Control algorithm of variable speed pumping system

Abstract

A pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, a filter coupled to the pump, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller is configured to make a sensorless determination of a current value of a water flow rate based on an input power to the motor, drive the motor speed to maintain the water flow rate at a first constant value during a first time period, and drive the motor speed to maintain the water flow rate at a second constant value during a second time period.

1 . A pumping system for at least one aquatic application, the pumping system comprising:
 a pump;   a motor coupled to the pump;   a filter coupled to the pump; and   a controller in communication with the motor, the controller configured to:
 make a sensorless determination of a current value of a water flow rate based on an input power to the motor, 
 drive the motor speed to maintain the water flow rate at a first constant value during a first time period, and 
 drive the motor speed to maintain the water flow rate at a second constant value during a second time period. 
   
     
     
         2 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the input power is provided via a hardware input in the form of one of current or voltage. 
     
     
         3 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to retrieve the first constant value and the second constant value from a filter menu. 
     
     
         4 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the first time period comprises a start time and a stop time, the start time and the stop time retrieved from a filter menu. 
     
     
         5 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the second time period is a sub-period within the first time period. 
     
     
         6 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to drive the motor speed to maintain the water flow rate at a third constant value during a third time period. 
     
     
         7 . The pumping system of  claim 6 , wherein the controller is further configured to drive the motor speed to maintain the water flow rate at a fourth constant value during a fourth time period. 
     
     
         8 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller makes a sensorless determination of a current value of a water pressure in the pumping system. 
     
     
         9 . The pumping system of  claim 8 , wherein the controller retrieves a pressure level threshold parameter from a filter menu. 
     
     
         10 . The pumping system of  claim 9 , wherein the controller operates to reduce the water pressure in the pumping system when the current value of the water pressure in the pumping system exceeds the pressure level threshold parameter. 
     
     
         11 . The pumping system of  claim 9 , wherein the controller drives the motor to maintain the water pressure at a constant pressure value when the current value of the water pressure in the pumping system exceeds the pressure level threshold parameter. 
     
     
         12 . A pumping system for a pool or spa application that pumps water, the pumping system comprising:
 a pump that pumps water through the pool or spa;   a motor coupled to the pump; and   a controller in communication with the motor, the controller being configured to:
 determine a first flow rate value through the pumping system based on a first input power to the motor, 
 determine whether the first flow rate value is below a priming flow value, 
 increase a current speed of the motor if the first flow rate value is below the priming flow value, 
 determine a second flow rate value through the pumping system based on a second input power to the motor if the first flow rate value is below the priming flow value, and 
 display a priming alarm if the pumping system has not become initially primed before reaching a maximum priming time allotment, wherein the maximum priming time allotment is a fixed time period retrieved from a filter menu. 
   
     
     
         13 . The pumping system of  claim 12 , wherein the controller stops the motor if the pumping system has not become initially primed before reaching the maximum priming time allotment. 
     
     
         14 . The pumping system of  claim 12 , wherein when the first flow rate value is substantially equal to the priming flow value, the controller is configured to make a sensorless determination of a third flow rate through the pumping system based on a third input power to the motor and drive the motor speed to maintain the third flow rate at a first constant value during a first time period. 
     
     
         15 . The pumping system of  claim 12 , wherein when the second flow rate value is substantially equal to the priming flow value, the controller is configured to make a sensorless determination of a third flow rate through the pumping system based on a third input power to the motor and drive the motor speed to maintain the third flow rate at a first constant value during a first time period. 
     
     
         16 . The pumping system of  claim 12 , wherein the priming flow value is retrieved from the filter menu. 
     
     
         17 . A pumping system for at least one aquatic application, the pumping system comprising:
 a pump;   a variable speed motor coupled to the pump; and   a controller in communication with the variable speed motor, the controller configured to:
 initiate a cleaning sequence mode during which the controller makes a sensorless determination of a current value of a water flow rate based on an input power to the motor, the controller driving the motor speed to maintain the water flow rate at a first constant value during a first time period, and 
 receive an input for a manual run mode and initiate the manual run mode during which the controller deviates from the cleaning sequence mode to maintain the water flow rate at a second constant value for an amount of time. 
   
     
     
         18 . The pumping system of  claim 17 , wherein the cleaning sequence mode and the manual run mode are configured via a filter menu. 
     
     
         19 . The pumping system of  claim 17 , wherein the first time period comprises a start time and a stop time, the start time and the stop time retrieved from a filter menu, and
 the amount of time that the controller maintains the water flow rate at the second constant value is retrieved from a filter menu.   
     
     
         20 . The pumping system of  claim 17 , wherein the controller is configured to operate the pump to perform a second water operation, and the cleaning sequence mode is altered in response to the pump performing the second water operation.