Water treatment control system

• US 7,319,921 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2002
• Issued: 01/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles Hicks, Fred R. Underwood
• Original Assignee: Charles Hicks, Fred R. Underwood
• Inventors: Hicks, Charles, Underwood, Fred R.
• Primary Examiner(s): VON BUHR, MARIA N
• Application Number:
  US10/153,149
• Publication Number:
  US 20030220717A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,064 Days
• Field of Search: 700/271, 700/275, 700281-285, 210141-143, 251/12, 251/129.01, 251/129.04, 251/129.06, 251/205
• US Class Current: 700/282
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/283 using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/006 comprising a software program or a logic diagram
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/03 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/11 Turbidity
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/40 Liquid flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/42 Liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/16 Regeneration of sorbents, filters
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0641 using a plurality of throttling means G05D7/067 takes precedence

Abstract

A water filter system comprising a control system, communication means, piping, actuators, sensors and valves. The control system utilizes a communication bus for controlling and monitoring water flow through the piping via control of the actuators and valves. The communication bus comprises a two-wire network in a loop configuration coupling the various actuators and valves to the control system. The control system includes a display and programmable control logic for monitoring and controlling the actuators and valves. In one embodiment, the communication bus adheres to a Actuator Sensor-Interface (AS-I) standard. The control system is further coupled to other control systems in a water treatment plant and a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) network.

Claims

1. A water treatment system, comprising:

a control system;

a water treatment filter, including;

a filter bed;

a plurality of valves coupled to the filter, said valves having sensors that communicate states of the valves; and

a plurality of actuators coupled to the plurality of valves, said actuators having an electronic interface;

measurement instrumentation having an electronic interface; and

a communication bus comprising two wires that couple the control system, the sensors, the electronic interface of the plurality of actuators and the measurement instrumentation, forming a communication network, wherein the control system controls and monitors the plurality of valves via the actuators and sensors, and monitors and tests the measurement instrumentation via the communication bus, and the two wires provide both power and communication to the sensors, actuators, and measurement instrumentation.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system includes programmable control logic and a display.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the communication bus adheres to an Actuator Sensor-Interface (AS-I) standard.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the electronic interface of the plurality of actuators adhere to an AS-I standard.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein a human machine interface provides an end user with the ability to change operational parameters for the water treatment system via the human machine interface.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication bus adheres to an Actuator Sensor-Interface (AS-I) standard.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the communication network is configured in a redundant loop communication network.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the control system is further coupled to a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system via a communication link.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the communication link is an IEEE 802.3 link.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of actuators are vane-type actuators.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system controls and monitors the plurality of actuators via the communication bus.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the actuator monitoring comprises monitoring the states of the actuators, the actuator states being a normal, malfunction, energized, or de-energized state.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the wires of the communication bus are unshielded.

14. A method for controlling water flow in a water treatment system, comprising:

providing measurement instrumentation having an electronic interface configured for digital communications over a communication bus;

monitoring and testing the measurement instrumentation via the communication bus;

sending commands to a plurality of valves in the water treatment system via the communication bus, the plurality of valves having a plurality of actuators coupled thereto, the actuators having an electronic interface configured for digital communications over the communication bus, the communication bus comprising two wires that are coupled to the plurality of actuators and the measurement instrumentation, wherein the two wires provide both power and communication to the plurality of actuators and the measurement instrumentation;

changing states of the plurality of valves via the commands; and

changing the water flow by changing the states of the plurality of valves.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the commands and the communication bus adhere to the Actuator Sensor-Interface (AS-I) standard.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the communication bus is configured in a loop configuration.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the states of the plurality of valves are an open state or a close state.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the digital communications include commands to determine whether one of the plurality of valves is faulty.

19. A method of treating water in a water treatment system, comprising:

providing measurement instrumentation having an electronic interface configured for digital communications over a communication bus;

monitoring and testing the measurement instrumentation via the communication bus;

sending commands to a plurality of valves in the water treatment system via the communication bus, the plurality of valves having a plurality of actuators coupled thereto, the actuators having an electronic interface configured for digital communications over the communication bus and the digital communications include commands to determine whether one of the plurality of valves is faulty, the communication bus comprising two wires that are coupled to the plurality of actuators and the measurement instrumentation, wherein the two wires provide both power and communication to the plurality of actuators and the measurement instrumentation, at least one of the plurality of valves allowing water to flow into a filter;

treating the water; and

allowing the water to flow into and out of the filter.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the commands and communication bus adhere to the Actuator Sensor-Interface (AS-I) standard.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

sending second commands to a second plurality of valves in the water treatment system via a communication bus, said second valves direct water into the filter to wash the filter.

