AU7196594A

AU7196594A - Pump controller

Info

Publication number: AU7196594A
Application number: AU71965/94A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Harold Timothy Downs
Original assignee: Fisherman Holdings Ltd T/a M2technology
Current assignee: FISHERMAN HOLDINGS Ltd T/A M2TECHNOLOGY
Priority date: 1993-07-08
Filing date: 1994-07-05
Publication date: 1995-02-06
Also published as: ZA944936B; WO1995002126A1

Description

PUMP CONTROLLER TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a controller.

BACKGROUND ART

Reference throughout this specification shall be made to the controller as being a pump controller. It should be appreciated however that the principles of the present invention can be used to control devices other than pumps which are given as just one possible use of the present invention.

Use of the present invention will now be specifically directed to a pastoral farm situation. However, again it should be appreciated that the invention has other uses, for example in industry, orchards, golf courses and so forth.

The weather is a dominant factor affecting pastoral farm production in New Zealand. It is also the factor which no farmer can control. Effective management in adverse weather conditions will turn a poor season into an average season and an average season into a top season. By eliminating the factors which can have a negative effect on production, a farmer increases the opportunity to increase production.

Water problems are frustrating for a farmer and potentially disastrous for production. A dry summer requires a delicate balance of feeding to maintain stock condition and production. One day of water stress can tip the balance and begin a downward trend in production. Even in a good season where stock is in top order and well-feed, it can take up to ten days to recover from one day of water stress.

If there is a leak in a water supply system for a farm, this can cause water stress through either depletion of the water supply or because the leak in the system diverts water from where it is needed.

It is difficult, if not impossible, to receive a remote indication of a leak. This is particularly so with farm supply situations where the water used throughout the day is variable and a change in water flow may not be due to a leak in the system.

1 It is an object of the present invention to address the above problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will now become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a controller means, for controlling at least one pump connected to a supply network, wherein the controller can detect a fault in the supply network by comparing the amount of material being delivered along the supply network with an expected amount of material for that particular time and indicating a fault if the flow of material in the supply network is outside the range expected for that particular time.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of controlling at least one pump connected to a supply network characterised by the steps of: a) detecting a fault in the supply work by comparing the amount of material being delivered along the supply network with an expected amount of material for that particular time, and b) indicating a fault if the flow of material in the supply network is outside the range expected for that particular time.

The term pump shall refer to any feed system capable of transporting material along a supply network.

For ease of reference, the material transporting along the supply network shall now be referred to as water, however it should be appreciated that the present invention can be used with other material for example gas, industrial chemicals, grain and the like. Likewise, the supply network shall be referred to as pipes capable of carrying water, however again other supply networks may be used in accordance with the present invention.

The present invention is of particular use in situations where the supply of water is not constant throughout the day. By checking the supply of water against an expected flow rate, for a particular time of day (or over another time period), this variability is taken into account.

The expected flow rate may be incorporated into the controller by a variety of ways. For example, the controller may include a micro-processor connected to a memory device. An example of a suitable memory device is an EPROM. The EPROM may have programmed into it an expected flow rate pattern over a period of time. This version of the present invention may be particularly suitable for factory conditions whereby the change in flow rate is unlikely to be affected by seasonal factors.

However, in a farm situation, the average flow rate varies considerably with seasonal factors and the programmed EPROM as described above would not in most circumstances take into account these variations.

According to a further aspect of the present invention the controller is capable of learning a flow rate pattern over a period of time.

The learning of the flow rate pattern may be achieved in a variety of ways. For example, the flow rate pattern may be learnt by averaging the flow rates at various times on a fixed number of days. For example, the flow rate pattern for five days may be learnt at the beginning of the month and the flow rates for the rest of the month checked against this average pattern. Then at the beginning of the next month, a further five day pattern may be learnt for the next month.

Although the above system will work, it does not take into account ongoing trends like a rolling average would. Thus in preferred embodiments of the present invention there is provided a controller which learns a flow rate pattern based on a rolling average.

In particular, the applicant has found that a ten day rolling average works extremely well. For example, on day 11 of the operation of the controller, the flow rate pattern used would be the average of the flow rates for days 1 to 10. On day 12, the flow rate pattern compared against would be based on the average of the flow rates over the previous 10 days, that is days 2 to 11.

