Fire Pump Controller Pressure Maintenance Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire protection systems face issues with nuisance operation of fire pumps due to pressure fluctuations caused by leaks and normal usage, leading to increased wear and potential false alarms, which can be costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that manages both fire pumps and jockey pumps in a fire protection system, using a single pressure sensor to initiate the jockey pump when pressure drops below a first value and the fire pump when it drops below a second, lower value, thereby reducing unnecessary starts and maintaining system pressure effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fire pump is used to maintain system pressure between preset limits, then the system pressure is maintained, but the fire pump experiences increased wear and potential false alarms due to nuisance operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single fire pump function into two separate pumps: a fire pump for high-pressure fire suppression and a jockey pump for low-pressure system maintenance. This segmentation allows each pump to operate in its optimal pressure range, preventing the fire pump from nuisance cycling due to small leaks while extending its service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The jockey pump acts as an intermediary device between the water supply and the fire pump. It handles minor pressure fluctuations and small leaks by maintaining system pressure within a lower range, thereby preventing the fire pump from activating unnecessarily and reducing wear on the fire pump.
2Reliability
If the fire pump starts frequently to maintain pressure, then system pressure is maintained, but operational costs increase and false alarms occur
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the pressure maintenance function to the jockey pump, the fire pump only operates during actual fire conditions or significant pressure losses, dramatically reducing energy consumption and operational costs while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The jockey pump autonomously maintains system pressure within normal operating ranges, handling routine pressure maintenance without requiring fire pump intervention. This self-service capability prevents unnecessary fire pump activation and associated energy waste.
3Device complexity
If a single controller manages both fire pump and jockey pump, then device complexity is reduced, but control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The single controller is designed with multi-functionality to manage both the fire pump and jockey pump operations. It incorporates multiple pressure setpoints and control logic that can differentiate between normal pressure fluctuations requiring jockey pump activation and critical pressure drops requiring fire pump activation, maintaining control precision despite unified management.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the frequency of fire pump starts, minimizes wear on the pumps, and prevents false alarms by ensuring that the fire pump only operates when necessary, thus optimizing system performance and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
receive, from a pressure sensor coupled to the fire protection system, an output representative of the water pressure
Implementation Method 2
control operation of a jockey pump that is coupled in parallel with the fire pump so as to provide a second level of water pressure
Implementation Method 3
control operation of a fire pump so as to provide a first level of water pressure in a fire protection system
Data Source
AI summary
Example devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein relate to a controller configured to control pressure maintenance in a fire protection system. A controller may be configured to control a fire pump to provide a first level of water pressure and to control operation of a jockey pump that is coupled in parallel with the fire pump to provide a second level of water pressure that is less than the first level. The controller is further configured to receive, from a pressure sensor coupled to the fire protection system, an output representative of the water pressure. The controller is configured to provide instructions to initiate the jockey pump based on a pressure value associated with the output being below a first value, and to provide instructions to initiate the fire pump based on the pressure value being below a second value that is less than the first value.