MONITORING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A SPRINKLER PUMP TEST RUN

Abstract

A monitoring apparatus for a pump test run of a sprinkler pump. The sprinkler includes at least one pump housing surrounding a wet chamber, a drive shaft arranged sealed against the pump housing by a gland packing, and a drive mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, the gland packing being configured and adapted for the passage of leakage fluid from the pump housing into a dry chamber. The monitoring apparatus includes a measuring unit adapted to detect the leakage fluid passing through the gland packing from the pump housing into the dry chamber during the pump test run, and is configured to generate a stop signal to switch off the sprinkler pump and/or an alarm signal if the flow rate falls below a predefined minimum.

Claims

1. A monitoring apparatus for a pump test run of a sprinkler pump, the sprinkler pump comprises: at least one pump housing surrounding a wet chamber, a drive shaft arranged sealed against the pump housing by a gland packing, and a drive mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, the gland packing being configured for the passage of leakage fluid from the pump housing into a dry chamber, the monitoring apparatus comprises a measuring unit adapted to detect the leakage fluid passing through the gland packing from the pump housing into the dry chamber during the pump test run, and the measuring unit is configured to generate a stop signal to switch off the sprinkler pump and/or an alarm signal when the flow rate falls below a predefined minimum.

2. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring apparatus also has a control unit, the control unit being connected to the measuring unit and the drive in a signal-conducting manner, the control unit or the measuring unit being configured to generate the alarm signal and/or the stop signal to switch off the sprinkler pump.

3. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the measuring unit comprises a collecting vessel configured to detect the leakage fluid and the measuring unit is configured to detect the leakage fluid in the collecting vessel based on at least one fill level.

4. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the measuring unit or the control unit is adapted to generate the alarm signal and/or the stop signal to switch off the sprinkler pump when, during an initial filling of the collecting vessel, the at least one fill level of the leakage fluid in the collecting vessel is not reached within a predefined initial filling time t.sub.0.

5. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the measuring unit or the control unit is configured to check whether, during the initial filling of the collecting vessel, an initial filling time t.sub.S0 until the at least one fill level is reached satisfies a first inequality t.sub.S0<t.sub.0 and is also configured to detect, when the first inequality is satisfied, filling times t.sub.S until the at least one fill level is reached in further filling cycles.

6. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a shut-off element is arranged on the collecting vessel, and the measuring unit or the control unit is configured to open the shut-off element to drain the accumulate leakage fluid and then to close the shut-off element when the at least one fill level is reached, and configured to detect a filling cycle time t.sub.Z between two successive fillings of the collecting vessel until the at least one fill level is reached again, and to generate the alarm signal and/or the stop signal to switch off the sprinkler pump when t.sub.Z satisfies a second inequality t.sub.Z>t.sub.1 where t.sub.1 is a predefined filling cycle time t.sub.1.

7. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the filling cycle time t.sub.Z satisfies the equation t.sub.Z=t.sub.S+t.sub.A, where t.sub.A is a predefined drain time between opening and closing the shut-off element to drain the accumulated leakage fluid.

8. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a float configured to detect the leakage fluid is movably arranged in the collecting vessel and the measuring unit is configured to detect the at least one fill level based on the position of the float.

9. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the measuring unit comprises a position determination device configured to determine at least one position of the float.

10. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the position determination device comprises at least one reed contact arranged on the collecting vessel and at least one magnetic element connected to the float or the float formed from a magnetic material.

11. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit is connected to the at least one reed contact in a signal-conducting manner, and the measuring unit or the control unit is also configured to detect the initial filling time t.sub.S0 and the filling cycle times t.sub.Z when the switching state of the at least one reed contact is changed by the magnetic element of the float or by the float made of the magnetic material, when the at least one fill level is reached.

12. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the float is configured with an interior enclosed on all sides, in which the at least one magnetic element is arranged.

13. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the float is solid or hollow and has a cylindrical, spherical, cube or cuboid shape.

14. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the float is formed of at least two parts and comprises a lid element and a base element, the lid element and the base element being configured in such a way that they form the interior when joined together.

15. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the interior is formed by a recess which extends at least partially in the lid element and/or in the base element.

16. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the lid element has a fluid-draining surface topology on the side facing away from the base element.

17. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the base element has at least one spacer element on a side facing away from the lid element, which ensures the flow of the leakage fluid between a support element of the collecting vessel and the base element.

18. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the float has a through-recess which extends from the lid element to the base element.

19. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a cross-sectional geometry of the collecting vessel is at least substantially similar to a cross-sectional geometry of outer walls of the float, so that the outer walls of the float are spaced on all sides from inner walls of the collecting vessel, while maintaining a minimum distance from one another.

20. A method for monitoring a pump test run of a sprinkler pump, the sprinkler pump comprises: at least one pump housing surrounding a wet chamber, a drive shaft arranged sealed against the pump housing by a gland packing, and a drive mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, the gland packing being configured for the passage of leakage fluid from the pump housing into a dry chamber, the method comprising the steps of: detecting the leakage fluid passing from the pump housing via the gland packing into the dry chamber during the pump test run by a measuring unit of a monitoring apparatus; and generating an alarm signal and/or a stop signal to switch off the sprinkler pump when the flow rate falls below a predefined minimum.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the monitoring apparatus includes a control unit being connected to the measuring unit and the drive in a signal-conducting manner, and wherein the generation of the alarm signal and/or the stop signal to switch off the sprinkler pump taking place by the control unit or the measuring unit.

22. The method according to claim 21 further comprising: detecting the leakage fluid in a collecting vessel based on at least one fill level of the leakage fluid in the collecting vessel by the measuring unit.

23. The method according to claim 22 further comprising: generating the alarm signal and/or the stop signal to switch off the sprinkler pump by the control unit or the measuring unit when, during an initial filling of the collecting vessel, the at least one fill level of the leakage fluid in the collecting vessel is not reached within a predefined initial filling time t.sub.0.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein during the initial filling of the collecting vessel the method further comprises: checking by the measuring unit or the control unit whether an initial filling time t.sub.S0 until the at least one fill level is reached satisfies a first inequality t.sub.S0<t.sub.0; and detecting filling times t.sub.S until the at least one fill level is reached in further filling cycles when the first inequality is satisfied, by the measuring unit or the control unit.

25. The method according to any of claim 24 further comprising: opening, by the measuring unit or the control unit, a shut-off element arranged on the collecting vessel in order to drain the accumulated leakage fluid when the at least one fill level is reached; closing, by the measuring unit or the control unit, the shut-off element; detecting, by the measuring unit or the control unit, a filling cycle time t.sub.Z between two successive fillings of the collecting vessel until the at least one fill level is reached again; and generating, by the measuring unit or the control unit, the alarm signal and/or the stop signal to switch off the sprinkler pump when t.sub.Z satisfies a second inequality t.sub.Z>t.sub.1 where t.sub.1 is a predefined filling cycle time t.sub.1.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the filling cycle time t.sub.Z satisfies the equation t.sub.Z=t.sub.S+t.sub.A, where t.sub.A is a predefined drain time between opening and closing the shut-off element to drain the accumulated leakage fluid.

27. The method according to claim 26 further: detecting the leakage fluid with a float movably arranged in the collecting vessel; detecting the at least one fill level based on the position of the float by the measuring unit; and determining at least one position of the float by a position determination device.

28. The method according to claim 27 further comprising: detection of the initial filling time t.sub.S0 and the filling cycle time t.sub.Z when a switching state of at least one reed contact changes, the position determination device being formed by the at least one reed contact arranged on the collecting vessel and at least one magnetic element connected to the float, or by the at least one reed contact arranged on the collecting vessel, and the float made of a magnetic material.

29. Water extinguishing system with the monitoring apparatus according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0191] Further useful and/or aspects features and embodiments of the present disclosure are described in the dependent claims and the description. Embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawing. Both the monitoring unit according to the present disclosure and the method according to the present disclosure are explained with reference to the drawings. These show the following:

[0192] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the monitoring apparatus according to the present disclosure.

[0193] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the monitoring apparatus according to the present disclosure.

[0194] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the monitoring apparatus according to the present disclosure in an embodiment with a collecting vessel of the measuring unit.

[0195] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the monitoring apparatus according to the present disclosure according to a further embodiment with a float and a reed contact.

[0196] FIG. 5a is a perspective view of the float according to the present disclosure

[0197] FIG. 5b is a cross-sectional view of the float according to the present disclosure.

[0198] FIG. 5c is a further embodiment of the float according to the present disclosure.

[0199] FIG. 5d is a sectional view of the further float variant along the line of intersection B-B of FIG. 5c.

[0200] FIG. 6a is a schematic representation the measuring unit of the monitoring apparatus according to the present disclosure.

[0201] FIG. 6b is a sectional view of the measuring unit according to the present disclosure.

[0202] FIG. 6c is a sectional view of the measuring unit with the float variant from FIGS. 5c and 5d.

[0203] FIG. 7a is a block diagram showing the steps of the method according to the present disclosure and its embodiments.

[0204] FIG. 7b is another block diagram showing the steps of the method according to the present disclosure and its embodiments.

[0205] FIG. 7c is another block diagram showing the steps of the method according to the present disclosure and its embodiments.

[0206] FIG. 7d is another block diagram showing the steps of the method according to the present disclosure and its embodiments.

[0207] FIG. 7e is another block diagram showing the steps of the method according to the present disclosure and its embodiments.

[0208] FIG. 7f is another block diagram showing the steps of the method according to the present disclosure and its embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0209] In the following figures, the reference number 2 is used both for a sprinkler pump 2 and, according to a third aspect of the present disclosure, for a pump 2. Consequently, the pump test run corresponds to the pump run according to the third aspect of the present disclosure.

[0210] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the monitoring apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure for a pump test run of a sprinkler pump 2 and a monitoring apparatus 1 for a pump 2 according to the third aspect of the present disclosure.

[0211] In all other figures, the described features of the sprinkler pump 2 are also the features of the pump 2.

[0212] The sprinkler pump 2 or the pump 2 comprises at least one pump housing 3.1 surrounding a wet chamber (not shown in the drawing), a drive shaft 4 arranged sealed against the pump housing 3.1 by a gland packing 5, and a drive A mechanically coupled to the drive shaft 4. The gland packing 5 is configured and adapted for the passage of leakage fluid LF from the pump housing 3.1, in particular from the wet chamber, into a dry chamber.

[0213] The monitoring apparatus 1 comprises a measuring unit 6 which is adapted to detect the leakage fluid LF passing from the pump housing 3.1 via the gland packing 5 into a dry chambernot shown in the drawingduring the pump test run or during the pump run. The monitoring apparatus 1 is configured to generate a stop signal S.sub.stop to switch off the sprinkler pump 2 or the pump 2 and/or an alarm signal if the flow rate falls below a predefined minimum.

[0214] The drive shaft 4 of the sprinkler pump 2 or pump 2 in FIG. 1 extends from an impeller (not shown) in the wet chamber of the pump housing 3.1, via the dry chamber, which is surrounded by a bearing housing 3.2, for example, and comprises bearings (not shown) for guiding the drive shaft 4, to the drive A. In some embodiments, the bearing housing 3.2 is connected to the pump housing 3.1. In the base area of the bearing housing 3.2, where the leakage fluid LF that has passed through can accumulate, an opening, in some embodiments, is arranged that enables the measuring unit 6 to detect leakage fluid LF passing through. In some embodiments, the opening is configured as a leakage fluid outlet opening 14, as shown by way of example in FIG. 3. The monitoring apparatus 1 is configured to generate a stop signal S.sub.stop to switch off the sprinkler pump 2 or the pump 2 and/or an alarm signalnot shown in the drawingif the flow rate falls below a predefined minimum.

[0215] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the monitoring apparatus 1. The monitoring apparatus 1 has a control unit 7. The control unit 7 is connected to the measuring unit 6 and the drive A in a signal-conducting manner, which is shown by the dashed line. The control unit 7 is configured to generate the alarm signal and/or the stop signal S.sub.stop to switch off the sprinkler pump 2 or the pump 2. In some embodiments, the control unit 7 is configured to start the sprinkler pump 2 or the pump 2 and in some embodiments to control the pump test run or the pump run.

