The present invention relates to a flow controller configured to selectively act as a pump or as a flow regulator. The flow controller comprises: an inlet for a fluid; an outlet for the fluid; a pump assembly arranged between the inlet and the outlet and configured to pump the fluid through the flow controller from the inlet to the outlet; a hydro electrical generator assembly arranged between the inlet and the outlet, the hydro electrical generator assembly configured to allow the fluid flow through the flow controller from the inlet to the outlet and to generate electricity by transforming flow energy of the fluid flowing through the flow controller into electricity; and a mode controller configured to selectively set the flow controller in a pumping mode or in an electricity generating mode.

A circulation pump assembly (22) includes an electrical drive motor (10) and an electronic control device (12) controlling the drive motor (10). The control device (12) is configured for the speed control of the drive motor (10) according to a control schema (I, II, III). The control device (12) includes a detection function (42) which is configured to detect a condition variable representing an operating condition, from a parallel flow path (16, 18, 20) with a second circulation pump assembly (22). The control device (12) is also configured such that it can change the control schema (I, II, III) on the basis of a condition variable detected by the detection function (42). Further an arrangement of at least two such circulation pump assemblies (22) and a method for the control of such two circulation pump assemblies (22) are provided.

A sump pump system may implement adaptive learning and machine learning techniques to facilitate improved control of sump pumps. A sump pump system may implement the described techniques to generate, train, and/or implement a machine learning model that is capable of predicting or estimating one or more conditions of the sump pump system (e.g., water level in the basin, motor malfunction, stuck impeller, geyser effect, blocked outlet pipe, faulty level sensor/switch, faulty bearing, failure to engage pump at high-water mark, etc.) based on one or more detected input variables (e.g., acceleration or vibration patterns detected in water, on a pump, or on a pipe; capacitance values of water; audio signatures; electrical signatures, such as power or current draw; pump motor rotation speed; water pressure signatures or values, such as those detected at the bottom of a sump basin; etc.).

A sump pump system detects backflow from an outlet pipe in a sump pump system and implements control of the sump pump in light of the detected backflow (or lack thereof). The sump pump system may detect the backflow (or lack thereof) by detecting and comparing water rise rates in a sump basin before activation or engagement of the sump pump (e.g., immediately before the pump starts pumping) and after the pump has disengaged or deactivated (e.g., immediately after the pump stops pumping). The rises rates may be detected via sensors configured to detect motion or acceleration (e.g., accelerometers, inertial measurement units, or force acceleration sensors) placed in the sump basin such that detect motion of water in the basin corresponding to changing water levels.

The invention relates to a pump device having a pump (8) and an energy supply device (5, 18), wherein the pump has a conveying element (9, 11) which conveys a fluid by means of supplied energy, wherein the pump has a transport state and an operating state, and wherein at least one first element (9, 9a, 10, 10′, 11) of the pump has a different shape and/or size in the transport state than in the operating state. The operating safety of such a pump device is increased by a detection device (12, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29) which detects whether at least the first element is in the operating state with respect to shape and/or size by means of a sensor.

The present application generally relates a system for duplex control of redundant passively-actuated electronic devices. In one embodiment, the system comprises a housing, a controller mounted inside the housing, an input/output (I/O) interface integrated with the housing that includes a first port configured to electrically couple a power input to the controller, a second port configured to electrically couple a first pump to the controller, and a third port configured to electrically couple a second pump to the controller, and a set of relays connected to the second port and the third port. In response to a current sensing circuit sensing that a first current indicates that the-first pump has shut off, the controller may activate the second pump and deactivate the first pump by controlling the set of relays to disconnect the power source from the first pump and to connect the second pump to the power source.

The present disclosure relates to a drain pump driving apparatus and a laundry treatment machine including the same. A drain pump driving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a laundry treatment machine including the same include: an inverter to convert an input direct current (DC) voltage into an alternating current (AC) voltage by a switching operation and to output the converted AC voltage to a drain motor; an output current detector to detect an output current flowing in the drain motor; and a controller to control the drain motor to rotate in a first direction during a first period, rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction during a second period, and continuously rotate in the first direction when a level of the output current at rotation in the first direction is greater than a level of the output current at rotation in the second direction. Accordingly, it is possible to secure a pumping performance of the drain pump.

The present disclosure relates to a drain pump driving apparatus and a laundry treatment machine including the same. A drain pump driving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a laundry treatment machine including the same include: an inverter converting a direct current (DC) voltage from a converter into an alternating current (AC) voltage based on a switching operation and to output the converted AC voltage to a drain motor; and a controller to control the motor to, when a drain channel in a drain pump is clogged, be temporarily stopped in a period during which a speed of the motor increases and then to repeatedly rotate and stop in a first direction the same as a start-up direction, and to repeatedly rotate and stop in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the drain channel is clogged even after the motor repeatedly rotates and stops in the first direction. Accordingly, when impurities are introduced into the drain pump, the impurities can be removed in a simple manner.

Methods and systems for detecting and correcting improper operation of a compressor in a refrigeration system and/or an HVAC system include a component level detection and prevention and a system level detection and prevention. The system level detection and prevention can be a backup or a confirmation of the component level detection and prevention. The component level detection and prevention can detect and prevent improper compressor operation within a predetermined time so that the compressor's operation period in an improper direction can be minimized, thereby minimizing wear and damage to the compressor.

The present disclosure relates to a laundry treatment machine and a method for controlling the same. A pump motor may operate according to the steps of starting up the pump motor when operating or stopping the pump motor. Upon restarting, the pump motor may be controlled to start up after being on standby until the rotor stops, and therefore the pump may run normally even in case in which the pump repeatedly stops and runs, and the drainage performance may be improved and wash water may be drained by the operation of the pump regardless of the lift level.