Adaptive Pump Control Curve for Energy Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pump control systems for domestic and commercial heating or cooling water systems waste energy due to setting pressure points higher than necessary, leading to inefficiencies in energy consumption and operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A pump controller using an adaptive moving average filter to obtain a varying equivalent system characteristic curve based on instant pressure and flow rate, allowing for a dynamic control set point adjustment through a PID control algorithm, reducing energy waste by optimizing pump speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a constant pressure set point is used in pump control, then the system is simple to operate and has been successfully applied for many years, but energy is wasted due to the pressure point being set much higher than the actual system pressure needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static constant pressure set point to a dynamic adaptive control curve that varies with system conditions. The control curve is updated in real-time based on measured flow rate and pressure data, allowing the pump to operate at optimal pressure points that adapt to changing system requirements, thereby reducing energy waste while maintaining operational simplicity through automated adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously measuring system pressure and flow rate, comparing these measurements against the adaptive control curve, and adjusting the pump speed accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically learn and adapt to system characteristics, optimizing energy consumption without requiring complex manual intervention or system reconfiguration
2Loss of energy
If the pressure set point is reduced to match actual system needs, then energy consumption decreases, but the system loses the simplicity and reliability of constant pressure control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing an adaptive control curve that represents the optimal pressure-flow relationship for the system. This curve is developed through initial system learning and characterization, providing a reliable reference framework that guides subsequent real-time control decisions, ensuring both energy efficiency and control stability from the outset
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the pressure set point parameter based on the adaptive control curve and current system conditions. Rather than maintaining a fixed pressure value, the system continuously modifies the pressure parameter to match actual system needs, achieving energy reduction while maintaining reliability through mathematically optimized adjustments
Data Source
Figure 1a~1
Figure 2~3a
Figure 3
AI summary
Apparatus comprises a processor and a memory including computer program code configured to respond to signaling containing information about an instant pressure and a flow rate of fluid being pumped in a pumping system, and obtain an adaptive control curve based on the instant pressure and flow rate using an adaptive moving average filter. The adaptive moving average filter is based on a system flow equation relating an adaptive moving average filter (AMAF), a system flow rate and differential pressure respectively. The processor, memory and computer program code are also configured to obtain an optimal control pressure set point from the adaptive control curve with respect to an instant flow rate or a moving average flow rate to obtain a desired pump speed through a PID control.