US20030118451A1 - Device for monitoring fluid flow in a pump outlet - Google Patents

Device for monitoring fluid flow in a pump outlet Download PDF

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Publication number
US20030118451A1
US20030118451A1 US10/293,358 US29335802A US2003118451A1 US 20030118451 A1 US20030118451 A1 US 20030118451A1 US 29335802 A US29335802 A US 29335802A US 2003118451 A1 US2003118451 A1 US 2003118451A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
flow
detecting
monitoring device
pump
cage
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/293,358
Inventor
Andreas Wikingsson
Stefan Svensson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
Original Assignee
ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC filed Critical ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
Assigned to ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES INC. reassignment ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SVENSSON, STEFAN, WIKINGSSON, ANDREAS
Publication of US20030118451A1 publication Critical patent/US20030118451A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01P—MEASURING LINEAR OR ANGULAR SPEED, ACCELERATION, DECELERATION, OR SHOCK; INDICATING PRESENCE, ABSENCE, OR DIRECTION, OF MOVEMENT
    • G01P13/00—Indicating or recording presence, absence, or direction, of movement
    • G01P13/0006—Indicating or recording presence, absence, or direction, of movement of fluids or of granulous or powder-like substances
    • G01P13/0013—Indicating or recording presence, absence, or direction, of movement of fluids or of granulous or powder-like substances by using a solid body which is shifted by the action of the fluid
    • G01P13/002—Indicating or recording presence, absence, or direction, of movement of fluids or of granulous or powder-like substances by using a solid body which is shifted by the action of the fluid with electrical coupling to the indicating devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04D15/00—Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or systems
    • F04D15/02—Stopping of pumps, or operating valves, on occurrence of unwanted conditions
    • F04D15/0209—Stopping of pumps, or operating valves, on occurrence of unwanted conditions responsive to a condition of the working fluid
    • F04D15/0218—Stopping of pumps, or operating valves, on occurrence of unwanted conditions responsive to a condition of the working fluid the condition being a liquid level or a lack of liquid supply
    • F04D15/0227—Lack of liquid level being detected using a flow transducer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
    • G01F1/05—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using mechanical effects
    • G01F1/20—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using mechanical effects by detection of dynamic effects of the flow
    • G01F1/28—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using mechanical effects by detection of dynamic effects of the flow by drag-force, e.g. vane type or impact flowmeter

Definitions

  • the invention concerns a device for monitoring the fluid flow in a pump outlet and in dependence thereof, controlling the current supply of an electrically driven pump motor.
  • the invention is especially adapted to be used in connection with so-called submersible pumps, where an electric motor, a hydraulic unit and an intermediate seal device as a compact unit are submersed in the pumped medium, water, and where the latter is used for cooling of the electric motor.
  • Pumps of this type are commonly used at construction sites, in mines etc. and they very often operate during long periods without any supervision. If the pump, for some reason should cease to pump water, because of lack of water, because of the pump inlet being clogged etc., the pump outlet will contain air instead of water. As air has considerably worse cooling abilities as compared to water, there is a risk that the electric motor could be damaged. It is also a waste of energy to let the pump operate dry and in addition the parts in the hydraulic unit might be warn out because of the fact that the water contains abrasive particles that circulate within the pump housing.
  • This invention solves the problem to detect air in the outlet from a pump in a simple and secure way and to disconnect the current supply of the pump in dependence of said information.
  • the invention is characterized by the enclosed claims.
  • FIG. 1 shows a detection device
  • FIG. 2 a tongue element
  • FIG. 4 a part of a submersible pump unit and 4 an electric diagram.
  • a detecting device formed like a body 1 made of a permanent magnetic material and having a higher density than the pumped medium is arranged within a cage 2 located in the outlet from a submersible pump.
  • the cage is provided with meshes wide enough not to obstruct the flow and is also so designed, that the body 1 is allowed to move a distance within the mainly vertically directed pump outlet 3 .
  • the position of the body is then dependent on the flow such, that a flow over a certain intensity brings the body to the upper part of the cage, while a flow below said value allows the body to move towards the lower part of the cage.
  • the body is then allowed to move with a certain play within the cage in order to prevent impurities in the water from disturbing the movement.
  • the cage 2 is attached to a wall in the pump outlet, normally aluminum, and on the opposite side of said wall there is arranged a tongue element 4 .
  • Said element is influenced by the magnetic field emitted by the body 1 , which penetrates the wall in such a way, that the position of the body can be decided, without the need for any lead-through in the wall.
  • the indication of the tongue element is used to control an electric circuit which is arranged to cut the current supply of the electric motor at a suitable time, thus avoiding dry running of the pump.
  • the electric circuit can be provided with a time relay, which initiates restart of the pump after a certain time.
  • the cage 2 is designed to give the best possible freedom of movement for the body 1 .
  • the cage may be designed with a downwards increasing area, thus making it easier for the body 1 to sink when the flow decreases or stops entirely.
  • One advantage with the invention is that the design is very insensitive to pollutants in the pumped medium.
  • the parts that come into contact with the medium can be designed with very big tolerances which decrease the risks for clogging, while the sensitive parts are located in a room sealed from the pumped medium.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 a devise comprising a body of permanent magnetic material arranged in a rocker, which takes different positions in dependence of the flow in the pump outlet. If the flow has stopped, the rocker takes a vertical position, FIG. 5, while it tilts upwards at a certain flow, FIG. 6. The change of the location of the body is registered by the tongue element at the opposite side of the wall in the same way as previously described.
  • the solution using a rocker is especially useful when it is expected that the pump might take a position lying down, which brings about a more or less horizontally directed pump outlet and consequently gravity force cannot be relied upon.
  • a turning spring connected to the turning axle of the rocker can then be used to secure that the rocker takes its horizontal position when the flow has decreased.
  • other variants can be used where the end positions of the rocker are so located, that only a slight turning movement is allowed. This solution may under certain circumstances be less sensitive to disturbances from outside.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
  • Control Of Non-Positive-Displacement Pumps (AREA)
  • Indicating Or Recording The Presence, Absence, Or Direction Of Movement (AREA)
  • Measuring Volume Flow (AREA)

