Fire Pump Controller Dual Pressure Sensor Voting Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire pump systems in high-rise buildings or large facilities often experience nuisance operations due to pressure fluctuations, leading to increased wear and potential false alarms, as existing systems lack efficient mechanisms to differentiate between actual fire events and minor pressure changes.
Innovation Solution
A fire pump control system that includes a jockey pump controller and a fire pump controller, connected via a communication link, which determine and compare pressure values from pressure sensors to selectively activate or deactivate pumps, using voting logic to prevent unnecessary operations and maintain optimal water pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the fire pump controller uses a single pressure sensor to monitor system pressure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of fire pump activation decision-making deteriorates due to inability to differentiate between actual fire events and pressure fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different functional roles to two pressure sensors: a first pressure sensor monitors system pressure for normal operation, while a second pressure sensor specifically monitors for fire event conditions. This differentiated local monitoring approach allows the system to distinguish between routine pressure fluctuations and actual fire events, improving reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring two pressure sensors and establishing predetermined pressure thresholds before operation. The controller is pre-programmed with activation criteria that compare readings from both sensors against these thresholds, enabling rapid and reliable fire event detection when conditions are met, rather than reacting to pressure changes after they occur
2Stability of the object's composition
If the fire pump activates frequently to maintain pressure, then the water pressure stability is improved, but the wear on the fire pump and motor increases due to nuisance operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring system pressure through dual pressure sensors and using this information to control pump activation. The controller receives real-time pressure data from both sensors, compares readings against predetermined thresholds, and activates the fire pump only when specific criteria are met (such as when both sensors detect pressure below the threshold), thereby maintaining pressure stability while avoiding unnecessary activations that would increase wear
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies parameter changes by establishing predetermined pressure thresholds and using these parameters to control activation decisions. Rather than activating the pump at every minor pressure fluctuation, the system changes its response behavior by comparing actual pressure readings against these fixed parameter thresholds, enabling selective activation that maintains stability while reducing wear from nuisance operations
Data Source
AI summary
Example devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein relate to controlling operation of a fire pump or jockey pump of a fire pump system. An example fire pump control system may comprise a jockey pump controller configured to control operation of a jockey pump and a fire pump controller configured to control operation of a fire pump. The jockey pump controller may be configured to determine a first pressure value based on an output of a jockey pump pressure sensor. The fire pump controller may be configured to receive the first pressure value from the jockey pump controller. The fire pump controller may also be configured to determine a second pressure value based on an output of a fire pump pressure sensor and select a predetermined action based on a comparison of the first pressure value and the second pressure value. Additional example devices, systems, and methods are described herein.