Pump control apparatus, system and method
AssigneeSTAK Enterprises, Inc.
InventorStephen M. Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus, system and method for more accurately monitoring and determining pump failure. The apparatus and system include at least a power circuit, a current sensing circuit, alarm circuit and a controller. The controller is connectable to and receives an input from the current sensing circuit. The controller is configured to calculate a baseline operating current, current thresholds and operating conditions affecting the operation of the pump. The alarm circuit is connectable to and receives outputs from the controller, and provides alarm indications corresponding to operating conditions determined by the controller.
Claims13
A pump control apparatus, comprising:
- a power circuit connectable to and controlling power to a pump;
- a current sensing circuit for monitoring current flowing at the pump;
- a controller connectable to and receiving at least one input from the current sensing circuit wherein the at least one input includes a rectified current waveform and is derived from sensed current data and does not depend on voltage data, and determining from the at least one input a baseline operating current and a plurality of operating conditions affecting an operation of the pump, wherein the baseline operating current is calculated from an area under the rectified current waveform;
- and
- an alarm circuit connectable to and receiving at least one output from the controller, the alarm circuit providing a plurality of alarm indications corresponding to the plurality of operating conditions determined by the controller.
A pump control system, comprising:
- a power supply connectable to and providing primary power to a pump;
- and
- a pump controller, the controller comprising:
- a power circuit for regulating a connection between the power supply and the pump;
- a current sensing circuit for monitoring current flowing to the pump;
- a central controller connectable to and receiving an input from the current sensing circuit wherein the input includes a rectified current waveform and is derived from sensed current data and does not depend on voltage data, and determining from the input a baseline operating current and a plurality of operating conditions affecting an operation of the pump, wherein the baseline operating current is calculated from an area under the rectified current waveform;
- and
- an alarm circuit connectable to and receiving at least one output from the central controller and providing a plurality of alarm indications corresponding to the plurality of operating conditions determined by the central controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.