On occasion, the farmer may require an exceptional use of water in which case it may be possible for some embodiments of the present invention to have means to override the learning mode in these situations.

The controller may come in a variety of forms, for example be a programmed logic controller (PLC). However, in preferred embodiments the controller is micro-processor controlled.

The controller may indicate a fault by a number of ways. For example, the controller may have a display panel on which there can be a visual indication of the fault. Another visual indication may be the provision of a beacon such as a red flashing light to indicate to the farmer from a distance that a fault has occurred. In combination with the beacon or separately therefrom, there may be an audible alarm which can likewise alert the farmer from a distance.

In addition to detecting and indicating a fault, the controller may also control the pumps supplying the water and attempt to partially rectify the problem with the fault. For example, if a fault is detected, the controller can selectively turn off appropriate pumps, to prevent the flow of water through the leak.

Whereas the above approach solves the immediate problem of having excess water flow when not required, this approach does not address the problem of supplying water when it is needed.

Recognising the above problem, preferred embodiments have a feature whereby the controller allows the pump to operate as required during a fault condition according to the learnt pattern of daily use.

For example, a fault may occur during part of the day when there is normally a low consumption of water. The controller can then shut off the appropriate pump preventing excess water from leaking out of the water pipes.

If the fault condition has not been rectified at the time of day when a high consumption of water is required, the controller can still turn on the pump so that adequate water is supplied. The pump or pumps can be turned off again once the high consumption of water is no longer required. The controller may also have additional functions to those described. For example, the controller may store and possibly display information such as the number of hours that the pump has been operating, the volume of water used from one day to the next, the total volume of water pumped throughout the system as well as the date and time.

The controller may also be linked to sensors associated with the water supply. For example, there may be a deep well pump which pumps water from a well into a reservoir. The controller may measure this flow rate.

There may be a further pressure pump that pumps water from the reservoir into the water supply system. The controller may also measure this flow rate.

If there is a difference in flow rates between the two, then this indicates a possible fault and the action of one pump can be altered as appropriate, either manually by the farmer or by the controller.

The controller may also be connected to a sensor associated with the reservoir which gives an indication of volume/weight of water stored in the reservoir. In drought conditions, this can provided a good indication of the number of days of water remaining. This can lead to the farmer employing different water use practices to take into account possible water shortage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of one possible method of operation of the present invention, and

Figure 2 is a graphical representation of flow rate patterns, and

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the hierarchical structure or algorithm of one possible embodiment of the present invention. BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With respect to Figure 1, there is a diagram of one possible method of operation of the present invention.

A deep well or bore 1 supplies water to the farm. A pump 2 pumps the water from the deep well 1 into a reservoir 3. The operation of the pump 2 is monitored by the controller or control means 4.

A pressure transducer (not shown) senses the amount of water held within the reservoir 3. This information is transmitted to the control means 4.

Water from the reservoir 3 is pumped by a pressure pump 5 into the farm supply system 6. The operation of the pump 5 is again monitored by the control means 4 through a flow meter (not shown).

The supply system 6 comprises a series of water pipes (not shown). In addition to the water pipes, may be some auxiliary pumps (also not shown). These pumps may also be monitored/controlled by the control means 4.

The control means 4 continually compares the operation of the pressure pump 5 with the operation of deed well pump 2.

The amount of water drawn off by the supply system is reported by the control means 4 with reference to time. This way, a representative pattern of use can be learnt by the control means 4.

If the supply system 6 draws off more water than expected in accordance with the daily pattern of use, the control means 4 can indicate a fault condition and shut off the pump supplying that region.

If a fault condition is not rectified at a time where a high consumption of water is required, then the control means 4 can turn on the pump for that purpose. The pump can be turned off again when a normally low consumption of water is required. Referring now to Figure 2, there is illustrated a typical water flow rate pattern for a dairy shed. It should be noted that no units are provided as this can vary according to the size of the farm.

The dotted line 10 indicates an average flow pattern of water use on a dairy farm. There are essentially three peaks of water use and three troughs. The first peak 11 occurs during morning milking, the second peak 13 (which is the greatest) occurs at mid-day and the third peak 13 occurs during evening milking. The three troughs 14, 15 and 16 naturally occur between these peaks.

