Saul L Mirsky

US Patent:

6503048, Jan 7, 2003

Filed:

Aug 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/942368

Inventors:

Saul Mirsky - West Des Moines IA

Assignee:

Compressor Controls Corporation - Des Moines IA

International Classification:

F01D 2112

US Classification:

415 1, 415 17, 415 28, 415 47

Abstract:

Accurate and effective antisurge control for turbocompressor stages is augmented by measuring the flow rate of fluid entering or leaving the stage of compression. On the other hand, turbocompressors with sidestreams, such as ethylene, propylene, and propane refrigeration compressors, pose unique antisurge control challenges; in particular, measurements for the flow rate entering (or leaving) the compressors middle stages are not available in most cases. Furthermore, the methods used to cope with this lack of flow measurements are prone to introducing errors and producing false transients, as well as being cumbersome and difficult to implement. For these reasons, this disclosure relates to a method for protecting turbocompressors with sidestreams from the damaging effects of surge. But more specifically, it describes a technique for estimating the reduced flow rate entering a compression stage not having a flow measurement device in its suction or dischargeâthat is, the flow rate entering a middle (intermediate) compressor stage can be inferred from known flow rates. The reduced flow rate is used to determine a location of the compression stages operating point relative to its surge limit.

US Patent:

7010393, Mar 7, 2006

Filed:

Jun 19, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/464931

Inventors:

Saul Mirsky - West Des Moines IA, US
Krishnan Narayanan - West Des Moines IA, US

Assignee:

Compressor Controls Corporation - Des Moines IA

International Classification:

G05D 11/00

US Classification:

700282, 417 1

Abstract:

Often, an application or process calls for multiple pumps operating within a piping network. Pump load, such as flow rate or pressure, is shared between these multiple pumps. The present disclosure relates to effective means of distributing the pumping load in a manner that satisfies the process requirements while keeping the pumping machinery safe from functioning in damaging operating regions. It also discloses a method of operating pumps in an efficient or optimal fashion. An additional aspect is a method of using an open-loop response to deal with large transients threatening to force a pump into an operating region that might result in damage or destruction.

US Patent:

8323000, Dec 4, 2012

Filed:

Jun 23, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/144196

Inventors:

Saul Mirsky - West Des Moines IA, US
Jeff McWhirter - Spring TX, US
John R. Wolflick - Las Cruces NM, US

Assignee:

Compressor Controls Corp. - Des Moines IA
Conocophillips Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

F04B 49/03

US Classification:

417295

Abstract:

A control method and apparatus for simultaneously protecting a compression system from driver overpowering and turbocompressor surge. When overpowering is detected, flow rate through the each compressor in the turbocompressor train is reduced by closing an inlet throttling valve at the inlet of each respective compressor stage unless a compressor operating point is sufficiently near surge. In this latter case, the inlet throttling valve is not closed. In this way, overall flow rate through the compressor train is reduced while maintaining adequate flow through compromised stages to avoid surge.

US Patent:

8360744, Jan 29, 2013

Filed:

Mar 13, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/047938

Inventors:

Saul Mirsky - West Des Moines IA, US
Wayne Jacobson - Des Moines IA, US
David J. Hoogerwerf - Des Moines IA, US
Nauman Islam - Pearland TX, US

Assignee:

Compressor Controls Corporation - Des Moines IA

International Classification:

F01D 17/06
F03B 15/08

US Classification:

417293, 417428, 417440, 415 36

Abstract:

A control method and apparatus for critical rotational speed avoidance in a compressor-expander set in a gas refrigeration system. By varying an opening of an antisurge or recycle valve, a shaft power used by the compressor in the compressor-expander set may be varied, thereby varying the rotational speed of the compressor-expander set to move it away from its critical speed zone. Additionally, a feedforward signal may be provided by a compressor-expander set control system to cause an antisurge valve for a recycle compressor to open upon a trip or shutdown of one compressor-expander set.

