PUMP UNIT

Abstract

A pump unit has an electrical drive motor and a control device for controlling the drive motor, wherein said control device includes at least one microprocessor and storage means which is able to store at least one control program executable by said microprocessor, wherein said control device includes or communicates with a programming module by which at least one user application can be created and/or modified and stored in said storage means, wherein said programming module is designed such that at least one input parameter, at least one operator and at least one action can be chosen as program elements and combined to generate at least one user function of said user application which can be executed by said microprocessor.

Claims

1. A pump unit (2) having an electrical drive motor (5) and a control device (4) for controlling the drive motor (5), wherein said control device (4) comprises at least one microprocessor (8) and storage means (6) configured to store at least one control program executable by said microprocessor (8), wherein said control device (4) comprises or communicates with a programming module (7) by which at least one user application is created and/or modified and stored in said storage means, wherein said programming module (7) is designed such that at least one input parameter (13), at least one operator (10) and at least one action (14) are chosen as program elements and combined to generate at least one user function (18) of said user application which is executed by said microprocessor.

2. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein the control device (4) with said microprocessor (8) and said storage means (6) are located in at least one electronic housing arranged at said drive motor (5) or in a housing of said drive motor (5).

3. The pump unit according to claim 2, wherein said programming module (7) is arranged in said at least one electronic housing.

4. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein said programming module (7) forms a unit separated from the other parts of said control device (4) and connected with said control device via a data interface.

5. The pump unit according to claim 4, wherein said data interface comprises a network connection.

6. The pump unit according to claim 5, wherein the network connection is an internet connection (44).

7. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein said programming module (7) is a software module.

8. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein said programming module (7) is designed such that several input parameters (13), several operators (10) and/or several actions (14) of said drive motor (5) can be chosen as program elements and combined to generate at least one user function (18) of said user application.

9. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein said programming module (7) is designed such that at least one action of an external device can be chosen as a program element.

10. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein said programming module (7) is designed such that at least one action of the drive motor or a further user function can be chosen as program elements.

11. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein said at least one input parameter (13) is provided by at least one sensor arranged in said pump unit, at least one external sensor, a computing device, data storage means and/or a data network.

12. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein the actions (14) of said drive motor (5) comprise a switching on and off and/or a speed adjustment of said drive motor (5).

13. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein said programming module (7) comprises at least one display (30) and at least one input device (28).

14. The pump unit according to claim 13, wherein said programming module comprises at least one display (30) showing several program elements which can be chosen and combined for creating at least one user function (18) of said user application.

15. The pump unit according to claim 13, wherein said display (30) is a touch screen display and acts as an input device.

16. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein said programming module (7) is designed such that program functions can be stored manually or automatically from an external storage means or a data network into said storage means (6).

17. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein the programming module (7) is designed such that it may communicate with an external device to change settings of said device.

18. The pump unit according to claim 1, wherein said pump unit (2) is a recirculation pump.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

[0033] In the following the invention is described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a pump according to the invention;

[0035] FIG. 2 shows the two first steps of a first user application creation;

[0036] FIG. 3 shows two last steps of the first user application creation;

[0037] FIG. 4 shows the two first steps of a second user application creation;

[0038] FIG. 5 shows two intermediate steps of the second user application creation;

[0039] FIG. 6 shows the two last steps of the second user application creation;

[0040] FIG. 7 shows a third user application creation;

[0041] FIG. 8 shows a memory of a pump according to the invention and

[0042] FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a pump that communicates via the Internet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] Referring now in detail to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention, a pump unit 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is systematically illustrated in FIG. 1. The pump unit 2 comprises a control device 4 with storage means 6 and a microprocessor 8; an interface 28 and a display 30. In this example a computer 24 is connected to the pump unit 2 via a cable 26. The pump unit 2 comprises a pump 3 and an electric drive motor 5 which drives the pump 3. The drive motor 5 is controlled by the control device 4. In particular the control device is designed so that it can execute program functions or program sequences and in particular user applications which are stored in the storage means 6 by the microprocessor 8 to control the drive motors in a desired manner.