The lowest period of water use is trough 14 which occurs between evening and morning milking. Thus, if a leak is detected at this time by there being more water flow than expected against the average flow rate, the controller may turn off the pump 5 until either it has been notified that the leak is being fixed or water is required for the morning milking (peak 11).

Solid line 17 shows what can happen when a leak is detected by the control means 4 and the action of the pump 5 modified to accommodate same.

The control means 4 detects a leak at point 18 on the line 17. Point 18 is a certain threshold level above the average flow pattern for that time of the day. This threshold level may be a quantised amount (for example 200 litres above the average) or perhaps a set percentage above the average value for that time. In other embodiments, the threshold level may be set at a statistical value, for example a standard deviation derived from the statistics relating to previous flow rates.

Once the control means 4 has detected a leak, it then controls the pump 5 to ensure that there is minimal leakage of water, while still providing sufficient water available for the farmer to use in accordance with the average flow pattern. As there will be some leakage, the total flow rate will be higher than average but the flow rate pattern should approximate the average flow pattern until the leak is fixed as shown at point 19. Figure 3 shows a hierarchical structure of a setup menu which could be used with a control means in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The setup menu provides the installation vendor to set the Controller (or control means) up to suit a specific farm system operation, and to provide the farmer with several options on how the system will operate.

The setup menu mode is entered by utilising the 'setup' key which is positioned within the Controller unit (ie. it is an invisible key to the farmer).

System Setup

This is the subroutine called when the 'setup; key is pressed. From here, all the other setup functions are accessed. This routine initially displays "Setup Mode" on the top line. There are two menu selections, they are; "Farm Setup" "General Setup"

These are displayed on the bottom line of the LCD. Pressing the 'next' key alternates between the two selections. Pressing the 'enter' key selects one of the menu options. The 'setup' key returns to the main operating program. This will happen no matter where the operator is in the setup menu hierarchy.

Farm Setup

This routine initially displays "Farm Setup" on the top line of the LCD.

Essentially this subroutine acts the same as the system setup routine but with different menu options. The options are; "Supply Option"

"Distribution Option"

These are displayed on the bottom line of the LCD. Pressing the 'next' key alternates between the two options and the 'enter' key selects that option.

The 'cancel' key in this menu will return the operator back to the system setup menu. General Setup

The general setup menu provides all the extra setup parameters not provided for in the farm setup menu. This routine displays "General

Setup" on the tip line of the LCD. The possible option is displayed on the bottom line as;

"Leak Detection"

"Tank Calibration"

"Aux. Calibration"

"Pump Reset" "Water Meter Set"

"Alarm Relay"

"Alarm Beeper"

"Clock Adjust"

"Learn Parameters" "Communications"

The selection is made by pressing the 'next' key and a choice made by pressing the 'enter' key. The 'cancel' key returns the operator to the system setup menu.

Supply Option

"Supply Option" is displayed on the top line of the LCD. The supply option allows the operator to choose from a variety of water resource options, these are;

"Deep Well & Tank"

"Solenoid & Tank" "Reservoir Only"

"None"

These are displayed on the bottom line of the LCD. Pressing the 'next' key alternates between the four options and the 'enter' key selects that option.

The 'cancel' key in this menu will return the operator back to the farm setup menu.

Deep Well & Tank:

When this option is selected the screen displays "Pump Delay Time" on the top line of the LCD, and on the bottom line the previous delay time and a space for the new time is displayed, like "TTT's New: s". Where "TTT" is the old delay time. The well pump delay time is measured in seconds and provides a buffer for the pump alarm response upon pump start up as water flow is not instantaneous when the pump starts. The delay time is incremented with the 'next' key and decrement with the 'cancel' ley. The time is selected when the 'enter' key is pressed, and the system goes to the next data requirement.

