DC pump control system

• US 6,366,053 B1
• Filed: 03/01/2000
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc. (Emecole Metro, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc. (Emecole Metro, LLC)
• Inventors: Belehradek, Anton
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US09/516,569
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 320/103, 320/104, 320/127, 320/128, 320/134, 320/135, 320/139, 320/141
• US Class Current: 320/128
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 13/068 Battery powered
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 for DC powered loads

Abstract

A processor controlled DC pump system charges back-up batteries using utility supplied AC power. In the absence of AC the batteries energize a DC load. When AC is restored, the processor regulates total output current to charge the batteries and energize the load without exceeding the maximum allowable total output current.

Claims

1. A control system comprising:

an input port for a first type of electrical energy having a periodically varying parameter;

a conversion circuit, coupled to the port for conversion of the first type to a second type of electrical energy with a non-periodically varying corresponding, first parameter;

an output port coupled to the circuit;

a programmed control unit, coupled to the circuit which includes executable instructions for monitoring the first and second types of electrical energy and for adjusting the circuit so as to maintain at least one different parameter of a second type below a predetermined maximum value.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein the first parameter comprises a voltage and the different parameter comprises an output current wherein the control unit, in response to a demand for output current which exceeds a predetermined maximum value, adjusts the conversion circuit to limit output current to that maximum.

3. A system as in claim 2 wherein the conversion circuit includes a switching power supply and wherein the control unit adjusts a switching parameter thereof to limit the output current.

4. A system as in claim 1 which includes a battery coupled to the output port and wherein the control unit includes instructions for monitoring battery voltage and for adjusting the conversion circuit to maintain a predetermined level of energy stored by the battery.

5. A system as in claim 4 which includes a load to be intermittently energized by at least one of the battery and the conversion circuit.

6. A system as in claim 5 wherein the different parameter corresponds to an output current and the control unit includes instructions for responding to an output over current condition, due to current demand from at least the battery, by adjusting the conversion circuit to limit the output current to the maximum value.

7. A system as in claim 6 wherein the instructions also respond to a simultaneous demand for current to drive the load.

8. A system as in claim 1 which includes a battery coupled to the output port.

9. A system as in claim 8 which includes a sensor of output current from the output port.

10. A system as in claim 9 which includes a non-battery, load current sensor.

11. A pump system couplable to a back-up battery comprising:

a pump having a DC drive motor;

a control element;

an AC/DC power conversion circuit coupled to the control element; and

,

a sensor of current output from the conversion circuit wherein the output current charges the battery only until it exhibits a predetermined charging condition and the output current drives the motor of the pump and charges the battery up to a not-to-be exceeded predetermined value.

12. A system as in claim 11 wherein the control element alters a parameter of the conversion circuit in response to sensing an output current that exceeds the predetermined value.

13. A system as in claim 12 wherein the conversion circuit includes at least one transformer.

14. A system as in claim 13 wherein the conversion circuit includes at least one switched transformer.

15. A system as in claim 13 which includes a switched output voltage regulator.

16. A system as in claim 12 wherein the control unit includes a programmed processor and executable instructions for limiting output current.

17. A system as in claim 16 wherein the instructions alter a switching parameter of the conversion circuit.

18. A pump system for use with a DC-type pump comprising:

an input port for a first type of electrical energy having a periodically varying parameter;

a conversion circuit, coupled to the port for conversion of the first type to a second type of electrical energy with a non-periodically varying corresponding, first parameter;

an output port coupled to the circuit wherein the output port can be coupled to the pump;

a programmed control unit, coupled to the circuit which includes executable instructions for monitoring the first and second types of electrical energy and for adjusting the circuit so as to maintain at least one different parameter of a second type below a predetermined maximum value.

19. A system as in claim 18 wherein the first parameter comprises a voltage and the different parameter comprises an output current wherein the control unit, in response to a demand for output current which exceeds a predetermined maximum value, adjusts the conversion circuit to limit output current to that maximum.

20. A system as in claim 19 wherein the conversion circuit includes a switching power supply and wherein the control unit adjusts a switching parameter thereof to limit the output current.

21. A system as in claim 18 which includes a battery coupled to the output port and wherein the control unit includes instructions for monitoring battery voltage and for adjusting the conversion circuit to maintain a predetermined level of energy stored by the battery.

22. A system as in claim 21 which includes a DC-type pump to be intermittently energized by at least one of the battery and the conversion circuit.

23. A system as in claim 22 wherein the different parameter corresponds to an output current and the control unit includes instructions for responding to an output over current condition, due to current demand from at least the battery, by adjusting the conversion circuit to limit the output current to the maximum value.

24. A system as in claim 23 wherein the instructions also respond to a simultaneous demand for current to drive the pump.

25. A system as in claim 22 which includes a sensor of output current from the output port.

26. A system as in claim 25 which includes a non-battery, load current sensor.