Patents by Inventor Steven D. Centers
Steven D. Centers has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20040112679Abstract: A system and method for regulating lubricant flow in a variable speed compressor includes a compressor having an inlet for gas to be compressed, at least one lubricant injection line, and an outlet through which compressed gas and lubricant exit, a flow control interface comprising at least one valve for regulating the flow of lubricant through the lubricant injection line, and a control logic in communication with the compressor such that the operating speed of the compressor is communicated to the control logic and the control logic is in communication with the flow control interface such that the control logic sends a signal to the flow control interface to open or close the at least one valve depending on the predetermined optimum lubricant flow rate for the compressor based on its operational speed. This allows the flow of lubricant through the compressor to be varied in response to the operating needs of the compressor at different speeds.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2002Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventor: Steven D. Centers
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Patent number: 6533552Abstract: An electronic control system dynamically varies the output capacity of a compressor by controlling plural valves associated with the compressor to provide pressurized air to a distribution system at an appropriate rate. The control system operates in any of three modes for standalone operation, including continuous run, auto/dual pressure band, and target pressure modes. In the first two modes, pressure bands are dynamically calculated based on load and unload values entered by an operator. These electronic control systems can also be connected in a peer-to-peer network to coordinate control of up to 16 compressors feeding the same distribution system, so as to maintain a desired target pressure in the system. A modem connected to the system supports remote diagnostics, monitoring, and control. Specialized startup, operating, and shutdown diagnostic algorithms prevent damage to the compressor and avert unsafe operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2002Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Coltec Industries Inc.Inventors: Steven D. Centers, Paul Burrell
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Patent number: 6529590Abstract: Systems and methods, including modem communications software, for controlling and/or monitoring one or more machines having an control board, such as, for example, compressors, from a remote location is disclosed. The systems and methods provide for each machine being controlled and/or monitored by an operator from the remote location. The machines are controlled and/or monitored using the modem communications software, presently preferably, resident on a personal computer (PC) at the remote location. The methods and systems, including the modem communications software, provide communications between the PC and the machine(s) through transmissions over a communications link established through a modem from a remote PC to a modem connected to the control board of a machine to provide instructions to or receive information from the machine control board and for the remote diagnosis of operating problems, such as, for example, compressor system operating problems, among other features.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1998Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Coltec Industries, Inc.Inventor: Steven D. Centers
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Publication number: 20020182082Abstract: An electronic control system dynamically varies the output capacity of a compressor by controlling plural valves associated with the compressor to provide pressurized air to a distribution system at an appropriate rate. The control system operates in any of three modes for standalone operation, including continuous run, auto/dual pressure band, and target pressure modes. In the first two modes, pressure bands are dynamically calculated based on load and unload values entered by an operator. These electronic control systems can also be connected in a peer-to-peer network to coordinate control of up to 16 compressors feeding the same distribution system, so as to maintain a desired target pressure in the system. A modem connected to the system supports remote diagnostics, monitoring, and control. Specialized startup, operating, and shutdown diagnostic algorithms prevent damage to the compressor and avert unsafe operating conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventors: Steven D. Centers, Paul Burrell
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Patent number: 6478546Abstract: A multi-stage blowdown valve is provided that uses a single control signal to simultaneously decompress the interstage and the second stage in a compressor system. The valve uses a series of sliding spools located linearly within a single bore to either prevent or allow fluid communication between two isolated passageways each having an inlet port and a discharge port. The valve, when used as a two stage blowdown valve in a multi-stage compressor system, can prevent compressor failure from occurring by ensuring that both the interstage and the second stages are decompressed. not only the interstage.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Coltec Industries Inc.Inventor: Steven D. Centers
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Patent number: 6471486Abstract: An electronic control system is disclosed to control and to prevent damage to a standalone or a network of oil free, two stage compressor packages. The electronic control system uses pressure and temperature sensors to detect actual shutdown conditions or predict shutdown conditions based on the operating state of the compressor package and the current temperatures or pressures of the air at strategic locations in the compressor package. It has been determined through experimentation that, if the pressure at the inlet of the stage two compressor is less than the discharge pressure of the stage two compressor by more than an allowable value, then a high temperature condition will occur in the stage two compressor and cause the compressor to seize.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2000Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Coltec Industries Inc.Inventors: Steven D. Centers, Paul G. Moffat
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Patent number: 6450771Abstract: An electronic control system dynamically varies the output capacity of a compressor by controlling plural valves associated with the compressor to provide pressurized air to a distribution system at an appropriate rate. The control system operates in any of three modes for standalone operation, including continuous run, auto/dual pressure band, and target pressure modes. In the first two modes, pressure bands are dynamically calculated based on load and unload values entered by an operator. These electronic control systems can also be connected in a peer-to-peer network to coordinate control of up to 16 compressors feeding the same distribution system, so as to maintain a desired target pressure in the system. A modem connected to the system supports remote diagnostics, monitoring, and control. Specialized startup, operating, and shutdown diagnostic algorithms prevent damage to the compressor and avert unsafe operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2000Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Coltec Industries IncInventors: Steven D. Centers, Paul Burrell
