Control device and pump equipment

Abstract

To detect erroneous detection of a full water detector and / or a waterdrop detector.SOLUTION: A pump that is installed at a position above a suction water level, is provided with a full water detector, and is provided with a waterdrop detector at a height below the full water detector, comprises: comparison means of comparing detection results of the presence or absence of water of the full water detector and the waterdrop detector during stop of the pump; and alarm means of outputting an alarm to give a notification on an abnormality of the detector when different states continue for a set period or longer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device and pump equipment.

Background Art

[0002] In a suction-type pump station where the pump is installed above the suction water level, due to failures or false detections of the full-water detector and the falling-water detector, the pump may run dry and lead to bearing burnout accidents. When the pump fails, it takes several months to recover, so it is important to prevent this in advance.

[0003] A suction-type pump station needs to fill the inside of the pump with water before starting the pump. The full-water detector is used to confirm that the inside of the pump is filled with water and the operation preparation is completed. However, due to false detections or failures, it may falsely detect full water before the inside of the pump is filled with water, leading to dry running.

[0004] On the other hand, the falling-water detector is installed to detect that the water inside the pump has fallen during pump rotation and to perform an emergency stop. Due to failures or false detections of the falling-water detector, it may not be able to detect falling water, and the pump may continue to run dry. False detections occur not only due to malfunctions of the detector itself but also due to dirt such as mud or foreign objects such as straw.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Conventional technology includes a self-diagnostic function in the converter of a water drop detector, which can detect malfunctions in the water drop detector itself. However, the converter's self-diagnostic function can only detect malfunctions in the water drop detector itself and has the problem of not being able to detect false detections (malfunctions) caused by dirt or foreign objects. Methods for detecting water drop in pumps are also known. However, these methods do not take into account malfunctions or errors in the water detectors themselves (specifically, full-water detectors and / or water drop detectors), leaving a challenge in terms of reliability when considering long-term use.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a control device and pump equipment that can detect false detections of a full-water detector and / or a water level drop detector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A control device according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided in a pump where the pump is installed at a position higher than the suction water level, a full-water detector is provided, and a water drop detector is provided at a height lower than the full-water detector, and includes a comparison means for comparing the detection results of the full-water detector and the water drop detector regarding the presence or absence of water while the pump is stopped, and an alarm output means for outputting an alarm to notify of a detector abnormality if different conditions continue for a set period of time or longer.

[0009] With this configuration, by comparing the water detection results of the full-water detector and the water-dropping detector, it is possible to detect not only malfunctions of the full-water detector and the water-dropping detector themselves, but also false detections (malfunctions) caused by dirt or foreign objects.

[0010] A control device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a control device according to a first aspect, wherein the alarm-emitting means may output an alarm to notify of an abnormality in the water level detector if the state in which the water level detector detects the presence of water and the water level detector detects the absence of water continues for a set period of time or longer.

[0011] A control device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a control device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the alarm-emitting means may output an alarm to notify of an abnormality in the water level detector if the state in which the water level detector detects no water and the water level detector detects water continues for a set period of time or longer.

[0012] A control device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a control device according to any of the first to third aspects, wherein the alarm generating means does not need to output an alarm to notify of a detector abnormality while the pump is running, even if the different state continues for a set period of time or longer.

[0013] A control device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a control device according to any of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the setting period may be the time from when the vacuum breaking valve is opened until when the water drop detector starts detecting the absence of water.

[0014] A control device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a control device according to any of the first to fifth aspects, comprising a full-water standby switch that accepts whether or not a full-water standby state is present, When the pump is stopped and the full-water standby switch is in the full-water standby state, the alarm generation means does not need to output an alarm to notify of a detector malfunction even if the different state continues for a set period of time or longer.

[0015] A control device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a control device according to any of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the alarm-emitting means outputs an alarm to notify of an abnormality in the full-water detector when the full-water detector detects no water and the drain detector detects water after the pump has stopped and before the vacuum-breaking valve has opened, and when there is water in the pump, and outputs an alarm to notify of an abnormality in the drain detector when the full-water detector detects water and the drain detector detects no water.

