Pump with speed controller responsive to temperature

• US 5,158,436 A
• Filed: 03/12/1991
• Issued: 10/27/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Grundfos International A/S
• Original Assignee: Grundfos International A/S
• Inventors: Knudsen, Ivan, Jensen, Niels D., Pedersen, Bjarne D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bertsch, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHEUERMANN, DAVID W
• Application Number:
  US07/668,033
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 417/45, 417/32
• US Class Current: 417/32
• 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: H02H 7/0833 for electric motors with control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/0852 directly responsive to abnormal temperature by using a temperature sensor in a control circuit H02H7/0833
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/0858 by reversing, cycling or reducing the power supply to the motor

Abstract

The pump unit is provided, in particular for heating and cooling installations. The speed of the pump unit may be altered by changing the operating frequency of a frequency converter feeding the electric motor and which forms a structural unit with the pump unit. As soon as the pump unit has reached a parameter characterizing the thermal overload of the same, the frequency converter is controlled in a manner so as to reduce the speed, the reduced speed n'"'"' being greater or equal to half the normal speed n.

Claims

1. Pump unit, in lar for heating and cooling installations, the speed of which can be altered by changing the operating frequency of a frequency converter feeding the electric motor, and having a device which protects the unit from thermal overload, the pump unit and frequency converter forming a structural unit, characterised in that when a parameter characterising the overload state is reached, the motor speed n is reduced to a motor speed n'"'"' by driving the frequency converter, wherein the relationship n'"'"'≧

0.5 n applies.

2. Pump unit according to claim 1, wherein the parameter characterising the overload state is a limiting temperature.

3. Pump unit according to claim 2, wherein the limiting temperature is determined by means of a highest permissible temperature of a winding in the stator.

4. Pump unit according to claim 3, wherein the temperature of the winding is determined by measuring the electrical winding resistance.

5. Pump unit according to claim 2, wherein the limiting temperature is determined by means of a highest permissible storage temperature for the unit.

6. Pump unit according to claim 2, wherein the limiting temperature is determined by means of a highest permissible temperature in the converter electronic mechanism.

7. Pump unit according to claim 6, wherein the limiting temperature is determined by means of a highest permissible temperature in the power part of the frequency converter.

8. Pump unit according to claim 1, wherein the motor speed is also reduced when a predetermined temperature of the fluid conveyed through the pump is reached.

9. Pump unit according to claim 1, wherein the motor speed is raised again to the speed n when a value is lower than the parameter characterising the overload state, the parameter resulting in an increase in speed when it is reached differing from the parameter resulting in a decrease in speed when it is reached, or a dead time element is provided.