Automated pumping system and methods

Abstract

A system for controlling a pump can include a fluid level sensor, a fuel level sensor, one or more oil pressure sensors, a pump fluid sensor, and a pump controller. The pump controller can provide speed instructions to a pump having an engine control unit, an engine, and a volute. The pump controller can include a user interface that includes a display and may also include a transceiver that is operatively engaged to a remote user device through a computer network. A method of controlling a pump can include characterizing the operation of the pump, performing a safety check of the pump, determining a level of a fluid in a tank, and providing the speed instructions to the pump.

1 . A pump controller for controlling a pump, said pump comprising an engine and an engine controller, said pump controller comprising:
 a) a processor;   b) a memory device for storing processor instructions;   c) a user interface;   d) a pump interface for communication with said engine controller; and   e) a fluid level sensor interface for communication with a fluid level sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The pump controller of  claim 1 , wherein said user interface comprises a touchscreen. 
     
     
         3 . The pump controller of  claim 1 , wherein said user interface consists of one of the group consisting of at least one button, at least one switch, at least one light, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The pump controller of  claim 1 , wherein said user interface comprises:
 a) a transceiver operatively engaged to a computer network; and   b) a remote user device operatively engaged to said computer network.   
     
     
         5 . The pump controller of  claim 4 , wherein said transceiver comprises an antenna. 
     
     
         6 . The pump controller of  claim 1 , wherein said engine controller is an electronic engine controller. 
     
     
         7 . The pump controller of  claim 6 , wherein said pump controller is adapted to, through said pump interface, provide instructions to said engine controller. 
     
     
         8 . The pump controller of  claim 6 , wherein said pump controller is adapted to receive, from said engine controller through said pump interface, engine data. 
     
     
         9 . The pump controller of  claim 1 , wherein said engine controller comprises a motor and an armature for engaging with a throttle of said engine. 
     
     
         10 . The pump controller of  claim 1 , wherein said pump controller is adapted to receive, from said fluid level sensor through said fluid sensor interface, an indication of the level of a fluid in a fluid tank. 
     
     
         11 . The pump controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump fluid sensor interface for communication with a pump fluid sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The pump controller of  claim 11 , wherein said pump controller is adapted to receive, from said pump fluid sensor through said pump fluid sensor interface, an indication of the pressure of a fluid in said pump. 
     
     
         13 . The pump controller of  claim 12 , said pump further comprising a volute, wherein said fluid pressure sensor is engaged to a fluid inlet of a volute of said pump. 
     
     
         14 . The pump controller of  claim 12 , said pump further comprising a volute, wherein said fluid pressure sensor is engaged to a fluid outlet of a volute of said pump. 
     
     
         15 . The pump controller of  claim 11 , wherein said pump controller is adapted to receive, from said pump fluid sensor through said pump fluid sensor interface, an indication of the rate of flow of said fluid in said pump. 
     
     
         16 . The pump controller of  claim 15 , said pump further comprising a volute, wherein said fluid pressure sensor is engaged to said volute of said pump. 
     
     
         17 . The pump controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a fuel sensor interface for communication with a fuel level sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The pump controller of  claim 17 , wherein said pump controller is adapted to receive, from said fuel level sensor through said fuel sensor interface, an indication of the level of fuel in a fuel tank. 
     
     
         19 . The pump controller of  claim 1 , further comprising an oil pressure sensor interface for communication with an oil pressure sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The pump controller of  claim 19 , wherein said pump controller is adapted to receive, from said oil pressure sensor through said oil pressure sensor interface, an indication of the pressure of oil in an oil line. 
     
     
         21 - 49 . (canceled)