Pumping system with two way communication

Abstract

A pumping system including a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, an automation system, and a pump controller located remotely from the automation system. The pump controller is coupled to at least one pump and the motor, and the pump controller is in digital communication with the motor, the automation system, and at least one auxiliary device. The pump controller transmits data to, and receives data from, the automation system and at least one auxiliary device over at least one communication link and operates the motor based on information entered into the automation system and received from the automation system. The pump controller selectively alters an operation of the motor based on the information received from one of the automation system or parameters received from the at least one auxiliary device. During a lockout state, the pump controller selects one of ignoring, delaying, or rescheduling a water

1 . A pumping system comprising:
 a pump;   a motor coupled to the pump;   an automation system; and   a pump controller located remotely from the automation system,
 the pump controller coupled to at least one of the pump and the motor, 
 the pump controller in digital communication with the motor, the automation system, and at least one auxiliary device, 
 the pump controller transmitting data to and receiving data from the automation system and the at least one auxiliary device over at least one communication link, 
 the pump controller operating the motor based on information entered into the automation system and received from the automation system, 
   wherein the pump controller selectively alters an operation of the motor based on the information received from one of the automation system or parameters received from the at least one auxiliary device, and   during a lockout state, the pump controller selects one of ignoring, delaying, or rescheduling a water operation requested from one of the automation system or the at least one auxiliary device.   
     
     
         2 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the pump controller alters the operation of the motor based on one or more of parameters received from a sensor arrangement and parameters received from the at least one auxiliary device. 
     
     
         3 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the information entered into the automation system is entered into the automation system via a user interface. 
     
     
         4 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one communication link includes a wireless link. 
     
     
         5 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one communication link includes at least one computer network, the at least one computer network including at least one of a local area network, a wide area network, and the Internet. 
     
     
         6 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one communication link provides at least one of half-duplex and full-duplex communication. 
     
     
         7 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the information received from the automation system includes at least one of flow rate, pressure, motor speed, power consumption, filter loading, chemical levels, water temperature, alarms, operational states, time, energy cost, turnovers per day, and relay or switch positions. 
     
     
         8 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the pump controller operates the motor at a minimum flow rate required to maintain adequate filtration until a higher flow rate is required by a different water operation. 
     
     
         9 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one auxiliary device includes a user interface to reprogram operating parameters. 
     
     
         10 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one auxiliary device includes at least one of a water heating device, a chemical dispersion device, a water dispersion device, a filter, a second pump, a vacuum device, a valve, a switch, a lighting device, a relay, a sensor, a timing device, or a communication panel. 
     
     
         11 . The pumping system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one auxiliary device includes two auxiliary devices and the pump controller determines which of the two auxiliary devices to operate first and for how long. 
     
     
         12 . A pumping system comprising:
 a pump;   a motor coupled to the pump;   a control system including a remote keypad and display; and   a pump controller located remotely from the control system,
 the pump controller coupled to at least one of the pump and the motor, 
 the pump controller in digital communication with the motor and the control system, the pump controller transmitting data to and receiving data from the control system over at least one communication link, 
 the pump controller operating the motor based on information entered into the remote keypad and received from the control system, 
   wherein the pumping system performs a number of turnovers of at least one of a pool and a spa over a specified time period,   wherein an amount of water movement is associated with operation of at least one auxiliary device, and wherein the pumping system considers the amount of water movement in determining whether the number of turnovers over the specified time period is achieved.   
     
     
         13 . The pumping system of  claim 12 , wherein the pump controller is capable of operating the motor without receipt of the information from the control system. 
     
     
         14 . The pumping system of  claim 12 , wherein the pump controller transmits an operational status of the pumping system to the control system. 
     
     
         15 . The pumping system of  claim 12 , wherein the pump controller transmits data to the control system and receives data from the control system based on a serial communication specification. 
     
     
         16 . The pumping system of  claim 12 , wherein the pump controller transmits problem data for at least one component of the pumping system to the control system. 
     
     
         17 . The pumping system of  claim 12 , wherein the pump controller receives service data for at least one component of the pumping system from the control system. 
     
     
         18 . The pumping system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one communication link includes a cable that is at least one of insulated, shielded, water tight, and includes two wires. 
     
     
         19 . A pumping system comprising:
 a pump;   a motor coupled to the pump;   a control system, the control system including a remote keypad and display; and   a pump controller located remotely from the control system,
 the pump controller coupled to at least one of the pump and the motor, 
 the pump controller in digital communication with the motor and the control system, 
 the pump controller transmitting data to and receiving data from the control system over at least one communication link, 
 the pump controller operating the motor based on information entered into the remote keypad and received from the control system, 
   wherein the information received from the control system includes an operational state including at least one of a filtration mode, a vacuum mode, and a heating mode.   
     
     
         20 . The pumping system of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one remote auxiliary device in communication with at least one of the control system and the pump controller,
 wherein the at least one remote auxiliary device includes a heater, wherein the information received from the control system for the heating mode is that the heater is operating or needs to operate, and   wherein the pump controller alters an operation of the motor to provide an increased flow rate necessary for proper operation of the heater.