[0016] The control device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is a control device according to any of the first to seven aspects, wherein the alarm-emitting means may or may not output an alarm to notify of a detector malfunction when both the full-water detector and the water-drop detector detect the presence of water after the pump has stopped and before the vacuum-breaking valve has opened.

[0017] A control device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is a control device according to any of the first to eight aspects, wherein the alarm-emitting means outputs an alarm to notify of an abnormality of the full-water detector if, while the pump is stopped, both the full-water detector and the water-drop detector detect the presence of water during the period from immediately after the water-drop detector detects the presence of water during vacuum pump operation until the second set period has elapsed, and the second set period may be the time from immediately after the water-drop detector detects the presence of water during vacuum pump operation until the water-drop / full-water detector detects the presence of water.

[0018] A control device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is a control device according to a ninth aspect, wherein the alarm-emitting means does not need to output an alarm to notify of a detector malfunction when the full-water detector detects no water and the water-dropping detector detects water during the period from immediately after the water drop detector detects the presence of water during vacuum pump operation until before the second set period has elapsed while the pump is stopped.

[0019] A control device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is a control device according to any of the first to ten aspects, wherein the alarm-emitting means outputs an alarm to notify of an abnormality of the full-water-fill detector if the full-water-fill detector detects the presence of water and the water-drop detector detects the presence of water during the period from after the pump has stopped and the vacuum-break valve has opened until the third set period has elapsed, and / or outputs an alarm to notify of an abnormality of the water-drop detector if the full-water-fill detector detects no water and the water-drop detector detects no water, and the third set period may be the time from after the pump has stopped and the vacuum-break valve has opened until the water-drop detector detects no water.

[0020] The control device according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention is the control device according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the reporting means does not need to output an alarm for notifying an abnormality of the detector when the full water detector detects no water and the falling water detector detects water between after the vacuum breaker valve is activated and before the third set period elapses after the pump stops.

[0021] The control device according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the control device according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, and is connected to the control device of other pump facilities so as to be able to exchange information. When the states of the pumps are the same and the states of the water in the pumps are the same between the own pump facility and other pump facilities, and the detection results of the detectors of the own pump facility and the detectors of other pump facilities are different, an alarm for notifying an abnormality of the detector may be output.

[0022] The control device according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the control device according to the thirteenth aspect, and does not need to output an alarm when the states of the pumps are the same and the states of the water in the pumps are the same between the own pump facility and other pump facilities, and the detection results of the detectors of the own pump facility and the detectors of other pump facilities are the same.

[0023] The pump facility according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention is a control device, and may include a pump, a full water detector provided in the pump, a falling water detector provided at a height lower than the full water detector in the pump, and a control device according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects.

Effect of the Invention

[0024] According to one aspect of the present invention, by comparing the detection results of the presence or absence of water of the full water detector and the falling water detector, it is possible to detect not only a failure of the full water detector itself and a failure of the falling water detector itself, but also false detection (malfunction) due to dirt or foreign matter.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a schematic configuration diagram of a pump facility according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the pump installation location and the suction water level. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows an example of the processing performed by the control device. [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of what happens when a small amount of water falls into the vehicle while it is in operation. [Figure 5] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of what happens if a vehicle falls into the water while driving. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates the water level change when the vacuum-breaking valve is opened after the pump has finished operating (while the pump is stopped). [Figure 7] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a situation where the pump is stopped and the system is waiting to fill with water. [Figure 8] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pump with water inside before the vacuum breaking valve opens. [Figure 9] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where the water level is between the water level drop detector and the water level full detector. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] The following descriptions of each embodiment will be made with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessarily detailed explanations may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters and redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art.

