Fluid Handling Protection Systems

Abstract

A fluid handling protection system configured to prevent cavitation in a first pump may include a first pump, a first pump fluid inlet line, a first pump fluid outlet line, a first pump drive unit operably coupled to the first pump, a first pressure sensor, and a control unit operably coupled to the first sensor and the first pump drive unit.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] A fluid handling protection system is disclosed, specifically the system includes a first pump, a first pump fluid inlet line, a first pump fluid outlet line, a first pump drive unit, the first pump drive unit operably coupled to the first pump, a first pressure sensor, and a control unit operably coupled to the first sensor and the first pump drive unit. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0002] A fluid handling protection system configured to prevent cavitation in a first pump may include a first pump, a first pump fluid inlet line, a first pump fluid outlet line, a first pump drive unit operably coupled to the first pump, a first pressure sensor, and a control unit operably coupled to the first pressure sensor and the first pump drive unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0003] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment disclosed herein. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exemplary, non-limiting block diagram of an embodiment disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0004] Detailed Description Before any embodiment is described in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not necessarily limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The embodiments can be practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0005] The use of "including," "comprising," or "having," and variations thereof, herein is intended to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items.

[0006] Unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mounting, connecting, supporting, and coupling.

[0007] In describing the drawings herein, directional references such as top, bottom, lower, upward, rear, bottom, front, rear, upstream, downstream, etc. may be made, but these references are made for convenience with respect to the drawings (as they are normally viewed). These directions are not intended to be taken literally, nor are they intended to limit the invention in any manner.

[0008] Additionally, terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used herein for descriptive purposes only and are not intended to denote or imply any relative importance or significance.

[0009] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the system 10 may include a first pump 12, a first pump fluid inlet line 14, a first pump fluid outlet line 16, a first pump drive unit 18 operably coupled to the first pump 12, a first pressure sensor 20, and a control unit 22 operably coupled to the first sensor and the first pump drive unit 18.

[0010] According to certain embodiments, the system 10 may include a first fluid source 34 having a first fluid, and the first pump 12 is in fluid communication with the first fluid source 34 via a first pump fluid inlet line 14.

[0011] According to certain embodiments, the system 10 can provide that the first pressure sensor 20 is disposed in the first fluid inlet line.

[0012] According to certain embodiments, the system 10 may provide that during operation, the control unit 22 continuously receives in real time a first pressure signal from the first pressure sensor 20. The pressure sensor may be coupled to the control unit 22 by a first sensor connection 42 to the control unit and a second sensor connection 44 to the control unit, which may be a wireless connection or an Ethernet cable and may include an analog-to-digital converter.

[0013] According to a particular embodiment, the system 10 may provide that the control unit 22 is configured to compare the first pressure signal to a first pressure threshold value.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first pressure threshold indicates a minimum inlet pressure.

[0015] According to certain embodiments, the system 10 may provide that the first pressure threshold is based on the real-time first pump 12 speed.

[0016] According to certain embodiments, the system 10 may provide that the control unit 22 is configured to receive a real-time first pump 12 speed from the first pump drive unit 18 and, based on detection that the first pressure signal is below the first pump 12 threshold, reduce the speed of the first pump 12 via communication to the first pump drive unit 18 so that the speed of the first pump 12 does not exceed the first pressure threshold.

[0017] According to certain embodiments, the system 10 can provide that the first pressure threshold comprises a low first pressure setting value and a high first pressure setting value, the first pressure threshold being dynamic and having a first direct relationship between 0% first pump 12 speed as a maximum value at the low first pressure setting value and 100% pump speed as a maximum value at the high first pressure setting value.

[0018] In some embodiments, the first direct relationship is linear.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first low pressure set point is programmable by an operator in the control unit 22 .

[0020] According to certain embodiments, the system 10 may provide that the high first pressure set point is programmable by an operator of the control unit 22 .

[0021] In some embodiments, the control unit 22 is preset with a low first pressure setting of 5 psi (34.47 kPa) and a high first pressure setting of 60 psi (413.7 kPa).

[0022] In some embodiments, the first pump 12 is a gear pump.

[0023] According to certain embodiments, the system 10 may include a first inlet pressure generating mechanism 46, which may be the lift system 10, a transfer pump, or a combination thereof.

[0024] According to certain embodiments, system 10 may provide that first inlet pressure generating mechanism 46 is a transfer pump, the transfer pump being a pneumatically actuated piston pump.

[0025] In some embodiments, the system 10 of claim 1 may further include a second pump 24, a second pump fluid inlet line 26, a second pump fluid outlet line 28, a second pump drive unit 30 operably coupled to the second pump 24, and a second pressure sensor 32, and the control unit 22 is operably coupled to the second sensor and the second pump drive unit 30.