[0044] According to the invention the control device 4 comprises or communicates with a programming module 7, wherein the interface 28 and the display 30 form parts of the programming module 7. The programming module 7 is designed to create or modify user applications or user functions as part of a user application to be stored in the storage means 6 and to be executed by the microprocessor 8. This allows the user to create user applications or user functions himself to adjust the control of the pump unit 2 individually.

[0045] In the shown example a computer 24 is connected via a cable 26 with control device 4 in particular with the interface 28 of the control device 4. The computer 24 forms a part of the programming module 7 in particular in the form of a computer program running on said computer 24. Further, the computer 24 may be connected to a network like the internet where it would be possible to download user applications, in particular user functions to be executed by the control device 4. Further, a software module on said computer 24 may allow creating or modifying user applications on the computer 24. However, it would also be possible to design the programming module 7 without the need of an additional computer 24. The interface 28 may be a user interface in the form of an input device which allows the user to create or modify user functions and user applications directly in the pump unit 2 by the use of an input device 28 and the display 30.

[0046] Furthermore, the user of the pump unit 2 may use a handheld device e.g., mobile phone 42 to send data information like said user applications to the storage means 6 of the pump unit 2. It would also be possible to use a remote control 40 to send data information to the pumps storage means 6.

[0047] In the following it is described how a user application may be created by use of the programming module 7.

[0048] The display 30 of the pump unit 2 shows a number of icons 32. The user of the pump unit 2 can easily compose a user application 18 by using these icons 32. In one embodiment according to the invention the pump unit 2 comprises a visual display 30 that is a touch screen that may be used to input data and hereby create a user application 18 (see FIG. 6).

[0049] In case the computer 24 is used, it would be possible to use wireless communication between the computer 24 and the pump unit 2 and between the mobile phone 42 and the pump unit 2.

[0050] FIG. 2a illustrates one way of creating a user application 18. FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b show the views of a display during a creation of a user application 18. At the bottom area of the display a list of predefined blocks or boxes 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 are provided. The variable box 52 is highlighted and symbolized by a question mark represents an input parameter 13 or variable such as temperature or pressure by way of example. In the upper area of the display the box 68 shows that the user application 18 comprises a function or sequence that begins with the temperature as input parameter or variable 13. The temperature is indicated with a “T” in the box 68.

[0051] The box 54 comprises an operator 10 and symbolized by the mathematical symbols “less than” (<) and “more than” (>) represents an operator such as “equal to” (=); “less than” (<) or “more than” (>). This operator 10 may be a logic operator but it does not have to be. In the upper area of the display the operator box 70 shows that the second symbol in the user function is a “less than” symbol.

[0052] The box 56 symbolizes numerical values that can be selected by the user of the pump unit 2. In the numerical value box 56 the eligible numerical values are symbolized by the numbers “1 2 3”. In the upper area of the display the box 72 shows that the third symbol in the user function is a scalar parameter 12 and that it has the value 80.

[0053] The box 58 symbolizes a unit that can be selected by the user of the pump unit 2. The unit box 58 is symbolized by the symbol “[ ]”. In the upper area of the display the box 74 shows that the fourth symbol in the user function the unit 16 is ° C.

[0054] The box 60 symbolizes actions 14 of the drive motor 5 (e.g. start and stop of the pump operation or speed adjustment). In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the action box 60 is symbolized by a traditional start/stop symbol. The new line box 64 is used to make a new line and the save and run box 62 is used to save and run the user application. In the upper area of the display the box 76 shows a logic operator “or” indicated by the mathematical symbol “V” for or. The first box 78 from the right is highlighted and the user has selected to input a variable (that is why the variable box 52 is highlighted). Below the box 78 appears a drop-down menu box 66 and the variable that is selected is temperature indicated with the symbol “T”.

[0055] FIG. 2b illustrates a display view where the user continues to compose the user application 18 that is illustrated in FIG. 2a. The user has selected the symbol box 54 and therefore the symbol box 54 is highlighted. Furthermore, an additional box 80 has been created by the user and this box 80 appears to the right in the upper area of the display. In the drop down menu 66 the user has selected the symbol “decreasing” indicated by a downwards directed arrow.