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the pump equipment according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the pump equipment S includes, for example, a prime mover 1, a reduction gear 2 connected to the prime mover 1, a pump 3 whose main shaft is connected to the reduction gear 2, a water level detector 4 provided on the pump 3, and a water level detector 5 provided on the pump 3 at a lower height than the water level detector 4. Furthermore, the pump equipment S includes, for example, an electric discharge valve 6 provided on the pump 3, a vacuum pipe 10 communicating with the pump 3, a vacuum breaking valve 7 provided on the vacuum pipe 10, an intake valve 8 provided on the vacuum pipe 10, and a vacuum pump 9 provided on the vacuum pipe 10. Furthermore, the pump equipment S includes, for example, a control device 20, which includes a comparison means 21, an alarm means 22, a timer 23 for counting time, and a water level standby switch 24. The water level standby switch 24 receives information from, for example, the manager of the pump equipment, regarding the presence or absence of a water level standby state.

[0028] <Process 1> Next, the processing details of the control device 20 will be explained. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the pump installation position and the suction water level. As shown in Figure 2, the pump installation position H1 is installed at a position higher than the suction water level H0. When the pump is stopped, there is no water in the pump. If the full-water detector is functioning correctly, it will detect that there is no water, and if the water level drop detector is functioning correctly, it will detect that there is no water. Using this, the comparison means 21 compares the detection results of the full-water detector and the water level drop detector regarding the presence or absence of water while the pump is stopped. If the different conditions continue for a set period of time or longer, the alarm means 22 outputs an alarm to notify of a detector malfunction. This alarm may be a signal to light up or flash a lamp (e.g., an LED), a video signal to display an image warning of the malfunction, an audio signal warning of the malfunction, or a combination of two or more of these.

[0029] Next, we will explain an example of the criteria for determining normal and abnormal conditions. <Normal state> When the pump is stopped and there is no water in the pump, if the full-water detector 4 detects that there is no water and the water level drop detector 5 also detects that there is no water, then the detectors (i.e., the full-water detector 4 and the water level drop detector 5) are functioning normally. In this case, the alarm activation means 22 does not output an alarm because the detectors (i.e., the full-water detector 4 and the water level drop detector 5) are functioning normally.

[0030] <Abnormal condition #1> If, while the pump is stopped and there is no water in the pump, the full-water detector 4 detects the presence of water and the drain-out detector 5 detects the absence of water, and this condition continues for a set period of time or longer, then the full-water detector 4 is considered abnormal. In this case, the alarming means 22 outputs an alarm to notify of the abnormality of the full-water detector 4. Thus, the alarming means 22 outputs an alarm to notify of the abnormality of the full-water detector if the condition in which the full-water detector detects the presence of water and the drain-out detector detects the absence of water continues for a set period of time or longer.

[0031] <Abnormal condition #2> If, while the pump is stopped and there is no water in the pump, the full-water detector 4 detects that there is no water and the water-dropping detector 5 detects that there is water, and this condition continues for a set period of time or longer, then the water-dropping detector 5 is considered to be malfunctioning. In this case, the alarming means 22 outputs an alarm to notify of the malfunction of the water-dropping detector 5. Thus, the alarming means 22 outputs an alarm to notify of the malfunction of the water-dropping detector if the condition in which the full-water detector detects no water and the water-dropping detector detects the presence of water continues for a set period of time or longer.

[0032] Next, an example of the above process will be explained using a flowchart. Figure 3 is a flowchart of an example of the control device's process. (Step S10) First, the comparison means 21 determines whether the water level detector 4 has detected water.

[0033] (Step S20) Simultaneously, the comparison means 21 determines whether the water drop detector 5 has detected water.

[0034] (Step S30) The comparison means 21 counts up the timer while the full water detector 4 does not detect water and the water drop detector 5 detects water.

[0035] (Step S40) The comparison means 21 counts up the timer while the full water detector 4 is detecting water and the water level detector 5 is not detecting water.

[0036] (Step S50) The alarming means 22 determines whether the timer has exceeded the set period.

[0037] (Step S60) If the timer in step S50 has exceeded the set period, the alarm generation means 22 outputs an alarm to notify of a malfunction in the detector.

