3D Sensorless Pump Conversion for Accurate Low-Speed Flow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pump control systems face accuracy issues at low motor speeds due to the curvature of surfaces changing, leading to reduced accuracy in bilinear inversion algorithms.

Innovation Solution

A direct numerical 3D pump sensorless conversion procedure using higher order numerical interpolation and more direct numerical conversion methods to improve accuracy in low speed regions, by deriving discrete arrays from 3D discrete distribution surfaces of motor power, pump differential pressure, and flow rate, and then obtaining pump pressure and flow rate through numerical interpolation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If bilinear inversion algorithm is used for 3D sensorless converter, then conversion procedure is simple, but conversion accuracy deteriorates at low motor speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion procedure simplicityVSAvoidconversion accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the mathematical parameters of the interpolation algorithm from bilinear to higher-order numerical interpolation. This parameter change in the conversion method enables accurate tracking of surface curvature variations at low speeds while maintaining computational feasibility, thus resolving the contradiction between algorithm simplicity and conversion accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If higher order numerical interpolation is used, then conversion accuracy is improved, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the 3D conversion problem into multiple discrete speed points with pre-calculated higher-order interpolation coefficients. By dividing the continuous conversion process into discrete segments with pre-computed parameters, the system achieves high accuracy through higher-order interpolation while reducing real-time computational complexity through offline pre-calculation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If discrete arrays are derived from 3D distribution surfaces, then direct numerical conversion is achieved, but data processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion accuracyVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-deriving discrete arrays from 3D distribution surfaces offline before actual pump operation. The discrete arrays containing interpolation coefficients and conversion parameters are calculated in advance and stored, enabling direct numerical conversion during operation without real-time complex data processing, thus resolving the contradiction between accuracy and processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3464901B1Direct numeric 3D sensorless converter for pump flow and pressure
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 FLUID HANDLING LLC
  • EP3464901B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2C
  • EP3464901B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3C
  • EP3464901B1 patent drawingFigure 4~4C

AI summary

A pump controller features a signal processor configured to respond to signaling containing information about three corresponding discrete arrays with respect to a discrete motor speed for each system position at a motor speed derived from 3D discrete distribution surfaces of motor power, pump differential pressure and flow rate by respective numerical interpolations; and determine corresponding signaling containing information to control a pump, or pumps in a system of pumps, or a system of pumps based upon a corresponding pump differential pressure and flow rate at the motor speed for a corresponding power reading value determined using a numerical interpolation of the three corresponding discrete arrays, the signaling received. The signal processor is configured to provide the corresponding signaling as control signaling to control the pump, or the pumps in the system of pumps, or the system of pumps.