Method to operate an electronically controlled air compressor powered by an internal combustion engine

Abstract

A method to operate an electronically controlled air compressor powered by an internal combustion engine, wherein the air compressor is selectively activated when the air compressor minimum threshold value differs from the air compressor minimum threshold hysteresis by a predetermined value, and is deactivated when the air compressor maximum threshold value and the air compressor maximum threshold value hysteresis value differ by a predetermined value.

1 . A method to operate an air compressor powered by an internal combustion engine having an engine brake, said compressor controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) having memory, said compressor in fluid connection with an air storage comprising:
 a) determining an air compressor pressure minimum threshold value;   b) determining an air compressor pressure minimum threshold hysteresis value;   c) determining whether the air compressor minimum threshold value differs from the air compressor minimum threshold hysteresis by a predetermined value;   d) activating the air compressor to deliver compressed air to a remote location;   e) determining an air compressor maximum threshold hysteresis value;   f) determining an air compressor maximum threshold value;   g) determining whether the air compressor maximum threshold value differs from the air compressor maximum threshold value hysteresis value by a predetermined value;   h) determining whether the engine has a fueling demand less than or equal to a predetermined value;   i) determining a hybrid air compressor activation value from the difference between the air compressor maximum threshold value differs from the air compressor maximum threshold value hysteresis value;   j) deactivating the air compressor when the difference between the air compressor maximum threshold value and the air compressor maximum threshold value hysteresis value exceeds a predetermined value.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further including determining travel topography to anticipate engine fueling demand. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein travel topography is determined by input from a global positioning system (GPS). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the air compressor pressure is determined by a pressure sensor in an air compressor pressure reservoir, said sensor electronically connected to said ECU. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said ECU controls said engine. 
     
     
         6 . An air compressor in fluid connection with an air storage unit comprising:
 a controller configured to determine an air compressor pressure minimum threshold value;   determine an air compressor pressure minimum threshold hysteresis value;   determine whether the air compressor minimum threshold value differs from the air compressor minimum threshold hysteresis by a predetermined value;   activate the air compressor to deliver compressed air to a remote location;   determine an air compressor maximum threshold hysteresis value;   determine an air compressor maximum threshold value;   determine whether the air compressor maximum threshold value differs from the air compressor maximum threshold value hysteresis value by a predetermined value;   determine whether the engine has a fueling demand less than or equal to a predetermined value;   determine a hybrid air compressor activation value from the difference between the air compressor maximum threshold value differs from the air compressor maximum threshold value hysteresis value; and   deactivate the air compressor when the difference between the air compressor maximum threshold value and the air compressor maximum threshold value hysteresis value exceeds a predetermined value.