Lifting station for water evacuation

Abstract

Lifting station (10) for the evacuation of water, said station comprising: - a tank (12) intended to receive water to be evacuated, - at least one water evacuation pump (16) provided with a motor (30), and - a control device (20) of the motor (30) of the evacuation pump (16) on a given pumping cycle as a function of at least one value of an operating parameter of the pump at a past pumping cycle, called "historical value". Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Lifting station for water evacuation Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a lifting station for the evacuation of water, in particular for the evacuation of waste water or rainwater and a method for controlling the operation of such a station. Technological background

[0002] The role of a pumping station is to raise wastewater or rainwater to be evacuated when the land of a home does not allow normal flow by gravity towards the collection network. The pumping station can be placed for example in the basement or cellar of a home.

[0003] Current pumping stations are generally equipped with electric pumps that increase the pressure of wastewater or rainwater to transport it to its final destination. These pumps are often single-speed, including 2, 4, 6 or 8-pole pumps. They have the disadvantage of not adapting or adapting poorly to the installation and use conditions of the pumping stations. Indeed, they tend to consume too much energy because they must operate at a high speed, even when the output flow to be provided is low. The operation of the pump is therefore always at maximum, which causes excessive electricity consumption.

[0004] There is therefore a need to further improve wastewater or rainwater pumping stations, in particular their control in order to improve their performance, in particular energy efficiency, while adapting as best as possible to the needs of users. Summary of the invention

[0005] The invention aims to meet this need and achieves this by means of a lifting station for the evacuation of water, said station comprising: - a tank intended to receive water to be evacuated, - at least one water evacuation pump equipped with a motor, and - a device for controlling the evacuation pump motor on a given pumping cycle as a function of at least one value of an operating parameter of the pump at a past pumping cycle, called a “historical value”.

[0006] The control of the lifting station takes into account the values ​​of operating parameters of the evacuation pump measured in the past. These values ​​provide information on the conditions of use of the lifting station and on the actual water evacuation requirements. The lifting station according to the invention thus makes it possible to select the most energy-efficient operation of the evacuation pump compared to conventional lifting stations.

[0007] Furthermore, the lifting station according to the invention, by adapting the operation of the evacuation pump to actual needs, makes it possible to delay the aging of said pump. Indeed, the latter may not operate at its maximum when the conditions of use do not justify it, in particular in the event of low operating flow rate.

[0008] The given pumping cycle and the past pumping cycle may correspond to two successive pumping cycles of the evacuation pump.

[0009] By "pumping cycle" is meant a period between the water level in the tank reaching a set point at which the drain pump turns on and a set point at which the drain pump turns off.

[0010] The operating parameter of the pump may correspond to a discharge flow rate.

[0011] Also, the invention makes it possible to adjust the operation of the evacuation pump motor according to the actual discharge flow rate requirements. This makes it possible to ensure optimal operation of the evacuation pump and thus reduce energy consumption by avoiding maximum operation of the pump when the discharge flow rate is low.

[0012] Adjusting the operation of the motor may include adjusting its rotational speed and / or its torque.

[0013] In embodiments, the control device is configured to adapt the rotational speed of the motor according to said historical value.

[0014] In particular, when the operating parameter is the discharge flow rate, the control device is configured to adapt the rotation speed of the motor to allow the evacuation of the water present in the tank according to the historical value of the discharge flow rate.

[0015] Advantageously, the control device is further configured to maintain the absorbed current of the motor below a maximum absorbed current. This makes it possible to further reduce the electrical consumption of the lifting station according to the invention.

[0016] Preferably, the control device is further configured to prevent water overflow at the given pumping cycle.

[0017] Also, if the shutdown of the discharge pump is not achieved after a predetermined time after the start of the given pumping cycle, the controller is preferably configured to readjust the operation of the motor to accelerate the discharge of water, beyond the predetermined time.

[0018] Also, on the given pumping cycle, the control device can be configured to: - at the start of the given pumping cycle: adapt the operation of the motor according to the historical value of the operating parameter; and - beyond the predetermined duration: further adjust the motor operation to accelerate water evacuation

[0019] In particular, beyond the predetermined duration, the control device is configured to increase the speed of rotation of the motor to force the water out of the tank.

