Centrifugal Pump Control Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing centrifugal pump units require separate production and stocking of different series for heating systems and heating boilers due to distinct control methods, leading to complexity and high costs, as they cannot seamlessly transition between internal and external control modes.

Innovation Solution

A centrifugal pump unit designed to operate with both internal and external speed control, featuring a signal input for external control and means to switch between control modes, allowing for combined control strategies and enabling self-learning setpoint adjustments to adapt to system requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate pump series are produced for heating systems and heating boilers, then each series can be optimized for its specific control method, but manufacturing complexity and stocking costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol method optimizationVSAvoidmanufacturing and stocking complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump unit is designed with universal control capabilities that can operate with both internal electronic control (for heating systems) and external speed control (for heating boilers). The control unit includes both an internal electronic control with self-learning capabilities and an external control interface, allowing a single pump design to serve multiple applications without requiring separate optimized series for each control method.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the previously separate internal control system and external control interface into a single integrated control unit. This unified control architecture combines the self-learning electronic control with the external speed control capability, eliminating the need to maintain separate pump series while preserving the optimized control characteristics of both approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate pump series are maintained for different applications, then each series can be specifically tailored, but inventory complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication-specific optimizationVSAvoidinventory complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The pump unit incorporates multiple control modes within a single device, enabling it to adapt to both heating systems with internal electronic control and heating boilers with external speed control. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to stock separate pump series for different applications, reducing inventory complexity while maintaining application-specific optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is designed to dynamically switch between internal and external control modes based on the application requirements. The control unit can operate with the internal electronic control when installed in a heating system, or switch to external speed control when installed in a heating boiler, providing dynamic adaptability that replaces the need for multiple static pump series.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a single pump design is used for both applications, then manufacturing and stocking are simplified, but the ability to optimize for specific control methods is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing and stocking simplicityVSAvoidcontrol optimization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit merges the internal electronic control system with the external speed control interface into a single integrated unit. This combination maintains the optimization capabilities of both control methods while simplifying manufacturing and stocking to a single pump design, as the unified control architecture supports both heating systems and heating boilers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single pump design achieves universality by incorporating both internal electronic control with self-learning capabilities and external speed control interface. This multi-functional control unit preserves the ability to optimize for specific control methods while enabling a single standardized pump design to be used across different applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables flexible operation in various applications, reducing the need for multiple pump series and allowing for efficient energy use by adapting to system demands, with the ability to switch between internal and external control modes and reset self-learning settings.

Implementation Method 1

a centrifugal pump (1) driven by an electric motor (7)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP2778423B1Centrifugal pump assembly
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 GRUNDFOS HLDG
  • EP2778423B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2778423B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The assembly i.e. circulating heating pump assembly, has a centrifugal pump (1) that is driven by an electric motor (7). An electronic speed controller or frequency converter is arranged for the motor, where the speed controller is arranged with an internal electronic controller. A signal input is provided for external activation of the motor. A switching unit or switch is arranged for switching of the internal electronic controller on an external speed control or for connecting the external speed control.