Abstract

A body (1) of permanent magnetic material is arranged to be able to move freely back and forth in the liquid flow in the pump outlet (3), the position of the body being decided by the intensity of the flow. A tongue element (4), which is located in a room separated from the pump outlet (3) by a wall, is influenced by the magnetic field from the body (1) and can thereby detect the position of the body and consequently the intensity of the flow. This knowledge is used to stop the energy supply of the pump motor when the intensity of the flow reaches a certain minimum value.

Description

  • The invention concerns a device for monitoring the fluid flow in a pump outlet and in dependence thereof, controlling the current supply of an electrically driven pump motor. [0001]
  • The invention is especially adapted to be used in connection with so-called submersible pumps, where an electric motor, a hydraulic unit and an intermediate seal device as a compact unit are submersed in the pumped medium, water, and where the latter is used for cooling of the electric motor. [0002]
  • Pumps of this type are commonly used at construction sites, in mines etc. and they very often operate during long periods without any supervision. If the pump, for some reason should cease to pump water, because of lack of water, because of the pump inlet being clogged etc., the pump outlet will contain air instead of water. As air has considerably worse cooling abilities as compared to water, there is a risk that the electric motor could be damaged. It is also a waste of energy to let the pump operate dry and in addition the parts in the hydraulic unit might be warn out because of the fact that the water contains abrasive particles that circulate within the pump housing. [0003]
  • In order to prevent over heating of the electric motor, it is known practice to arrange air evacuation valves in the outlet system, said valves being closed as long as water is present, but open and evacuate air when the pump runs dry. This solution, which is disclosed in Swedish Patent No. 190 989, solves some of the problems mentioned above. However, pollutants contained in the pumped water may cause the valves to stay open and consequently decrease the efficiency. [0004]
  • As mentioned above, there is a demand for stopping the pump at times when there is a risk for dry running. One way to obtain this is to monitor the current consumption and to cut the supply when the consumption has reached a certain minimum value. This based upon the knowledge that the consumption decreases when only air is pumped. Such a solution is disclosed in Swedish Patent No. 469 408. [0005]
  • This invention solves the problem to detect air in the outlet from a pump in a simple and secure way and to disconnect the current supply of the pump in dependence of said information. The invention is characterized by the enclosed claims.[0006]
  • A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the enclosed drawings. FIG. 1 shows a detection device, FIG. 2 a tongue element, FIG. 4 a part of a submersible pump unit and 4 an electric diagram.[0007]
  • According to the invention a detecting device formed like a body [0008] 1 made of a permanent magnetic material and having a higher density than the pumped medium is arranged within a cage 2 located in the outlet from a submersible pump. The cage is provided with meshes wide enough not to obstruct the flow and is also so designed, that the body 1 is allowed to move a distance within the mainly vertically directed pump outlet 3. The position of the body is then dependent on the flow such, that a flow over a certain intensity brings the body to the upper part of the cage, while a flow below said value allows the body to move towards the lower part of the cage. The body is then allowed to move with a certain play within the cage in order to prevent impurities in the water from disturbing the movement.
  • The [0009] cage 2 is attached to a wall in the pump outlet, normally aluminum, and on the opposite side of said wall there is arranged a tongue element 4. Said element is influenced by the magnetic field emitted by the body 1, which penetrates the wall in such a way, that the position of the body can be decided, without the need for any lead-through in the wall. By a suitable adaptation of the density of the body 1 and considering the expected flow, it will be possible to determine whether a certain flow intensity has been reached or not. The indication of the tongue element is used to control an electric circuit which is arranged to cut the current supply of the electric motor at a suitable time, thus avoiding dry running of the pump.
  • The electric circuit can be provided with a time relay, which initiates restart of the pump after a certain time. [0010]
  • The [0011] cage 2 is designed to give the best possible freedom of movement for the body 1. In order to secure the function if the direction of the pump outlet differs from the vertical line, the cage may be designed with a downwards increasing area, thus making it easier for the body 1 to sink when the flow decreases or stops entirely.
  • One advantage with the invention is that the design is very insensitive to pollutants in the pumped medium. The parts that come into contact with the medium can be designed with very big tolerances which decrease the risks for clogging, while the sensitive parts are located in a room sealed from the pumped medium. [0012]
  • In the specification above a preferred embodiment has been described. Other solutions are possible which all fall within the scope of the invention. In FIGS. 5 and 6 is shown a devise comprising a body of permanent magnetic material arranged in a rocker, which takes different positions in dependence of the flow in the pump outlet. If the flow has stopped, the rocker takes a vertical position, FIG. 5, while it tilts upwards at a certain flow, FIG. 6. The change of the location of the body is registered by the tongue element at the opposite side of the wall in the same way as previously described. [0013]
  • The solution using a rocker is especially useful when it is expected that the pump might take a position lying down, which brings about a more or less horizontally directed pump outlet and consequently gravity force cannot be relied upon. A turning spring connected to the turning axle of the rocker can then be used to secure that the rocker takes its horizontal position when the flow has decreased. Also other variants can be used where the end positions of the rocker are so located, that only a slight turning movement is allowed. This solution may under certain circumstances be less sensitive to disturbances from outside. [0014]
  • Other possible solutions are to replace the rocker according to the above with a leaf spring or a rubber lip which changes its position at a certain flow or to arrange the body of permanent magnetic material on a pivoting arm, which is given a movement upwards along the wall at an increasing flow and where gravity force is used for obtaining the opposite movement. [0015]