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Publication number: 20020051708Abstract: A multi-stage blowdown valve is provided that uses a single control signal to simultaneously decompress the interstage and the second stage in a compressor system. The valve uses a series of sliding spools located linearly within a single bore to either prevent or allow fluid communication between two isolated passageways each having an inlet port and a discharge port. The valve, when used as a two stage blowdown valve in a multi-stage compressor system, can prevent compressor failure from occurring by ensuring that both the interstage and the second stages are decompressed, not only the interstage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2001Publication date: May 2, 2002Inventor: Steven D. Centers
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Patent number: 6371731Abstract: A multi-stage blowdown valve is provided that uses a single control signal to simultaneously decompress the interstage and the second stage in a compressor system. The valve uses a series of sliding spools located linearly within a single bore to either prevent or allow fluid communication between two isolated passageways each having an inlet port and a discharge port. The valve, when used as a two stage blowdown valve in a multi-stage compressor system, can prevent compressor failure from occurring by ensuring that both the interstage and the second stages are decompressed. not only the interstage.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2001Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Coltec Industries IncInventor: Steven D. Centers
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Publication number: 20010036408Abstract: A multi-stage blowdown valve is provided that uses a single control signal to simultaneously decompress the interstage and the second stage in a compressor system. The valve uses a series of sliding spools located linearly within a single bore to either prevent or allow fluid communication between two isolated passageways each having an inlet port and a discharge port. The valve, when used as a two stage blowdown valve in a multi-stage compressor system, can prevent compressor failure from occurring by ensuring that both the interstage and the second stages are decompressed, not only the interstage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2001Publication date: November 1, 2001Inventor: Steven D. Centers
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Patent number: 6283716Abstract: A multi-stage blowdown valve is provided that uses a single control signal to simultaneously decompress the interstage and the second stage in a compressor system. The valve uses a series of sliding spools located linearly within a single bore to either prevent or allow fluid communication between two isolated passageways each having an inlet port and a discharge port. The valve, when used as a two stage blowdown valve in a multi-stage compressor system, can prevent compressor failure from occurring by ensuring that both the interstage and the second stages are decompressed, not only the interstage.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1999Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Coltec Industries Inc.Inventor: Steven D. Centers
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Patent number: 6244824Abstract: An electronic control system dynamically varies the output capacity of a compressor by controlling plural valves associated with the compressor to provide pressurized air to a distribution system at an appropriate rate. The control system operates in any of three modes for standalone operation, including continuous run, auto/dual pressure band, and target pressure modes. In the first two modes, pressure bands are dynamically calculated based on load and unload values entered by an operator. These electronic control systems can also be connected in a peer-to-peer network to coordinate control of up to 16 compressors feeding the same distribution system, so as to maintain a desired target pressure in the system. A modem connected to the system supports remote diagnostics, monitoring, and control. Specialized startup, operating, and shutdown diagnostic algorithms prevent damage to the compressor and avert unsafe operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1999Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Coltec Industries Inc.Inventors: Steven D. Centers, Paul Burrell
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Patent number: 6102665Abstract: An electronic control system is disclosed to control and to prevent damage to a standalone or a network of oil free, two stage compressor packages. The electronic control system uses pressure and temperature sensors to detect actual shutdown conditions or predict shutdown conditions based on the operating state of the compressor package and the current temperatures or pressures of the air at strategic locations in the compressor package. It has been determined through experimentation that, if the pressure at the inlet of the stage two compressor is less than the discharge pressure of the stage two compressor by more than an allowable value, then a high temperature condition will occur in the stage two compressor and cause the compressor to seize.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1998Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Coltec Industries IncInventors: Steven D. Centers, Paul G. Moffat
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Patent number: 6077051Abstract: An electronic control system dynamically varies the output capacity of a compressor by controlling plural valves associated with the compressor to provide pressurized air to a distribution system at an appropriate rate. The control system operates in any of three modes for standalone operation, including continuous run, auto/dual pressure band, and target pressure modes. In the first two modes, pressure bands are dynamically calculated based on load and unload values entered by an operator. These electronic control systems can also be connected in a peer-to-peer network to coordinate control of up to 16 compressors feeding the same distribution system, so as to maintain a desired target pressure in the system. A modem connected to the system supports remote diagnostics, monitoring, and control. Specialized startup, operating, and shutdown diagnostic algorithms prevent damage to the compressor and avert unsafe operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1997Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Assignee: Coltec Industries IncInventors: Steven D. Centers, Paul Burrell
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Patent number: 5713724Abstract: An electronic control system dynamically varies the output capacity of a compressor by controlling plural valves associated with the compressor to provide pressurized air to a distribution system at an appropriate rate. The control system operates in any of three modes for standalone operation, including continuous run, auto/dual pressure band, and target pressure modes. In the first two modes, pressure bands are dynamically calculated based on load and unload values entered by an operator. These electronic control systems can also be connected in a peer-to-peer network to coordinate control of up to 16 compressors feeding the same distribution system, so as to maintain a desired target pressure in the system. A modem connected to the system supports remote diagnostics, monitoring, and control. Specialized startup, operating, and shutdown diagnostic algorithms prevent damage to the compressor and avert unsafe operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1994Date of Patent: February 3, 1998Assignee: Coltec Industries Inc.Inventors: Steven D. Centers, Paul Burrell