EP3279475A1 - Method for operating an undulating-membrane pump, and system for operating an undulating-membrane pump - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of controlling an undulating diaphragm pump (2) comprising an undulating membrane (7) and actuating means (9) of the undulating membrane (7) electrically powered at a given frequency or voltage to oscillate and undulate the undulating membrane (7). According to the invention, the method consists in varying the frequency and / or the electrical supply voltage of the actuating means (9) as a function of at least one predetermined operating parameter of the undulating diaphragm pump ( 2).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to the technical field of undulating diaphragm pumps and relates, more particularly, to a method of controlling an undulating diaphragm pump, as well as to an undulating diaphragm pump controlled system.

The invention is applicable in all fields using an undulating diaphragm pump, but finds an advantageous application in the field of aeronautics where the undulating diaphragm pumps can be used, for example, for the discharge of wastewater contained in a water retention tank of a toilet gray water management system of an aircraft, or for circulating fuel in the aircraft.

PRIOR ART

It is known from the state of the art an undulating diaphragm pump comprising, in general, a pump body delimiting a chamber in which an intake pipe and an exhaust pipe open. The undulating diaphragm pump comprises an undulating membrane, capable of having a central opening, extending into the chamber of the undulating diaphragm pump, in particular between a lower flange and an upper flange of the undulating diaphragm pump. The undulating diaphragm pump comprises actuating means for actuating the undulating membrane, electrically powered by a voltage at a given frequency.

The actuating means in particular make it possible to oscillate and undulate the undulating membrane. Thus, the undulating membrane is able to move respectively between the lower flange and the upper flange of the undulating diaphragm pump to a frequency equivalent to the power supply frequency of the actuating means.

If the actuating means are powered by a continuous supply, an inverter is arranged to generate a periodic alternating power supply at the given frequency.

Thus actuated by the actuating means, the undulating diaphragm oscillates and waves so as to propagate a wavefront which causes, on the one hand, a pumping of a fluid to be pumped from the intake pipe to the chamber of the undulating diaphragm pump and, on the other hand, a discharge of the fluid to be pumped from the chamber of the undulating diaphragm pump to the exhaust pipe.

This type of undulating diaphragm pump is entirely satisfactory in that it requires reduced maintenance, and in that it is sensitive neither to the phenomena of cavitation, nor to the quantity and size of the waste or foreign bodies potentially present in the fluid to be pumped.

However, the use of known undulating diaphragm pumps is not optimal. It can be further improved, especially in terms of energy consumption and efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the aims of the invention is therefore to provide a method for controlling an undulating diaphragm pump, as well as a controlled undulating diaphragm pump system, which make it possible to optimize the use of a pump with an undulating diaphragm pump. undulating membrane, in particular by reducing its energy consumption, and by increasing its efficiency. Furthermore, alternatively or in combination, the present invention also proposes to improve any operating parameter of the undulating diaphragm pump, in particular as a function of the application concerned.

For this purpose, a method for controlling an undulating diaphragm pump comprising at least one undulating diaphragm and means for actuating the undulating diaphragm has been developed, the actuating means being electrically powered according to a frequency or a given voltage to oscillate and undulate the undulating membrane.

According to the invention, the method consists in modifying the frequency and / or the electrical supply voltage of the actuating means as a function of at least one previously determined operating parameter of the undulating diaphragm pump.

In this way, depending on the use of the undulating diaphragm pump, it is possible to modify the frequency and / or the electrical supply voltage of the actuating means of the undulating diaphragm to vary at least one parameter of operation of the undulating diaphragm pump so that it operates optimally, depending on the application concerned. For example, the operation of the undulating diaphragm pump is optimized in that the undulating diaphragm pump consumes as little energy as possible while having maximum efficiency. Changing the frequency and / or voltage of the power supply means for actuating the undulating membrane can also make it possible to operate the undulating diaphragm pump at a desired operating level.

Indeed, to be effective and have a good performance, the oscillation frequency of the undulating membrane must, for example, be equivalent to a resonance frequency defined by the internal characteristics of the undulating diaphragm pump and the fluid to be pumped.

When the undulating diaphragm pump is implemented in an aircraft, the oscillation frequency of the undulating diaphragm is dictated by the power supply frequency of the aircraft electrical network. However, in practice and because of the nature of each piece constituting an undulating diaphragm pump, it proves difficult to manufacture an undulating diaphragm pump whose resonance frequency is exactly equal to a given power supply frequency.

In practice, a resonant frequency different from the desired frequency is generally observed. In this situation, the control method according to the invention makes it possible, for example, to modify the frequency and / or the electrical supply voltage of the actuating means of the undulating diaphragm, so as to vary the oscillation frequency of the undulating membrane so that it reaches the resonance frequency specific to the undulating diaphragm pump which, as mentioned above, also depends on the fluid to be pumped.