[0038] As described above, the control device 20 according to this embodiment is installed in a pump where the pump is installed at a position higher than the suction water level, a full water detector 4 is provided, and a water drop detector 5 is provided at a lower height than the full water detector 4. The control device 20 includes a comparison means 21 that compares the detection results of the full water detector 4 and the water drop detector 5 for the presence or absence of water while the pump is stopped, and an alarm output means 22 that outputs an alarm to notify of a detector malfunction if different conditions continue for a set period of time or longer. With this configuration, by comparing the detection results of the full water detector 4 and the water drop detector 5 for the presence or absence of water, it is possible to detect not only malfunctions of the full water detector 4 itself and the water drop detector 5 itself, but also false detections (malfunctions) due to dirt or foreign objects.

[0039] <Process 2> Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the case when a small amount of water falls during operation. In Figure 4, the water level H2 when a small amount of water falls while the pump is rotating is shown. Normally, while the pump is rotating, the pump 3 and the full-water detector 4 are filled with water, but in the following cases (1) and (2), the detection state of the full-water detector 4 and the water-fall detector 5 (detection state of water presence or absence) is different, so abnormality detection is not performed while the pump is rotating. (1) During operation, a small amount of water may leak out, causing the water level detector 4 to become empty. This condition is not abnormal as long as the pump continues to drain water.

[0040] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the case when water falls during operation. As shown in Figure 5, the water level H3 after the water falls is indicated. If water falls while the pump is rotating, there will be no water inside the pump. However, even if the water inside the pump falls, water may remain only in the full-water detector. (2) When the water level detector 4 detects the presence of water and the water level drop detector 5 detects the absence of water while the pump is rotating, it is considered normal operation because the water has actually dropped and the water level drop has been detected.

[0041] Therefore, even if the different conditions persist for a set period of time or longer, the alarm generation means 22 will not output an alarm to notify of a detector malfunction while the pump is running.

[0042] <Process 3> Even when the pump is stopped, in the following case (1), the detection results of the water level detector and the water level drop detector (i.e., water present or absent) will differ, so the condition for detecting an anomaly is that the different detection states continue for a period of time (a certain amount of time) set by, for example, timer 23.

[0043] (1) Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the water level change when the vacuum breaking valve is opened after the pump has finished operating (while the pump is stopped). When the vacuum breaking valve 7 is opened after the pump has finished operating (while the pump is stopped) and the water in the pump 3 is drained, the water level in the pump changes from the water level before draining (H6) to the water level during draining (e.g., H5) to the water level at which the draining detector 5 begins to detect the absence of water (H4). Therefore, the detection status (detection status of water presence or absence) of the water level detector 4 and the draining detector 5 may differ depending on the set period and state, but this is not abnormal.

[0044] Therefore, the time during which the water level fluctuates from water level H6 to water level H4 is excluded by timer 23. The time from when the full water detector 4 starts detecting no water when the vacuum breaking valve 7 is opened and the water in pump 3 is drained, until when the drain detector 5 starts detecting no water, is to be measured in advance on the target pump 3. In other words, the set period is, for example, the time from when the vacuum breaking valve 7 is opened until when the drain detector 5 starts detecting no water.

[0045] <Process 4> Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pump in a state of full-water standby while stopped. Figure 7 shows the water level H8 in the full-water standby state and the water level H7 after a small amount of water has dropped during the full-water standby state. In Figure 7, the pump is stopped and is kept full of water in standby mode for the next operation. In this case, the water level gradually drops, and the state in which "the full-water detector 4 detects no water and the water drop detector 5 detects water" continues for a long time. In this case, there is no detector malfunction, so for example, if the full-water standby switch 24 is in the full-water standby state, no malfunction detection is performed.

[0046] In other words, when the pump is stopped and the full-water standby switch 24 is in the full-water standby state, the alarm generation means 22 will not output an alarm to notify of a detector malfunction even if the different state continues for a set period of time or longer.

