at the inlet pressure through the inlet; and    at least one blocking solenoid adapted to control a valve closing time of the inlet valve during a compression stroke of the compressor, the at least one blocking solenoid being further adapted to maintain the inlet valve at least one stop point during the compression stroke of the compressor.    
   
   
       8 . The compressor of  claim 7 , further comprising an unloader adapted to be driven by a pusher solenoid.  
   
   
       9 . The compressor of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one blocking rod adapted to hold the unloader at least one stop point during the compression stroke of the compressor.  
   
   
       10 . The compressor of  claim 9 , wherein the blocking rod is actuated by the blocking solenoid.  
   
   
       11 . A method of operating a compressor, comprising: 
 supplying a fluid at an inlet pressure via an inlet; and    actuating a cam to control valve closing time of an inlet valve coupled to the inlet during the compression stroke of the compressor.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising actuating an electric motor to drive the cam.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising actuating a rotational solenoid to drive the cam.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising rotating the solenoid 90 degrees along an anticlockwise direction to hold the inlet valve at a closed position.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising rotating the solenoid 90 degrees along a clockwise direction to hold the inlet valve at a closed position.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising actuating an unloader by driving the cam.  
   
   
       17 . A method of operating a compressor, comprising: 
 supplying a fluid at an inlet pressure via an inlet; and    actuating at least one blocking solenoid to control valve closing time of an inlet valve coupled to the inlet during a compression stroke of the compressor.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising actuating the blocking solenoid to maintain the inlet valve at least one stop point during compression stroke of the compressor.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising actuating an unloader to control valve closing time of the inlet valve.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising actuating a pusher solenoid to drive the unloader.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , comprising actuating at least one blocking rod via the blocking solenoid to hold the unloader at least one stop point during the compression stroke of the compressor.