• déterminer un paramètre de fonctionnement de la pompe à membrane ondulante ;
• vérifier si le paramètre de fonctionnement déterminé a atteint une valeur cible prédéterminée ;
  • o si le paramètre de fonctionnement déterminé n'atteint pas la valeur cible prédéterminée, faire varier la fréquence et/ou la tension d'alimentation électrique des moyens d'actionnement jusqu'à ce que le paramètre de fonctionnement déterminé atteigne la valeur cible prédéterminée.

Depending on the use of the undulating diaphragm pump, it may be necessary to check whether the previously determined parameter reflects the desired use of the undulating diaphragm pump. According to a particular embodiment of the control method according to the invention, it comprises steps consisting of:

• determining an operating parameter of the undulating diaphragm pump;
• checking whether the determined operating parameter has reached a predetermined target value;
  • if the determined operating parameter does not reach the predetermined target value, varying the frequency and / or the electrical supply voltage of the actuating means until the determined operating parameter reaches the predetermined target value.

According to a particular embodiment, the step of checking whether the operating parameter determined to reach the predetermined target value may consist in checking whether it is within a predetermined value range.

Since the behavioral law of the determined parameter is not linear, the step of checking whether the determined operating parameter has reached the predetermined target value may also consist in checking whether the determined operating parameter has reached a maximum or minimum value, of so that the frequency and / or the power supply voltage is successively increased and decreased to determine whether the determined operating parameter has reached the maximum or minimum value.

According to another embodiment, the variation of the frequency and / or the power supply voltage can obey a control logic according to the determined operating parameter.

The invention also relates to a controlled system of undulating diaphragm pump. The controlled system of undulating diaphragm pump comprises a pump, comprising in particular an undulating membrane and means for actuating the undulating membrane electrically powered at a given frequency and / or voltage to oscillate and undulate the undulating membrane.

According to the invention, the undulating diaphragm pump controlled system comprises a control unit able to control the actuating means as a function of at least one predetermined operating parameter of the undulating diaphragm pump.

According to a particular embodiment, the control unit comprises a regulator of the frequency and / or of the electrical supply voltage, arranged between the power supply and the actuating means.

Certain operating parameters, such as, for example, voltage or frequency of power supply, power, etc. can be determined, and in particular calculated, directly by the control unit. However, depending on the operating parameter or parameters to be determined, the undulating diaphragm pump controlled system may comprise measuring means capable of sending at least one measurement of at least one operating parameter of the undulating diaphragm pump to the regulating organ.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Of course the various features, variations and / or embodiments of the present invention may be associated with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

• la figure 1 représente un schéma de principe d'un système piloté de pompe à membrane selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente de manière schématique, vu de côté, l'intérieur d'une pompe à membrane ondulante selon un exemple de réalisation ;
• la figure 3 représente un schéma de principe d'un procédé de pilotage d'une pompe à membrane ondulante selon l'invention.

Similarly, the present invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description comprising embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the appended figures, presented as non-limiting examples. , which may serve to complete the understanding of the present invention and the statement of its realization and, if necessary, to contribute to its definition, in which:

• the figure 1 represents a block diagram of a controlled diaphragm pump system according to the invention;
• the figure 2 schematically shows, viewed from the side, the interior of an undulating diaphragm pump according to an exemplary embodiment;
• the figure 3 represents a block diagram of a method of driving an undulating diaphragm pump according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It should be noted that, in the figures, the structural and / or functional elements common to the various embodiments may have the same references. Thus, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

With reference to the figure 1 the invention relates to a pilot system (1) for an undulating diaphragm pump (2), the use of which is optimized, for example, to operate according to the actual need of the pumping characteristics. Thus, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the undulating diaphragm pump (2) and / or to increase the efficiency of the undulating diaphragm pump (2), and / or to improve any operating parameter of the undulating diaphragm pump (2) depending on the application concerned.

With reference to the figure 2 illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the undulating diaphragm pump (2), it comprises a pump body (3) delimiting a chamber (4) into which an intake pipe (5) and an exhaust pipe (6). The undulating diaphragm pump (2) comprises a diaphragm undulating member (7) extending into the chamber (4), in particular a disk-shaped undulating membrane (7) having a circular central opening (8). The undulating membrane (7) is obtained in a deformable material such as a silicone elastomer for example or the like. Advantageously, the undulating membrane (7) is arranged between a lower flange and an upper flange.