The well pump alarm is the next data to be entered. This allows the operator to choose between three different alarm outputs for the audible alarm and the alarm relay. These two choices are made for the local unit and the remote unit. The screen display has initially "Local Audible Al" on the top line and the previous choice (or default) for the alarm output of one of the following; "No Alarm" "Pulsed Type 1" "Pulsed Type 2" "Continuous"

The alarm output options are cycled through by pressing the 'next' key and a selection made by the 'enter' key. The routine then requires a retry period to be set for each alarm choice. The display shows "Alarm Retry" on the top line and "Period-XXXmins" on the bottom line of the LCD. The XXX is the previously recorded minutes (or default) for that alarm. The period in minutes can be changed by pressing either of two keys. By pressing the 'next' key, the tens of minutes digit increments by one until 9 is reached and then return to 0. So a possible alarm retry period of 99 minutes is possible. The routine then returns to display the next choice as below;

"Local Relay Alrm" "Rmote Audible Al" Rmote Relay Alrm" The alarm output option is selected for each choice ( no alarm, pulsed type 1, pulsed type 2, continuous), as well as the alarm retry period for each choice. Upon the completion of data entry for the fourth choice, the routine moves on the tank data entry.

Once the alarms have been chosen and their retry times set, the next data to be entered is that of the tank. This involves the type of tank to be used, the type of gauge measuring system (volume or height) for the main and auxiliary tanks (if used), the low level tank set, the high level tank set, and the emergency level tank set. The display shows the "Tank Type" on the top line and a selection by pressing the 'next' key as "Round", "Square", "Barrel" on the bottom line of the LCD. The 'enter' key selects a tank type and the routine moves onto the gauge measuring system set. The gauge operation determines whether the gauge measures the height of the tank or the volume of the tank. The LCD display shows "Water Gauge Opert" on the top line and the selected option on the bottom line as per; "Tank Volume" "Tank Height" "Reservoir Height" "Not Implemented" The selection is made by pressing the 'next' key and a choice by pressing the 'enter' key. The parameters of the selected tank type are the next data to be entered.

The tank dimensions are important in the calculation of the volume. The LCD display shows "Tank Dimensions" on the top and the possible option on the bottom which can be one of the following; "Diameter: XXXcm" - for the round tank selection

"Side Lngth: XXXcm" - for the square tank selection

"Mid Diam: XXXcm" - for the barrel tank selection

The XXX value is the previous dimension value (or default). This value can be incremented in two ways. The value can be incremented in 1 metre steps by pressing the 'next' key, and incremented in 5 centimetre steps by pressing the 'cancel' key. The maximum value that can be entered is 995 cm. Please note, for the barrel type of tank, the dimensioning process is carried out three times. Once for each of the following three menu dimensions; "Mid Diam: XXXcm"

"Top Diam: XXXcm" "Mid Height: XXXcm"

These extra dimensions are for the calculation of the barrel tank volume.

Upon completion of the tank dimension menu, the unit requires the data for the low, high and emergency levels of the tank or reservoir. The low level set point enables the well pump (or solenoid) to turn on the refill the storage tank. The high level set disables the well pump (or solenoid) sa as to not overfill the storage tank. Please note that for the reservoir option, these values have no effect on the system as there is no pump to control reservoir water levels. The emergency level set disables the distribution system (or solenoid) and sets an alarm condition (no pump control for reservoir). This notifies the farmer that an unacceptable level of water remains in the tank or the reservoir. The LCD display shows "Tank or Res Data" on the top line and the sequence of set points on the bottom line as per; "Low Pt- XXXXcm" "High Pt- XXXXXL" "Emerg Pt- XXXXcm"

Note the two types of unit value, this depends on the gauge operation setup (height or volume). The two types of unit example are shown. The XXXX is the height in centimetres, and the XXXXX is the volume in litres.

The sequence is; a) low level set to completion, and then b) high level set to completion, and finally c) the emergency level set.

The height is incremented using the 'next' key to increment the metres, and the 'cancel' key to increment by 5 centimetres. The maximum value is 9.95 meters. The volume is changed using the 'next' key to increment by 10,000 litres, and the 'cancel' key be 500 litres. The maximum value is 60,500 litres.

