Control Device And Pump Apparatus

Abstract

This invention relates to programmable electronic device that prevents wastewater submersible and non-submersible pumps as well as viscous pumps from ragging therefore avoiding pump blockage. In one aspect the invention provides a pump apparatus comprising a pump and a control device for a pump, the pump being a mechanically switched pump such as a direct online/star delta pump and capable of being operated in a forward and a reverse direction, the control device comprising: a monitoring mechanism to monitor the torque of the pump, a control mechanism to control the direction of the pump and being capable of selectively directing the pump to (i) stop, (ii) operate in a reverse and (iii) operate in a forward direction; wherein the control mechanism is adapted to control the pump to do at least one of (a) stop and (b) operate in a reverse direction when the monitoring mechanism detects a pre-determined value in the torque of the pump. The device is programmed to provide anti-ragging functionality whilst providing traditional electrical pump protections. The physical size of the device has been minimised which enables great use and, significantly, retro-fitting of the product.

1 . A pump apparatus comprising a pump and a control device for a pump, the pump being a mechanically switched pump and capable of being operated in a forward and a reverse direction, the control device comprising:
 a monitoring mechanism to monitor the torque of the pump,   a control mechanism to control the direction of the pump and being capable of selectively directing the pump to (i) stop, (ii) operate in a reverse direction, and (iii) operate in a forward direction;   wherein the control mechanism is adapted to control the pump to (a) stop and (b) operate in a reverse direction and direct the pump into a series of reverse and forward cycles of the pump, each forward and reverse stage in the cycle lasting for 1-20 seconds, when the monitoring mechanism detects a pre-determined value in the torque of the pump.   
     
     
         2 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A pump apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control mechanism is adapted to direct the pump into a series of reverse and forward cycles of the pump until a further pre-determined value of pump torque is reached. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A pump apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each forward and reverse stage in the cycle lasts for a time period which may be set and varied by a user. 
     
     
         8 . A pump apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring mechanism measures the output of the pump by measuring the current at which the pump is operating. 
     
     
         9 . A pump apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring mechanism is adapted to monitor the pump torque with regard to potential overloading of the pump. 
     
     
         10 . A pump apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control mechanism is adapted to control the pump or another device in response to an torque breaching a pre-determined level, which is indicative of the pump overloading or being in danger of overloading. 
     
     
         11 . A pump apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control device comprising the components for monitoring the torque of the pump and the components adapted to monitor the potential overloading of the pump are provided on the same device. 
     
     
         12 . A pump apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pump is a viscous material pump such as a wastewater pump. 
     
     
         13 . A pump apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein on start-up, the pump is adapted to proceed through a reverse and forward cycle. 
     
     
         14 . A pump apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pump starts at full power, without a restriction in the power. 
     
     
         15 . A pump apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring mechanism comprises a monitoring means to detect any sudden change in the current supplied to the motor, and the control mechanism is adapted to respond to such an event. 
     
     
         16 . A pump apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , which is less than 50 cm 2 . 
     
     
         17 . A pump apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pump has a power rating of less than 25 kW preferably less than 9 kW. 
     
     
         18 . A pump apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a monitoring mechanism to monitor, directly or indirectly, the thermal stability of the pump, wherein the monitoring mechanism to monitor the torque of the pump and the monitoring mechanism to monitor the thermal stability of the pump are provided on the same device. 
     
     
         19 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A pump apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each forward and reverse stage in the cycle lasts for 3-20 seconds.