Advanced frequency variable pump speed controller and method of operating
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- receiving at a variable speed controller a power supply voltage having a first frequency, wherein the variable speed controller is associated with a fluid pump motor that is operable to pump fluid into a basin through a fluid jet;
receiving at a controller interface associated with the variable speed controller a first selection of a first button;
after receiving at the controller interface associated with the variable speed controller the first selection of the first button, determining by the variable speed controller whether a fluid level sensor is present, wherein the fluid level sensor is operable to sense fluid level associated with the basin and the fluid pump motor;
after determining by the variable speed controller that the fluid level sensor is present, determining whether a fluid level associated with the basin and the fluid pump motor is equal to or greater than a predetermined level that is sufficient to operate the fluid pump motor;
after determining that the fluid level associated with the basin and the fluid pump motor is equal to or greater than the predetermined level, starting the fluid pump motor at a first speed such that fluid jet emits the fluid at a first fluid pressure;
after starting the fluid pump motor at the first speed such that fluid jet emits the fluid at the first fluid pressure, receiving at the controller interface associated with the variable speed controller a selection of a second button that is different than the first button;
after receiving at the controller interface associated with the variable speed controller the selection of the second button, converting by the variable speed controller the first frequency of the power supply voltage to a second frequency such that the fluid pump motor operates at a second speed and the fluid jet emits the fluid at a second fluid pressure, wherein the second frequency is different from the first frequency, wherein the second speed is different from the first speed, wherein the second fluid pressure is different from the first fluid pressure;
after converting by the variable speed controller the first frequency of the power supply voltage to the second frequency, receiving at the controller interface associated with the variable speed controller a selection of a third button that is different than the first and second buttons;
after receiving at the controller interface associated with the variable speed controller the selection of the third button, converting by the variable speed controller the second frequency of the power supply voltage to a third frequency such that the fluid pump motor operates at a third speed and the fluid jet emits the fluid at a third fluid pressure, wherein the third frequency is different from the first and second frequencies, wherein the third speed is different from the first and second speeds, wherein the third fluid pressure is different from the first and second fluid pressures; and
after converting by the variable speed controller the second frequency of the power supply voltage to the third frequency, receiving at the controller interface associated with the variable speed controller a second selection of the first button such that variable speed control shuts down operation of the fluid pump motor in response to the second selection of the first button.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is an apparatus and method of varying power output and decrease noise generation of spa pumps by powering them with a variable frequency power device, digital signals capable of controlling cascaded pumps using ganged controls, and to decrease safety concerns of spas using an integrated water level and motion detectors.
3 Citations
8 Claims
-
1. A method comprising:
-
receiving at a variable speed controller a power supply voltage having a first frequency, wherein the variable speed controller is associated with a fluid pump motor that is operable to pump fluid into a basin through a fluid jet; receiving at a controller interface associated with the variable speed controller a first selection of a first button; after receiving at the controller interface associated with the variable speed controller the first selection of the first button, determining by the variable speed controller whether a fluid level sensor is present, wherein the fluid level sensor is operable to sense fluid level associated with the basin and the fluid pump motor; after determining by the variable speed controller that the fluid level sensor is present, determining whether a fluid level associated with the basin and the fluid pump motor is equal to or greater than a predetermined level that is sufficient to operate the fluid pump motor; after determining that the fluid level associated with the basin and the fluid pump motor is equal to or greater than the predetermined level, starting the fluid pump motor at a first speed such that fluid jet emits the fluid at a first fluid pressure; after starting the fluid pump motor at the first speed such that fluid jet emits the fluid at the first fluid pressure, receiving at the controller interface associated with the variable speed controller a selection of a second button that is different than the first button; after receiving at the controller interface associated with the variable speed controller the selection of the second button, converting by the variable speed controller the first frequency of the power supply voltage to a second frequency such that the fluid pump motor operates at a second speed and the fluid jet emits the fluid at a second fluid pressure, wherein the second frequency is different from the first frequency, wherein the second speed is different from the first speed, wherein the second fluid pressure is different from the first fluid pressure; after converting by the variable speed controller the first frequency of the power supply voltage to the second frequency, receiving at the controller interface associated with the variable speed controller a selection of a third button that is different than the first and second buttons; after receiving at the controller interface associated with the variable speed controller the selection of the third button, converting by the variable speed controller the second frequency of the power supply voltage to a third frequency such that the fluid pump motor operates at a third speed and the fluid jet emits the fluid at a third fluid pressure, wherein the third frequency is different from the first and second frequencies, wherein the third speed is different from the first and second speeds, wherein the third fluid pressure is different from the first and second fluid pressures; and after converting by the variable speed controller the second frequency of the power supply voltage to the third frequency, receiving at the controller interface associated with the variable speed controller a second selection of the first button such that variable speed control shuts down operation of the fluid pump motor in response to the second selection of the first button. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
Specification