Method and apparatus of detecting low flow/cavitation in a centrifugal pump
First Claim
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1. A motor controller for a pump, the controller configured to:
- acquire voltage and current signals from at least one voltage sensor and at least one current sensor of a motor starter;
determine a power signal in the motor starer from the voltage and current signals;
perform a spectrum analysis on the power signal;
compare the analyzed power signal to a base signal; and
from the comparison, determine at least one of low flow and cavitation in the pump.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a centrifugal pump wherein voltage and current data are detected from voltage and current sensors in the pump motor. A power signal is then generated from the voltage and current data and spectrally analyzed to determine the low flow or cavitation in the pump. As such, unwanted operational conditions resulting from improper pump operation may be detected and a warning or maintenance flag provided without additional transducers and other instruments on the motor or pump.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A motor controller for a pump, the controller configured to:
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acquire voltage and current signals from at least one voltage sensor and at least one current sensor of a motor starter;
determine a power signal in the motor starer from the voltage and current signals;
perform a spectrum analysis on the power signal;
compare the analyzed power signal to a base signal; and
from the comparison, determine at least one of low flow and cavitation in the pump. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program to determine improper operation of a pump and representing a set of instructions that when executed by a processor causes the processor to:
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determine a real-time power signal of power in a pump motor assembly;
perform a spectrum analysis on the real-tine power signal over several time cycles and generate a real-time signal frequency spectrum therefrom;
compare the real-time frequency spectrum to a baseline frequency spectrum;
determine differences between the baseline frequency spectrum and the real-time frequency spectrum in a frequency range of interest; and
if the differences exceed a threshold, output a notification signal. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of monitoring proper operation of a centrifugal pump comprising the steps of:
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generating a baseline frequency spectrum of a pump known to be operating properly;
generating a real-time frequency spectrum of the pump in operation from a power signal derived from voltage and current signals acquired from sensors in a motor of the pump;
comparing the real-time frequency spectrum and the baseline frequency spectrum and determining any undesirable pump operating condition therefrom; and
signaling presence of the undesirable pump operating condition. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification