Pumping System with Power Optimization

• US 20140363308A1
• Filed: 08/21/2014
• Published: 12/11/2014
• 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: Danfoss Low Power Drives, Pentair Water Pool And Spa Incorporated (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Inventors: Stiles, Robert W. Jr., Berthelsen, Lars Hoffmann, Robol, Ronald B., Yahnker, Christopher, Runarsson, Elnar Kjartan
• Granted Patent: US 9,932,984 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/43
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1245 Recirculating pumps for swimming pool water
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/06 Control using electricity regulating by means of floats actuating electric switches F04B49/04
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/065 and making use of computers
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/20 by changing the driving speed
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 1/00 Radial-flow pumps, e.g. centrifugal pumps; Helico-centrifugal pumps adapted for pumping specific fluids F04D7/00; priming or boosting F04D9/00
• 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 27/004 by varying driving speed

Abstract

The present invention provides a pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool, including a water pump and a variable speed motor. In one example, a target volume amount of water and an operational time period is provided, and the operational time period is altered based upon a volume of water moved. In another example, operation of the motor is altered based upon the volume of water moved. In addition or alternatively, a target flow rate of water to be moved by the water pump is determined based upon the target volume amount and a time period. In addition or alternatively, a plurality of operations are performed on the water, and a total volume of water moved by the pump is determined. In addition or alternatively, an optimized flow rate value is determined based upon power consumption.

Claims

1. A pumping system for at least one aquatic application, the at least one aquatic application including a pool, the pumping system comprising:

a pump;

a motor coupled to the pump; and

a controller in communication with the motor, the controller automatically determining a minimum power consumption value, an optimized flow rate, and an optimized operational time period for a particular volume of at least the pool in order to filter at least the pool.

2. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein the controller uses data plotted on a graph of power consumption per day versus operational time per day to determine the optimized operational time period.

3. The pumping system of claim 2, wherein the controller determines a minimum data point on the graph to determine the optimized operational time period.

4. The pumping system of claim 2, wherein the controller determines a lowest value of a mathematical equation approximating a curve for the particular volume of at least the pool.

5. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the optimized operational time occurs at a time of day when energy costs are lower.

6. The pumping system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the optimized operational time occurs at night.