Multifunction Pump Controller

Abstract

A multifunction controller permits a single controller to be used for multiple options in a pump system thereby simplifying the process of selecting a proper controller for a particular application for many embodiments. The multifunction controller may provide leak detection, pump rate control, pump count control, tank level control, tank pressure control and/or other functions in a system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multifunction controller and pump combination comprising:
 a tank,   a pump having an inlet receiving fluid from the tank and an outlet;   a controller;   a flip flop speed control providing cycle count as a first input to the controller;   a second sensor sensing tank level and providing a second input to the controller;   
       wherein the controller simultaneously evaluates cycle count and tank level and provides an output which selectively adjusts pump operation based on a selected one of pump count and tank level based on predetermined limits related to pressure and tank level provided to the controller. 
     
     
         2 . The multifunction pump controller and pump combination of  claim 1  further comprising a leak detector sensor, said leak detector senor providing an input to the controller and said controller providing an indication of the leak. 
     
     
         3 . The multifunction pump controller and pump combination of  claim 2  wherein the indication of the leak is selected from the group of a display of a leak fault being present, a number of leak faults being present, a location of the leak fault being present, a solenoid fault, a number of solenoid faults, a location of solenoid faults, damper leak and an alarm. 
     
     
         4 . The multifunction pump controller and pump combination of  claim 1  further comprising a pump display at the controller and the pump display displays cycle count. 
     
     
         5 . The multifunction pump controller and pump combination of  claim 1  wherein the controller directs the stopping of the pump upon reaching a predetermined cycle count. 
     
     
         6 . The multifunction pump controller and pump combination of  claim 1  wherein the controller directs the display of indications at a display selected from the group of running fault start and stop. 
     
     
         7 . The multifunction pump controller and pump combination of  claim 1  wherein the controller has preset pumps with different characteristics which are pre-programmed into the controller and the specific pump to be used with the controller is selected for use with the controller. 
     
     
         8 . The multifunction pump controller and pump combination of  claim 1  further comprising pump rate control at a maximum speed. 
     
     
         9 . The multifunction pump controller and pump combination of  claim 1  wherein the controller is input with at least one of preset tank level minimum and tank level maximum and at least one of the pumps begins pumping at the tank level maximum and the pump stops pumping at the tank level minimum. 
     
     
         10 . The multifunction pump controller and pump combination of  claim 1  wherein the controller is input with at least one of preset tank level minimum and tank level maximum and at least one of the pumps begins pumping at the tank level minimum and the pump stops pumping at the tank level maximum. 
     
     
         11 . The multifunction pump controller and pump combination of  claim 1  further comprising a pump pressure sensor providing data to the controller, and the controller regulates pump activity based on a pump pressure maximum. 
     
     
         12 . The multifunction pump controller and pump combination of  claim 1  wherein the controller directs an alarm indication if a limit is exceeded. 
     
     
         13 . A multifunction controller and pump combination comprising:
 a tank,   a pump having an inlet receiving fluid from the tank and an outlet;   a controller;   a first sensor sensing leak data and providing a first input to the controller;   a second sensor sensing tank level and providing a second input to the controller;   
       wherein the controller simultaneously evaluates leak data and tank level and provides an output which selectively adjusts pump operation based on tank level based on predetermined limits related to tank level provided to the controller and (b) an indication of a leak if a leak is determined to exist. 
     
     
         14 . The multifunction pump controller and pump combination of  claim 13  wherein the indication of the leak is selected from the group of a display of a leak fault being present, a number of leak faults being present, a location of the leak fault being present, a solenoid fault, a number of solenoid faults, a location of solenoid faults, damper leak and an alarm. 
     
     
         15 . The multifunction pump controller and pump combination of  claim 13  further comprising a third sensor sensing pump cycle count and providing a third input to the controller, wherein the controller simultaneously evaluates pump cycle count and tank level and provides an output which selectively adjusts pump operation based on a selected one of pump count and tank level based on predetermined limits related to pressure and tank level provided to the controller. 
     
     
         16 . The multifunction pump controller and pump combination of  claim 13  wherein the controller directs the display of indications at a display selected from the group of running fault start and stop. 
     
     
         17 . The multifunction pump controller and pump combination of  claim 13  wherein the controller has preset pumps with different characteristics which are pre-programmed into the controller and the specific pump to be used with the controller is selected for use with the controller. 
     
     
         18 . The multifunction pump controller and pump combination of  claim 13  further comprising pump rate control at one of a maximum speed. 
     
     
         19 . The multifunction pump controller and pump combination of  claim 13  wherein the controller is input with at least one of preset tank level minimum and tank level maximum and at least one of the pumps begins pumping at the tank level maximum and the pump stops pumping at the tank level minimum. 
     
     
         20 . The multifunction pump controller and pump combination of  claim 13  wherein the controller is input with at least one of present tank level minimum and tank level maximum and at least one of the pumps begins pumping at the tank level minimum and the pump stops pumping at the tank level maximum. 
     
     
         21 . The multifunction pump controller and pump combination of  claim 12  further comprising a pump pressure sensor providing data to the controller, and the controller regulates pump activity based on a pump pressure maximum. 
     
     
         22 . The multifunction pump controller and pump combination of  claim 12  wherein the controller directs an alarm indication if a limit is exceeded.