Controller for a motor and a method of controlling the motor
First Claim
1. A pumping apparatus for a jetted-fluid system comprising a vessel for holding a fluid, a drain, and a return, the pumping apparatus being connectable to a power source and comprising:
- a pump comprising an inlet connectable to the drain, and an outlet connectable to the return, the pump adapted to receive the fluid from the drain and jet fluid through the return;
a motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump;
a voltage sensor coupled to the motor and configured to generate a first signal having a relation to a voltage applied to the pump motor;
a current sensor coupled to the motor and configured to generate a second signal having a relation to a current applied to the pump motor;
a switch connectable to the power source and coupled to the motor, and the switch configured to control the current through the motor; and
a controller coupled to the voltage sensor, the current sensor, and the switch, the controller configured to generate a value based on the first and second signals, the value having a relation to the motor input power, and to control the motor based on the value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of controlling a motor operating a pumping apparatus of a fluid-pumping application. The pumping apparatus includes a pump having an inlet to receive a fluid and an outlet to exhaust the fluid, and the motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump. The method includes the acts of controlling the motor to operate the pump and monitoring the operation of the pump. The monitoring act includes monitoring a power of the motor, and determining whether the monitored power indicates an undesired flow of fluid through the pump. The method further includes the act of controlling the motor to cease operation of the pump when the determination indicates an undesired flow of fluid through the pump and zero or more other conditions exist.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A pumping apparatus for a jetted-fluid system comprising a vessel for holding a fluid, a drain, and a return, the pumping apparatus being connectable to a power source and comprising:
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a pump comprising an inlet connectable to the drain, and an outlet connectable to the return, the pump adapted to receive the fluid from the drain and jet fluid through the return;
a motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump;
a voltage sensor coupled to the motor and configured to generate a first signal having a relation to a voltage applied to the pump motor;
a current sensor coupled to the motor and configured to generate a second signal having a relation to a current applied to the pump motor;
a switch connectable to the power source and coupled to the motor, and the switch configured to control the current through the motor; and
a controller coupled to the voltage sensor, the current sensor, and the switch, the controller configured to generate a value based on the first and second signals, the value having a relation to the motor input power, and to control the motor based on the value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of controlling a motor operating a pumping apparatus of a fluid-pumping application, the pumping apparatus comprising
a pump having an inlet to receive a fluid and an outlet to exhaust the fluid, and the motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump, the method comprising: -
controlling the motor to operate the pump;
monitoring the operation of the pump, the monitoring act comprising monitoring a power of the motor, and determining whether the monitored power indicates a condition of the pump; and
controlling the motor to operate the pump based on the condition of the pump and zero or more other conditions. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of detecting an entrapment event in a jetted-fluid system comprising a vessel for holding a fluid, a drain, a return, and a pumping apparatus coupled to the drain and the return, the pumping apparatus comprising
a pump comprising an inlet coupled to the drain and an outlet coupled to the return, and a motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump, the method comprising: -
during a normal operation state, powering the motor;
pumping the fluid with the pumping apparatus while powering the motor, the pumping act comprising suctioning the fluid from the vessel through the drain and jetting the pumped fluid into the vessel through return;
monitoring the drain for an entrapment event, the monitoring act comprising monitoring an input power of the motor, and determining whether the monitored power indicates a possible entrapment event, and initiating a fault state when the determination indicates an entrapment event and zero or more other conditions exist;
during the fault state, powering down the motor; and
ceasing the pumping of the fluid after powering down the motor. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method of detecting an entrapment event in a jetted-fluid system comprising a vessel for holding a fluid, a drain, a return, and a pumping apparatus coupled to the drain and the return, the pumping apparatus comprising
a pump comprising an inlet coupled to the drain and an outlet coupled to the return, a motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump, the method comprising: -
during a first state, initiating operation of the motor;
priming the pump after the initiating act;
monitoring the operation of the pump, the monitoring act comprising monitoring an input power of the motor, and determining whether the monitored power indicates the pump can be monitored for entrapment;
ceasing the first state and entering a normal operation state when the monitored power indicates the pump can be monitored for entrapment and zero or more other conditions exist;
during the normal operation state;
pumping the fluid with the pumping apparatus while powering the motor, the pumping act comprising suctioning the fluid from the vessel through the drain and jetting the pumped fluid through return; and
monitoring the drain for an entrapment event, the monitoring act comprising monitoring an input power of the motor. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification