CENTRIFUGAL PUMP ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A centrifugal pump assembly includes an electric motor (2) driving a centrifugal pump (1) and includes an electronics casing (8). In the electronics casing (8), the control electronics (10, 11) for the pump and motor are integrated. A device for detecting particles in a fluid fed via a bypass (6, 7) of a delivery conduit (3) is also in the electronics casing (8).

Claims

1. A centrifugal pump assembly delivering a delivery fluid and with which the delivery fluid is monitored quantitatively and/or qualitatively, the pump assembly comprising: at least one electric motor; at least one electromotorically driven centrifugal pump; control electronics; a particle detection device for detecting particles in delivery fluid; and a fluid feed for feeding delivery fluid to the particle detection device.

2. A centrifugal pump assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a delivery path of the pump wherein: a fluid bypass is connected to the delivery path of the pump; the fluid feed is a part of the bypass; and the particle detection device is integrated into the fluid bypass.

3. A centrifugal pump assembly according to claim 2, wherein the particle detection device at an exit side comprises a conduit for a connection onto a discharge comprising a waste water conduit, or a capture container.

4. A centrifugal pump assembly according claim 3, further comprising an electrically controllable shut-off valve at the entry side and/or at the exit side of the particle detection device.

5. A centrifugal pump assembly according claim 1, wherein the control electronics are arranged in an electronics casing which accommodates at least parts of the particle detection device and which is fastened on the motor casing and/or pump casing.

6. A centrifugal pump assembly according claim 1, wherein the control electronics are configured to operate the drive of the pump to activate the pump into cavitation, so soon as a number of particles per volume unit of the delivery fluid and/or a type of particles is detected by way of the particle detection device, said number reaching a previously defined value and/or said type corresponding to a previously defined type.

7. A centrifugal pump assembly according claim 1, wherein the control electronics are configured to feed a fluid quantity from a delivery flow to the particle detection device in predefined temporal intervals by way of opening a valve actuation, and activate the particle detection device for detecting particles.

8. A centrifugal pump assembly according claim 1, wherein the particle detection device comprises a sample carrier which is accessible from a casing side and which is arranged in an exchangeable manner.

9. A centrifugal pump assembly according claim 1, wherein at least a mechanical/optical part of the particle detection device is arranged within a casing in an oscillation-damped manner.

10. A centrifugal pump assembly according claim 1, wherein a pressure reduction device is provided at the entry side of the particle detection device.

11. A centrifugal pump assembly according to claim 10, wherein the pressure reduction device is deactivated for the purpose of flushing.

12. A centrifugal pump assembly according claim 1, wherein the particle detection device comprises a pump arranged in an electronics casing and is feeds and/or discharges the delivery fluid.

13. A centrifugal pump assembly according claim 1, wherein the particle detection device comprises an irradiation appliance for the fluid which irradiation appliance is located in the particle detection device or is led out of the particle detection device, said irradiation appliance being arranged in the electronics casing.

14. A centrifugal pump assembly according claim 1, wherein the control electronics comprises control and evaluation electronics of the particle detection device as well as control electronics of the pump including speed controller electronics.

15. A centrifugal pump assembly according claim 14, wherein the control electronics further comprise a data storing device of the evaluation electronics as well as a transmission device for a wired and/or wireless transmission of data of the evaluation electronics and/or of stored data.

16. A method for activating a speed-controllable centrifugal pump assembly, for delivering drinking water, with which the delivery fluid is monitored quantitatively and/or qualitatively, with regard to the particles including bacteria, which are located therein, the method comprising: providing the centrifugal pump assembly, wherein the centrifugal pump assembly comprises at least one electric motor, at least one electromotorically driven centrifugal pump, control electronics, a particle detection device for detecting particles in delivery fluid and a fluid feed for feeding delivery fluid to the particle detection device; and effecting activation of the speed in dependence on a type and/or number of the detected particles.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the pump is temporarily activated with an increased speed on reaching a number of particles per volume unit of the delivery fluid and/or on detecting a predefined type of particles.

18. A method according to claim 16, wherein the pump is activated to produce cavitation on reaching a number of particles per volume unit of the delivery fluid and/or on detecting a predefined type of particles.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In the drawings:

[0030] FIG. 1 is a block diagram relating to a centrifugal pump assembly according to the invention, with a device for detecting particles in fluids;

[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a multi-stage inline centrifugal pump with an electric motor, electronics casing and a device which is integrated into this, in a greatly simplified and perspective lateral view;

[0032] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pump assembly according to FIG. 2, in a perspective view from another side;

[0033] FIG. 4 is a side a view of the pump assembly according to FIG. 2, in a lateral view;

[0034] FIG. 5 is another side a view of the pump assembly according to FIG. 2, in a lateral view which is rotated by 90 with respect to FIG. 4;

[0035] FIG. 6 is a greatly simplified perspective view showing a circulation pump assembly with a device for detecting particles in fluid;

[0036] FIG. 7 is a greatly simplified perspective view showing the centrifugal pump assembly according to FIG. 6, in a different perspective representation;

[0037] FIG. 8 is a front view of the centrifugal pump assembly according to FIG. 6;

[0038] FIG. 9 is a side view of the centrifugal pump assembly according to FIG. 6; and

[0039] FIG. 10 is a side view onto the centrifugal pump assembly according to FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Referring to the drawings, the basic construction of a centrifugal pump assembly according to the invention is represented by way of FIG. 1. The centrifugal pump assembly comprises a centrifugal pump 1 which is driven by an electric motor 2. The centrifugal pump 1 delivers through a main delivery conduit 3, whose entry in FIG. 1 is indicated at 4 and whose exit at 5. The main delivery conduit 3 at the entry side leads to the suction side of the pump 1, whose delivery side is connected to the exit 5 via the conduit.

[0041] A bypass conduit 6, 7 which divided up into a delivery-side part 6 and a suction-side part of the bypass 7, is provided parallel to the centrifugal pump 1. This bypass conduit 6, 7 leads into an electronics casing 8 which is arranged and fastened on the electric motor 2 and forms a type of terminal box, into which on the one hand the windings of the motor are led out and contacted and into which on the other hand an electrical mains supply 9 is led. A device for detecting particles in fluid and whose construction for the most part is described in the European patent application 14186884.4 of the Applicant, which is explicitly referred to here, is integrated within this electronics casing 8. The mechanical as well as the electronic part of the above-mentioned device, as well as the control and regulation electronics of the motor 2 or of the pump 1 connected thereto, are therefore arranged in the electronics casing 8.

[0042] The motor control is characterized at 10 in FIG. 1, and it comprises a frequency converter whose output directly affects the windings of the electric motor 2. A pump control 10 communicating with sensors within the pump 1 via an input/output interface 12 is serially connected before the motor control 10.

[0043] A display 13, an operating surface 14, as well as a communication interface 15 which are connected to the pump control 11 as well as to control electronics 16 forming part of the device for detecting particles, are moreover provided within the electronics casing 8. With regard to the display 13, it is the case of an LCD display, but here, it can basically also be the case of any other suitable signal or display device. The operating surface 14 is configured as a membrane keyboard, but here too, any other suitable signal input source can be applied. A LAN connection as well as a WLAN transmitter-receiver is provided as a communication interface 15. Basically, any other suitable communication interface can be applied here as well.

[0044] The device for detecting particles in fluid is fed via the part of the bypass conduit 6 which is branched from the main delivery conduit 3 at the delivery side. A controllable pressure reducer 17 is firstly provided within the device, downstream of which pressure reducer a delivery pump 18 is connected, wherein this delivery pump is connected to the actual analysis device via a controllable shut-of valve 19. The analysis device consists essentially of an illumination source 20, of a receiving device 21 for a sample carrier and of an optical sensor 22 in the form of a sensor matrix whose data is evaluated in the control electronics 16, stored and transmitted further. The receiving device 21 for the sample carrier, at the exit side is connected via an electrically controllable shut-off valve 21 to a UV treatment appliance 24, whose exit is connected to the suction-side part 7 of the bypass conduit running out at the suction side of the pump, at the entry 4, into the main delivery conduit 3. One can make do without the delivery pump 18 in systems having a relatively high pressure.

[0045] A branching 25, via which the fluid coming from the analysis device 20, 21, and 22 can be lead to a collection container 26 in the case that this fluid is not to be fed to the main delivery conduit 3, is provided within this conduit 7, wherein this collection container 26 for example also represents a discharge conduit, a capture container or an archiving system, in which the fluid coming from the analysis device 20, 21 and 22 can be captured and/or archived. In a variant of the invention, no fluid in the bypass conduit is branched off or not only fluid in the bypass conduit but also the fluid in the main delivery conduit 3 which is actually to be delivered. In the case of a bacteria alarm, the control electronics can switch a switch-over valve in the main delivery conduit (the switch-over valve is not represented in the drawing) such that the fluid which is infected with bacteria can be diverted into another conduit. This switch-over valve can be autonomously incorporated in the main conduit, or be a part of the centrifugal pump assembly, e.g. be installed in the pump casing.

