Dynamic Pump Curve Adjustment for Fluid Network Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In fluid distribution networks, excessive pressure created to ensure minimum pressure requirements leads to significant energy and fluid wastage due to constant pressure regulation, causing leaks and pipe breakdowns, especially since the exact maximum flow is unknown.

Innovation Solution

A system with a control unit that adjusts the pump curve automatically based on determined flow values, using sensors to measure and calculate flow differences, allowing for dynamic pressure regulation to match actual demand, thereby minimizing fluid losses without compromising performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed constant pressure curve is used to ensure minimum pressure at consumers, then the required pressure is provided constantly, but a huge amount of energy and fluid is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure provision reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed constant pressure curve to a dynamic pressure curve that adapts to changing flow conditions. The control system continuously adjusts the pressure curve based on measured flow values, ensuring minimum pressure requirements are met while avoiding excessive pressure generation. This dynamic adaptation reduces energy consumption by matching pressure output to actual network demands rather than maintaining constant high pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using flow sensors to measure actual flow conditions in the distribution network and feeding this information back to the control system. The control system uses this feedback to automatically adjust the pressure curve in real-time, ensuring that pressure is maintained at appropriate levels according to actual demand. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to respond to changing conditions and optimize energy usage while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a fixed constant pressure curve is used to ensure minimum pressure at consumers, then the required pressure is provided constantly, but fluid leakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure provision reliabilityVSAvoidfluid leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed constant pressure curve to a dynamic pressure curve that adapts to changing flow conditions. The control system continuously adjusts the pressure curve based on measured flow values, ensuring minimum pressure requirements are met while avoiding excessive pressure generation. This dynamic adaptation reduces fluid leakage by matching pressure output to actual network demands rather than maintaining constant high pressure that exceeds consumer requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If pressure is built up higher than required to exceed minimum pressure under all conditions, then pressure requirements are met, but pipe breakdown risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure requirement complianceVSAvoidpipe breakdown risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed constant pressure curve to a dynamic pressure curve that adapts to changing flow conditions. The control system continuously adjusts the pressure curve based on measured flow values, ensuring minimum pressure requirements are met while avoiding excessive pressure generation. This dynamic adaptation reduces pipe breakdown risk by matching pressure output to actual network demands rather than maintaining constant high pressure that exceeds consumer requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Loss of energy

If the pump curve is changed automatically according to determined flow values, then energy consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the pump system to automatically adjust its own operating parameters based on feedback from flow sensors. The control system autonomously determines the appropriate pressure curve by measuring actual flow conditions and selecting from predefined pump curves or calculating optimal parameters. This self-service capability reduces the need for manual intervention and complex external control systems while achieving energy optimization through automatic adaptation to changing network conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9405297B2System and method for pressure control in a network

Publication Date: 2016.08.02 GRUNDFOS MANAGEMENT AS

AI summary

A system and a method for controlling the pressure of a fluid in a distribution network. The network includes at least one pump station having a number of pumps that are configured to pressurize the fluid from a supply line; means for determining at least one flow value (Q) of at least a part of the distribution network and a control unit for controlling the activity and/or speed of the pump(s) of the pump station according to a predefined pump curve defining the relationship between the pressure and the flow of the fluid pressurized by the pump station. The control unit is configured to change the pump curve automatically according to at least one determined flow value (Q).