The undulating diaphragm pump (2) comprises actuating means (9) for oscillating and undulating the undulating membrane (7) to thereby allow pumping operations as such.

The actuating means (9) are powered by a power supply (10) delivering a voltage and / or a given power supply frequency. The actuating means (9) make it possible to convert the electrical energy supplied by the power supply (10) into an alternating movement, advantageously into a linear reciprocating motion. The reciprocating motion causes the oscillation movement and the undulation of the undulating membrane (7).

More particularly and with reference to the figure 1 the undulating membrane (7) is subjected to a movable structure (11) connected to actuating means (9) in the form of an electromagnet (12) comprising a movable magnet (13). Thus, when the electromagnet (12) is electrically powered by the power supply (10), the movable magnet (13) oscillates and causes the oscillation of the movable structure (11) and thus the oscillation and rotation. undulation of the undulating membrane (7). The oscillation and undulation of the undulating membrane (7) generates a wavefront causing the circulation of a fluid to be pumped through the diaphragm pump (2). The mobile structure (11), also in the form of a disk, also protects the undulating membrane (7).

According to the invention, and with reference to figure 2 the controlled undulating diaphragm pump system (1) comprises a control unit (14), such as an electronic computer, for sensing signals and setting steering commands. The control unit (14) is arranged between the actuating means (9) and the power supply (10). In other words, the control unit (14) is powered electrically and controls the power supply of the actuating means (9) of the undulating diaphragm pump (2).

The control unit (14) manages the electrical / electronic interfaces of the undulating diaphragm pump (2). In addition, the control unit (14) makes it possible to create an output signal (18), in particular an electric power signal that can be sent to the actuating means (9) of the undulating membrane (7) of the undulating diaphragm pump (2).

More specifically, the control unit (14) comprises a regulating member (15). The regulating member (15) is able to modify and / or regulate the frequency and / or the electrical supply voltage of the actuating means (9). Advantageously, a software and / or a possibly programmable logic circuit comprises the regulating member (15) of the frequency and / or of the electrical supply voltage of the actuating means (9). The regulating member (15) receives, as input, an input signal (19), in particular an input voltage and / or a power supply input frequency, such as for example 400 Hz, originating from example of the electrical network of an aircraft At the output, the regulating member (15) delivers the output signal (18), in particular an output frequency and / or an output voltage, preferably an output frequency and / or a regulated output voltage, which supplies the actuating means (9) of the undulating membrane (7). The regulating member (15) regulates the frequency and / or the electrical supply voltage of the actuating means (9) as a function of at least one predetermined operating parameter, in particular previously measured or calculated, of the pump with undulating membrane (2).

For example, the regulator (15) can vary the frequency and / or the power supply voltage of the actuating means (9) according to one or more determined target values to be achieved for one or more parameters. determined operating conditions. Alternatively or in addition, the regulating member (15) can vary the frequency and / or the power supply voltage according to a tolerance value range in which the measured or calculated parameter (s) must be located. The regulator (15) can also regulate the frequency and / or the power supply voltage so as to comply with a control logic.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the input voltage delivered by the power supply (10) is continuous. Thus, the control unit (14) can also integrate a DC / AC converter (16) for generating a periodic AC output voltage for supplying the actuating means (9) of the undulating membrane (7).

According to a particular embodiment, measuring means (17) are also connected either to the regulator (15) or, if appropriate, to the DC / AC converter (16), or directly to the diaphragm pump. undulating (2). The measuring means (17) are able to measure, as operating parameters of the undulating diaphragm pump (2), the output signal (18) of the regulator (15) and / or the continuous converter / alternative (16). Then, the processing unit of the control unit (14) is able to compare the output signal (18) with the input signal (19), in particular in the regulating member (15). The measuring means (17) may be of different types depending on the parameter to be measured. They can, for example, include sensors, such as pressure sensors, flow, temperature.

With reference to the figure 3 during operation of the undulating diaphragm pump controlled system (1) according to the invention, and in a determining step (A), the control unit (14) calculates, or the measuring means ( 17) measure at least one operating parameter of the undulating diaphragm pump (2). If several operating parameters are measured or calculated, these can be taken singly or in combination.

• une tension et/ou un courant appliqué(e) aux moyens d'actionnement (9) ;
• un déphasage entre le courant et la tension d'alimentation électrique appliqués aux moyens d'actionnement (9) ;
• une puissance de sortie de la pompe à membrane ondulante (2) ;
• une puissance consommée par la pompe à membrane ondulante (2) ;
• une pression de sortie de la pompe à membrane ondulante (2) ;
• ou tout autre paramètre de fonctionnement, telle qu'une température, une pression, un débit, un rendement, etc.

