Method for Preventing Vibration in Pumps

Abstract

A method for preventing or reducing mechanical vibrations of a pump, in particular a centrifugal pump, during pump operation is provided. A pump controller detects at least one signal of a pump operation parameter and identifies signal fluctuations in order to detect mechanical vibrations occurring in the pump. The pump controller controls the frequency converter to modify the pump speed in order to reduce a detected pump vibration.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method for preventing or reducing mechanical vibrations of a pump having a frequency converter and a pump controller, comprising the steps of:
 detecting with the pump controller at least one signal of a pump operating parameter;   analyzing with the pump controller the at least one signal to identify signal oscillations characteristic of mechanical vibrations of the pump; and   changing the pump revolution rate by the pump controller controlling the frequency converter to reduce the mechanical vibrations of the pump.   
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein
 the step of analyzing the at least one signal includes calculation of a frequency spectrum of the at least one signal by Fast Fourier Transformation.   
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein
 at least one signal of the at least one signal corresponds to a motor current of a pump drive.   
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein
 at least one signal of the at least one signal corresponds to a hydraulic final pressure of the pump, and   the hydraulic final pressure is determined by one of both of a pressure sensor and an estimate of an operating point of the pump.   
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein
 the step of changing the pump revolution rate includes iteratively varying pump revolution rate to identify a pump revolution rate at which an amplitude of the frequency spectrum is at a minimum.   
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein
 the pump revolution rate is iteratively varied within a predefined tolerance range.   
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein
 the pump revolution rate is iteratively varied to identify at least one anti-resonance of the pump, and   the step of changing the pump revolution rate includes operating the pump at the at least one antiresonance of the pump.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein
 the pump revolution rate is varied by one or both of an interval halving method and an optimization method.   
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein
 the pump revolution rate is varied by one or more of an active set method, a Newton method, and a genetic algorithm.   
     
     
         22 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising the steps of:
 storing the calculated frequency spectrum,   comparing subsequently calculated frequency spectrums to identify frequency spectrum changes corresponding to changes in pump resonance vibrations.   
     
     
         23 . The method as claimed in  claim 22 , further comprising the step of:
 outputting a signal in the event of an identified change in pump resonance vibrations indicating one of both of pump wear and damage to the pump structure.   
     
     
         24 . A pump arrangement, comprising:
 a pump;   a frequency converter; and   a pump controller,   wherein the pump controller is configured to
 receive at least one signal of a pump operating parameter, 
 analyze the at least one signal to identify signal oscillations characteristic of mechanical vibrations of the pump, and 
 control the frequency converter to change the pump revolution rate to reduce the mechanical vibrations of the pump. 
   
     
     
         25 . The pump arrangement as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein
 the pump is a centrifugal pump.   
     
     
         26 . The pump arrangement as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein
 the centrifugal pump is a waste water pump, solids pump or supply pump.