Control Algorithm of Variable Speed Pumping System

Abstract

A pumping system for a pool or spa application that pumps water. The pumping system comprising a means for moving water through the pool or spa application, a means for driving the means for moving water, and a means for controlling the means for driving. The means for controlling monitors a current flow rate based on an input power to the means for driving, monitors whether the current flow rate is above a priming flow value in order to identify whether the means for moving water has become initially primed, and indicates a priming alarm if the means for moving water has not become initially primed before reaching a maximum priming time allotment, wherein the maximum priming time allotment is a fixed time period.

1 . A pumping system for a pool or spa application that pumps water, the pumping system comprising:
 a means for moving water through the pool or spa;   a means for driving the means for moving water, the means for driving being coupled to the means for moving water; and   a means for controlling the means for driving,
 the means for controlling monitoring a current flow rate based on an input power to the means for driving, 
 the means for controlling, monitoring whether the current flow rate is above a priming flow value in order to identify whether the means for moving water has become initially primed, and 
 the means for controlling indicating a priming alarm if the means for moving water has not become initially primed before reaching a maximum priming time allotment, wherein the maximum priming time allotment is a fixed time period. 
   
     
     
         2 . The pumping system of  claim 1  wherein the means for controlling monitors the current flow rate based on the input power to the means for driving without input from a flow rate sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The pumping system of  claim 1  wherein the means for moving water, the means for driving, and the means for controlling are coupled together in a single pump unit. 
     
     
         4 . The pumping system of  claim 1  wherein the means for controlling further identifies whether the means for moving water has lost prime after the means for moving water has become initially primed before reaching the maximum priming time allotment, the means for controlling obtaining a hardware input including at least one of input power and motor speed, the means for controlling calculating shaft power based on the hardware input, the means for controlling identifying if the means for moving water is no longer primed based on the shaft power, the means for controlling indicating a priming dry alarm if the shaft power is at least approaching zero for at least about ten seconds. 
     
     
         5 . The pumping system of  claim 1  wherein the maximum priming time allotment is a time period between activating the means for driving and a fixed time period when the means for moving water is intended to be primed. 
     
     
         6 . A pumping system for a pool or spa application that pumps water, the pumping system comprising:
 a moving means that moves water through the pool or spa;   a driving means coupled to the moving means; and   a controlling means in communication with the driving means,
 the controlling means performing a first operation in which the controlling means identifies that the moving means is initially primed, including:
 the controlling means monitoring a current flow rate based on an input power to the driving means, 
 the controlling means monitoring whether the current flow rate is above a priming flow value in order to identify whether the moving means has become initially primed, 
 the controlling means indicating a priming alarm if the moving means has not become initially primed before reaching a maximum priming time allotment, and 
 
 the controlling means performing a second operation including:
 the controlling means determining a priming status, and the controlling means generating a priming dry alarm subsequent to the first operation in which the controlling means determines that the moving means is initially primed. 
 
   
     
     
         7 . The pumping system of  claim 6  and further comprising a filtering means. 
     
     
         8 . The pumping system of  claim 7  wherein the filtering means includes a means for filtering coarse material, 
     
     
         9 . The pumping system of  claim 7  wherein the filtering means includes a means for straining fine material. 
     
     
         10 . The pumping system of  claim 7  wherein the controlling means further monitors a status of the filtering means. 
     
     
         11 . The pumping system of  claim 10  wherein, after the moving means is initially primed, the controlling means controls the driving means according to one of flow rate and pressure based on the status of the means for filtering. 
     
     
         12 . The pumping system of  claim 7  and further comprising a means for sensing a condition of the means for filtering. 
     
     
         13 . The pumping system of  claim 6  wherein the driving means is a three-phase motor. 
     
     
         14 . The pumping system of  claim 6  wherein the driving means is a permanent magnet motor. 
     
     
         15 . The pumping system of  claim 6  wherein, after the moving, means is initially primed, the controlling means repeatedly adjusts a speed of the driving means to maintain a constant flow of water through the pool or spa application. 
     
     
         16 . The pumping system of  claim 6  wherein the moving means is configured to be coupling to a cleaning means. 
     
     
         17 . The pumping system of  claim 16  wherein the cleaning means is configured to move manually through the pool or spa application. 
     
     
         18 . The pumping system of  claim 16  wherein the cleaning means is configured to move automatically through the pool or spa application. 
     
     
         19 . The pumping system of  claim 6  and further comprising a sensing means. 
     
     
         20 . The pumping system of  claim 19  wherein the sensing means includes a means for sensing the current flow rate. 
     
     
         21 . The pumping system of  claim 19  wherein the sensing means includes a means for sensing a current pressure. 
     
     
         22 . The pumping system of  claim 6  wherein controlling means obtains the maximum priming time allotment from a filter menu.