Claims (8)

1. A detecting and monitoring device for the liquid flow in a pump outlet (3) to be used for controlling the current supply to the electrically driven pump motor in order to avoid dry running of the pump when the water level in the pump inlet is low, characterized in,
that a body (1) of permanent magnetic material is located within the liquid flow and is arranged to be able to make a limited movement therein, mainly back and forth in the direction of said flow,
that the body (1) takes a front position as seen in the direction of the flow at a flow intensity over a certain value,
that the body (1) takes a rear position as seen in the direction of the flow, at a flow intensity below said value,
and that a tongue element (4) is located in a room separated from the fluid flow, said element (4) detects the location of the body (1) and initiates stop of the current supply to the pump motor when the body (1) approaches or takes its rear position as seen in the direction of the flow.
2. A detecting and monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in,
that the body (1) has a density higher than that of the pumped medium and is located in a cage (2) which restricts its movement,
that the body takes its highest possible position within the cage (2), the front position as seen in the direction of the flow, at a flow intensity over a certain value,
that the body (1) takes its lowest possible position within the cage (2), the rear position as seen in the direction of the flow, at a flow intensity below said value.
3. A detecting and monitoring device according to claim 2, characterized in,
that the body (1) is designed like a massive or hollow cylinder and that the cage (2) has a width and a length that allows the body (1) to move with a considerable play.
4. A detecting and monitoring device according to claim 2, characterized in,
that the cage (2) is designed with an upwards decreasing area in order to facilitate the movement of the body (1) in cases when the direction of the flow deviates from the vertical line.
5. A detecting and monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in,
that the body (1) is connected to a rocker which can pivot around an axle perpendicular to the direction of the flow and thereby is able to take different positions with reference to the direction of the flow.
6. A detecting and monitoring device according to claim 5, characterized in,
that the rocker is spring loaded in the direction opposite the flow direction.
7. A detecting and monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in,
that the body (1) is connected to an arm, which can pivot around an axle perpendicular to the wall of the pump outlet and thereby is allowed to take different positions with reference to the direction of the flow.
8. A detecting and monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in,
that the body (1) is connected to a spring element which can change its position with reference to the direction of the flow at a certain flow intensity.
US10/293,358 2001-12-20 2002-11-14 Device for monitoring fluid flow in a pump outlet Abandoned US20030118451A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE0104317-3 2001-12-20
SE0104317A SE518821C2 (en) 2001-12-20 2001-12-20 Liquid flow sensing device in a pump outlet intended to control the power supply to the electrically driven pump motor