[0216] In a not shown embodiment of the monitoring apparatus 1, the measuring unit 6 is configured to generate the alarm signal and/or the stop signal S.sub.stop to switch off the sprinkler pump 2 or the pump 2.

[0217] A schematic representation of the monitoring apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure in an embodiment with a collecting vessel 8 of the measuring unit 6 is shown in FIG. 3. The measuring unit 6 comprises this collecting vessel 8, which is adapted to detect the leakage fluid LF. The measuring unit 6 is configured to detect the leakage fluid LF in the collecting vessel 8 based on at least one fill level H.sub.R. In this embodiment too, the control unit 7 is connected to the measuring unit 6 and the drive A in a signal-conducting manner, which is shown by the dashed line. The control unit 7 receives switching signals or detected values from the measuring unit 6 via this signal-conducting connection.

[0218] In some embodiments, the alarm signal and/or the stop signal S.sub.stop to switch off the sprinkler pump 2 or the pump 2 is generated by the measuring unit 6 or the control unit 7 if, during an initial filling of the collecting vessel 8, the at least one fill level H.sub.R of the leakage fluid LF in the collecting vessel 8 is not reached within a predefined initial filling time t.sub.0.

[0219] In some embodiments, the measuring unit 6 or the control unit 7 is configured and adapted to check whether, during the initial filling of the collecting vessel 8, an initial filling time t.sub.S0 until the at least one fill level H.sub.R is reached satisfies a first inequality t.sub.S0<t.sub.0. The measuring unit 6 or the control unit 7 are further configured and adapted, if the first inequality is satisfied, to detect filling times t.sub.S until the at least one fill level H.sub.R is reached in further filling cycles. This predefined initial filling time t.sub.0 takes into account the above-mentioned dead period after the pump test is started or after the pump 2 is started in order to detect when the flow rate falls below the predefined minimum flow rate. The pump test run or the pump 2 can continue if the measuring unit 6 or the control unit 7 has checked that the first inequality t.sub.S0<t.sub.0 is satisfied, and therefore the flow rate is not below the predefined minimum flow rate. In this case, the filling times t.sub.S until the at least one fill level H.sub.R is reached are detected in further filling cycles.

[0220] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates further embodiments of the monitoring apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure. In the first variant, the monitoring apparatus 1 is characterised in that a shut-off element 9 is arranged on the collecting vessel 8, and the measuring unit 6 or the control unit 7 is configured and adapted to open and close the shut-off element 9 to drain the accumulated leakage fluid LF when the at least one fill level H.sub.R is reached, and to detect a filling cycle time t.sub.Z between two successive fillings of the collecting vessel 8 until the at least one fill level H.sub.R is reached again. In some embodiments, the leakage fluid LF is drained via a drain 15.

[0221] In some embodiments, the measuring unit 6 or the control unit 7 is configured and adapted to generate the alarm signal and/or the stop signal S.sub.stop to switch off the sprinkler pump 2 or the pump 2 if t.sub.Z satisfies a second inequality t.sub.Z>t.sub.1 where t.sub.1 is a predefined filling cycle time t.sub.1. In some embodiments, the values for the predefined filling cycle time t.sub.1 are obtained from empirical values for the corresponding sprinkler pump type or from test series during commissioning of the sprinkler pump 2 or pump 2 and are stored in the measuring unit 6 or in the control unit 7.

[0222] In some embodiments, the filling cycle time t.sub.Z satisfies the equation t.sub.Z=t.sub.S+t.sub.A, where t.sub.A is a predefined drain time between opening and closing the shut-off element 9 to drain the accumulated leakage fluid LF.

[0223] In some embodiments, the values for the predefined filling cycle time t.sub.1 are in the range of 5 to 180 seconds, in the range of 30 to 90 seconds, or in the range of 15 to 40 seconds.

[0224] Furthermore, FIG. 4 schematically shows a further version of the monitoring apparatus 1 in which a float 11 adapted to detect the leakage fluid LF is movably arranged in the collecting vessel 8. In some embodiments, the measuring unit 6 is configured to detect the at least one fill level H.sub.R based on the position of the float 11.

[0225] In some embodiments, the measuring unit 6 shown in FIG. 4 comprises a position determination devicenot shown in the drawingwhich is adapted to determine at least one position of the float 11 and which, as shown, comprises at least one reed contact 10 arranged on the collecting vessel 8. In some embodiments, the position determination device comprises at least one magnetic element 12 connected to the float 11, or the float 11 formed from a magnetic material.

[0226] FIG. 4 also shows a further expedient configuration of the monitoring apparatus 1, which is characterised in that the control unit 7 is connected to the at least one reed contact 10 in a signal-conducting manner. In some embodiments, the measuring unit 6 or the control unit 7 is also configured and adapted to detect the initial filling time t.sub.S0 and the filling cycle times t.sub.Z when the switching state of the at least one reed contact 10 is changed by the magnetic element 12 of the float 11, or by the float 11 made of a magnetic material, when the at least one fill level H.sub.R is reached.

[0227] FIG. 5a and FIG. 5c show embodiments of the float 11 shown in FIG. 4, and FIGS. 5b and 5d show a sectional view of the respective embodiment of the float 11.

[0228] As FIGS. 5b and 5d show, the float 11 is configured with an interior 23 enclosed on all sides.

[0229] FIGS. 5b and 5d show schematically that the at least one magnetic element 12 is arranged in the interior 23 of the float 11. In particular, the magnetic element 12 is configured as a ring element. The arrangement of more than two magnetic elements 12 in the interior 23 of the float 11 is not shown. The arrangement of the at least one magnetic element 12 or of the plurality of magnetic elements 12 in the interior 23 prevents otherwise possible corrosion of the at least one magnetic element 12 or of all magnetic elements 12 arranged in the interior 23.

[0230] The illustrated embodiments of the float 11 show a float 11 with a cylindrical design. In particular, it is configured as a hollow cylinder. A spherical, cubic or cuboid design or other geometric designs of float 11 is not shown.

[0231] As shown in FIGS. 5a to 5d, the float 11 is formed of at least two parts. The float 11 comprises a lid element 17 and a base element 18. The lid element 17 and the base element 18 are configured in particular such that they form the interior 23 when joined together. The lid element 17 and the base element 18 are adapted to fit together with a form-fitting, force-fitting and/or bonded connection. When joined together, the lid element 17 and the base element 18 enclose the possible interior 23. In some embodiments, the base element 18 and the lid element 17 can be fitted together. FIG. 5d shows an embodiment of the float 11 in which the float 11 is configured as a hollow body. The interior 23 is formed by a recess 26, which extends at least partially in the lid element 17 and/or in the base element 18. Only the variant in which the recess 26 extends at least partially only in the base element 18 is shown.

[0232] As shown in FIGS. 5a to 5d, the float 11 has an upper side O and an underside U. The upper side O is the side of the lid element 17 facing away from the base element 18 in the direction of the buoyancy force. The underside U is the side of the base element 18 facing away from the lid element 17 and opposite to the direction of the buoyancy force.

[0233] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5c and 5d, the lid element 17 has a fluid-draining surface topology on the upper side O, in particular on the side facing away from the base element 18 in the direction of the buoyancy force. Thus, for example, it can be seen that at least part of the upper side O of the lid element 17 is conical in shape. Further variants of the design of at least part of the upper side O of the lid element 17, which are, for example, pyramid-shaped, paraboloid, convex or hemispherical, are not shown. The aspect of such designs of the lid element 17 is that they achieve a better distribution of the collected leakage fluid LF in the collecting vessel 8, in particular a delay-free flow past the outer walls of the float 11. In particular, this leads to more reproducible detection of the filling time t.sub.S and the filling cycle times t.sub.Z.