[0047] <Process 5> Alternatively, the detector may perform abnormality detection while there is water inside the pump before the vacuum breaking valve opens. Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pump with water inside before the vacuum breaking valve opens. Figure 8 shows the water level H9 after the pump stops and before the vacuum breaking valve opens.

[0048] (1) Normal state If, after the pump has stopped and before the vacuum-breaking valve opens, there is water inside the pump, and both the full-water detector 4 and the water-drop detector 5 detect the presence of water, then the detectors (i.e., the full-water detector 4 and the water-drop detector 5) are functioning correctly. In this case, the alarm system 22 does not output an alarm because the detectors (i.e., the full-water detector 4 and the water-drop detector 5) are functioning correctly.

[0049] (2) Abnormal condition Part 1 If, after the pump has stopped and before the vacuum-breaking valve opens, and there is water inside the pump, the water level detector 4 detects that there is no water and the water level drop detector 5 detects that there is water, then the water level detector 4 is malfunctioning. In this case, the alarming means 22 outputs an alarm to notify that the water level detector 4 is malfunctioning.

[0050] (3) Abnormal condition Part 2 If, after the pump has stopped and before the vacuum-breaking valve opens, there is water inside the pump, and the full-water detector 4 detects the presence of water while the water-drop detector 5 detects the absence of water, then the water-drop detector 5 is malfunctioning. In this case, the alarming means 22 outputs an alarm to notify the system of the malfunction of the water-drop detector 5.

[0051] Thus, after the pump has stopped and before the vacuum release valve has opened, with water present in the pump, if the full-water detector 4 detects no water and the water-drop detector 5 detects water, the alarm emitting means 22 outputs an alarm to notify of a malfunction in the full-water detector 4, or if the full-water detector 4 detects water and the water-drop detector 5 detects no water, the alarm emitting means 22 outputs an alarm to notify of a malfunction in the water-drop detector 5. On the other hand, after the pump has stopped and before the vacuum release valve has opened, with water present in the pump, if both the full-water detector and the water-drop detector detect water, the alarm emitting means 22 does not output an alarm to notify of a malfunction in the detector.

[0052] <Process 6> Next, process 6 will be explained using Figure 9. Process 6 is an abnormality detection process during the operation of the vacuum pump and the filling process. It is assumed that the water level rises in the order of water levels H10, H11, and H12 in Figure 9. In this case, abnormality detection of the detector may be performed immediately after the drop detector detects the presence of water while the vacuum pump is running, and when the water level is between the full water detector and the drop detector. Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the state when the water level is between the drop detector and the full water detector. Figure 9 shows the upper limit water level at which the drop detector 5 can detect water, the water level H11 which is below the full water detector 4 during the filling process, and the upper limit water level H12 at which the full water detector cannot detect water.

[0053] (1) Normal state Immediately after the water level detector detects the presence of water during vacuum pump operation, and the water level is between the full-water detector 4 and the water level detector 5 (i.e., the water level is between water levels H10 and H12 in Figure 9), if the full-water detector 4 detects no water and the water level detector 5 detects the presence of water, then the detectors (i.e., the full-water detector 4 and the water level detector 5) are functioning normally. In this case, the alarming means 22 does not output an alarm because the detectors (i.e., the full-water detector 4 and the water level detector 5) are functioning normally.

[0054] (2) Abnormal condition On the other hand, immediately after the water level detector detects the presence of water during vacuum pump operation, and when the water level is between the full water level detector 4 and the water level detector 5 (i.e., the water level is between water levels H10 and H12 in Figure 9), if the full water level detector 4 detects the presence of water and the water level detector 5 also detects the presence of water, the full water level detector 4 should not normally detect water, so the full water level detector 4 is malfunctioning. In this case, the alarming means 22 outputs an alarm to notify of the malfunction of the full water level detector 4.

