A method for controlling the rotational speed (S) of an electric motor driven air compressor (2) that supplies compressed air to a pneumatically operated system (5) of a vehicle (1), characterized by the preliminary steps of: a) determining the efficiency (e) of the air compressor (2) for different values (Si) of the rotational speed (S) of the air compressor (2), the efficiency (e) of the air compressor (2) corresponding to the ratio between the pneumatic power (PI) produced by the air compressor (2) and the power (PO) given to the air compressor (2); b) determining one or several specific values (S2, S4) among said different values (Si), for which the efficiency (e) of the air compressor (2) is higher than a threshold value (emin) and/or comparatively higher than those determined for values (SI, S3) close to said specific value(s) (S2, S4); the preliminary steps a) and b) being preferably implemented only once; and characterized by the further repetitive steps of: c) determining the air consumption rate of the pneumatically operated system (5) receiving compressed air from the air compressor (2); d) determining a minimum rotational speed (Smin) of the air compressor (2) to obtain an air production rate of the air compressor (2) that is equal or substantially equal to said determined air consumption rate; e) determining if the specific value or one of the specific values (S2, S4) is greater than said determined minimum rotational speed (Smin); f) if no specific value is greater than said determined minimum rotational speed (Smin), controlling the rotational speed (S) of the air compressor (2) based on said minimum rotational speed (Smin); g) if only one specific value (S4) is greater than said determined minimum rotational speed (Smin), controlling the rotational speed (S) of the air compressor (2) based on said only one specific value (S4); h) if a plurality of specific values (S2, S4) is greater than said determined minimum rotational speed (Smin), determining the specific value (S2) with the best efficiency among said plurality of specific values (S2, S4) and controlling the rotational speed (S) of the air compressor (2) based on said specific value (S2) with the best efficiency.

The invention relates to a method for controlling a rotary screw compressor, having at least a first and a second air-end, wherein both air-ends are driven separately from one another and speed controlled. According to the invention, the following steps are carried out: detection of a volume flow taken at the outlet of the second air-end; adjustment of the rotational speed of both air-ends, when the removed volume flow fluctuates in a range between a maximum value and a minimum value; opening of a pressure-relief valve, if the volume flow falls below the minimum value; and reduction of the rotational speed of at least the first air-end to a predetermined idling speed (V1.sub.L) to reduce the volumetric flow delivered by the first to the second air-end.

Unique apparatuses, methods, and systems of opposing, limiting, and/or preventing undesired or un-commanded compressor rotation are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is an HVACR system comprising a variable frequency drive configured to drive an electric motor to rotate a screw compressor or scroll compressor. A controller is configured to monitor various aspects of the system and to control the drive. When a condition indicative of potential undesired or un-commanded compressor rotation is identified, the controller commands the variable frequency drive to control the motor to limit and preferably prevent compressor rotation. One technique comprises shorting switches of the drive to a DC bus rail to allow back EMF induced current in the motor windings to be dissipated through winding resistance thus providing a damping force. Another technique comprises controlling the inverter to insert a DC current into the motor to cause the motor to align to and hold a particular position.

A dry vacuum pump is provided, including two shafts, respectively supporting at least one pumping rotor being configured to synchronously rotate in reverse in order to convey a gas to be pumped from an intake of the dry vacuum pump to an outlet; and a synchronous motor configured to rotate one shaft of the two shafts, the synchronous motor including a rotor coupled to the shaft, a first stator with windings arranged around the rotor, and at least one second stator with windings arranged around the rotor, the windings of the stators being configured to be supplied individually or simultaneously in order to adapt a power of the synchronous motor to a pumping load. A method for controlling a synchronous motor of a vacuum pump is also provided.

A control device that controls a target vacuum pump including a motor, including: a decision unit that decides, using at least one of target state quantities at a time of a past stop process of the target vacuum pump or another vacuum pump wherein the target state quantities are state quantities which fluctuate in accordance with a load at a time of a process of stopping a vacuum pump, a normal fluctuation range or a normal time fluctuation behavior of the target state quantity at the time of the stop process; and a control unit that controls the motor, wherein the control unit compares the target state quantity at the time of the process of stopping the target vacuum pump with the normal fluctuation range or the normal time fluctuation behavior, and changes a method of controlling the motor during the stop process depending on the comparison result.

A method is provided for controlling a temperature of a vacuum pump of a dry vacuum pump type subjected to variable pumping loads, the pump including a stator, a pumping stage, two shafts extending into the stage and respectively bearing a rotor to rotate synchronously in opposite directions in the stator and to drive a gas from a suction inlet to a delivery outlet, a cooling element coupled to the stator, a temperature sensor to measure a stator temperature, and a controller to control the stator temperature by the cooling element and the temperature sensor; and the method including controlling the pump temperature by the cooling element based on a temperature setpoint and a measurement of the stator temperature, and monitoring whether a value of a pumping load parameter is below a load threshold and, if so, increasing the setpoint. A vacuum pump and a system are also provided.

A method of monitoring a volume index valve of a compressor is provided. The method includes recording a first reading of an operating condition of the compressor when the volume index valve is in a first position. The method also includes switching the volume index valve to a second position. The method further includes recording a second reading of the operating condition of the compressor when the volume index valve is in the second position. The method yet further includes calculating a difference between the first reading and the second reading. The method also includes comparing the difference to a predetermined threshold difference to determine if the volume index valve is moving between the first position and the second position in a desired manner.

The invention relates to a method for controlling a rotary screw compressor, having at least a first and a second air-end, wherein both air-ends are driven separately from one another and speed controlled. According to the invention, the following steps are carried out: detection of a volume flow taken at the outlet of the second air-end; adjustment of the rotational speed of both air-ends, when the removed volume flow fluctuates in a range between a maximum value and a minimum value; opening of a pressure-relief valve, if the volume flow falls below the minimum value; and reduction of the rotational speed of at least the first air-end to a predetermined idling speed (V1.sub.L) to reduce the volumetric flow delivered by the first to the second air-end.

The invention relates to a method for controlling a rotary screw compressor, having at least a first and a second air-end, wherein both air-ends are driven separately from one another and speed controlled. According to the invention, the following steps are carried out: detection of a volume flow taken at the outlet of the second air-end; adjustment of the rotational speed of both air-ends, when the removed volume flow fluctuates in a range between a maximum value and a minimum value; opening of a pressure-relief valve, if the volume flow falls below the minimum value; and reduction of the rotational speed of at least the first air-end to a predetermined idling speed (V1.sub.L) to reduce the volumetric flow delivered by the first to the second air-end.

A method of monitoring a volume index valve of a compressor is provided. The method includes recording a first reading of an operating condition of the compressor when the volume index valve is in a first position. The method also includes switching the volume index valve to a second position. The method further includes recording a second reading of the operating condition of the compressor when the volume index valve is in the second position. The method yet further includes calculating a difference between the first reading and the second reading. The method also includes comparing the difference to a predetermined threshold difference to determine if the volume index valve is moving between the first position and the second position in a desired manner.