Pump Control

Abstract

A method for configuring a drive to control the operation of a pump in a sewage system is disclosed. The method comprises measuring at least one parameter of the sewage system; using the measurement of the at least on parameter to create an algorithm for the drive to control the operation of the pump; and configuring the drive to use the algorithm to control the operation of the pump.

1 . A method for configuring a drive to control the operation of a pump in a sewage system, the method comprising:
 measuring at least one parameter of the sewage system;   using the measurement of the at least one parameter to create an algorithm for the drive to control the operation of the pump; and   configuring the drive to use the algorithm to control the operation of the pump.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the drive is configured to use the algorithm to determine when to implement a cleaning mode of operation for the pump. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the algorithm is configured to calculate an expected electric current for the drive for a given operating condition of the drive. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the expected electric current is the active current drawn by the pump. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the drive is configured to monitor an actual electric current in use corresponding to the expected electric current and optionally wherein the drive is configured to compare the actual electric current with the expected electric current for the present operating condition of the drive. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein, based on the comparison of the actual electric current with the expected electric current, the drive is configured to determine whether to alter the operation of the pump. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one parameter comprises an output frequency of an alternating current output by the drive. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one parameter comprises a wet well level of a wet well in the sewage system, the wet well being associated with the pump controlled by the drive. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one parameter comprises a number of pumps active in a sewage pumping station in the sewage system, the sewage pumping station comprising a plurality of pumps including the pump controlled by the drive. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one parameter comprises an output frequency of an alternating current output by another drive in a sewage pumping station in the sewage system, the sewage pumping station comprising a plurality of pumps including the pump controlled by the drive. 
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the drive is one of a plurality of drives configured to operate in the sewage system, each of the drives being configured to drive a respective pump of a plurality of pumps in the sewage system. 
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sewage system comprises a sewage pumping station, in which the pump is situated and optionally wherein the sewage pumping station comprises a plurality of pumps, each of the plurality of pumps being operable by a respective drive, and further optionally wherein the drive is configured to communicate with at least one other drive associated with a respective other pump in the same and/or another sewage pumping station. 
     
     
         13 . A method for creating an algorithm for a drive to operate a pump in a sewage system, the method comprising:
 measuring at least one parameter of the sewage system; and   using the measurement of the at least one parameter to create an algorithm for the drive to control the operation of the pump.   
     
     
         14 . A computer-readable medium comprising an algorithm created by the method of  claim 13 . 
     
     
         15 . A drive configured to control the operation of a pump in a sewage system using an algorithm created by a method comprising:
 measuring at least one parameter of the sewage system; and   using the measurement of the at least one parameter to create the algorithm.   
     
     
         16 . A drive configured by the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A drive configured by the method of  claim 13 . 
     
     
         18 . A sewage pumping station comprising at least two pumps controlled by respective drives each according to  claim 15 , wherein the algorithm created for each respective drive is different and optionally wherein the algorithm created for each respective drive is based on a respective operating condition for the respective drive. 
     
     
         19 . A sewage pumping station comprising at least two pumps controlled by respective drives each according to  claim 16 , wherein the algorithm created for each respective drive is different and optionally wherein the algorithm created for each respective drive is based on a respective operating condition for the respective drive. 
     
     
         20 . A sewage pumping station comprising at least two pumps controlled by respective drives each according to  claim 17 , wherein the algorithm created for each respective drive is different and optionally wherein the algorithm created for each respective drive is based on a respective operating condition for the respective drive.