[0055] Here, the time from immediately after the water drop detector 5 detects the presence of water during vacuum pump operation until the full-water detector 4 detects the presence of water is pre-measured as the second set period. In this case, from immediately after the water drop detector detects the presence of water during vacuum pump operation until before the second set period has elapsed, the water level is between the full-water detector 4 and the water drop detector 5 (i.e., the water level is between water levels H10 and H12 in Figure 9).

[0056] Taking advantage of this, the alarm generation means 22 may output an alarm to notify of a malfunction of the full-water detector 4 if, while the pump is stopped, both the full-water detector 4 and the water drop detector 5 detect the presence of water during the period from immediately after the water drop detector 5 detects the presence of water during vacuum pump operation until before the second set period has elapsed. On the other hand, the alarm generation means 22 may not output an alarm to notify of a malfunction of the detector if, while the pump is stopped, both the full-water detector 4 detects no water and the water drop detector 5 detects the presence of water during the period from immediately after the water drop detector 5 detects the presence of water during vacuum pump operation until before the second set period has elapsed.

[0057] <Process 7> Next, we will explain process 7 using Figure 9. Process 7 is an abnormality detection process during water stagnation. Since it is abnormality detection during water stagnation, in the case of process 7, water level H11 in Figure 9 is "water level below the full water detector during water stagnation." In contrast to process 6, we assume that the water level decreases in the order of water levels H12, H11, and H10 in Figure 9. In that case, abnormality detection of the detector may be performed when the water level is between the full water detector 4 and the water stagnation detector 5 after the pump has stopped and the vacuum breaking valve has opened.

[0058] (1) Normal state After the pump stops and the vacuum-breaking valve opens, if the water level is between the full-water detector 4 and the drop-off detector 5 (i.e., the water level is between water levels H10 and H12 in Figure 9), and the full-water detector 4 detects no water and the drop-off detector 5 detects water, then the detectors (i.e., full-water detector 4 and drop-off detector 5) are functioning normally. In this case, the alarm activation means 22 does not output an alarm because the detectors (i.e., full-water detector 4 and drop-off detector 5) are functioning normally.

[0059] (2) Abnormal condition Part 1 On the other hand, after the pump has stopped and the vacuum-breaking valve has opened, if there is a water level between the full-water detector 4 and the drop-off detector 5, and both the full-water detector 4 and the drop-off detector 5 detect the presence of water, then the full-water detector 4 should not normally detect water, meaning the full-water detector 4 is malfunctioning. In this case, the alarming means 22 outputs an alarm to notify the system of the malfunction of the full-water detector 4.

[0060] (3) Abnormal condition Part 2 Furthermore, after the pump has stopped and the vacuum-breaking valve has opened, if there is a water level between the full-water detector 4 and the water-drop detector 5, and both the full-water detector 4 and the water-drop detector 5 detect no water, then the water-drop detector 5 should have detected water, meaning the water-drop detector 5 is malfunctioning. In this case, the alarm means 22 will output an alarm to notify the water-drop detector 5 of the malfunction.

[0061] Here, the period from the pump stop and the vacuum-breaking valve opening operation until the water level detector 5 switches from detecting water to not detecting water is pre-measured as the third set period. In this case, from the pump stop and the vacuum-breaking valve opening operation until before the third set period has elapsed, the water level is between the full-water detector 4 and the water level detector 5 (i.e., the water level is between water level H10 and water level H12 in Figure 9).

[0062] Taking advantage of this, the alarming means 22 may output an alarm to notify of an abnormality in the water level detector 4 if the water level detector 4 detects the presence of water and the water level drop detector 5 detects the presence of water after the pump has stopped and before the third set period has elapsed, and / or output an alarm to notify of an abnormality in the water level detector 5 if the water level detector 4 detects no water and the water level drop detector 5 detects no water. On the other hand, the alarming means 22 may not output an alarm to notify of an abnormality in the detector if the water level detector 4 detects no water and the water level drop detector 5 detects the presence of water after the pump has stopped and before the third set period has elapsed.