Solenoid and Tank

This selection deals with the supply setup of only a solenoid valve controlling the amount of water in the storage tank. This routine has the same aspects as the deep well pump and tank routine. This supply selection utilises previous routines to select the type of tank, the type of gauge measuring system, the low level tank set, the high level tank set, and the emergency level tank set. The description of how to implement these routines is described above in the deep well pump and tank supply selection routine. Reservoir Only

This selection of the supply setup menu defines a reservoir supply with external control. Thus, the operation of this mode is to warn the farmer of pending shortage in the reservoir tank. The routine only deals with the setting of the high, low, and emergency levels of the reservoir in height only (no volume). The operating description of how to implement these routines is described above in the deep well pump and tank supply selection routine.

None

This subroutine requires no operator input. Thus there is no deep well pump control or monitoring of tank levels (the tank gauge is not implemented). At the selection of this option the operator is returned to the supply selection routine for the farm setup.

Water Meter Set

This menu provides the operator with a way to specify the size of the water flow meter. It can have 5 possible values, 1L, 2L, 5L, 10L, 100L. The LCD displays "Water Meter Set" on the top line and "Flow Set: XXXXL" on the bottom line. By pressing the 'next key the XXX Value cycles through the 5 possible values. The 'enter' key accepts the present value displayed to memory. Pressing the 'cancel' key the operator is returned to the general setup menu with the leak detection choice visible. The routine then moves onto the units of water measure.

The units of water measure have two possibilities, litres and cubic metres. The LCD displays "Water Display" on the top line and the first selection of unit types which are;

"Litres"

"Cubic Metres"

The unit types are cycled through by pressing the 'next' key , and a selection is made by pressing the 'enter' key. Upon selection of the unit type, or pressing the 'cancel' key, the operator is returned to the general setup menu with the leak detection choice visible. Alarm Relay

This routine provides the operator with a system disable of the alarm relay if it is not required. The LCD displays "Alarm Relay' on the top and the option of having the relay "On" or "Off. The selection is cycled through by pressing the 'next' key, and a choice is made by pressing the 'enter' key. Upon selection of on or off, or pressing the 'cancel' key, the operator is returned to the general setup menu with the leak detection choice visible.

Alarm Beeper

This routine provides the operator with a system disable of the audible beeper present within the unit. The routine follows the same procedure as that of the alarm relay. Upon selection of the unit type, or pressing the 'cancel' key, the operator is returned to the general setup menu with the leak detection choice visible.

Clock Adjust

This routine provides the operator with a means to adjust the clock. The time, day, and date can all be altered in this routine.

Learn Parameters

This routine provides the operator to specify the amount of learn time in days that the unit will undertake upon entering the learn mode. And also specify the amount of periods that the days will be broken up into.

The LCD displays "Learn Parameters" on the top line and

"Learn Tme: Xdays", where X is the learn time in days. The learn time can be incremented by one by pressing the 'next' key, and a choice by pressing the 'enter' key. The maximum amount of learn time is 9 days.

Upon reaching 9 days, the X value returns to 0 when 'next' is pushed.

Pressing the 'cancel' key, the operator is returned to the general setup menu with the leak detection choice visible.

Upon selection of a learn time, the LCD displays "Period Slot: XXX" where XX is the previously set learn days (or default). As a 24 hour day can only be broken up wholly by a limited amount of numbers, the selections available are preset. These are;

1/4 hr, 1/2 hr, 3/4 hr, 1 hr 1 1/2 hr, 2 hr and 3 hr.

The selections can be cycled through be pressing the 'next' key, and a choice made by pressing the 'enter' key. Upon selection of a period slot, or pressing the 'cancel' key, the operator is returned to the general setup menu with the leak detection choice visible.

Communications

This routine provides the operator with setting up the communication parameters. These parameters include what type of function the remote unit provides, what type of transmission medium is used, and the number of keys the remote unit has installed. The LCD displays

"Communications" on the tip line and one of the four selections of remote function available, which are;

"Alarm" - Visible display of alarms only, no user input from remote. "Keypad" - User input from remote, no alarm display.

"Both" - Both alarm display and user input available..

"Disabled" - No remote used.

The 'next' key cycles through the options, and the 'enter' key makes the selection. Pressing the 'cancel' key, the operator is returned to the general setup menu with the leak detection choice visible.

