Remote pumping station monitoring method

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for managing a pumping station. Two or more pumping station profiles can be associated with a remote pumping station. The profiles can include one or more parameters related to the pumping station. One or more conditions relating to the pumping station can be measured and can cause the running of a first pumping station profile. A second pumping station profile can be run in response to the completion of the first pumping station profile.

The claims defining the invention are as follows: 
     
         1 . A method for managing a pumping station, the method including the steps of:
 associating two or more pumping station profiles with the pumping station, the pumping station profiles including a plurality of parameters relating to the pumping station;   measuring at least one operational and/or other condition related to the pumping station;   running a first of the two or more pumping station profiles in response to a measurement of the at least one operational and/or other condition related to the pumping station; and   automatically running a second of the two or more pumping station profiles in response to the completion of the first of the two or more pumping station profiles.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the method further includes the step of requesting, using a computational device, at least one of the two or more pumping station profiles from the pumping station. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the method further includes the step of receiving, with the computation device, the at least one of the two or more pumping station profiles. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the two or more pumping station profiles are set up and stored remotely from the pumping station. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the parameters include one or more of the mode of operation of the pumping station, the number of pumps of the pumping station, the number of pumps in the pumping station that may operate simultaneously, the activation set point of each pump, the deactivation set point of each pump, detectable faults for each pump, level alarms based on levels measured by each level sensor, pressure, the disabling of alarms under certain conditions, the number of wells of the pumping station, the rate of change of fluid levels within the pumping station, pump stop/start delays, minimum and maximum pump run times, partial or complete lock out/disablement of keypad or touch screen for maintenance, pump lock out, variable frequency drive control to determine minimum and maximum pump speeds, and detectable faults for the pumping station. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one operational condition is selected from the fluid level in the pumping station, the fluid level in the individual wells, the rate of change of fluid level in the pumping station, the rate of change of fluid level in individual wells, the number of pumps operating in the pumping station, the number of wells operating in the pumping station, pump speed, valve opening percentage and the used and unused capacities of the pumping station. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one other condition is selected from temperature, atmospheric pressure, rainfall and other climatic conditions such as wind speed, other precipitation the time, calendar events, power outages, maintenance and emergency conditions. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the profiles include one or more outputs that result in the actuation of a portion of the pumping station. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the method further includes the step of updating, using a computation device, at least one of the pumping station profiles. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 9  wherein updating at least one of the pumping station profiles involves previewing, using the computational device, a number of possible pumping station profiles and selecting one of the possible pumping station profiles. 
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the method includes the management of a plurality of pumping stations, the plurality of pumping stations being interconnected so as to form a network. 
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the completion of the second of the two or more pumping station profiles results in the running of a third pumping station profile. 
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a sequence of pumping station profiles run is based on measured changes in the operation and/or other conditions experienced in the pumping station. 
     
     
         14 . A method for managing a pumping station, the method including the steps of:
 associating one or more pumping station profiles with the pumping station, the pumping station profiles including a plurality of parameters relating to the pumping station;   measuring at least one operational condition within the pumping station;   running a first of the one or more pumping station profiles in response to a measurement of the at least one operational condition within the pumping station; and   automatically running a variation of the first of the one or more pumping station profiles in response to the completion of at least a portion of the one or more pumping station profiles.