Remote command and control pump system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to water transfer control systems, and more particularly, to apparatuses and systems for centralized monitoring and control of multiple mobile pump control units located at remote pump sites.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A mobile pump control unit comprising:
 a chassis, the chassis housing:   mechanical plumbing, including at least one pump inlet manifold in fluid communication with a suction port, and at least one pump outlet manifold in fluid communication with a discharge port and recirculation port, wherein the at least one pump inlet manifold is adapted to connect to an inlet of a pump disposed at a pump site, to receive an inlet flow of water via the suction port, and the at least one pump outlet manifold is adapted to connect to an outlet of the pump to receive a flow of water discharged from the pump;   a plurality of valves disposed within the mechanical plumbing to direct the flow of water from the at least one pump outlet manifold to the discharge port and the recirculation port;   a plurality of sensors disposed within the mechanical plumbing to measure characteristics of water flowing through the mechanical plumbing;   a control unit configured to independently control the plurality of valves and the plurality of sensors, the control unit further comprising an interface to enable connection to a control panel of the pump at the pump site; and   communications circuitry coupled to the control unit and configured to communicate with a mobile command center and with other mobile pump control units in a geographic area,   wherein the mobile pump control unit may receive commands from the mobile command center for controlling the plurality of valves and the pump at the pump site and may send information concerning the pump and the water flowing through the mechanical plumbing of the mobile pump control unit to the mobile command center or other mobile pump control units.   
     
     
         2 . The mobile pump control unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of valves includes a recirculation valve and a discharge valve, wherein the discharge valve directs the flow of water to the discharge port and the recirculation valve directs the flow of water to the recirculation port. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile pump control unit of  claim 2 , wherein the recirculation valve and the discharge valve are modulating valves that the control unit may independently adjust to an opening value between 0% and 100%. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile pump control unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of valves further comprises at least one pump inlet manifold valve configured to adjust the inlet flow of water from the suction port to the at least one pump inlet manifold. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile pump control unit of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one pump inlet manifold valve is a two-position valve that the control unit may independently adjust to an open or closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The mobile pump control unit of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one pump inlet manifold valve is a modulating valve that the control unit may independently adjust to an opening value between 0% and 100%. 
     
     
         7 . The mobile pump control unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of valves further comprises at least one pump outlet manifold valve configured to adjust the flow of water discharged from the at least one pump outlet manifold. 
     
     
         8 . The mobile pump control unit of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one pump outlet manifold valve is a modulating valve that the control unit may independently adjust to an opening value between 0% and 100%. 
     
     
         9 . The mobile pump control unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors includes one or more of a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a flow meter. 
     
     
         10 . The mobile pump control unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a vibration sensor in contact with the pump disposed at the pump site, the vibration sensor in communication with the control unit, wherein the mobile pump control unit may send information from the vibration sensor to the mobile command center or the other mobile pump control units. 
     
     
         11 . The mobile pump control unit of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit comprises a programmable logical circuit (PLC). 
     
     
         12 . The mobile pump control unit of  claim 1 , wherein the communications circuitry comprises a radio coupled to an antenna. 
     
     
         13 . The mobile pump control unit of  claim 12 , wherein the antenna further comprises one or more of a directional antenna and an omnidirectional antenna. 
     
     
         14 . The mobile pump control unit of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit communicates with the mobile command center via one or more of a wireless communication link and a network. 
     
     
         15 . The mobile pump control unit of  claim 14 , wherein the network further comprises one or more of a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a Wi-Fi (802.11) network, a mesh network, a cellular network, and a satellite connection. 
     
     
         16 . A remote water transfer command and control system comprising:
 a plurality of pumps;   a plurality of mobile pump control units, each mobile pump control unit configured to:
 connect to at least one pump of the plurality of pumps; 
 monitor and control the at least one pump connected to the mobile pump control unit; 
 direct an inlet flow of water to the at least one pump; 
 receive a discharge flow of water from the at least one pump; 
 direct a flow of water from the mobile pump control unit; and 
 monitor characteristics of the water flowing into, and out of, the mobile pump control unit; and 
   a mobile command center, the mobile command center in communication with the plurality of mobile pump control units, wherein the mobile command center is configured to monitor and control the plurality of pumps, the plurality of mobile pump control units, and the water flowing into, and out of, each mobile pump control unit.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a water reservoir, the water reservoir configured to be in fluid communication with the plurality of mobile pump control units. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the mobile command center is configured to control the plurality of mobile pump control units so as to direct at least a portion of the flow of water from each mobile pump control unit to the reservoir. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the water reservoir further comprises at least one storage tank. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the command center and plurality of mobile pump control units communicate via one or more of a wireless communication link and a network, the network further comprising one or more of a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a Wi-Fi (802.11) network, a mesh network, a cellular network, and a satellite connection.