METHOD FOR OPERATING A PUMP

Abstract

A method for operating a fluid conveying device (4), in particular a pump, a fan, a compressor or a valve, by way of a control unit (14), wherein the fluid conveying device with a deactivated emergency running mode is switched on at least in the case of initial application of an operating power of the fluid conveying device, a setpoint rotational speed specification or a setpoint actuating value specification is transmitted to the fluid conveying device, and the emergency miming mode of the fluid conveying device is activated when the setpoint rotational speed specification or the setpoint actuating value specification exceeds a triggering value or the fluid conveying device is operated for longer than an activation duration with an invalid rotational speed or an invalid actuating value. Furthermore, the invention relates to a pump arrangement, a control unit, a computer program, and a machine-readable storage medium.

Claims

1. A method (2) for operating a fluid delivery device (4), via a control module (14), the method comprising: switching the fluid delivery device (4) on with an emergency mode deactivated, when an operating power is applied to the fluid delivery device (4) for the first time, receiving a setpoint speed selection or setpoint control-value selection at the central control unit (10) and transmitting the same to the fluid delivery device (4), and activating the emergency mode of the fluid delivery device (4) when the setpoint speed selection or the setpoint control-value selection exceeds a trigger value or the fluid delivery device (4) is operated at an invalid speed or with an invalid control value for longer than an activation time.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an operating mode of the fluid delivery device (4) during the operation of the fluid delivery device (4) is stored in an internal storage device (16), wherein the internal storage device (16) is read upon activation of the fluid delivery device (4) to set a recently used operating mode of the fluid delivery device (4).

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an emergency mode of the fluid delivery device (4) is switched on if the setpoint speed selection or the setpoint control-value selection of the fluid delivery device (4) exceeds the trigger value.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the emergency mode of the fluid delivery device (4) is initiated by the central control unit (10) or the control module (14).

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an the emergency-mode speed is set when the emergency mode of the fluid delivery device (4) is activated.

6. A pump arrangement (1) comprising at least one fluid delivery device designed as a pump (4) and a control module (14) connected to the pump (4) to actuate and/or regulate the pump (4), wherein the pump arrangement (1) is configured to: switch the pump on with an emergency mode deactivated, when an operating power is applied to the pump for the first time, receive a setpoint speed selection or setpoint control-value selection at the central control unit (10) and transmit the same to the pump, and activate the emergency mode of the pump when the setpoint speed selection or the setpoint control-value selection exceeds a trigger value or the pump is operated at an invalid speed or with an invalid control value for longer than an activation time.

7. A valve arrangement, having at least one fluid delivery device designed as a valve and a control module (14) connected to the valve to actuate and/or regulate the valve, wherein the valve arrangement is configured to: switch the valve on with an emergency mode deactivated, when an operating power is applied to the valve for the first time, receive a setpoint speed selection or setpoint control-value selection at the central control unit (10) and transmit the same to the valve, and activate the emergency mode of the valve when the setpoint speed selection or the setpoint control-value selection exceeds a trigger value or the valve is operated at an invalid speed or with an invalid control value for longer than an activation time.

8. A compressor arrangement, having at least one fluid delivery device designed as a compressor and a control module (14) connected to the compressor to actuate and/or regulate the compressor, wherein the compressor arrangement is configured to: switch the compressor on with an emergency mode deactivated, when an operating power is applied to the compressor for the first time, receive a setpoint speed selection or setpoint control-value selection at the central control unit (10) and transmit the same to the compressor, and activate the emergency mode of the compressor when the setpoint speed selection or the setpoint control-value selection exceeds a trigger value or the compressor is operated at an invalid speed or with an invalid control value for longer than an activation time.

9. A fan arrangement, having at least one fluid delivery device designed as a fan and a control module (14) connected to the fan to actuate and/or regulate the fan, wherein the fan arrangement is configured to: switch the fan on with an emergency mode deactivated, when an operating power is applied to the fan for the first time, receive a setpoint speed selection or setpoint control-value selection at the central control unit (10) and transmit the same to the fan, and activate the emergency mode of the fan when the setpoint speed selection or the setpoint control-value selection exceeds a trigger value or the fan is operated at an invalid speed or with an invalid control value for longer than an activation time.

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium containing instructions that when executed by the computer cause the computer to: switch a fluid delivery device (4) on with an emergency mode deactivated, when an operating power is applied to the fluid delivery device (4) for the first time, receive a setpoint speed selection or setpoint control-value selection and transmit the same to the fluid delivery device (4), and activate the emergency mode of the fluid delivery device (4) when the setpoint speed selection or the setpoint control-value selection exceeds a trigger value or the fluid delivery device (4) is operated at an invalid speed or with an invalid control value for longer than an activation time.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with the aid of highly simplified schematic illustrations.

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a pump arrangement according to an embodiment and

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a schematic flowchart for illustrating a method according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a fluid delivery arrangement 1 according to an embodiment. The fluid delivery arrangement 1 serves for executing a method 2 for operating a fluid delivery device 4.

[0043] The fluid delivery device 4 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment is configured as a cooling water pump or as an auxiliary water pump and is arranged in a cooling circuit 6.

