ANTI-ENTRAPMENT AND ANTI-DEAD HEAD FUNCTION

• US 20070183902A1
• Filed: 12/11/2006
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Danfoss Power Electronics A/S (Danfoss A/S), Pentair Water Pool And Spa Incorporated (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Original Assignee: Pentair Water Pool And Spa Incorporated (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Inventors: Stiles, Robert, Lungeanu, Florin, Kjaer, Gert, Westermann-Rasmussen, Peter, Berthelsen, Lars
• Granted Patent: US 8,602,745 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/42
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/20 by changing the driving speed
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 13/06 the pump being electrically driven
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0066 by changing the speed, e.g. of the driving engine
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0077 Safety measures F04D15/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0088 Testing machines
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0254 the condition being speed or load
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2270/335 Output power or torque

Abstract

A pumping system includes a water pump for moving water. The pumping system includes means for determining a value indicative of a blockage that inhibits the movement of water through the pumping system, and means for determining a performance value of the pumping system. In one example, the pumping system includes means for comparing the performance value to the value indicative of a blockage and means for controlling the pump in response to the comparison. In another example, the system includes means for determining a change in power consumption of the water pump. In another example, the system includes means for determining a threshold value and means for controlling the pump when the performance value exceeds the threshold value. In another example, the system includes means for determining a difference value based upon a plurality of performance valves during a first time period and a second time period. A method of controlling the pumping system is also included.

Claims

1. A pumping system for moving water of an aquatic application, the pumping system including:

a water pump for moving water in connection with performance of an operation upon the water;

a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump;

means for determining a value indicative of a blockage that inhibits the movement of water through the pumping system;

means for determining a performance value of the pumping system;

means for comparing the performance value to the value indicative of a blockage; and

means for controlling the motor in response to the comparison between the performance value and the value indicative of a blockage.

2. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the performance value includes at least one of the group of power consumed by the motor, flow rate of water moved by the water pump, flow pressure of the water moved by the water pump, and speed of the motor.

3. The pumping system of claim 2, wherein the determination of the performance value is based upon a measurement of electrical current and electrical voltage provided to the motor.

4. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the value indicative of a blockage includes a threshold value, and wherein the means for controlling the motor is configured to stop the motor when the performance value exceeds the threshold value.

5. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the means for controlling the motor is configured to stop the motor in response to the comparison between the performance value and the value indicative of a blockage.

6. The pumping system of claim 5, wherein the pumping system further includes means for restarting the motor.

7. The pumping system of claim 6, wherein the means for restarting the motor is configured to inhibit the motor from restarting after a predetermined number of occurrences of the motor being stopped by the means for controlling.

8. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the value indicative of a blockage is based upon an input value that is input by a user.

9. A pumping system for moving water of an aquatic application, the pumping system including:

a water pump for moving water, wherein the water pump is adapted to consume power;

means for determining a change in power consumption of the water pump;

means for determining a blockage that inhibits the movement of water through the pumping system, wherein the determination of a blockage is based at least in part upon the change in power consumption; and

means for controlling operation of the pump to perform an operation upon the water, wherein the means for controlling is configured to alter operation of the pump in response to a determination of a blockage.

10. The pumping system of claim 9, wherein the means for controlling the motor is configured to stop the pump in response to a determination of a blockage.

11. The pumping system of claim 10, wherein the pumping system further includes means for restarting the pump.

12. The pumping system of claim 9, further comprising a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump.

13. The pumping system of claim 12, wherein the determination of the change in power consumption is based upon a measurement of electrical current and electrical voltage provided to the motor.

14. The pumping system of claim 9, wherein the means for controlling the pump is configured to interact with a second means for controlling the pump and to alter operation of the pump based upon the interaction with the second means for controlling the pump.

15. The pumping system of claim 9, wherein the means for determining a blockage is further based upon an input value that is input from a user.

16. A pumping system for moving water of an aquatic application, the pumping system including:

a water pump for moving water in connection with performance of an operation upon the water;

a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump;

means for determining a threshold value indicative of a blockage that inhibits the movement of water through the pumping system;

means for monitoring a performance value of the pumping system; and

means for controlling the motor, wherein the means for controlling is configured to alter operation of the motor when the performance value exceeds the threshold value.

17. The pumping system of claim 16, wherein the performance value includes at least one of the group of power consumed by the motor, flow rate of water moved by the water pump, flow pressure of the water moved by the water pump, speed of the motor, and a count value.

18. The pumping system of claim 17, further comprising a means for counting a parameter associated with a comparison of a second performance value and a second threshold value indicative of a blockage.

19. The pumping system of claim 18, wherein the second performance value is based upon a measurement of electrical current and electrical voltage provided to the motor.

20. The pumping system of claim 18, wherein the first performance value is a count value, and wherein the means for counting is configured to alter the count value based upon the comparison of the second performance value and the second value threshold value indicative of a blockage.

21. The pumping system of claim 16, wherein the means for controlling the motor is configured to stop the motor when the performance value exceeds the threshold value.

22. The pumping system of claim 16, wherein the pumping system further includes means for restarting the motor.

23. The pumping system of claim 16, wherein the threshold value indicative of a blockage is based upon an input vale that is input by a user.

24. A pumping system for moving water of an aquatic application, the pumping system including:

a water pump for moving water in connection with performance of an operation upon the water;

a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump;

means for determining a value indicative of a blockage that inhibits the movement of water through the pumping system;

means for determining a performance value of the pumping system during a first time period and a second time period;

means for determining a difference value based upon the difference between the performance valves of the first and second time periods;

means for comparing the difference value and the value indicative of a blockage; and

means for controlling the motor in response to the comparison between the difference value and the value indicative of a blockage.

25. The pumping system of claim 24, wherein the performance value includes at least one of the group of power consumed by the motor, flow rate of water moved by the water pump, flow pressure of the water moved by the water pump, and speed of the motor.

26. The pumping system of claim 25, wherein the determination of the difference value is based upon a measurement of electrical current and electrical voltage provided to the motor.

27. The pumping system of claim 24, wherein the means for controlling the motor is configured to stop the motor in response to the comparison between the difference value and the value indicative of a blockage.

28. The pumping system of claim 24, wherein the pumping system further includes means for restarting the motor.

29. A pumping system for moving water of a pool or spa used by a pool or spa user, the pumping system including:

a water pump for moving water in connection with performance of an operation upon the pool or spa water;

an inlet for movement of water from the pool or spa to the pump;

a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump;

means for determining a value that is indicative of a blockage caused by an entrapment of the user at the inlet that inhibits the movement of water through the pumping system;

means for determining a performance value of the pumping system;

means for comparing the performance value to the value indicative of a blockage; and

means for controlling the motor in response to the comparison between the performance value and the value indicative of a blockage to cause cessation of motor operation.

30. A method of controlling a pumping system for moving water of an aquatic application, the pumping system including a water pump for moving water in connection with performance of an operation upon the water and a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump, the method comprising the steps of:

determining a value indicative of a blockage that inhibits the movement of water through the pumping system;

determining a performance value of the pumping system;

comparing the performance value to the value indicative of a blockage; and

controlling the motor in response to the comparison between the performance value and the value indicative of a blockage.

31. The pumping system of claim 30, wherein the performance value includes at least one of the group of power consumed by the motor, flow rate of water moved by the water pump, flow pressure of the water moved by the water pump, and speed of the motor.

32. The pumping system of claim 31, wherein step of determining the performance value further includes the step of measuring electrical current and electrical voltage provided to the motor.

33. The pumping system of claim 30, wherein the value indicative of a blockage includes a threshold value, the step of controlling the motor further includes the step of stopping operation of the motor when the performance value exceeds the threshold value.

34. The pumping system of claim 30, wherein the value indicative of a blockage is based upon an input value that is input by a user.