Control algorithm of variable speed pumping system

• US 20070114162A1
• Filed: 11/23/2005
• Published: 05/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Danfoss Low Power Drives, Pentair Water Pool And Spa Incorporated (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Original Assignee: Danfoss Low Power Drives, Pentair Water Pool And Spa Incorporated (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Inventors: Murphy, Kevin, Lungeanu, Florin, Kjaer, Gert, Westermann-Rasmussen, Peter, Morando, Alberto, Harvest, Nils-Ole, Cox, Everett, Steen, Donald, Hansen, Arne, Hruby, Daniel, Robol, Ronald, Woodcock, Walter, Yahnker, Christopher, Berthelsen, Lars, Runarsson, Einar, Stiles, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,019,479 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/137
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/065 and making use of computers
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0066 by changing the speed, e.g. of the driving engine
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0088 Testing machines
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 9/004 Priming of not self-priming pumps

Abstract

A pumping system includes a pump for moving water. In one aspect, this is in connection with performance of an operation. The system includes a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump. A value indicative of flow rate of water is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow rate indicative value toward a constant. A value indicative of flow pressure is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow pressure indicative value toward a constant. A selection is made between flow rate control and flow pressure control. In another aspect, the pump is controlled to perform a first operation, and is operated to perform a second water operation. Control of operation of the pump to perform the first water operation is altered in response to operation of the pump to perform the second operation.

Claims

1. A pumping system for moving water of an aquatic application, the pumping system including:

a water pump for moving water in connection with performance of an operation upon the water;

a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump;

means for determining a value indicative of flow rate of water moved by the pump;

means for controlling the motor to adjust the flow rate indicative value toward a constant;

means for determining a value indicative of flow pressure of water moved by the pump;

means for controlling the motor to adjust the flow pressure indicative value toward a constant; and

means for selecting between flow rate control and flow pressure control.

2. A pumping system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the variable speed motor is an infinitely variable speed motor.

3. A pumping system as set forth in claim 1, including a water treatment device for performing the operation upon the water.

4. A pumping system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the water treatment device is a filter arrangement and the operation performed upon the water is a filter operation.

5. A pumping system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the flow pressure of water moved by the pump is dependent upon the status of the filter arrangement;

the means for selecting including means for selecting flow rate control when the flow pressure below a predetermined threshold and for selecting flow pressure control when the flow pressure is above the threshold.

6. A pumping system for moving water of an aquatic application, the pumping system including:

a water pump for moving water;

a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump;

means for controlling the motor to adjust motor output;

means for performing a first operation upon the moving water;

means for performing a second operation upon the moving water;

means for using control parameters for the motor during the first operation based upon a target water volume;

means for determining volume of water moved by the pump during a time period;

means for changing the control parameters used for the first operation dependent upon performance of the second operation during the time period.

7. A pumping system as set forth in claim 6, wherein the variable speed motor is an infinitely variable speed motor.

8. A pumping system as set forth in claim 6, including a water treatment device for performing the operation upon the water.

9. A pumping system as set forth in claim 8, wherein the water treatment device is a filter arrangement and the operation performed upon the water is a filter operation.

10. A pumping system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the flow pressure of water moved by the pump is dependent upon the status of the filter arrangement;

the means for selecting including means for selecting flow rate control when the flow pressure below a predetermined threshold and for selecting flow pressure control when the flow pressure is above the threshold.

11. A pumping system for moving water of an aquatic application, the pumping system including:

a water pump for moving water in connection with performance of an operation upon the water;

a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump;

means for determining flow rate of water moved by the pump;

means for controlling the motor to adjust the flow rate toward a constant flow rate value;

means for determining flow pressure of water moved by the pump;

means for controlling the motor to adjust the flow pressure toward a constant flow pressure value; and

means for selecting between flow rate control and flow pressure control.

12. A pumping system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the variable speed motor is an infinitely variable speed motor.

13. A pumping system as set forth in claim 11, including a water treatment device for performing the operation upon the water.

14. A pumping system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the water treatment device is a filter arrangement and the operation performed upon the water is a filter operation.

15. A pumping system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the flow pressure of water moved by the pump is dependent upon the status of the filter arrangement;

the means for selecting including means for selecting flow rate control when the flow pressure below a predetermined threshold and for selecting flow pressure control when the flow pressure is above the threshold.

16. A pumping system for moving water of an aquatic application, the pumping system including:

a water pump for moving water;

means for controlling operation of the pump to perform a first water operation with at least one predetermined parameter;

means for operating the pump to perform a second water operation; and

means for altering control of operation of the pump to perform the first water operation to vary the at least one parameter in response to operation of the pump to perform the second operation.

17. A pumping system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the first water operation is a routine filtering operation and the at least one parameter includes a time schedule, and the means for altering control includes means for changing the time schedule.

18. A pumping system as set forth in claim 17, wherein the at least one parameter includes a flow value, and the means for altering includes means for changing the flow value.

19. A pumping system as set forth in claim 18, wherein the flow value is flow rate.

20. A pumping system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the first water operation is a routine filtering operation and the at least one parameter includes a flow value, and the means for altering control includes means for changing the flow value.

21. A pumping system as set forth in claim 20, wherein the flow value is flow rate.

22. A pumping system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the means for altering control includes means for determining flow volume through the pump within a time period for the second water operation and altering control of operation of the pump to perform the first water operation in response to the determined flow volume.

23. A pumping system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the first water operation is a routine filter operation.

24. A pumping system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the second water operation is a cleaner operation.

25. A pumping system as set forth in claim 16, wherein means for altering control of operation of the pump to perform the first water operation provides for conservation of energy.

26. A pumping system for moving water of an aquatic application, the pumping system including:

a water pump for moving water;

means for controlling a routine filter cycle;

means for operating the pump to perform an additional water operation; and

means for altering the routine filter cycle in response to operation of the pump to perform the additional water operation.

27. A pumping system as set forth in claim 26, wherein the cleaner water operation is a cleaner operation.

28. A pumping system as set forth in claim 26, wherein means for altering the routine filter cycle provides for conservation of energy.