[0046] The device for detecting particles in fluid, as is represented by way of FIG. 1, comprises a controllable pressure reducer 17, a delivery pump 18, an analysis device 20-22 which is integrated into the conduit 6, 7 via two shut-off valves 19 and 23, and a UV treatment appliance 24 which is connected downstream. The complete sequential control, evaluation, storage and further transfer of data are effected in the control electronics 16. The operation of the device, with the exception of the exchange of the sample carrier located in the receiving device 21 is effected via the operating surface 14, via which the operation of the pump control is also effected. The display of the device is effected via the display 13, via which the display of the pump control is also effected. The control electronics 16 as well as the pump control 11 moreover use the same communication interfaces 15. The common use of the digital components of the control electronics 16 and of the pump control 11, specifically of the processor, the working memory and ROM is not represented in detail in FIG. 1. The components which are provided for the detection of particles in the fluid and which are provided in the electronics casing 8 are characterized at 8a and those provided for the pump/motor control at 8b. Hereby, the overlapping region concerning the display 13, the operating surface 14 and the communication interfaces 15, which are assigned to the device as well as to the motor/pump control 10, 11 are clearly visible here.

[0047] The fluid gets into the device for detecting particles in fluid, via the bypass conduit 6, firstly into the pressure reducer 17 which can be controlled by way of the control electronics 16 and which ensures that the fluid does not exceed a predefined pressure. The fluid to be analyzed gets into the sample carrier located in the receiving device 21, via the delivery pump 18 when the valves 19 and 23 are open. The valves 19 and 23 are subsequently closed, whereupon the analysis of the fluid sample located in the analysis device 20-22 takes place, the sequential control and evaluation of this analysis being effected in the control electronics 16. The fluid located in the analysis device can be led through the UV treatment appliance 24 by way of opening the valves 19 and 23, after the analysis has been effected, and the fluid sample which is examined in the analysis device 20-22 is subjected to a UV treatment as the case may be, in order to kill bacteria located therein. The UV treatment is usefully only effected in the case of an increased or particular bacteria contamination of the fluid sample. The fluid which is purified inasmuch as this is concerned can then be led via the part 7 of the bypass conduit again at the entry side, to the delivery flow of the main delivery conduit 3, if a leading of fluid in a closed circuit is desired. It is also possible to attach the UV irradiation appliance 24 in the analysis device 20-22 and to irradiate the fluid in a direct manner.

[0048] A sample carrier which is located in the receiving device 21, for the purpose of purification, can also be purified by way of the valves 19 and 23 being opened and the pressure reducer 17 being controlled in a functionless manner. The fluid then flows via the bypass conduit 6, 7 at the delivery pressure of the pump 1 in the return through the device, wherein the pump 18 is switched so that there is no current and is subjected to throughflow. In the case that it is not a centrifugal pump but a displacement pump which is applied as a pump 18, then a bypass conduit which can be released for the purpose of the flushing procedure is to be provided at this location.

[0049] If for example an increased or certain bacterial contamination is ascertained in the fluid, one then further envisages the pump control 11 receiving a signal on account of the control electronics 16, said signal initiating the pump control into activating the speed of the electric motor 2 such that the pump 1 cavitates in its suction region, which is to say produces cavitation in a targeted manner and, by way of this, affects the delivery fluid such that bacteria is killed. Thereby, not only the sample fluid which is led back into the main delivery conduit 3, but also the complete main delivery flow is treated by way of this cavitation effect of the pump.

[0050] It is shown by way of example and by way of FIG. 2-5, as to how the coupling of componentries and which is schematically represented by way of FIG. 1 can be integrated into a pump assembly, as is known for example with the CRE construction series of the Applicant (controlled vertical multi-stage centrifugal pumps). The constructional changes are comparatively small compared to a standard pump assembly. Here, on the part of the pump, only the conduits 6 and 7 for the bypass conduit need to be led out, which does not require any large constructional modification since, as FIG. 2-5 make clear, the suction-side part 7 is led out close to the connection branch, and the delivery-side part 6 is led out of the pump head. The electronics casing 8 with regard to its constructional size is significantly enlarged, since it needs to accommodate the device for detecting particles, which is to say the componentries or subassemblies 17-24. The receiving device 21 for the sample carrier exchangeable from the front can be clearly recognized in the representations according to FIGS. 2-5, and this receiving device is accessible from the front on the electronics casing.

[0051] As to how an electronics casing 8 of a common circulation pump can be configured, in order to also be able to accommodate the subassemblies 17-24, is represented by way of example by way of FIGS. 6-10. The conduits 6 and 7 with this single-stage pump according to FIG. 6-10 are led outside the pump casing. The conduits 6 and 7 however can also be formed within the pump casing by way of channels which are led into the electronic casing via the base of this.

[0052] It is to be noted that the reference numerals used for FIG. 4-10 concern components having the same function, despite their construction design not corresponding to one another.

[0053] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.