[0234] FIG. 6c shows a sectional view of an embodiment of the measuring unit 6 with the float 11 in the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 5c and 5d. The shown position of the float 11 in the collecting vessel 8 is the position after the leakage fluid LF is drained by opening the shut-off element 9. In this variant, the shut-off element 9 is designed as a solenoid valve. A support surface of the underside Unot shown in the drawingor the underside U, on a lower outer side of the base element 18 of the float 11not shown in the drawingrests on a support element 27 after the leakage fluid LF has been drained.

[0235] In the embodiment of the float 11 shown in FIGS. 5c and 5d, the base element 18 has at least one spacer element 24 on the underside U, namely on the side facing away from the lid element 17, which is adapted to ensure the flow of leakage fluid LF between the support element 27 of the collecting vessel 8 and the base element 18, in particular in the region of the underside U. If the underside U of the float 11 were to rest with its whole surface on the support element 27, it would be more difficult to detach the float 11 from the support element 27, which would adversely affect the detection of the filling time t.sub.S and the filling cycle times t.sub.Z. The detection of the filling time t.sub.S and the filling cycle times t.sub.Z is thus reliably maintained and is therefore reproducible and highly accurate. In other words, the float 11 is arranged in such a way that it only rests on part of the surface.

[0236] As shown in FIGS. 5c and 5d, a plurality of spacer elements 24 form channels 25 open on one side, in some embodiments, extending over the entire cross-section of the base element 18 of the float 11. These channels 25, which are arranged on the underside U and are open on one side, allow the leakage fluid LF to flow between the support element 27 of the collecting vessel 8 and the underside U of the base element 18 when the collecting vessel 8 is being filled.

[0237] Furthermore, FIGS. 5a and 5b show the embodiment of the float 11 which has a through-recess 22 extending from the lid element 17 to the base element 18. This also serves to improve the distribution of the leakage fluid LF when the collecting vessel 8 is being filled, as it can flow not only between the outer wall of the float 11 and the inner wall or inner walls of the collecting vessel 8, but also in the through-recess 22.

[0238] As shown in FIG. 5b, the recess 26 is designed as a first groove-like recess in the lid element 17 which recess is configured as an open groove in the direction of the outer wall of the hollow cylindrical base element 18. In some embodiments, a second groove-like recessnot shown in the drawingis provided in the base element 18, which is configured as an open groove in the direction of the through-recess 22. When the lid element 17 and base element 18 are joined together, the first groove-like recess and the second groove-like recess form the interior 23.

[0239] In some embodiments, the lid element 17 and the base element 18 are joined together with a form-fitting, force-fitting and/or materially bonded connection. For example, they are glued together in a form-fitting manner or configured with a sealing element, thus preventing the ingress of fluid, in particular leakage fluid LF, when the collecting vessel 8 is being filled. This prevents corrosion of the at least one magnetic element 12 or of all magnetic elements 12 arranged in the interior 23.

[0240] FIGS. 6a and 6b show an embodiment of the measuring unit 6 of the monitoring apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the collecting vessel 8 is configured as a tube, made for example of transparent material, such as PVC.

[0241] In some embodiments, the tube has an inner diameter that is approximately two to four millimetres larger than the outer diameter of the float 11, which is configured as a hollow cylinder.

[0242] The float 11 is illustrated in the sectional drawing 6b, which shows a section through the axis A-A. The measuring unit 6 has the position determination devicenot shown in the drawingwhich is adapted to determine at least one position of the float 11. In some embodiments, the position determination device comprises the shown collecting vessel 8 with the reed contact 10 arranged thereon and a magnetic element 12 connected to the float 11.

[0243] In some embodiments, the measuring unit 6 further has a connection element 20 for attaching the measuring unit 6, for example to the bearing housing 3.2. This creates a fluid-conducting connection between the leakage fluid outlet opening 14 (see FIG. 4) and the collecting vessel 8 for collecting the leakage fluid LF. In some embodiments, the measuring unit 6 has a fastening element 19 for positioning the at least one reed contact 10. This is adapted to set the fill level or fill height, in particular the lowest fill level H.sub.R, at which the reed contact 10 generates a switching signal.