Upon selection of a remote function, the LCD displays the next choices available for the transmission medium of the communications, which are;

"Radio" "Two Wire"

Upon selection of a remote function, the LCD displays "Remote Settings", and the next choices available for the keys on remote of the communications, which are; "Two Keys" "Three Keys" The 'next' key cycles through eh options, and the 'enter' key makes the selection. Upon the selection of the remote key settings, or pressing the 'cancel' key, the operator is returned to the general setup menu with the leak detection choice visible.

Leak Detection

This menu option provides the operator with two choices, one to stop the pumping of water to the farm upon leak detection, and the other to control the pumping of water to the farm to the required level. The LCD displays "Leak Detection" on the top line and the selected option on the bottom line as per; "Controlled Pump" "Stopped Pump"

The selection is made by pressing the 'next' key and a choice made by pressing the 'enter' key. Upon selection of the option or pressing the 'cancel' key, the operator is returned to the general setup menu with the leak detection choice visible.

Tank Calibration

This menu provides the operator with the means to calibrate a tank gauge which is attached to the unit. This is essential for correct operation of the unit. The LCD displays "Tank Gauge Cal" on the top line and initially "Zero Calibrate" on the bottom. The zero calibration is performed when the tank sensor is out of the tank. The 'enter' key performs the calibration.

Upon completing the zero calibration, the LCD now displays "Cal at Hgt:X.XXm" on the bottom line. The X.XXm is the measured height of water in the tank. The second point of calibration is performed with the sensor at the bottom of the tank, the operator has to measure the exact height of water in the tank. This measured height of water is entered by pressing the 'next' key to increment the X.XXm value by 1 metre, and by pressing the 'cancel' key to increment the X.XXm value by 0.01 metre, until the measured height of water is obtained. The 'enter' key performs the calibration at the set height. Upon selection of the second calibration, or pressing the 'cancel' key, the operator is returned to the general setup menu with the leak detection choice visible. Aux. Calibration

This menu provides the operator with the means to calibrate the auxiliary gauge if in use. The procedure to complete the procedure is outline above in the tank calibration routine. Upon selection of the second calibration, or pressing the 'cancel' key, the operator is returned to the general setup menu with the leak detection choice visible.

Pump Reset

This menu selection proves the operator with a manual reset feature of the well pump and the pressure pump hours. This is useful as the maintenance of the pumps can be performed at the correct time as the total number of hours the pumps have run will be known

Upon entering this routine, the LCD displays "Pump Reset" on the top line and "Press Enter" on the bottom line. By pressing 'enter' the pump hour values will both be cleared.

Upon selection of pump hour clear, or pressing the 'cancel' key, the operator is returned to the general setup menu with the leak detection choice visible.

Distribution Option

The distribution menu has a similar menu selection as that of the supply menu. The LCD display shows "Distribution Opt" on the top line, and the selected option on the bottom line as per;

"Presre Pmp Ext"

"Presre Pmp Unit"

"Solenoid Valve" "None"

The selection is made by pressing the 'next' key and a choice is made by pressing the 'enter' key. The 'cancel' key in this menu will return the operator back to the farm setup menu. Pressure Pump External Control

When this option is selected, the screen displays "Pump Delay Time" on the top line of the LCD, and on the bottom line the pervious delay time and a space for the new time is displayed, like "TTT's New: s" where "TTT" is the old delay time. The pressure pump delay time is measured in seconds and provides a buffer for the pressure pump alarm response upon pump start up as water flow is not instantaneous when the pump starts. The pump delay time has a range of 2 seconds to 20 seconds in increments of 2 seconds. The delay time is incremented with the 'next' key and decrement with the 'cancel' key. The time is selected when the 'enter' key is pressed, and the system goes to the next data requirement. The pressure pump alarm is the next data to be entered. This allows the operator to choose between three different alarm outputs for the audible alarm and the alarm relay. These two choices are made for the local unit and the remote unit. The screen display has initially "Local Audible Al" on the top line and the pervious choice (or default) for the alarm output of one of the following; "No Alarm" "Pulsed Type 1" "Pulsed Type 2" "Continuous"

The alarm output options are cycled through by pressing the 'next' key and a selection made by the 'enter' key.