[0020] The predetermined duration may be less than 1 min.

[0021] The control device may comprise an electronic card comprising one or more processors and a memory in which is stored a set of instructions to be executed by the processor(s) so as to control the motor of the evacuation pump as described above.

[0022] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the motor of the evacuation pump is an electric motor, in particular a brushless motor.

[0023] Brushless motors have several advantages. Being brushless, these motors have less friction than brushed motors, making them more efficient and quieter. In addition, brushless motors have higher energy efficiency than brushed motors. Also, they consume less energy to produce the same power. Finally, they are easy to maintain, thus reducing the associated maintenance cost.

[0024] In one embodiment, the lifting station comprises an additional discharge pump provided with a motor, the control device being configured to control both the motor of the discharge pump and the motor of the additional discharge pump.

[0025] Alternatively, the lifting station comprises an additional control device configured to control the motor of the additional discharge pump. The additional control device advantageously has the same characteristics as the control device described above.

[0026] The invention also relates to a method for controlling the operation of a pumping station for the evacuation of water, said station comprising a tank and at least one evacuation pump equipped with a motor, the operation of the motor of the evacuation pump on a given pumping cycle being adapted as a function of at least one value of an operating parameter of the pump at a past pumping cycle, called "historical value".

[0027] Preferably, the given and past pumping cycles are successive pumping cycles of the evacuation pump.

[0028] The operating parameter is preferably a discharge flow rate of the pump.

[0029] The method may comprise, at the given pumping cycle, and at each pumping cycle of said evacuation pump, the calculation of the value of the discharge flow rate on the basis of a time elapsed between the triggering of the evacuation pump and its stopping, the calculated value of the discharge flow rate serving as a historical value for future pumping cycles.

[0030] Preferably, the adaptation of the operation of the engine is carried out by adapting the rotation speed of the engine as a function of said historical value.

[0031] Preferably, the adaptation of the operation of the motor is carried out by maintaining the absorbed intensity of the motor below a maximum absorbed intensity.

[0032] Preferably, the method makes it possible to prevent water overflow at the given pumping cycle.

[0033] Preferably, when pump shutdown is not achieved after a predetermined duration from the start of the given pumping cycle, the method comprises adjusting the motor operation again to accelerate the evacuation of water on the same given pumping cycle beyond said predetermined duration.

[0034] Also, the method can comprise on the given pumping cycle, the following successive steps: a. at the start of the given pumping cycle: adapting the operation of the evacuation pump motor according to the historical value; and b. if pump stop is not achieved after the predetermined time, adjusting the drain pump motor operation again beyond the predetermined time to accelerate water drainage.

[0035] In particular, step b) comprises increasing the speed of the motor beyond the predetermined duration of the given pumping cycle to force the water out of the tank.

[0036] The predetermined duration may be less than 1 min.

[0037] The motor of the drain pump is preferably a brushless motor. Brief description of the figures

[0038] The invention may be better understood by reading the detailed description which follows, of a non-limiting example of implementation of the invention, and by examining the attached drawing, in which:

[0039] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a schematic view of a prior art lifting pump in partial section;

[0040] [Fig.2a] [Fig.2a] is a front view of a motor of a discharge pump according to the invention;

[0041] [Fig.2b] [Fig.2b] is an exploded view of the engine of [Fig.2a],

[0042] [Fig.2c] [Fig.2c] is a top view of the engine of [Fig.2a],

[0043] [Fig.2d] [Fig.2d] is a bottom view of the engine of [Fig.2a],

[0044] [Fig.3a] [Fig.3a] represents in isolation the rotor of the motor of figures 2a-d,

[0045] [Fig.3b] [Fig.3b] is an exploded view of the rotor of [Fig.3a],

[0046] [Fig.3c] [Fig.3c] is a front view of the rotor of [Fig.3a],

[0047] [Fig.4a] [Fig.4a] is a front view of a control device according to the invention;

[0048] [Fig.4b] [Fig.4b] is an exploded view of the control device of [Fig.4a],

[0049] [Fig.4c] [Fig.4c] is a top view of the control device of [Fig.4a],

[0050] [Fig.4d] [Fig.4d] is a bottom view of the control device of [Fig.4a]. Description of embodiment(s)

[0051] [Fig.l] shows a lifting station 10 according to the invention.

