Variable Speed Pumping System and Method

• US 20110044823A1
• Filed: 08/26/2010
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pentair Water Pool And Spa Incorporated (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Original Assignee: Pentair Pool Products, Inc. (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Inventors: Stiles, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 10,947,981 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/42
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1245 Recirculating pumps for swimming pool water
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/20 by changing the driving speed
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/00 Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or systems
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0066 by changing the speed, e.g. of the driving engine
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0077 Safety measures F04D15/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0209 responsive to a condition of the working fluid F04D15/029 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0245 responsive to a condition of the pump
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 27/004 by varying driving speed

Abstract

A variable speed pumping system and an associated method for moving water of an aquatic application. The variable speed pumping system includes a water pump for moving water in connection with performance of an operation upon the water. A variable speed motor is operatively connected to drive the pump. A sensor senses a parameter of the operation performed upon the water. A controller controls speed of the motor in response to the sensed parameter of operation.

Claims

1. A pumping system for at least one aquatic application including a pool, the pumping system controlled by a user, the pumping system including a pump, the pumping system adapted to be coupled to a pool filter and a pool vacuum, the pumping system comprising:

a variable speed motor coupled to the pump;

a user interface that receives an input including a desired filtering level of operation from the user including a mode for operation of the pump at an increased level during use of the pool vacuum; and

a controller in electrical communication with the variable speed motor and the user interface,

the controller determining a current value of at least one of a volume, a flow rate, a mass, and a pressure in the pumping system associated with the desired filtering level of operation,

the controller substantially continuously modifying an actual speed of the variable speed motor based on the current value in order to operate the variable speed motor at a substantially minimum speed to achieve the desired filtering level of operation with substantially minimal energy usage.

2. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the controller increases flow during operation of the pool vacuum.

3. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the controller enters an idle mode while the pumping system is being serviced.

4. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the controller determines that the pump has lost prime.

5. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the controller determines that there is an obstruction in the pumping system and automatically stops flow.

6. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein a subsequent aquatic application is added to the pumping system and wherein the controller self-adjusts the actual speed of the variable speed motor to operate at a new minimum speed to achieve the desired filtering level of operation with substantially minimal energy usage.

7. The pumping system of claim 1, and further comprising at least one sensor to sense at least one of volume, flow rate, mass, and pressure, the at least one sensor being in communication with the controller.

8. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a plurality of selectors.

9. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a display.

10. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a remote user interface.

11. The pumping system of claim 10, wherein the controller is coupled to the remote user interface through a wireless connection.

12. The pumping system of claim 11, wherein the wireless connection includes at least one of a radio signal connection and an infrared beam connection.

13. The pumping system of claim 1, and further comprising a single housing encasing the pump, the variable speed motor, the user interface, and the controller.

14. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the variable speed motor includes a permanent magnet motor.

15. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the variable speed motor includes a three-phase motor.

16. The pumping system of claim 1, and further comprising an interface with a master controller for receiving the desired filtering level of operation.