The routine then requires a retry period to be set for each alarm choice. The display has "Alarm Retry" on the top line and "Period- XXXmins" on the bottom line of the LCD. The XXX is the previously recorded minutes (or default) for that alarm. The period in minutes can be changed by pressing either of two keys. By pressing the 'next' key, the tens of minutes digit increments by one until 9 is reached then it returns to 0. By pressing the 'cancel' key the minutes increase by one until 9 is reached and then return to 0. So a possible alarm retry of 99 minutes is possible.

The routine then returns to display the next choice as below; "Local Relay Alrm" "Rmote Audible Al" "Remote Relay Alrm" The alarm output option is selected for each choice (no alarm, pulsed type 1, pulsed type 2, continuous), as well as the alarm retry period for each choice. Upon the completion of data entry for the fourth choice, the routine returns to the farm setup menu routine.

Pressure Pump Unit Control

When this option is selected, the LCD screen displays "Presre Level Set" on the top line. The bottom line of the LCD initially displays "Low Point-XXXpsi" where XXX is the pervious (or default) value. The low level is set at the point at which the pressure pump is turned on to increase the pressure of the pressure tank. This is usually controlled by a pressure switch on the pump itself. The value can be changed by pressing the 'next' key to increment the value by 10 psi, and also be pressing the 'cancel' key to increment the value by 1 psi. The maximum clue is 199 psi and when exceeding, the value returns to zero. The 'enter' key sets the low point value, and then the menu moves on to the high point set. The LCD screen displays "Hi Point- XXXpsi", for the setting of the high level point. This defines the points at which the pressure pump switches off. Thus the control of the pressure pump can be implemented. The setting of the high set point is exactly the same as the low set point.

The Pump delay time and alarm response is the next data to be entered. This is fully described in the pressure pump external control section previously, so it is not repeated here.

Solenoid Only

No setup parameters are required for this selection of water distribution for the farm. Thus upon selection the operator is returned to the farm setup menu selection.

None

This subroutine requires no operator input. Thus there is no deep well pump control or monitoring of tank levels (the tank gauge is not implemented). At the selection of this option the operator is returned to the supply selection routine for the farm setup. Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THIS INVENTION ARE:

1. A controller for controlling at least one pump connected to a supply network, wherein the controller can detect a fault in the supply network by comparing the amount of material being delivered along the supply network with an expected amount of material for that particular time and indicating a fault if the flow of material in the supply network is outside the range expected for that particular time.

2. A controller as claimed in claim 1 wherein the material is water.

3. A controller as claimed in claim 2 wherein the supply network consists of pipes capable of carrying water.

4. A controller as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 which includes a memory device programmed with an expected flow rate pattern.

5. A controller as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 when the controller is capable of learning a flow rate pattern over a period of time.

6. A controller as claimed in claim 5 wherein the flow rate pattern can be learnt by the controller by averaging the flow rates at various times on a fixed number of days.

7. A controller as claimed in claim 5 wherein the controller learns the flow rate pattern based on a rolling average.

8. A controller as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein there is included means enabling the learning mode of the controller to be over-ridden.

9. A controller as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 which is capable of visually indicating a fault condition.

10. A controller as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the controller is capable of selectively turning on and off pumps on the supply network.

11. A controller as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 10 wherein the controller can control the pump or pumps to operate as required during a fault condition according to the learnt pattern of daily use.

12. A controller as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the controller is linked to sensors associated with the material supply.

13. A controller as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the controller is connected to a sensor associated with a reservoir, the sensor providing an indication of volume or weight of material stored in the reservoir.

14. A method of controlling at least one pump connected to a supply network characterised by the steps of: a) detecting a fault in the supply work by comparing the amount of material being delivered along the supply network with an expected amount of material for that particular time, and b) indicating a fault if the flow of material in the supply network is outside the range expected for that particular time.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the material is water.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the supply network consists of pipes capable of carrying water.

17. A method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 which uses a memory device programmed with an expected flow rate pattern.

18. A method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein a flow rate pattern is learnt over a period of time.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the flow rate pattern can be learnt by averaging the flow rates at various times on a fixed number of days.

20. A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the learnt flow rate pattern is based on a rolling average.

21. A method as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein the pumps are controlled to operate as required during a fault condition according to the learnt pattern of daily use.

22. A controller substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

23. A method of controlling at least one pump connected to a supply network substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.