[0026] According to certain embodiments, the system 10 may provide a second fluid source 36 having a second fluid, with the second pump 24 in fluid communication with the second fluid source 36 via a second pump fluid inlet line 26.

[0027] In some embodiments, the second pressure sensor 32 is disposed in the second fluid inlet line.

[0028] In some embodiments, the control unit 22 continuously receives the second pressure signal from the second pressure sensor 32 in real time during operation.

[0029] According to certain embodiments, the system 10 may provide that the control unit 22 is configured to compare the second pressure signal to a second pressure threshold value.

[0030] In some embodiments, the second pressure threshold indicates a minimum inlet pressure.

[0031] In certain embodiments, the threshold value may indicate a minimum pressure to prevent cavitation in the pump.

[0032] In some embodiments, the second pressure threshold is based on the real-time speed of the second pump 24 .

[0033] According to certain embodiments, the system 10 may provide that the control unit 22 is configured to receive a real-time speed of the second pump 24 from the second pump drive unit 30 and, based on detecting that the second pressure signal is below a threshold value for the second pump 24, reduce the speed of the second pump 24 via communication to the second pump drive unit 30 such that the speed of the second pump 24 does not exceed the second pressure threshold.

[0034] According to certain embodiments, the system 10 can provide that the second pressure threshold comprises a low second pressure setting and a high second pressure setting, the second pressure threshold being dynamic and having a second direct relationship between 0% second pump 24 speed as a maximum value at the low second pressure setting and 100% pump speed as a maximum value at the high second pressure setting.

[0035] In some embodiments, the second direct relationship is linear.

[0036] In some embodiments, based on detecting that the pump fluid inlet pressure is greater than a threshold value, the system 10 can automatically increase the pump speed of the first pump 12 or the second pump 24 to or near the desired pump speed while avoiding exceeding a minimum threshold value.

[0037] In some embodiments, the lower second pressure set point is programmable by an operator in the control unit 22 .

[0038] In some embodiments, the high second pressure set point is programmable by an operator in the control unit 22 .

[0039] According to certain embodiments, the system 10 may provide that the control unit 22 is preset with a low second pressure setting of 5 psi (34.47 kPa) and a high second pressure setting of 60 psi (413.7 kPa).

[0040] According to certain embodiments, the system 10 may provide that the second pump 24 is a gear pump.

[0041] According to certain embodiments, the system 10 may provide a second inlet pressure generating mechanism 48, which may be the lift system 10, a transfer pump, or a combination thereof.

[0042] In some embodiments, the second inlet pressure generating mechanism 48 is a transfer pump, which is a pneumatically operated piston pump.

[0043] According to certain embodiments, the system 10 may include a first pump 12 and a second pump 24, a first pump fluid inlet line 14 and a second pump fluid inlet line 26, a first pump fluid outlet line 16 and a second pump fluid outlet line 28, a first pump drive unit 18 and a second pump drive unit 30, where the first pump drive unit 18 is operably coupled to the first pump 12 and the second pump drive unit 30 is operably coupled to the second pump drive unit 30, a first pressure sensor 20 in the first fluid inlet line and a second pressure sensor 32 in the second fluid inlet line, and a control unit 22, where the control unit 22 is operably coupled to the first sensor, the second pressure sensor 32, the first pump drive unit 18, and the second pump drive unit 30.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, a first fluid flow direction 38 and a second fluid flow direction 40 indicate that the pressure sensors are upstream of the first pump 12 and the second pump 24 .

[0045] In some embodiments, the system 10 may include a first fluid source 34 comprising a first fluid and a second fluid source 36 comprising a second fluid, with the first pump 12 in fluid communication with the first fluid source 34 via a first pump fluid inlet line 14 and the second pump 24 in fluid communication with the second fluid source 36 via a second pump fluid inlet line 26.

[0046] According to some embodiments, the first fluid may include an isocyanate or a polyol, and the second fluid may include an isocyanate or a polyol.

[0047] In some embodiments, the first pressure sensor 20 is disposed in the first fluid inlet line and the second pressure sensor 32 is disposed in the second fluid inlet line.

[0048] In some embodiments, the control unit 22 continuously receives the first pressure signal from the first pressure sensor 20 and the second pressure signal from the second pressure sensor 32 in real time during operation.

[0049] In some embodiments, the control unit 22 is configured to compare the first pressure signal to a first pressure threshold and to compare the second pressure signal to a second pressure threshold.

[0050] According to a particular embodiment, the first pressure threshold represents a minimum inlet pressure.