[0052] As illustrated, the lifting station 10 comprises a tank 12 intended to receive water, in particular wastewater or rainwater, one or more water inlet orifices 13, these orifices are formed by conduits 14 connected to the tank 12 and allowing the water to flow into the tank 12. The lifting station 10 further comprises first and second submersible discharge pumps 16 placed in the tank 12 (the second pump is not visible). Each discharge pump 16 comprises an electric motor 30, visible in FIGS. 2a-d.

[0053] As illustrated, the motor 30 is of the brushless motor type. The motor 30 comprises: - a casing 31; - a rotor 32 housed inside the casing 31 and rotating around a rotation shaft 33; - a stator 34 housed inside the casing 31 and surrounding the rotor 32; - an exchanger cover 35 at an upper end of the casing 31; - a turbine 36 connected to the rotating shaft 33, - an engine cover 37 comprising a handle 38 and a stuffing box 39.

[0054] In the example illustrated in Figures 3a-c, the rotor 32 comprises a plurality of magnets 42 arranged in a spaced manner, on an outer surface of a cylindrical rotor body 44, around the rotation shaft 33. The rotor further comprises an insulating piece 46 interposed between the rotation shaft 33 and the rotor body 44. Said insulating piece is mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the rotary shaft 33.

[0055] The lifting station 10 further comprises a control device 20 for the motors of the first and second discharge pumps 16. This control device 20 is arranged between the two discharge pumps 16, in the example illustrated.

[0056] As can be seen in [Fig. 1] and in Figures 4a-d, the control device 20 comprises an upper chamber 22, a cover 21 provided with a stuffing box 23 and a plurality of tubes 24 emerging from a bottom wall of the upper chamber 22.

[0057] The control device also comprises an electrical control system housed within said chamber 22 and an electronic card 50 comprising one or more processors and a memory in which is stored a set of instructions to be executed by the processor(s) so as to control the electrical control system.

[0058] The control device further comprises actuating elements 26 each mounted in a chimney 28 extending from the bottom wall of the upper chamber 22 in the opposite direction to the extension of the tubes 24.

[0059] The actuating elements 26 are microswitches which allow an electrical connection to be made as a function of the air pressure in the tubes 24. The microswitches 26 are therefore capable of actuating the electrical control system as a function of the water level in each of the tubes 24 (the water level causing the air pressure in the chambers to vary).

[0060] When the water reaches a threshold, the microswitches 26 activate the motor of each of the first and second evacuation pumps 16. The water is then evacuated through a evacuation conduit 8 towards the collection network.

[0061] In order to allow optimal operation of the evacuation pumps 16, the control device 20 is configured to control the motors on a given pumping cycle as a function of at least one value of an operating parameter of the pump at a past pumping cycle, while maintaining the absorbed intensity of the motor below a maximum absorbed intensity.

[0062] In the example illustrated, the operating parameter is the discharge flow rate of the evacuation pumps 16.

[0063] In this example, the control device 20 adapts the rotation speed of the motor according to the historical value of the discharge flow rate calculated in the previous pumping cycle.

[0064] The control device is further configured to prevent water overflow at the given pumping cycle.

[0065] When the shutdown of the drain pump motors is not reached beyond a predetermined duration, the control device adjusts the operation again in order to accelerate the evacuation of the water.

[0066] In other words, the control device is capable of adjusting the operation of the motors at least twice.

[0067] The first time, at the beginning of the cycle, it adapts the operation of the engine according to the historical value of the operating flow rate; and - beyond the predetermined duration (if the motor stop is not reached), it further adjusts the operation of the motor to accelerate the evacuation of the water. In the example illustrated, the control device increases the speed of each motor to force the water out of the tank 12 beyond the predetermined duration

[0068] The predetermined duration is in this example of the order of 20 s.