US Patent:

20090297333, Dec 3, 2009

Filed:

May 28, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/128265

Inventors:

Saul Mirsky - West Des Moines IA, US
Wayne Jacobson - Des Moines IA, US
Jeff McWhirter - Spring TX, US

International Classification:

F04D 27/02

US Classification:

415 26, 415 36

Abstract:

A control method and apparatus for startup of turbocompressors to avoid overpowering a driver of the turbocompressor. In a first embodiment, the control system monitors input signals from transmitters of various control inputs. When the input signals exceed threshold values, the control system begins to close the antisurge valve. In a second embodiment, the antisurge valve begins to close after a predetermined time measured from the time startup is initiated. In both embodiments, the antisurge valve continues to ramp closed until the compressor has reached its operating zone, or until the compressor's operating point reaches a surge control line, at which point the antisurge valve is manipulated to keep the compressor from surging.

US Patent:

59677422, Oct 19, 1999

Filed:

Dec 23, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/996891

Inventors:

Saul Mirsky - West Des Moines IA
Michael L. Tolmatsky - West Des Moines IA

Assignee:

Compressor Controls Corporation - Des Moines IA

International Classification:

F04D 2702
F04B 4902
F03B 1500

US Classification:

415 1

Abstract:

The operation of quickly taking a turbocompressor off-line from a parallel configuration, of a gas pipeline compressor station, may encounter increased mechanical action (in particular, vibration) upon recycle piping and the additional risk of compressor surge. For these reasons, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for decreasing vibratory loads and for increasing surge prevention effectiveness, while initiating an off-line operation, by (1) altering the surge control line's location, at a preset rate, from its initial location to a predetermined new location; and (2) decreasing the turbocompressor's deceleration rate when the operating point intercepts the surge control line before the control line reaches its new location. Upon completion of the off-line activity, the control line returns to its initial location; and the reduction of compressor speed will cease on reaching a preset value.

US Patent:

49492764, Aug 14, 1990

Filed:

Oct 26, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/263172

Inventors:

Naum Staroselsky - Des Moines IA
Saul Mirsky - West Des Moines IA
Paul A. Reinke - Des Moines IA

Assignee:

Compressor Controls Corp. - Des Moines IA

International Classification:

F04D 2702
G04B 1302

US Classification:

364509

Abstract:

A method is disclosed for efficiently protecting dynamic compressors from surge under changing inlet conditions and in response to flow disturbances of varying size and speed. An antisurge control system based on this disclosed method will compute the relative proximity of the compressor operating point to its surge limit as a multi-variable parameter which is self-compensated for changes in gas composition, inlet temperature and pressure, compressor efficiency, guide-vane position, and rotational speed. A combination of adaptive closed- and open-loop control responses is used to maintain a margin of safety between the operating point and the surge limit. Both the safety margin and the magnitude of the open-loop response are proportional to the rate at which the operating point approaches the surge limit, thus maximizing process efficiency.

US Patent:

58791337, Mar 9, 1999

Filed:

Apr 21, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/844606

Inventors:

Saul Mirsky - Des Moines IA
Naum Staroselsky - Des Moines IA
Brett W. Batson - Dallas Center IA
Krishnan Narayanan - Ankeny IA

Assignee:

Compressor Controls Corporation - Des Moines IA

International Classification:

F04B 4920

US Classification:

417 46

Abstract:

A method is provided for controlling fuel flow to the combustor of a gas generator turbine during sudden changes in load or during a surge cycle of the process turbocompressor. Surge control is initiated by analog input signals emanating from various devices located throughout the compressor-process system. The fuel control system includes input signals from the gas turbine driver. These signals are acted upon by the fuel control system which transmits a signal to a fuel valve actuator that controls the valve that meters fuel to the combustor. In addition to this sequence of control communication, however, is a rate-of-change in the amount of the fuel provided. The rate of the increase of the amount of fuel is determined by current operating functions of the fuel control system. However, because of the characteristics of general load rejection and recovery, and the abrupt nature of surge, the rate of change in the flow rate of fuel is extremely high. This rapid increase of fuel to the combustor may lead to dangerous excursions in temperature, resulting in high temperatures in gas turbine elements.