[0063] <Process 8> In the above example, the detection results of a full-water detector and a drain-water detector were compared using the same pump equipment. However, the detection results may also be compared with detectors from other pump equipment (hereinafter referred to as "other units"). In this case, the same type of detector may be compared with other detectors, or different types of detectors may be compared. When comparing different types of detectors, for example, the full-water detector may be compared with the drain-water detector of another unit, or the drain-water detector may be compared with the full-water detector of another unit. For example, when the pump state and the water state inside the pump are the same between the pump equipment and the other pump equipment (for example, when the pump is stopped and there is no water inside the pump), the detection results of the detectors in the pump equipment and the other pump equipment may be compared.

[0064] This allows for the comparison of detection results between detectors in the same pump equipment (hereinafter also referred to as "this unit"), as well as the comparison of detection results between detectors in other units, thereby preventing control errors and further improving reliability. Here, an example of processing will be described, with the first pump equipment having the pump equipment of this embodiment referred to as Unit 1, and the second pump equipment having the pump equipment of this embodiment referred to as Unit 2. The control devices of Unit 1 and Unit 2 will be described as being connected in a way that allows for the exchange of information.

[0065] (1) Normal state When Unit 1 is stopped (pump stopped and no water in the pump) and Unit 2 is stopped (pump stopped and no water in the pump), the water level detector 4 of Unit 1 detects that there is no water, and Unit 2 machine Water level detector 4 If the detector detects no water, it is considered normal. Also, if the water level detector 5 of Unit 1 detects no water and the water level detector 5 of Unit 2 detects no water, it is considered normal. In these cases, the alarm system 22 does not output an alarm because the detectors (i.e., the full water detector 4 and the water level detector 5) are functioning normally.

[0066] (2) Abnormal condition When Unit 1 is stopped (pump stopped and no water in the pump) and Unit 2 is stopped (pump stopped and no water in the pump), the detection result of Unit 1's full water detector 4 and Unit 2's full water detector 4 If the detection results differ, the detection results should ideally be the same, meaning that one of the water level detectors 4 is malfunctioning. In this case, the alarm generation means 22 may output an alarm to notify the malfunction of one of the water level detectors 4.

[0067] Furthermore, when Unit 1 is stopped (pump stopped and no water in the pump) and Unit 2 is stopped (pump stopped and no water in the pump), if the detection result of the water drop detector 5 of Unit 1 and the water drop detector 5 of Unit 2 are different, the detection results should ideally be the same, so one of the water drop detectors 5 is malfunctioning. In this case, the alarm generation means 22 may output an alarm to notify that one of the water drop detectors 5 is malfunctioning.

[0068] In other words, the alarm generation means 22 may output an alarm to notify of a malfunction in the detector if the detection results of the detector in the self-pumping equipment and the detector in the other pumping equipment are different when the pump state and the water state inside the pump are the same between the self-pumping equipment and the other pumping equipment (for example, when the pump is stopped and there is no water inside the pump). On the other hand, the alarm generation means 22 does not have to output an alarm if the detection results of the detector in the self-pumping equipment and the detector in the other pumping equipment are the same when the pump state and the water state inside the pump are the same between the self-pumping equipment and the other pumping equipment (for example, when the pump is stopped and there is no water inside the pump).

[0069] As described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the components can be modified and implemented in practice without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiments. Moreover, components from different embodiments may be appropriately combined. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0070] 1. Engine 10 Vacuum piping 2 Reducer 20 Control device 21 Means of comparison 22 Alarm activation means 23 Timer 24. Full Water Standby Switch 3 pumps 4. Water level detector 5. Water Drop Detector 6. Electric discharge valve 7. Vacuum breaking valve 8. Intake valve 9. Vacuum pump S Pump Equipment

Claims

1. A control device provided in a pump system comprising a pump installed at a position higher than the suction water level, a full water level detector provided on the pump, and a water level drop detector provided on the pump at a height lower than the full water level detector, A comparison means for comparing the detection results of the presence or absence of water from the full water detector and the water level detector while the pump is stopped, If the water level detection results of the full water level detector and the water level drop detector remain different for a set period of time or longer, an alarm is output to notify of an abnormality in the full water level detector or the water level drop detector. A control device equipped with the following features.

