Inverter Control Method for Pump Pressure Transitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling inverters in pump systems often result in sudden pressure changes that can damage pumps, as they fail to manage pressure transitions smoothly, leading to increased PID control burdens and pump damage.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling an inverter that sets a pressure data reference and updates it periodically by a predetermined step when the difference between the reference and feedback pressure is less than a set value, allowing for gradual pressure adjustments and preventing sudden changes, thereby preventing pump damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If normal PID control is performed immediately after pre-PID, then response speed is improved, but pump damage occurs due to sudden pressure changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speedVSAvoidpump damage
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a soft fill period before normal PID control. During this period, the reference pressure is gradually increased from the pre-PID pressure to the target pressure in predetermined steps, rather than immediately setting it to the target pressure. This gradual increase prevents sudden pressure changes that would damage the pump, while still maintaining relatively fast response through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the reference pressure dynamic during the soft fill period. Instead of using a fixed reference pressure, the system dynamically adjusts the reference pressure in incremental steps based on the elapsed time and predetermined step values. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt the pressure increase rate to prevent pump damage while maintaining control effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If reference pressure is rapidly increased to target pressure, then productivity is improved, but pump damage occurs due to excessive pressure changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol efficiencyVSAvoidpump damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a soft fill period before normal PID control. During this period, the reference pressure is gradually increased from the pre-PID pressure to the target pressure in predetermined steps, rather than immediately setting it to the target pressure. This gradual increase prevents sudden pressure changes that would damage the pump, while still maintaining relatively fast response through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the reference pressure parameter in a controlled manner during the soft fill period. The reference pressure is changed in predetermined steps rather than making a single large jump to the target pressure. This stepwise parameter change reduces the stress on the pump while still achieving the target pressure efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If pre-PID soft fill time is extended to prevent pump damage, then pump reliability is improved, but response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump reliabilityVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by making the soft fill period adaptive rather than fixed. The reference pressure is increased in predetermined steps, and the system can adjust the number of steps and step sizes based on system conditions. This allows the soft fill period to be optimized - long enough to prevent pump damage but not excessively long to unduly delay the response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the reference pressure dynamic during the soft fill period. Instead of using a fixed reference pressure, the system dynamically adjusts the reference pressure in incremental steps based on the elapsed time and predetermined step values. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt the pressure increase rate to prevent pump damage while maintaining control effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2890002B1Procédé de contrôle d'un onduleur
Publication Date: 2019.02.27 LSIS CO LTD
  • EP2890002B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2890002B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP2890002B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A method for controlling an inverter is provided, the method including, setting, as a first reference, a pressure data returned from the pressure sensor when a pre-PID ends, updating the first reference that is increased by a predetermined step to a second reference, determining an output frequency of the inverter by performing a PID control using the second reference, and determining an output frequency of the inverter by performing the PID using a third reference set up by the user when the second reference or feedback pressure data is equal to a set value.