Method for controlling a pump connected to a pump network

Abstract

A method for controlling a pump in connection with first activation of the individual pump following a connection of the individual pump to a power supply. The pump is configured to be connected to a Pump Network including a plurality of pumps. When connecting the individual pump to the power supply, the method includes causing the individual pump to remain deactivated, determining a value of at least one Operational parameter (OP) of the individual pump, determining a Reference input value (RIV) based on the determined value of the at least one Operational parameter (OP), utilizing the determined Reference input value (RIV) in a Random pause time function (RF) and obtaining a random Activation pause time (APT) as an output from the Random pause time function (RF), and permitting activation of the individual pump after the Activation pause time (APT) has elapsed.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for controlling a pump during a first activation of the pump following a connection of the pump to a power supply, said pump being configured to be connected to a Pump Network comprising a plurality of pumps, said method comprising:
 connecting the pump to the power supply, while causing the pump to remain deactivated,   determining a value of at least one Operational parameter (OP) of the pump,   determining a Reference input value (RIV) based on the determined value of said at least one Operational parameter (OP),   utilizing the determined Reference input value (RIV) in a Random pause time function (RF),   obtaining a random Activation pause time (APT) as an output from said Random pause time function (RF), said output of the Random pause time function (RF) being within a predetermined range delimited by a minimum pause time and a maximum pause time, and   permitting activation of the pump after said Activation pause time (APT) has elapsed.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of activating the pump when both said Activation pause time (APT) has elapsed and a Pump start sensor has been triggered. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of activating the pump when both said Activation pause time (APT) has elapsed and a predetermined Pump start time interval (PSI) has elapsed. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the output of the Random pause time function (RF) has uniform distribution between said minimum pause time and said maximum pause time. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said Reference input value (RIV) is based on at least one digit of the determined value of said at least one Operational parameter (OP). 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein said Reference input value (RIV) is based on at least one decimal digit of the determined value of said at least one Operational parameter (OP). 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the value of said at least one Operational parameter (OP) is constituted by a supply voltage level of the pump during the determination of the value of said at least one Operational parameter (OP) of the pump. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the value of said at least one Operational parameter (OP) is constituted by a temperature level of the pump during the determination of the value of said at least one Operational parameter (OP) of the pump. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said Reference input value (RIV) is based on a determined value of a first Operational parameter (OP) and on a determined value of a second Operational parameter (OP). 
     
     
         25 . A pump configured to be connected to the Pump Network comprising the plurality of pumps, wherein the pump comprises means adapted to execute the steps of the method according to  claim 16 . 
     
     
         26 . The pump according to  claim 25 , wherein the pump is operatively connected to a separate control unit. 
     
     
         27 . A Pump Network comprising the plurality of pumps, wherein each pump is configured according to  claim 25 . 
     
     
         28 . The Pump Network according to  claim 27 , wherein each pump of said plurality of pumps is operatively connected to a common control unit. 
     
     
         29 . The Pump Network according to  claim 27 , wherein each pump of said plurality of pumps is fluidly connected to a common main sewer pipe. 
     
     
         30 . A computer program product comprising instructions to cause the pump to execute the steps of the method according to  claim 16 .