Transportable fluid pipeline system and control

• US 9,435,325 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2013
• Issued: 09/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc (Leonardo S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc (Leonardo S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Boeing, Erika, Wootton, Matthew, Nissman, Chris
• Primary Examiner(s): Fennema, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): STEVENS, THOMAS H
• Application Number:
  US13/932,293
• Publication Number:
  US 20150005954A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,163 Days
• Field of Search: 700/282, 700/284, 700/29, 700/108, 700/109, 700/174, 700/182, 137/565.11, 137/624.11, 137/605
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 17/00 Pumps characterised by combination with, or adaptation to, specific driving engines or motors
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 17/03 driven by electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 17/05 driven by internal-combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/02 Stopping, starting, unloading or idling control
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/06 Control using electricity regulating by means of floats actuating electric switches F04B49/04
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/20 by changing the driving speed
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25312 Pneumatic, hydraulic modules, controlled valves

Abstract

Rapidly deployable and reconfigurable fluid pumping systems may include a central controller communicatively coupled with one or more local pumping stations connected with a fluid pipeline. The local pumping stations may include at least one pump, and a local controller in communication with the central controller configured to monitor each device of the local pumping station. The local controllers may also provide individual control of each device within the local pumping station.

Claims

1. A method of operating a local pumping station including at least one pump within a fluid pumping system with a local controller communicatively coupled with the local pumping station, the method comprising:

receiving an instruction from a remotely located central controller to provide a desired output state for the at least one pump; and

determining with the local controller one or more operational characteristics to be modulated to produce the desired output state for the pump, wherein the determining comprises;

determining a required input power for the pump to produce the desired output state of the pump; and

instructing a plurality of engines located as part of the local pumping station, to provide the required input power for the pump, wherein the instructing comprises;

determining a fuel efficient setpoint for each of the plurality of engines that in combination provides the required input power for the pump, wherein fuel efficient is defined as a minimum fuel consumption to maintain the desired output state for the pump; and

instructing the plurality of engines to operate at the determined fuel efficient setpoints.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of engines includes at least two differently sized engines.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the local pumping station further comprises an energy storage device, and wherein the instructing comprises:

determining available output from the energy storage device;

determining a fuel efficient setpoint for the at least one engine that provides an amount of output power from the engine below the required input power for the pump;

determining that the available output power from the energy storage device provides at least the difference between the amount of output power from the engine and the required input power for the pump;

instructing the engine to operate at the determined fuel efficient setpoint; and

instructing the energy storage device to provide make-up power to achieve the required input power for the pump.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, during operation, local pumping station characteristics of the pump at a series of predetermined times;

comparing, by the local controller, the local pumping station characteristics from each subsequent time in the series of predetermined times with the local pumping station characteristics from a previous predetermined time of the series to determine if a station event has occurred, wherein the station event includes a change in one or more of the pumping characteristics beyond a threshold range; and

sending at least one set of the local pumping station characteristics to the remotely located central controller at predetermined time intervals as well as immediately upon the determination of the occurrence of a station event.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the local pumping station characteristics include at least one of input flow rate to the pump, output flow rate from the pump, input power to the pump, input fluid pressure to the pump, and output fluid pressure from the pump.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising receiving an instruction from the central controller to provide additional local pumping station characteristics to the central controller.

7. A method of operating a local pumping station including at least one pump within a fluid pumping system with a local controller communicatively coupled with the local pumping station, the method comprising:

receiving an instruction from a remotely located central controller to provide a desired output state for the at least one pump; and

determining with the local controller one or more operational characteristics to be modulated to produce the desired output state for the pump, wherein the determining comprises;

determining a required input power for the pump to produce the desired output state of the pump; and

instructing at least one engine and energy storage devices, located as part of the local pumping station, to provide the required input power for the pump, wherein the instructing comprises;

determining available output from the energy storage device;

determining a fuel efficient setpoint for the at least one engine that provides an amount of output power from the engine below the required input power for the pump, wherein fuel efficient is defined as a minimum fuel consumption to maintain the desired output state for the pump;

determining that the available output power from the energy storage device provides at least the difference between the amount of output power from the engine and the required input power for the pump;

instructing the engine to operate at the determined fuel efficient setpoint; and

instructing the energy storage device to provide make-up power to achieve the required input power for the pump.