Method of adjusting vacuum performance

Abstract

A method of operating a vacuum device includes operating the vacuum device. Voltage is provided to a turbine of the vacuum device to spin a rotary element of the turbine. A flow of air is drawn through a portion of the vacuum device in response to spinning the rotary element of the turbine. A pressure difference between a first location inside the vacuum device and a second location inside the vacuum device. The first location is disposed upstream relative to a direction of the flow of air from the turbine. The first location is also disposed downstream relative to the direction of the flow of air from a filter element of the vacuum device. An amount of voltage across the turbine is adjusted in response to the measured pressure difference. A performance characteristic of the turbine is monitored.

1 . A method of operating a vacuum device, the method comprising:
 operating the vacuum device, wherein operating the vacuum device comprises:
 providing voltage across a turbine of the vacuum device to spin a rotary element of the turbine; and 
 drawing a flow of air through a portion of the vacuum device in response to spinning the rotary element of the turbine; 
   measuring, with a sensor, a pressure difference between a first location inside the vacuum device and a second location inside the vacuum device, wherein the first location is disposed upstream relative to a direction of the flow of air from the turbine, wherein the first location is disposed downstream relative to the direction of the flow of air from a filter element of the vacuum device;   adjusting, with a controller, an amount of voltage across the turbine in response to the measured pressure difference; and   monitoring a performance characteristic of the turbine.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein monitoring the performance characteristic of the turbine comprises analyzing the performance characteristic of the turbine. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the performance characteristic of the turbine comprises a flow rate of the flow of air, wherein analyzing the performance characteristic comprises determining whether a ratio of the measured pressure difference to the flow rate of the flow of air is within a predetermined range. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined range of the ratio of the measured pressure difference to the flow rate of the flow of air is from 0.18 to 5. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein measuring the pressure difference between the first location in the vacuum device and the second location in the vacuum device comprises:
 detecting a variation in the measured pressure difference that is greater than a predetermined amount of variation of pressure difference; and   adjusting, with a filter of the controller, a value of the variation in the measured pressure difference due to an occurrence of turbulence in the flow of air at the first location.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising decreasing a value of the measured pressure difference that is greater than a first threshold value, increasing a value of the measured pressure difference that is less than the first threshold value, or a combination thereof in response to a detected variation in the measured pressure difference that is greater than the predetermined amount of variation of pressure difference. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein monitoring the performance characteristic of the turbine comprises:
 detecting turbulence in the flow of air at the first location; and   altering, with an algorithm, the measured pressure difference.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a pressure at the second location is approximately equal to an ambient pressure outside of the vacuum device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second location is fluidly isolated from an ambient environment external to the vacuum device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising passing the flow of air through the filter element before measuring the pressure difference between the first location in the vacuum device and the second location in the vacuum device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the performance characteristic of the turbine comprises a flow rate of the flow of air, wherein the method further comprises:
 detecting the flow rate of the flow of air;   determining, with the controller, if the flow rate of the flow of air is below a predetermined value; and   providing a notification that the flow rate of the flow of air is less than the predetermined value.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the performance characteristic of the turbine comprises a flow rate of the flow of air, wherein the method further comprises:
 detecting the flow rate of the flow of air;   determining, with the controller, if the flow rate of the flow of air is below a predetermined value; and   increasing an amount of voltage across the turbine in response to the flow rate of the flow of air being less than the predetermined value.   
     
     
         13 . A method of assembling a vacuum device with a housing, the method comprising:
 mounting a turbine within the vacuum device, the turbine with an inlet and an outlet, wherein the turbine defines a downstream direction from the inlet of the turbine to the outlet of the turbine, wherein the turbine is configured to draw a flow of air through a portion of the vacuum device;   positioning a filter element in fluid communication with and upstream from the turbine;   disposing a sensor inside of the vacuum device, wherein the sensory is configured to sense a pressure difference between a first location inside of the vacuum device and a second location within the vacuum device, wherein the first location is disposed upstream relative to a direction of the flow of air from the turbine, wherein the first location is disposed downstream relative to the direction of the flow of air from the filter element; and   fluidly connecting the sensor to the first location disposed between the filter element and the turbine.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein fluidly connecting the sensor to the first location comprises positioning the sensor in a portion of the vacuum device that is fluidly isolated from an ambient environment external to the vacuum device. 
     
     
         15 . A vacuum device comprising:
 a turbine configured to draw a flow of air through a portion of the vacuum device;   a filter element disposed upstream from and in fluid communication with the turbine;   a housing defining a chamber therein, wherein the chamber is disposed upstream from and in fluid communication with the filter element;   a sensor disposed inside of the vacuum device to sense a pressure of the flow of air at a first location between the filter element and the turbine; wherein the sensor is configured to measure a pressure difference between the first location inside the vacuum device and a second location inside the vacuum device; and   a controller electrically connected to the turbine, wherein the controller is configured to adjust an amount of electrical power supplied to the turbine in response to a measured pressure difference.   
     
     
         16 . The vacuum device of  claim 15 , wherein the sensor is disposed in a portion of the vacuum device that is fluidly isolated from an ambient environment external to the vacuum device.