Method and apparatus for controlling a pump
AssigneeLiquid Metronics Incorporated
InventorsEnrique L. Kilayko, Liam Ryan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control for a pump detects an operational characteristic thereof and applies power to a power unit in dependence upon the detected operational characteristic to automatically and electronically control pump priming and stroke length.
Claims47
A control for a metering pump having a movable pump element, the movable pump element being movable over a stroke length which is controllably variable in response to electrical power applied to a power unit, comprising:
- a sensor for detecting the velocity of the movable pump element;
- and
- a circuit responsive to the sensor and modulating electrical power applied to the power unit in dependence upon the detected velocity of the movable pump element to automatically prime the pump.
A control for a metering pump having a movable pump element, the movable pump element being movable over a stroke length which is controllably variable in response to electrical power applied to a solenoid, comprising:
- a position sensor for detecting a position of the pump element;
- and
- a driver circuit responsive to the sensor and modulating electrical power applied to the solenoid in dependence upon the position of the pump element to automatically prime the pump;
- wherein the pump element is alternately movable in suction and discharge strokes and wherein the circuit includes means for increasing power applied to the power unit during a suction stroke when a detected pump element velocity is greater than a certain magnitude and means for reapplying power to the power unit during a subsequent discharge stroke to prime the pump.
A method of automatically priming a pump having a coil and an armature movable within a range of positions, wherein the armature is movable in suction and discharge strokes, the method comprising the steps of:
- detecting the position of the armature;
- increasing electrical power applied to the coil during a suction stroke of the armature when the detected armature velocity is greater than a certain magnitude;
- and
- reapplying power to the coil during a subsequent discharge stroke to prime the pump.
A control for a metering pump having a movable pump element alternately movable in suction and discharge strokes, the movable pump element being movable over a stroke length which is controllably variable in response to electrical power applied to a power unit, comprising:
- a sensor for detecting an operational characteristic of the pump;
- and
- a circuit responsive to the sensor and modulating electrical power applied to the power unit in dependence upon the detected operational characteristic of the pump element causing an increase in the stroke length to prime the pump.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.