22. A method of testing valves in a water treatment system, comprising:

providing measurement instrumentation having an electronic interface configured for digital communications over a communication bus;

sending commands to a plurality of valves in the water treatment system via the communication bus, the plurality of valves having an electronic interface configured for digital communications over the communication bus and the digital communications include commands to determine whether one of the plurality of valves is faulty, the plurality of valves having devices capable of communicating the state of the valve, the communication bus comprising two wires that are coupled to the electronic interface and the measurement instrumentation, wherein the two wires provide both power and communication to the plurality of valves and the measurement instrumentation;

monitoring the operation of the water treatment system via a control system, the control system receiving valve state communication and measurement instrumentation communication via the communication bus;

monitoring and testing the measurement instrumentation via the communication bus;

testing the operation of the plurality of the valves, said testing comprising verifying a proper valve state; and

transmitting test results from the plurality of valves.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the commands and the communication bus adhere to the Actuator Sensor Interface (AS-I) standards.

24. A control system for a water treatment system, the control system comprising:

a programmable logic controller, the programmable logic controller being coupled to a display and a communication bus;

measurement instrumentation having an electronic interface coupled to the communication bus and configured for digital communications over the communication bus; and

a plurality of valves having a plurality of actuators coupled thereto, the actuators having an electronic interface configured for digital communications over the communication bus and the digital communications include commands to determine whether one of the plurality of valves is faulty, the communication bus comprising two wires that are coupled to the plurality of actuators and the measurement instrumentation, wherein the two wires provide both power and communication to the plurality of actuators and the measurement instrumentation, wherein the programmable logic controller monitors and tests the measurement instrumentation via the communication bus and controls and monitors the plurality of actuators in the water treatment system.

25. The control system of claim 24, wherein the communication bus is an Actuator Sensor-Interface (AS-I) bus.

26. The control system of claim 24, wherein the actuators are vane-type actuators.

27. The control system of claim 24, wherein the programmable logic controller monitors a plurality of valve sensors, the valve sensors having the ability to communicate the states of the valves via the communication bus.

28. The control system of claim 24 further comprising a communication bus interface that is coupled to the communication bus and to the programmable logic controller.

29. A water filter system for use in a water treatment plant, comprising:

a control subsystem;

a filter;

measurement instrumentation having an electronic interface;

a plurality of valves coupled to the filter for transport of water through the filter, each valve including an actuator and an electronic interface; and

a bus extending from the control subsystem to the plurality of valves and the measurement instrumentation, the bus comprising two wires that provide both power and communication to the plurality of valves and the measurement instrumentation, and the control subsystem, the measurement instrumentation, and the plurality of valves being configured for digital communications over the bus, wherein upon installation of the system, the control subsystem monitors and controls the opening and closing of the plurality of valves and monitors and tests the measurement instrumentation via the two wires.

30. The water filter system of claim 29, wherein the control subsystem comprises a programmable logic controller and an interface coupling the bus to the programmable logic controller, wherein monitoring of multiple water filter system operating parameters is facilitated.

31. The water filter system of claim 30, wherein one operating parameter is an alarm indicative of whether at least one of the plurality of valves is in its correct position.

32. The water filter system of claim 30, further comprising piping coupled to the plurality of valves, wherein one operating parameter being monitored is a control parameter indicative of flow capacity produced in the piping.

33. The water filter system of claim 30, wherein one operating parameter being monitored is turbidity of the water.

34. The water filter system of claim 30, wherein one operating parameter being monitored is a water level in the filter.

35. The water filter system of claim 30, wherein the programmable logic controller is operable to communicate digital data regarding the operating parameters to the plurality of valves.

36. The water filter system of claim 29, wherein the plurality of valves further comprises a switch in electronic communications with the control subsystem, the switch being operable to turn the valves off and on in response to commands from the control subsystem.