[0244] This switching signal is used during initial filling to determine the initial filling time t.sub.S0 after the pump test run or pump run has started and also in the subsequent filling cycles to determine the filling cycle time t.sub.Z from the time difference between two successive switching signals or filling switching signals.

[0245] In some embodiments, the shut-off element 9 is in the form of a solenoid valve, is arranged on the collecting vessel 8. The measuring unit 6 or the control unit 7 is configured to open the shut-off element 9 when the at least one fill level H.sub.R is reached and after the switching signal has been generated by the reed contact 10, to drain the accumulated leakage fluid LF and then to close the shut-off element 9 again. In some embodiments, the leakage fluid LF is drained via the drain 15.

[0246] In the illustrated variant of the measuring unit 6 in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the reed contact 10 is arranged on the collecting vessel 8 in such a way that, when the measuring unit 6 is ready for operation and the collecting vessel 8 is empty, the reed contact 10 is closed and this switching state of the reed contact 10 is detected as the idle state signal. When the at least one fill level H.sub.R is reached, the reed contact 10 is opened and the filling switching signal is generated. This position of the float 11 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 6b. For the sake of simplicity, the accumulated leakage fluid LF is not shown. This filling switching signal is used during initial filling to determine the initial filling time t.sub.S0 after the pump test run or pump run has started and also in the subsequent filling cycles to determine the filling cycle time t.sub.Z from the time difference between two successive filling switching signals.

[0247] The embodiment of the monitoring apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure with the measuring unit 6, as shown in FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b, is configured so that the open reed contact 10 is detected by the control unit 7 or the measuring unit 6 as a filling switching signal and the filling cycle time t.sub.Z is determined from the time difference between two successive filling switching signals. In some embodiments, the monitoring apparatus 1 is configured and adapted so that the closed reed contact 10 is detected as an idle state signal when the collecting vessel 8 is empty and a stop signal S.sub.stop is generated to switch off the sprinkler pump 2 or the pump 2 when a predefined warning time is exceeded, or no start signal is generated for the drive A of the sprinkler pump 2 or the pump 2.

[0248] In particular, the monitoring apparatus 1 is configured to open the shut-off element 9 for the drain time t.sub.A before the initial filling of the collecting vessel 8 after the pump test run or pump run is started. This makes it possible to create defined starting conditions for detecting the leakage fluid LF passing into the dry chamber. For example, an absent idle state signal within the predefined warning time is detected if the shut-off element 9 or the reed contact 10 is defective or the float 11 has become jammed in the collecting vessel 8. This is a cost-effective way of monitoring the functionality of the monitoring apparatus 1, as no further resources are required in addition to those already available.

[0249] FIG. 6c shows a sectional view of an embodiment of the measuring unit 6 of the monitoring apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure, which is identical to the variant shown in FIG. 6b except for the float 11. In FIG. 6b, the float 11 is configured as described in FIGS. 5a and 5b, and in FIG. 6c as described in FIGS. 5c and 5d.

[0250] The previous remarks on the design of the apparatus according to the present disclosure also apply analogously to the details described below in connection with the method according to the present disclosure.

[0251] FIG. 7a shows a schematic flowchart of the method according to the present disclosure for monitoring a pump test run of a sprinkler pump 2 and the method according to the present disclosure for monitoring a pump 2. FIGS. 7b to 7e show different embodiments of the method. The sprinkler pump 2 or pump 2 comprises at least one pump housing 3.1 surrounding the wet chamber, the drive shaft 4 arranged sealed against the pump housing 3.1 by a gland packing 5, and a drive A mechanically coupled to the drive shaft 4. The gland packing 5 is configured and adapted for the passage of leakage fluid LF from the pump housing 3.1 into the dry chamber. The method comprises the following method steps during the pump test run or during the pump run: [0252] Detection 101 of the leakage fluid LF passing from the pump housing 3.1 via the gland packing 5 into the dry chamber by a measuring unit 6 of a monitoring apparatus 1. [0253] Generation 102 of the alarm signal and/or the stop signal S.sub.stop to switch off the sprinkler pump 2 or the pump 2 if the flow rate falls below the predefined minimum.