[0069] We will now describe the operation of the control device 20 according to the invention during a given pumping cycle N.

[0070] During operation of the lifting station 16, water coming for example from the shower, the toilets and / or the kitchen, flows into the tank 12 and the water level in the tank 12 increases. When the water has reached a predetermined level, the microswitches 26 actuate the electrical control system thus causing the motor of each of the evacuation pumps 16 to start operating. The control device via the electronic card 50 adapts the operating rotation speed of the motors 30 to evacuate the water according to the value of the discharge flow rate calculated in the previous pumping cycle N1. After 20 s of operation, if the pump has not stopped, the control device then increases the rotation speed of the motors 30 to discharge the water out of the tank through the evacuation pipe.At the end of the pumping cycle N, the control device determines the time elapsed between the pump starting and stopping, and deduces the value of the discharge flow rate for pumping cycle N. This value will be used to adapt the operation of the motor during the following pumping cycle N+1.

[0071] The invention is not limited to the example which has just been described.

[0072] For example, the operation of the motors can be adapted by altering their torque.

Claims

Claims

1. Lifting station (10) for evacuating water, said station comprising: - a tank (12) intended to receive water to be evacuated, - at least one water evacuation pump (16) provided with a motor (30), and - a control device (20) of the motor (30) of the evacuation pump (16) on a given pumping cycle as a function of at least one value of an operating parameter of the pump at a past pumping cycle, called "historical value", the given pumping cycle and the past pumping cycle being two successive pumping cycles of the evacuation pump.

2. A pumping station according to claim 1, the operating parameter being a discharge flow rate of the discharge pump.

3. Lifting station according to any one of the preceding claims, the control device (20) being configured to adapt the rotation speed of the motor according to said historical value, in particular to allow the evacuation of water from the tank according to the historical value of the discharge flow rate.

4. A station according to any preceding claim, the control device (20) being further configured to maintain the absorbed current of the motor below a maximum absorbed current.

5. A station according to any preceding claim, wherein when the shutdown of the discharge pump (16) is not reached after a predetermined duration from the start of the given pumping cycle, the controller (20) is further configured to readjust the operation of the motor (30) beyond the predetermined duration in order to accelerate the discharge of the water.

6. Station according to the preceding claim, in which the control device (20) is configured to increase the rotation speed of the motor beyond the predetermined duration.

7. Station according to claim 5 or 6, the predetermined duration being less than 1 min.

8. Station according to any one of the preceding claims, the motor (30) of the evacuation pump (16) being a brushless motor.

9. Method for controlling the operation of a lifting station (10) for the evacuation of water, said station comprising a tank (12) and at least one evacuation pump (16) provided with a motor (30), the operation of the motor of the evacuation pump (16) at a given pumping cycle being adapted as a function of at least one value of an operating parameter of the pump (16) at a past pumping cycle, called "historical value", the given and past pumping cycles being successive pumping cycles of the evacuation pump.

10. Method according to the preceding claim, said operating parameter being a discharge flow rate of the pump.

11. Method according to one of claims 9 and 10, the adaptation of the operation of the motor (30) being carried out by maintaining the absorbed intensity of the motor below a maximum absorbed intensity.

12. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 9 to 11, when stopping of the pump (16) is not reached after a predetermined duration from the start of the given pumping cycle, the method comprising on the same given pumping cycle adjusting again the operation of the motor beyond said predetermined duration to accelerate the evacuation of the water.

13. Method according to the preceding claim, comprising on the given pumping cycle, the following successive steps: a) at the start of the given pumping cycle: adapting the operation of the motor (30) of the evacuation pump (16) as a function of the historical value of the operating parameter; and b) if the stopping of the pump (16) is not reached after the predetermined duration, adjusting again the operation of the motor (30) of the evacuation pump (16) beyond the predetermined duration to accelerate the evacuation of the water.

14. A method according to one of claims 12 and 13, further adjusting the operation of the motor (30) beyond the predetermined duration comprising increasing the rotational speed of the motor to force the water out of the tank (12).

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