Integral sensor and control for dry run and flow fault protection of a pump

Abstract

A pump providing fault protection based on a controller receiving sensed pressure values from a pressure sensor included in a cavity of the pump, so as to be integral with the pump.

1 . A pump system, comprising: 
 a pressure sensor, for providing a signal indicative of a sensed pressure;    a controller, responsive to the signal indicative of a sensed pressure, and also responsive to electrical power, for regulating the electrical power based on at least the sensed pressure; and    a pump unit, having a pumping mechanism and an electrical motor for driving the pumping mechanism, responsive to the regulated electrical power;    wherein the pumping mechanism includes an inlet cavity and an outlet cavity on either side of a pumping structure, and the pressure sensor is disposed in the inlet cavity and/or the outlet of the pumping mechanism and is communicatively coupled to the controller.    
   
   
       2 . A pump system as in  claim 1 , wherein the controller uses one or more control parameters that are monitored for protecting the pump unit from one or more fault conditions, and the controller is programmable to provide a different response for different values or different value trends of the one or more control parameters.  
   
   
       3 . A pump system as in  claim 2 , wherein the one or more control parameters include the sensed pressure.  
   
   
       4 . A pump system as in  claim 2 , wherein the one or more control parameters include the sensed pressure and electrical current for the electric motor.  
   
   
       5 . A pump system, comprising: 
 a pressure sensor, for providing a signal indicative of a sensed pressure;    means, responsive to the signal indicative of a sensed pressure, and also responsive to electrical power, for regulating the electrical power based on at least the sensed pressure; and    a pump unit, having a pumping mechanism and an electrical motor for driving the pumping mechanism, responsive to the regulated electrical power;    wherein the pumping mechanism includes an inlet cavity and an outlet cavity on either side of a pumping structure, and the pressure sensor is disposed in the inlet cavity and/or the outlet of the pumping mechanism and is communicatively coupled to the controller.    
   
   
       6 . A pump system as in  claim 5 , wherein the means for regulating electrical power uses one or more control parameters that are monitored for protecting the pump unit from one or more fault conditions, and is programmable to provide a different response for different values of the one or more control parameters.  
   
   
       7 . A method, comprising: 
 sensing pressure at either an inlet cavity or an outlet of a pumping mechanism of a pump unit having an electrical motor; and    regulating electrical power to the electrical motor based on at least the sensed pressure.    
   
   
       8 . A method as in  claim 7 , further comprising monitoring one or more control parameters and using the monitored values for protecting the pump unit from one or more fault conditions.