By way of example, the measured or calculated operating parameter can be constituted by:

• a voltage and / or a current applied (e) to the actuating means (9);
• a phase difference between the current and the power supply voltage applied to the actuating means (9);
• an output power of the undulating diaphragm pump (2);
• power consumed by the undulating diaphragm pump (2);
• an outlet pressure of the undulating diaphragm pump (2);
• or any other operating parameter, such as temperature, pressure, flow rate, yield, etc.

In an information transmission step, the control unit (14) or the measuring means (17) send the value of the measured or calculated operating parameter to the regulator (15).

In a verification step (B), the regulator (15) performs a check of whether the measured operating parameter (s) has reached a target value (s). (s) predetermined.

The predetermined target value (s) may be of different types. It may be, for example, to check whether one of the measured or calculated operating parameters has reached a particular value, or whether it has reached a multitude of target values defining in particular a range of tolerances for the measured or calculated operating parameter.

In this way, in the negative, if the regulator (15) determines that the measured / calculated operating parameter (s) have not reached the target value (s). (s) predetermined (s), in an adaptation step (C), the regulating member (15) varies the input signal (19), in particular the frequency and / or the power supply voltage actuating means (9). It is then proceeded to a new measurement or a new calculation of the operating parameter, according to step (A) measurement or calculation described above, and to a new verification according to the verification step (B) described above.

The oscillation frequency of the undulating diaphragm (7) influences the flow rate of the undulating diaphragm pump (2), while the supply voltage influences the oscillation amplitude of the undulating diaphragm (7), and thus allows to vary the power of the undulating diaphragm pump (2). The flow rate and operating power of the undulating diaphragm pump (2) are not constant. The invention This makes it possible to optimize the control of the undulating diaphragm pump (2) so that it always operates optimally.

It follows from the foregoing that the invention provides a method of controlling an undulating diaphragm pump (2), as well as a controlled system (1) of undulating diaphragm pump (2), which make it possible to optimize use of the undulating diaphragm pump (2), by regulating the power supply of the undulating diaphragm pump (2) according to the actual need and the application concerned.

The invention thus makes it possible to regulate the energy consumption of the undulating diaphragm pump (2), to optimize the efficiency, as well as any calculable or measurable operating parameter.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants that may be considered by those skilled in the art in the context of the present invention and in particular any combination of the different modes of operation described above, which can be taken separately or in combination.

Claims (12)

Method for controlling an undulating diaphragm pump (2) comprising at least one undulating diaphragm (7) and actuating means (9) for the undulating diaphragm (2) electrically powered at a given frequency and / or voltage for oscillating and undulating the undulating membrane (7),
characterized in that it consists in modifying the frequency and / or the electrical supply voltage of the actuating means (9) as a function of at least one predetermined operating parameter of the undulating diaphragm pump (2). ). Driving method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: - (A) determining an operating parameter of the undulating diaphragm pump (2); - (B) checking whether the determined operating parameter has reached a predetermined target value; if the determined operating parameter does not reach the predetermined target value, (C) varying the frequency and / or the electrical supply voltage of the actuating means (9) until the determined operating parameter reaches the predetermined target value. Driving method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the predetermined target value corresponds to a maximum or minimum value. Control method according to claim 2, characterized in that the step (B) of checking whether the determined operating parameter has reached the predetermined target value consists in checking whether the determined operating parameter is in a value range. predetermined. Driving method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the determined operating parameter is constituted by the voltage and / or the current applied (s) to the actuating means (9). Driving method according to claim 5, characterized in that the determined operating parameter is constituted by a phase shift between the current and the voltage applied to the actuating means (9). Control method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the determined operating parameter is constituted by the output power of the undulating diaphragm pump (2). Driving method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the determined operating parameter is constituted by the power consumed by the undulating diaphragm pump (2). Control method according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the determined operating parameter is the output pressure of the undulating diaphragm pump (2). Controlled system (1) for an undulating diaphragm pump (2), the system comprising an undulating diaphragm pump (2), comprising an undulating diaphragm (7) and actuating means (9) of the undulating diaphragm (7) fed electrically by a power supply (10) at a given frequency and / or voltage to oscillate and undulate the undulating membrane (7),
characterized in that it comprises a control unit (14) adapted to control the actuating means (9) as a function of at least one predetermined operating parameter of the undulating diaphragm pump (2). System according to Claim 10, characterized in that the control unit (14) comprises a regulating element (15) for the frequency and / or the power supply voltage, arranged between the power supply (10) and the actuating means (9). System according to Claim 11, characterized in that it comprises measuring means (17) able to send at least one measurement of at least one operating parameter of the undulating diaphragm pump to the regulating member (15). (2).

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