Centrifugal pump assembly

Abstract

A centrifugal pump assembly includes an electric motor ( 2 ) driving a centrifugal pump ( 1 ) and includes an electronics casing ( 8 ). In the electronics casing ( 8 ), the control electronics ( 10, 11 ) for the pump and motor are integrated. A device for detecting particles in a fluid fed via a bypass ( 6, 7 ) of a delivery conduit ( 3 ) is also in the electronics casing ( 8 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A centrifugal pump assembly delivering a delivery fluid and with which the delivery fluid is monitored quantitatively and/or qualitatively, the pump assembly comprising:
 at least one electric motor;   at least one electromotorically driven centrifugal pump;   control electronics;   a particle detection device for detecting particles in delivery fluid; and   a fluid feed for feeding delivery fluid to the particle detection device.   
     
     
         2 . A centrifugal pump assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a delivery path of the pump wherein:
 a fluid bypass is connected to the delivery path of the pump;   the fluid feed is a part of the bypass; and   the particle detection device is integrated into the fluid bypass.   
     
     
         3 . A centrifugal pump assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the particle detection device at an exit side comprises a conduit for a connection onto a discharge comprising a waste water conduit, or a capture container. 
     
     
         4 . A centrifugal pump assembly according  claim 3 , further comprising an electrically controllable shut-off valve at the entry side and/or at the exit side of the particle detection device. 
     
     
         5 . A centrifugal pump assembly according  claim 1 , wherein the control electronics are arranged in an electronics casing which accommodates at least parts of the particle detection device and which is fastened on the motor casing and/or pump casing. 
     
     
         6 . A centrifugal pump assembly according  claim 1 , wherein the control electronics are configured to operate the drive of the pump to activate the pump into cavitation, so soon as a number of particles per volume unit of the delivery fluid and/or a type of particles is detected by way of the particle detection device, said number reaching a previously defined value and/or said type corresponding to a previously defined type. 
     
     
         7 . A centrifugal pump assembly according  claim 1 , wherein the control electronics are configured to feed a fluid quantity from a delivery flow to the particle detection device in predefined temporal intervals by way of opening a valve actuation, and activate the particle detection device for detecting particles. 
     
     
         8 . A centrifugal pump assembly according  claim 1 , wherein the particle detection device comprises a sample carrier which is accessible from a casing side and which is arranged in an exchangeable manner. 
     
     
         9 . A centrifugal pump assembly according  claim 1 , wherein at least a mechanical/optical part of the particle detection device is arranged within a casing in an oscillation-damped manner. 
     
     
         10 . A centrifugal pump assembly according  claim 1 , wherein a pressure reduction device is provided at the entry side of the particle detection device. 
     
     
         11 . A centrifugal pump assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the pressure reduction device is deactivated for the purpose of flushing. 
     
     
         12 . A centrifugal pump assembly according  claim 1 , wherein the particle detection device comprises a pump arranged in an electronics casing and is feeds and/or discharges the delivery fluid. 
     
     
         13 . A centrifugal pump assembly according  claim 1 , wherein the particle detection device comprises an irradiation appliance for the fluid which irradiation appliance is located in the particle detection device or is led out of the particle detection device, said irradiation appliance being arranged in the electronics casing. 
     
     
         14 . A centrifugal pump assembly according  claim 1 , wherein the control electronics comprises control and evaluation electronics of the particle detection device as well as control electronics of the pump including speed controller electronics. 
     
     
         15 . A centrifugal pump assembly according  claim 14 , wherein the control electronics further comprise a data storing device of the evaluation electronics as well as a transmission device for a wired and/or wireless transmission of data of the evaluation electronics and/or of stored data. 
     
     
         16 . A method for activating a speed-controllable centrifugal pump assembly, for delivering drinking water, with which the delivery fluid is monitored quantitatively and/or qualitatively, with regard to the particles including bacteria, which are located therein, the method comprising:
 providing the centrifugal pump assembly, wherein the centrifugal pump assembly comprises at least one electric motor, at least one electromotorically driven centrifugal pump, control electronics, a particle detection device for detecting particles in delivery fluid and a fluid feed for feeding delivery fluid to the particle detection device; and   effecting activation of the speed in dependence on a type and/or number of the detected particles.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the pump is temporarily activated with an increased speed on reaching a number of particles per volume unit of the delivery fluid and/or on detecting a predefined type of particles. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the pump is activated to produce cavitation on reaching a number of particles per volume unit of the delivery fluid and/or on detecting a predefined type of particles.