Controller for a motor and a method of controlling the motor

• US 8,360,736 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2010
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Regal Beloit Epc Inc. (Regal Rexnord Corp.)
• Inventors: Branecky, Brian Thomas, Mehlhorn, William Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): Kramer, Devon
• Assistant Examiner(s): LETTMAN, BRYAN MATTHEW
• Application Number:
  US12/751,275
• Publication Number:
  US 20100232981A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 417/44.11, 417/12, 417/22, 417/42, 417/326, 388/934, 318/461
• US Class Current: 417/12
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/00 Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or systems
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0055 Rotors with adjustable blades
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0066 by changing the speed, e.g. of the driving engine
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0236 Lack of liquid level being detected by analysing the parameters of the electric drive, e.g. current or power consumption

Abstract

A method of controlling a motor operating a pumping apparatus of a system includes determining a trip value for a parameter, floating the trip value, and monitoring the operation of the pump. Monitoring the operation of the pump includes determining a value for the parameter, comparing the value to the trip value, and determining whether the comparison indicates a condition of the pump. The method of controlling the motor also includes controlling the motor to operate the pump based on the condition of the pump.

Claims

1. A pumping apparatus for a jetted-fluid system comprising a vessel for holding a fluid, a drain, and a return, the pumping apparatus being connectable to a power source and comprising:

a pump comprising an inlet connectable to the drain, and an outlet connectable to the return, the pump adapted to receive the fluid from the drain and jet fluid through the return;

a motor, the motor having a first speed and a second speed, coupled to the pump to operate the pump; and

a controller supported by the motor, the controller being configured to at least control the motor, the controller including a timer function and

a first mode, wherein the controller controls the motor based on a direct interaction of a user,

a second mode, wherein the controller receives indications of a speed of the motor and one or more time periods related to the speed of the motor, and

a third mode, wherein the controller controls the motor based on the received indications of the second mode.

2. The pumping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller includes an operator interface and is configured to operate the motor in the second mode received through the operator interface, and wherein, in the third mode, the timer function includes preprogrammed time periods for the controller to automatically control the motor.

3. The pumping apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to automatically control the motor to operate the pump between at least an ON state and an OFF state based upon the third mode and the preprogrammed time periods.

4. The pumping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller includes an operator interface and is configured to receive the indications through the operator interface in the second mode, and wherein, in the third mode, the timer function is configured to control the motor to operate the pump based on the indications received from the operator interface.

5. The pumping apparatus of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to control the motor to inhibit operation of the pump until the user provides the indications through the operator interface of the controller.

6. The pumping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller includes an operator interface including a switch configured to operate the controller between the modes of operation, wherein the timer function is related to the third mode.

7. The pumping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller further includes a thermal sensor for monitoring the temperature of the controller.

8. The pumping apparatus of claim 7, wherein the control of the motor is further based on the monitored temperature.

9. A jetted-fluid system comprising:

a vessel for holding fluid;

a drain;

a return; and

a pumping apparatus, including

a pump comprising an inlet connectable to the drain, and an outlet connectable to the return, the pump adapted to receive the fluid from the drain and jet fluid through the return,

a motor, the motor having a first speed and a second speed, coupled to the pump to operate the pump; and

a controller supported by the motor, the controller being configured to at least control the motor, the controller including a timer function and

a first mode, wherein the controller controls the motor based on a direct interaction of a user,

a second mode, wherein the controller receives indications of a speed of the motor and one or more time periods related to the speed of the motor, and

a third mode, wherein the controller controls the motor based on the received indications of the second mode.

10. The jetted-fluid system of claim 9, wherein the controller includes an operator interface and is configured to operate the motor in the second mode received through the operator interface, and wherein, in the third mode, the timer function includes preprogrammed time periods for the controller to automatically control the motor.

11. The jetted-fluid system of claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured to automatically control the motor to operate the pump between at least an ON state and an OFF state based upon the third mode and the preprogrammed time periods.

12. The jetted-fluid system of claim 9, wherein the controller includes an operator interface and is configured to receive the indications through the operator interface in the second mode, and wherein, in the third mode, the timer function is configured to control the motor to operate the pump based on the indications received from the operator interface.

13. The jetted fluid system of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to control the motor to inhibit operation of the pump until the user provides the indications through the operator interface of the controller.

14. The jetted-fluid system of claim 9, wherein the controller includes an operator interface including a switch configured to operate the controller between the modes of operation, wherein the timer function is related to the third mode.

15. The jetted-fluid system of claim 9, wherein the controller further includes a thermal sensor for monitoring the temperature of the controller.

16. The jetted-fluid system of claim 15, wherein the control of the motor is further based on the monitored temperature.