[0044] The fluid delivery device 4 designed as a pump can therefore deliver a fluid, in particular coolant or refrigerant located in the fluid circuit 6, in particular coolant circuit or refrigerant circuit, and enable circulation of the fluid. The fluid circuit 6 is illustrated in simplified form, which means that, for example, radiators, connections, valves, heat exchangers and a plurality of components to be cooled are not illustrated.

[0045] By way of example, a component 8 to be cooled or heated is thermally coupled to the fluid circuit 6. The component 8 can be power electronics or an oil cooler, for example.

[0046] The fluid delivery arrangement, in particular the pump arrangement 1, valve arrangement, compressor arrangement, fan arrangement, has a central control unit 10, which is designed to transmit control commands to the fluid delivery device, in particular the pump 4. For example, the central control unit 10 can transmit setpoint speed selections to the fluid delivery device, in particular the pump 4. To this end, the central control unit 10 can transmit the control commands to a control module 14 in the fluid delivery device via a communications connection 12.

[0047] The control module 14 in the fluid delivery device can use the received control commands to actuate the fluid delivery device, in particular the pump 4, and therefore regulate the fluid delivery device, in particular the pump 4, according to a desired speed.

[0048] In addition to transmitting control commands, the communications connection 12 can also serve to supply the fluid delivery device 4 and the control module 14 in the fluid delivery device with operating power or electric energy.

[0049] The control module 14 in the fluid delivery device has a storage device 16. Recently used operating modes of the fluid delivery device 4 can be stored in the storage device 16.

[0050] In particular, an initial activation of the fluid delivery device 4 in an emergency mode operation can be prevented by the control module 14.

[0051] Furthermore, start-up can generally be prevented when the emergency mode is deactivated. Only once the emergency mode is activated is start-up also possible. Such general prevention of the start-up is particularly useful in fans, since these can have undesired consequences in the event of an unwanted start-up, in particular during assembly. In particular, it is possible to prevent the start-up when a fluid delivery device is switched on.

[0052] A schematic flowchart for illustrating a method 2 according to an embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 2. The method 2 serves for operating a fluid delivery device 4, in particular a pump, preferably an electronically speed-regulated auxiliary water pump, or in particular a valve, a fan, a compressor via the control module 14.

[0053] In a step 20, the fluid delivery device 4 is switched on with the emergency mode deactivated, at least when an operating power is applied to the fluid delivery device 4 for the first time.

[0054] In a further step 22, the control module 14 can check whether the fluid delivery device 4 is operated at a valid speed, which corresponds to a specified setpoint speed, in particular a setpoint speed selection.

[0055] If the fluid delivery device 4 is operated at a speed corresponding to the setpoint speed, in particular the setpoint speed selection, the set setpoint speed, in particular the setpoint speed selection, can be compared to a predefined activation threshold 24. If the setpoint speed, in particular the setpoint speed selection, of the fluid delivery device 4 exceeds the activation threshold, an emergency mode of the fluid delivery device 4 can be activated 26 by the control module 14. The same applies to the embodiment as a valve with regard to the setpoint control-value selection.

[0056] When the emergency mode of the fluid delivery device 4 is activated, the fluid delivery device 4 can be put into emergency mode operation 28 in an automated manner in the event of a broken communications connection 12. By activating the emergency mode, the fluid delivery device 4 has the option of being put into emergency mode operation.

[0057] If, upon the enquiry 22, a deviation between the speed and the setpoint speed selection is determined, the time or an activation time during which the fluid delivery device 4 is operated at an invalid speed or with an invalid control value can be measured 30.

[0058] “Invalid speed” is understood in particular to mean that the speed does not correspond to the setpoint speed selection. This can be due in particular to insufficient fluid being present in the fluid delivery device or the fluid delivery device being obstructed. It is also possible that the fluid delivery device is not properly connected and a receives a faulty signal. The actual speed can be detected in particular by means of a sensor or a method for determining the rotational position.

[0059] “Invalid control value” is understood in particular to mean that the control value does not correspond to the setpoint control-value selection. This can be the case in particular in the event of contamination, if the control path is blocked thereby.

[0060] If the activation time is not exceeded, the speed or the control value of the fluid delivery device 4 can be set 32 according to the setpoint speed selection or setpoint control-value selection.

[0061] If the activation time is exceeded, the fluid delivery device 4 is put into emergency mode operation 28 if the emergency mode has already been activated 26. If the emergency mode of the fluid delivery device 4 is not active, the fluid delivery device 4 is in particular deactivated 34 or the fluid delivery device continues to be operated without the emergency mode.

[0062] The emergency mode, in particular the emergency mode operation, is preferably alternatively and/or additionally switched on if it is activated when a setpoint speed selection or setpoint control-value selection value is present.

[0063] The activation time is in particular 1 to 15 seconds, preferably 3 to 10 seconds, for example 4 seconds.

[0064] Alternatively, start-up of the fluid delivery device is not possible when the emergency mode is deactivated.

[0065] “Fluids” are understood in particular to mean coolants or refrigerants and gases, in particular air.