Dual speed motor controller and method for operation thereof

Abstract

A dual speed pump controller includes a motor controller for operating a dual speed motor. The controller includes an operating speed circuit for operating the motor in one of a first speed or a second speed, the first speed being greater than the second speed; an event circuit for operating the motor at the first speed before a predetermined event and operating the pump at the second speed after the predetermined event.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A motor controller for operating a dual speed motor, comprising:
 an operating speed circuit for operating the motor in one of a first speed or a second speed, the first speed being greater than the second speed;   an event circuit for operating the motor at the first speed before a predetermined event and operating the pump at the second speed after the predetermined event.   
     
     
         2 . The motor controller of  claim 1 , wherein the event circuit is a timing circuit for operating the motor at the first speed for a predetermined period of time and after the expiration of the predetermined period of time operating the motor at the second speed. 
     
     
         3 . The motor controller of  claim 2 , wherein the motor is connected to a pump to operate the pump at either the first speed or the second speed. 
     
     
         4 . The motor controller of  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined time is set to a time period to permit the pump to undergo priming. 
     
     
         5 . The motor controller of  claim 3 , further comprising a pressure sensor to monitor the pressure at an output of the pump and connected to the controller, wherein the event circuit is a pressure sensor circuit for operating the motor at the first speed until an output pressure of the pump reaches a threshold pressure and operating the motor at the second speed after the output pressure of the pump reaches the threshold pressure. 
     
     
         6 . The motor controller of  claim 5 , wherein the threshold pressure is set to a pressure indicating the pump has completed a priming process. 
     
     
         7 . The motor controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a bypass circuit to operate the motor at a manually selected speed and bypass the event circuit operation. 
     
     
         8 . The motor controller of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one light indicator to indicate the operating speed of the motor. 
     
     
         9 . A method for operating a motor connected to a pump and a controller, comprising the steps of:
 operating the motor by the controller at a first speed for a predetermined amount of time; and   after the expiration of the predetermined amount of time, switching by the controller the speed of the motor to a second speed,   wherein the first speed is greater than the second speed.   
     
     
         10 . The method for operating a motor of  claim 9 , wherein the predetermined time is set to a time period to permit the pump to undergo priming. 
     
     
         11 . The method for operating a motor of  claim 9 , further comprising manually selecting the speed at which to operate the motor and bypassing the automatic controller speed selection. 
     
     
         12 . The method for operating a motor of  claim 11 , further comprising indicating by at least one light indicator the operating speed of the motor. 
     
     
         13 . A method for operating a motor connected to a pump and a controller, comprising the steps of:
 operating by the controller the pump at a first speed;   receiving at the controller pressure data from a pressure sensor indicating an output pressure of the pump;   if the output pressure is below a predetermined pressure, continuing the operation of the pump at first speed; and   if the output pressure is above a predetermined pressure, operating the pump at second speed,   wherein the first speed is greater than the second speed.   
     
     
         14 . The method for operating a pump of  claim 13 , wherein the threshold pressure is set to a pressure indicating the pump has completed a priming process. 
     
     
         15 . The method for operating a pump of  claim 13 , further comprising manually selecting the speed at which to operate the motor and bypassing the automatic controller speed selection. 
     
     
         16 . The method for operating a pump of  claim 13 , further comprising indicating by at least one light indicator the operating speed of the motor.