[0254] The method is further characterised in that the monitoring apparatus 1 has a control unit 7, the control unit 7 being connected to the measuring unit 6 and the drive A in a signal-conducting manner, the generation 102 of the alarm signal and/or the stop signal S.sub.stop to switch off the sprinkler pump 2 or the pump 2 taking place by the control unit 7 or the measuring unit 6.

[0255] In some embodiments of the method, the following method steps are optionally carried out after the pump test run or the pump run is started, and in some embodiments, before a regular, non-test run start of the drive A: [0256] Checking 103 whether an idle state signal is present within a predefined warning time and [0257] Generation 104 of a warning signal if the predefined warning time is exceeded without the idle state signal being detected, the idle state signal representing a state of operational readiness of the measuring unit 6.

[0258] FIG. 7b shows a further method step: [0259] Detection 200 of the leakage fluid LF in a collecting vessel 8 based on at least one fill level H.sub.R of the leakage fluid LF in the collecting vessel 8 by the measuring unit 6.

[0260] The steps of detection 101 and generation 102 shown in FIG. 7b correspond to those explained above.

[0261] In a further embodiment of the method, as shown in FIG. 7c, in the method step 300 the alarm signal and/or the stop signal S.sub.stop to switch off the sprinkler pump 2 or the pump 2 is generated by the control unit 7 or the measuring unit 6 if, during an initial filling of the collecting vessel 8, the at least one fill level H.sub.R of the leakage fluid LF in the collecting vessel 8 is not reached within a predefined initial filling time t.sub.0. Furthermore, FIG. 7c shows other optionally method steps for the initial filling of the collecting vessel 8: [0262] Checking 401 by the measuring unit 6 or the control unit 7 whether an initial filling time t.sub.S0 until the at least one fill level H.sub.R is reached satisfies a first inequality t.sub.S0<t.sub.0 and [0263] Detection 402 of filling times t.sub.S until the at least one fill level H.sub.R is reached in further filling cycles when the first inequality is satisfied, by the measuring unit 6 or the control unit 7.

[0264] FIG. 7d shows further method steps that are carried out by the measuring unit 6 or the control unit 7: [0265] Opening 501 of a shut-off element 9 arranged on the collecting vessel 8 in order to drain the accumulated leakage fluid LF when the at least one fill level H.sub.R is reached. [0266] Closing 502 of the shut-off element 9. [0267] Detection 503 of a filling cycle time t.sub.Z between two successive fillings of the collecting vessel 8 until the at least one fill level H.sub.R is reached again. [0268] Generation 504 of the alarm signal and/or the stop signal S.sub.stop to switch off the sprinkler pump 2 or the pump 2 when t.sub.Z satisfies a second inequality t.sub.Z>t.sub.1 where t.sub.1 is a predefined filling cycle time t.sub.1.

[0269] In some embodiments, the filling cycle time t.sub.Z satisfies the equation t.sub.Z=t.sub.S+t.sub.A, where t.sub.A is a predefined drain time between opening and closing the shut-off element 9 to drain the accumulated leakage fluid LF.

[0270] Further method steps are shown schematically in FIG. 7e: [0271] Detection 601 of the leakage fluid LF with a float 11 movably arranged in the collecting vessel 8. [0272] Detection 602 of the at least one fill level H.sub.R based on the position of the float 11 by the measuring unit 6, and optionally. [0273] Determination 603 of at least one position of the float 11 by the position determination device.

[0274] A further optional method step is also shown: [0275] Detection 604 of the initial filling time t.sub.S0, the filling time t.sub.S or the filling cycle time t.sub.Z by the position determination device.

[0276] FIG. 7f shows a further optional method step which comprises the detection 701 of the initial filling time t.sub.S0 and the filling cycle time t.sub.Z when a switching state of the at least one reed contact 10 changes, the position determination device being formed by the at least one reed contact 10 arranged on the collecting vessel 8 and at least one magnetic element 12 connected to the float 11, or by the at least one reed contact 10 arranged on the collecting vessel 8, and a float 11 made of a magnetic material.