Priming Protection

• US 20160061204A1
• Filed: 10/07/2015
• Published: 03/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Danfoss Power Electronics A/S (Danfoss A/S), Pentair Water Pool And Spa Incorporated (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Original Assignee: Danfoss Power Electronics A/S (Danfoss A/S), Pentair Water Pool And Spa Incorporated (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Inventors: Stiles, Robert W. Jr., Berthelsen, Lars Hoffmann, Kjaer, Gert, Lungeanu, Florin
• Granted Patent: US 10,731,655 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/02 Stopping, starting, unloading or idling control
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/065 and making use of computers
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/20 by changing the driving speed
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 1/00 Radial-flow pumps, e.g. centrifugal pumps; Helico-centrifugal pumps adapted for pumping specific fluids F04D7/00; priming or boosting F04D9/00
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 13/06 the pump being electrically driven
• 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 15/0088 Testing machines
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0245 responsive to a condition of the pump
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 9/02 Self-priming pumps

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller receives input of a performance value that is determined utilizing information from operation of the motor and compares the performance value to a reference value. The controller also is configured to prime and run the pump when the performance value equals the first reference value and to continue to do so until the performance value equals a second reference value. Alternatively, the controller receives user input of an amount of time the system can take to attempt to successfully prime the pump and is configured to operate the motor at maximum speed until the amount of time elapses.

Claims

1. A pumping system for at least one aquatic application, the pumping system comprising:

a pump;

a motor coupled to the pump; and

a controller in communication with the motor,

the controller configured to receive input of a performance value that is determined utilizing information from operation of the motor,

the controller configured to compare the performance value to a first reference value, and

the controller configured to prime and run the pump when the performance value equals the first reference value and to continue to do so until the performance value equals a second reference value.

2. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the performance value directly or indirectly measures power consumption.

3. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the performance value measures a characteristic of the motor.

4. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the performance value is a temperature.

5. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the motor is a variable speed motor.

6. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the pump is a centrifugal pump.

7. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a variable speed drive.

8. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the controller is disposed in a housing separate from the pump and the motor.

9. The pumping system of claim 8, wherein the housing for the controller is removably coupled to a top portion of the housing for the motor.

10. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the controller receives input from a user interface.

11. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to provide a visual or audible indication of a dry run condition.

12. A pumping system for at least one aquatic application, the pumping system comprising:

a pump;

a motor coupled to the pump; and

a controller in communication with the motor,

the controller configured to receive user input of an amount of time the system can take to attempt to successfully prime the pump, and

the controller configured to operate the motor at maximum speed until the amount of time elapses.

13. The pumping system of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to stop operating the motor at maximum speed before the amount of time elapses if the pump becomes primed.

14. The pumping system of claim 12, wherein the pumping system further includes a auto-restart feature that is adapted to permit the pumping system to automatically restart in the event the pump has been shut down due to an unsuccessful priming condition.

15. The pumping system of claim 12, wherein the motor is a permanent magnet motor.

16. The pumping system of claim 12, wherein the amount of time the system can take to attempt to successfully prime the pump is 5 minutes.

17. The pumping system of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to stop operating the motor if the system remains in an unprimed status for a time exceeding the amount of time.

18. The pumping system of claim 17, wherein the housing for the controller is removably coupled to a housing for the motor.

19. The pumping system of claim 18, wherein the motor is operated at a speed that is retrieved from user input into the controller.

20. The pumping system of claim 12, wherein the system is configured to provide a visual or audible indication of a dry run condition.