2. The alarm-generating means outputs an alarm to notify of an abnormality in the water level detector if the water level detector detects the presence of water and the water level detector detects the absence of water for a period longer than the set period. The control device according to claim 1.

3. The alarm-generating means outputs an alarm to notify of an abnormality in the water level detector if the full-water level detector detects no water and the water level detector detects water, and this condition persists for a set period of time or longer. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Even if the different state persists for longer than the set period, the alarm-generating means will not output an alarm to notify of a detector malfunction while the pump is running. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The aforementioned setting period is the time, measured in advance, from the time the vacuum-breaking valve installed in the vacuum piping connected to the pump is opened until the time the water level detector begins to detect the absence of water. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. It is equipped with a full-water standby switch that accepts whether or not the water level is in full-water standby mode. The alarm-generating means, when the pump is stopped and the full-water standby switch is in the full-water standby state, will not output an alarm to notify of a detector malfunction even if the different state continues for longer than the set period. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The alarm-generating means outputs an alarm to notify of a malfunction in the full-water detector if, after the pump has stopped and before the vacuum-breaking valve in the vacuum piping connected to the pump opens, the pump contains water, and the full-water detector detects no water and the water-drop detector detects water. If the full-water detector detects water and the water-drop detector detects no water, the water-drop detector outputs an alarm to notify of a malfunction in the water-drop detector. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The alarm-generating means shall not output an alarm to notify of a detector malfunction if, after the pump has stopped and before the vacuum-breaking valve has opened, both the full-water detector and the water-drop detector detect the presence of water in the pump. The control device according to claim 7.

9. The alarm-generating means, while the pump is stopped, outputs an alarm to notify of an abnormality in the full-water detector if, during the period from immediately after the water drop detector detects the presence of water while the vacuum pump connected to the pump is in operation until before the second set period has elapsed, both the full-water detector and the water drop detector detect the presence of water. The second setting period is the time measured in advance, from immediately after the water level detector detects the presence of water during the operation of the vacuum pump until the full water level detector detects the presence of water. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The alarm-generating means shall not output an alarm to notify of a detector malfunction if, while the pump is stopped, the full-water detector detects no water and the water drop detector detects water during the period from immediately after the water drop detector detects the presence of water while the vacuum pump is running until before the second set period has elapsed. The control device according to claim 9.

11. The alarm-generating means, after the pump has stopped and before the third set period has elapsed, outputs an alarm to notify of an abnormality in the full-water detector if the full-water detector detects the presence of water and the water-dropping detector detects the presence of water, and / or outputs an alarm to notify of an abnormality in the water-dropping detector if the full-water detector detects no water and the water-dropping detector detects no water. The third setting period is the time measured in advance, from the time the pump stops and the vacuum breaking valve opens until the water level detector detects that there is no water. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The alarm-generating means shall not output an alarm to notify of a detector malfunction if, after the pump has stopped and before the third set period has elapsed, the full-water detector detects no water and the water-dropping detector detects water. The control device according to claim 11.

13. It is connected to the control devices of other pump equipment so that they can exchange information. The alarm-generating means outputs an alarm to notify of a malfunction in the detector if, while the pump status and the water status inside the pumps are the same between the self-operated pumping system and the other pumping system, the detection results of the detector in the self-operated pumping system and the detector in the other pumping system differ. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The alarm-generating means does not output an alarm if the pump status and the water status inside the pumps are the same between the pump system and the other pump system, and the detection results from the detectors of the pump system and the other pump system are the same. The control device according to claim 13.

15. A pump installed at a position higher than the suction water level, A water level detector is provided on the pump, In the pump, a water level detector is provided at a lower height than the water level detector, A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, Pumping equipment equipped with the following features.

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