[0056] The further composition of the user application 18 is illustrated in FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b. In FIG. 3a it can be seen that the downwards directed arrow is shown in box 80. In FIG. 3b the user application 18 has been finished and the numerical value box 72 shows 2. The unit box 74 shows ° C./min and the action box 82 shows MIN. Thus, all in all the user applications 18 reads:

[0057] If the temperature falls below 80° C. or if the temperature falls at a rate of minimum 2° C. per minute the pump goes to MIN operation, where MIN operation is a preset state of operation.

[0058] FIG. 4 illustrates composition of another user application 18 that is intended to control the pump operation according to a voltage input. In FIG. 4a the user of the pump unit 2 has selected an input “Input 1” in the variable box 68. The operator box 70 shows the symbol equal to indicated with the mathematical symbol “=”. The user has just selected the numerical value box 72 and the drop-down menu box 66 gives a list that the user can choose from. In FIG. 4b the user is selecting the first two digits of the numerical value. In FIG. 5a it can be seen that the first two digits of the numerical value are “01” indicated in the numerical value box 72. In FIG. 5b the third digit of the numerical value is being selected and from drop-down menu box 66. The third digit is “0” and thus the value is “10” as illustrated in the numerical value box 72 in FIG. 6a.

[0059] In FIG. 6b the completed user application 18 is shown. This user application 18 comprises four user application sequence sections 86, 88, 90, 92. The first section 86 defines that if the input voltage is below 10 volt and above 3 volt then the set point of the drive motor speed is adjusted linearly between 10% and 100% according to the input voltage. This is illustrated by a linear curve symbol 22. The second section 88 defines that if the input voltage is larger than or equal to 10 volt then the set point is set to 100%. The third section 90 defines that if the input voltage is 3 volt then the set point is set to 10%. The fourth section 92 defines that if the input voltage is lower than 3 volt then the pump stops.

[0060] FIG. 7 illustrates a user application 18 having two lines 94, 96. The first line 94 defines that if the head exceeds 4 meters (indicated with “m”) then the drive motor stops. The second line 96 defines that if the head equals or falls below 2 m then the drive motor 5 is activated.

[0061] It is possible to have a huge number of various user applications 18. One example of such user application 18 may define that the drive motor 5 is set to start at the same hour every day. Generally it is possible to combine any possible input parameter with any suitable operator and a desired action of the drive motor to provide a program function or program sequence as a user application which allows to control the drive motor in response to input signals or input parameters.

[0062] It would be possible to use different types of user interface and ways of creating the user applications 18.

[0063] FIG. 8a is a schematic view of a storage 6 of a control device for a prior art pump. The storage 6 comprises a basic function storage 36 that is used to store basic applications like a basic program, which cannot be modified by the user. These basic applications may be any type of application that is needed for carrying out the basic function of the pump unit 2. The user of the pump may change settings and parameters in the basic function storage 36 to adapt preset applications to the requested needs according to the prior art. However, the user of the pump unit is not able to create entire new applications as user functions or program sequences that are not already included in the basic function storage 36.

[0064] FIG. 8b is a schematic view of storage means 6 according to the invention. The storage means 6 comprise a user application storage 34 that is configured to store user applications 18. These user applications 18 may be composed by the user or may be pre-installed by way of example. The user applications may also be downloaded to the user application storage 34. The storage means 6 further more comprise a basic function storage 36 that is used to store basic applications. These basic applications may be any type of application that is needed for carrying out the basic function of the pump unit 2. The storage means 6 moreover comprise an interpreter storage 38 that is allocated for the interpreter program and execution of the user applications 18 that are stored in the user application storage 34.

[0065] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a pump unit 2 according to one embodiment of the invention. The pump unit 2 is configured to communicate via the Internet 44. Information and data such as user applications 18 may be uploaded and downloaded to the pump unit 2. Weather forecast information 48 may by way of example be send to the pump unit 2. The pump unit 2 may also upload pump specific information 46 to an external receiver 39 by using the Internet 44. An external memory 50 is provided so that it would be possible to apply user applications 18 that are stored in the external memory 50. The user applications 18 may be downloaded from the Internet 44 to the external memory 50 by way of example.

[0066] Further, it would be possible for the pump unit 2 to receive sensor signals or signals as input parameters via a network connection. For example the pump unit 2 may be connected to a building management system or central heating control.

[0067] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims