SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A COMPRESSOR

1 . A method for a compressor, comprising:

monitoring a crankcase pressure of a compressor;

analyzing the monitored crankcase pressure; and

identifying a condition of the compressor based on the analysis of the monitored crankcase pressure.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein analyzing the monitored crankcase pressure comprises:

calculating an average of the crankcase pressure over a time period; and

comparing the average crankcase pressure over the time period to a nominal crankcase average pressure.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the condition of the compressor is identified based on a difference between the calculated crankcase average pressure and the nominal crankcase average pressure.

4 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising identifying the nominal crankcase average pressure from at least one of ambient air temperature or ambient air pressure.

5 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising identifying the nominal crankcase average pressure from at least one of compressor speed, reservoir pressure, or oil temperature.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein analyzing the monitored crankcase pressure comprises identifying frequency content of the monitored crankcase pressure at one or more known frequencies.

7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising identifying the one or more known frequencies based on a rate at which the compressor is operated.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein analyzing the monitored crankcase pressure comprises correlating the monitored crankcase pressure with an indication of the position of a piston of the compressor during a time period in which the piston is operated.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein identifying the condition of the compressor further comprises identifying a condition of a cylinder of the compressor based on a correlation of the monitored crankcase pressure and an indication of the position of the piston in the cylinder of the compressor.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the condition of the compressor comprises at least one of the following:

identifying a piston blow-by condition of at least one cylinder of the compressor based on the analysis of the monitored crankcase pressure; or

identifying a crankcase breather valve failure based on the analysis of the monitored crankcase pressure.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the crankcase pressure is monitored while a piston is cycled within a cylinder of the compressor in at least one of an unloaded condition or in a loaded condition.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

monitoring the crankcase pressure of the compressor comprises: monitoring the crankcase pressure during a first time period during which a piston is cycled within a cylinder of the compressor in an unloaded; and monitoring the crankcase pressure of the compressor during a second time period during which the piston is cycled within the cylinder of the compressor in a loaded condition; and

the condition of the compressor is identified based on the analysis of the monitored crankcase pressure from the first time period and the second time period.

13 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating a signal in response to identifying the condition of the compressor based on the analysis of the monitored crankcase pressure.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising notifying personnel with the signal, the signal comprising one or more of an audio alarm, a visual alarm, a text message, an email, an instant message, or a phone call.

15 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising reducing a duty cycle of the compressor in response to identifying the condition of the compressor.

16 . A controller operable in association with a compressor, wherein the controller is configured to:

receive a signal corresponding to a monitored crankcase pressure within a crankcase of the compressor;

analyze the monitored crankcase pressure; and

identify a condition of the compressor based on the analysis of the monitored crankcase pressure.

17 . The controller of claim 16 , wherein the condition of the compressor is at least one of the following:

a piston blow-by condition of at least one cylinder of the compressor; or a crankcase breather valve failure.

18 . The controller of claim 16 , wherein for the analysis of the monitored crankcase pressure, the controller is configured to:

calculate an average of the crankcase pressure over a time period; and

compare the average crankcase pressure over the time period to a nominal crankcase average pressure.

19 . The controller of claim 16 , wherein the controller is further configured to communicate with one or more crankcase pressure sensors and receive the signal corresponding to the monitored crankcase pressure from the one or more crankcase pressure sensors.

20 . A system, comprising:

an engine;

a compressor operatively connected to the engine, wherein the compressor includes a crankcase having a crankcase pressure sensor; and

a controller configured to:

receive a signal corresponding to a monitored crankcase pressure within the crankcase of the compressor from the crankcase pressure sensor;

analyze the monitored crankcase pressure; and

identify a condition of the compressor based on the analysis of the monitored crankcase pressure.

21 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the condition of the compressor is at least one of the following:

a piston blow-by condition of at least one cylinder of the compressor; or

a crankcase breather valve failure.

22 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the controller is further configured to communicate with a crankshaft position sensor to identify a position of a piston in a cylinder of the compressor, and wherein the controller is configured to analyze the monitored crankcase pressure based at least in part on the position of the piston.