Transportable fluid pipeline system and control
AssigneeDRS Sustainment Systems, Inc.
InventorsErika Boeing, Matthew Wootton, Chris Nissman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Rapidly deployable and reconfigurable fluid pumping systems may include a central controller communicatively coupled with one or more local pumping stations connected with a fluid pipeline. The local pumping stations may include at least one pump, and a local controller in communication with the central controller configured to monitor each device of the local pumping station. The local controllers may also provide individual control of each device within the local pumping station.
Claims7
A method of operating a local pumping station including at least one pump within a fluid pumping system with a local controller communicatively coupled with the local pumping station, the method comprising:
- receiving an instruction from a remotely located central controller to provide a desired output state for the at least one pump;
- and
- determining with the local controller one or more operational characteristics to be modulated to produce the desired output state for the pump, wherein the determining comprises:
- determining a required input power for the pump to produce the desired output state of the pump;
- and
- instructing a plurality of engines located as part of the local pumping station, to provide the required input power for the pump, wherein the instructing comprises:
- determining a fuel efficient setpoint for each of the plurality of engines that in combination provides the required input power for the pump, wherein fuel efficient is defined as a minimum fuel consumption to maintain the desired output state for the pump;
- and
- instructing the plurality of engines to operate at the determined fuel efficient setpoints.
A method of operating a local pumping station including at least one pump within a fluid pumping system with a local controller communicatively coupled with the local pumping station, the method comprising:
- receiving an instruction from a remotely located central controller to provide a desired output state for the at least one pump;
- and
- determining with the local controller one or more operational characteristics to be modulated to produce the desired output state for the pump, wherein the determining comprises:
- determining a required input power for the pump to produce the desired output state of the pump;
- and
- instructing at least one engine and energy storage devices, located as part of the local pumping station, to provide the required input power for the pump, wherein the instructing comprises:
- determining available output from the energy storage device;
- determining a fuel efficient setpoint for the at least one engine that provides an amount of output power from the engine below the required input power for the pump, wherein fuel efficient is defined as a minimum fuel consumption to maintain the desired output state for the pump;
- determining that the available output power from the energy storage device provides at least the difference between the amount of output power from the engine and the required input power for the pump;
- instructing the engine to operate at the determined fuel efficient setpoint;
- and
- instructing the energy storage device to provide make-up power to achieve the required input power for the pump.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.