[0051] According to certain embodiments, the first pressure threshold is based on the real-time speed of the first pump 12 .

[0052] In some embodiments, the control unit 22 is configured to receive a real-time first pump 12 speed from the first pump drive unit 18 and, based on detecting that the first pressure signal is below the first pump 12 threshold, reduce the speed of the first pump 12 via communication to the first pump drive unit 18 so that the pump speed does not exceed the first pressure threshold.

[0053] In some embodiments, the control unit 22 is configured to reduce the speed of the second pump 24 via communication to the second pump drive unit 30 based on detecting that the first pressure signal is below a threshold value of the first pump 12 to maintain a preset ratio of the first fluid through the first fluid outlet and the second fluid through the second fluid outlet.

[0054] In some embodiments, the first pressure threshold comprises a low first pressure setting value and a high first pressure setting value, and the first pressure threshold is dynamic and has a first direct relationship between 0% of the first pump 12 speed as a maximum value at the low first pressure setting value and 100% of the pump speed as a maximum value at the high first pressure setting value.

[0055] In some embodiments, the first direct relationship is linear.

[0056] According to certain embodiments, during operation, the control unit 22 continuously receives the second pressure signal from the second pressure sensor 32 and the first pressure signal from the first pressure sensor 20 in real time.

[0057] In some embodiments, the control unit 22 is configured to compare the second pressure signal to a second pressure threshold and to compare the first pressure signal to a first pressure threshold.

[0058] In some embodiments, the second pressure threshold represents a minimum inlet pressure.

[0059] According to certain embodiments, the second pressure threshold is based on a real-time speed of the second pump 24, and the control unit 22 is configured to receive the real-time speed of the second pump 24 from the second pump drive unit 30 and, based on detecting that the second pressure signal is less than the second pump 24 threshold, reduce the speed of the second pump 24 via communication to the second pump drive unit 30 such that the pump speed does not exceed the second pressure threshold, and the control unit 22 is configured to determine a preset ratio of the flow of the second fluid through the second fluid outlet and the first fluid through the first fluid outlet. and configured to reduce the speed of the first pump 12 via communication to the first pump drive unit 18 upon detection of the second pressure signal being less than a second pump 24 threshold to maintain the set ratio, the second pressure threshold comprising a low second pressure setpoint and a high second pressure setpoint, the second pressure threshold being dynamic and having a second direct relationship between a speed of the second pump 24 of 0% as a maximum value at the low second pressure setpoint and a speed of the pump of 100% as a maximum value at the high second pressure setpoint, the second direct relationship being linear.

[0060] In some embodiments, based on detecting that the pump fluid inlet pressure is greater than a threshold value, the system 10 can automatically increase the pump speed of the first pump 12 or the second pump 24 to or near the desired pump speed while avoiding exceeding a minimum threshold value.

[0061] The description of various embodiments is provided for the purpose of explanation, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terms used in this specification have been selected to best explain the principles of the embodiments, practical applications or technical improvements to the technology found in the market, or to enable those skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. 1. A system comprising: A first pump; a first pump fluid inlet line; a first pump fluid outlet line; a first pump drive unit operably coupled to the first pump; A first pressure sensor; a control unit operatively coupled to the first pressure sensor and the first pump drive unit; A system comprising:

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a first fluid source comprising a first fluid, the first pump in fluid communication with the first fluid source via the first pump fluid inlet line.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first pressure sensor is disposed in the first fluid inlet line.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control unit continuously receives the first pressure signal in real time from the first pressure sensor during operation.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the control unit is configured to compare the first pressure signal to a first pressure threshold.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the first pressure threshold represents a minimum inlet pressure.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the first pressure threshold is based on a real-time first pump speed.

8. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the control unit is configured to receive the real-time first pump speed from the first pump drive unit and, based on detecting that the first pressure signal is less than the first pump threshold, to reduce the first pump speed via communication to the first pump drive unit so that the first pump speed does not exceed the first pressure threshold.

9. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first pressure threshold comprises a low first pressure set point and a high first pressure set point, the first pressure threshold being dynamic and having a first direct relationship between a first pump speed of 0% as a maximum value at the low first pressure set point and a first pump speed of 100% as a maximum value at the high first pressure set point.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the first direct relationship is linear.

11. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first low pressure set point is operator programmable in the control unit.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the first high pressure set point is operator programmable in the control unit.

13. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the control unit is preset with a low first pressure set point of 5 psi (34.47 kPa) and a high first pressure set point of 60 psi (413.7 kPa).

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first pump is a gear pump.

15. 15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a first inlet pressure generating mechanism, the first inlet pressure generating mechanism being an elevation system, a transfer pump, or a combination thereof.

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