37. A water filter control kit for use in a water treatment system, comprising:

a control system;

a plurality of actuators and electronic interfaces capable of being coupled to a plurality of valves in the water treatment system; and

measurement instrumentation having an electronic interface;

a bus that upon installation of the water filter control kit couples the control system to the plurality of valves and the measurement instrumentation, the bus having two wires that provide both power and communications to the plurality of valves and the measurement instrumentation, and the control system, the measurement instrumentation, and the plurality of valves being configured for digital communications over the bus, wherein upon installation of the kit, the control system monitors and controls the opening and closing of the plurality of valves and monitors and tests the measurement instrumentation via the two wires.

38. The water filter control kit of claim 37, wherein the electronic interfaces and the bus adhere to the Actuator Sensor-Interface (AS-I) standard.

39. The water filter control kit of claim 38, wherein the digital communications include commands to change states of the plurality of valves.

40. The water filter control kit of claim 39, wherein the states of the plurality of valves include an open state, a closed state, or a partially open state.

41. The water filter control kit of claim 38, wherein the actuators are vane-type actuators.

42. The water filter control kit of claim 37, wherein the digital communications include commands to determine whether one of the plurality of valves is faulty.

43. The water filter control kit of claim 37, wherein the control system, actuators and wires have been factory pretested.

44. A method of treating water in a water treatment system, the water treatment system having a water filter control process, comprising:

providing a menu driven control system for controlling each step of the water filter control process, the menu driven control system comprising programmable control logic within a programmable controller, and a display;

providing measurement instrumentation having an electronic interface configured for digital communications over a communication bus;

monitoring and testing the measurement instrumentation via the communication bus;

sending a command to a control device in the water treatment system via the communication bus, the control device being configured for digital communications over the communication bus and the digital communications include commands to determine whether one of the plurality of valves is faulty, the communication bus comprising two wires that are coupled to the control device, the measurement instrumentation and the menu driven control system, forming a communication network, wherein the two wires provide both power and communication to the control device and the measurement instrumentation, the control device allowing water to flow into a filter;

treating the water; and

allowing the water to flow into and out of the filter.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the communication bus adheres to an Actuator Sensor-Interface (AS-I) standard.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the control system is further coupled to a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system via a communication link.

47. The system of claim 44, wherein the communication network is a loop configured communication network.

48. The system of claim 47, further comprising providing a communication link wherein the communication link is an IEEE 802.3 link.

49. A method of providing a water filter control kit for use in a water treatment system, comprising:

providing a control system;

providing measurement instrumentation having an electronic interface;

providing a plurality of actuators and electronic interfaces that are capable of being coupled to a plurality of valves in the water treatment system; and

providing a communication bus that upon installation of the water filter control kit couples the control system to the electronic interfaces of the measurement instrumentation and the actuators of the plurality of valves, the communication bus having two wires that provide both power and communication to the measurement instrumentation and the plurality of valves, wherein the control system, measurement instrumentation, and the plurality of valves are configured to digitally communicate over the communication bus, the digital communication includes commands to determine whether one of the plurality of valves is faulty, and the control system controls the opening and closing of the plurality of valves and monitors and tests the measurement instrumentation via the two wires.

50. The method of claim 49 further comprising retrofitting an existing water treatment system by installing said water filter control kit.

51. A method of providing a water filter control kit for use in a water treatment system, comprising:

providing a control system;

providing a plurality of actuators and electronic interfaces that are capable of being coupled to a plurality of valves in the water treatment system;

providing a communication bus that upon installation of the water filter control kit couples the control system to the plurality of valves, the communication bus having two wires that provide both power and communication to the plurality of valves, wherein the control system and the plurality of valves are configured to digitally communicate over the communication bus, the digital communication includes commands to determine whether one of the plurality of valves is faulty, and the control system controls the opening and closing of the plurality of valves via the two wires;

retrofitting an existing water treatment system by installing said water filter control kit; and

providing measurement instrumentation, the measurement instrumentation having an electronic interface, the communication bus coupling the control system and the measurement instrumentation'"'"'s electronic interface, wherein the control system monitors the instrumentation via the communication bus, and the control system is capable of testing said measurement instrumentation via the communication bus to determine its status.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the communication bus is configured in a loop configuration.