Variable frequency drive (VFD) controllers with engine failover and systems including the same
AssigneeCattron North America, Inc.
InventorBrett Allen Davis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of variable frequency drive (VFD) controllers with engine fail-over and systems including the same. In exemplary embodiments, a system includes a controller configured to be operable for controlling a VFD that drives a motor (e.g., a three-phase AC motor, etc.), which, in turn, drives (e.g., mechanically spins, etc.) a first pump. The same controller is also configured to be operable for controlling an engine (e.g., a diesel engine, etc.), which, in turn, drives (e.g., mechanically spins, etc.) a second pump. The system is configured to failover from the motor to the engine in response to a VFD communications failure.
Claims22
A system comprising:
- a first pump;
- a second pump;
- a motor configured to be operable for driving the first pump;
- a variable frequency drive (VFD) configured to be operable for controlling a speed of the motor;
- an engine configured to be operable for driving the second pump;
- and
- a controller configured to be operable for controlling the variable frequency drive and for controlling the engine, the controller further configured to monitor VFD communications;
- wherein:
- the variable frequency drive is configured to allow the controller to monitor or access the amount of power being consumed by the motor and the motor's RPM;
- and
- the controller is configured to failover from the motor to the engine when the amount of power consumed by the motor reaches or exceeds a predetermined maximum threshold and the motor's RPM reaches or falls below a predetermined minimum threshold.
A method comprising:
- monitoring, via a controller, communications with a variable frequency drive (VFD), the controller configured to be operable for controlling the variable frequency drive (VFD) and an engine, the variable frequency drive configured to be operable for controlling a speed of a motor operable for driving a first pump, the engine configured to be operable for driving a second pump;
- and
- the controller monitoring or accessing the amount of power being consumed by the motor and the motor's RPM;
- and
- the controller failing over from the motor to the engine when the amount of power consumed by the motor reaches or exceeds a predetermined maximum threshold and the motor's RPM reaches or falls below a predetermined minimum threshold.
A non-transitory computer-readable storage media including executable instructions, such that when executed by at least one processor:
- communications with a variable frequency drive (VFD) are monitored by a controller, the controller configured to be operable for controlling the variable frequency drive (VFD) and an engine, the variable frequency drive configured to be operable for controlling a speed of a motor operable for driving a first pump, the engine configured to be operable for driving a second pump;
- and
- the controller monitors or accesses the amount of power being consumed by the motor and the motor's RPM;
- and
- the controller fails over from the motor to the engine when the amount of power consumed by the motor reaches or exceeds a predetermined maximum threshold and the motor's RPM reaches or falls below a predetermined minimum threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.