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20030118451A1 true US20030118451A1 (en) 2003-06-26

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/293,358 Abandoned US20030118451A1 (en) 2001-12-20 2002-11-14 Device for monitoring fluid flow in a pump outlet

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20030118451A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1324011A3 (en)
CN (1) CN1427181A (en)
CA (1) CA2414307A1 (en)
SE (1) SE518821C2 (en)
ZA (1) ZA200209108B (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7152469B2 (en) 2004-01-13 2006-12-26 Baxter International Inc. Fluid flow sensor, method and system
DE502004006565D1 (en) * 2004-02-11 2008-04-30 Grundfos As Method for determining errors in the operation of a pump unit
GB2446370A (en) * 2007-02-07 2008-08-13 Dlp Ltd Shower waste pump and supply control
EP2072829B2 (en) 2007-12-21 2017-12-20 Grundfos Management A/S Immersion pump
CN107859629A (en) * 2017-12-27 2018-03-30 嘉禾福顺机械实业有限公司 A kind of induction type is automatically turned off self priming pump
IT202100029222A1 (en) * 2021-11-18 2023-05-18 Guarneri Solutions S R L Device for controlling and activating a pump for moving liquids

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4500759A (en) * 1983-09-28 1985-02-19 Defasselle Craig R Fluid flow switch
US4738395A (en) * 1987-02-17 1988-04-19 Hot Water Equipment Corporation Fluid flow rate detector and system
US4937558A (en) * 1986-04-08 1990-06-26 Societe Nationale Elf Aquitaine (Production) Flow failure detector
US4944190A (en) * 1988-09-19 1990-07-31 Ametek Corporation Flow meter
US5222867A (en) * 1986-08-29 1993-06-29 Walker Sr Frank J Method and system for controlling a mechanical pump to monitor and optimize both reservoir and equipment performance
US5819848A (en) * 1996-08-14 1998-10-13 Pro Cav Technology, L.L.C. Flow responsive time delay pump motor cut-off logic
US5927950A (en) * 1996-05-03 1999-07-27 Lapa Services S.R.L. Device for controlling the supply of water (or other liquid) by a pump and for protecting the same in the event of dry running
US6099264A (en) * 1998-08-27 2000-08-08 Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. Pump controller

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1276170B (en) * 1966-10-25 1968-08-29 Honsberg & Co Kg Flow monitor for liquid or gaseous media
US3549839A (en) * 1969-02-26 1970-12-22 Brimco Mfg Co Fluid flow monitor
ES431609A1 (en) * 1974-11-04 1976-10-16 Wenderoth Magnetic sensor of fluid flow. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
GB8720412D0 (en) * 1987-08-28 1987-10-07 Changestart Ltd Flow detectors
BE1002318A6 (en) * 1988-07-25 1990-11-27 P D Chemie N V Control device for the flow of a fluid and pump design equipped with it
US4963857A (en) * 1989-06-26 1990-10-16 Sackett Robert L Translatable dual magnets

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4500759A (en) * 1983-09-28 1985-02-19 Defasselle Craig R Fluid flow switch
US4937558A (en) * 1986-04-08 1990-06-26 Societe Nationale Elf Aquitaine (Production) Flow failure detector
US5222867A (en) * 1986-08-29 1993-06-29 Walker Sr Frank J Method and system for controlling a mechanical pump to monitor and optimize both reservoir and equipment performance
US4738395A (en) * 1987-02-17 1988-04-19 Hot Water Equipment Corporation Fluid flow rate detector and system
US4944190A (en) * 1988-09-19 1990-07-31 Ametek Corporation Flow meter
US5927950A (en) * 1996-05-03 1999-07-27 Lapa Services S.R.L. Device for controlling the supply of water (or other liquid) by a pump and for protecting the same in the event of dry running
US5819848A (en) * 1996-08-14 1998-10-13 Pro Cav Technology, L.L.C. Flow responsive time delay pump motor cut-off logic
US6099264A (en) * 1998-08-27 2000-08-08 Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. Pump controller

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2414307A1 (en) 2003-06-20
SE0104317D0 (en) 2001-12-20
SE0104317L (en) 2002-11-26
EP1324011A3 (en) 2003-11-05
CN1427181A (en) 2003-07-02
EP1324011A2 (en) 2003-07-02
ZA200209108B (en) 2003-05-27
SE518821C2 (en) 2002-11-26

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Legal Events

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AS Assignment

Owner name: ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES INC., DELAWARE

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:WIKINGSSON, ANDREAS;SVENSSON, STEFAN;REEL/FRAME:013490/0429

Effective date: 20021101

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION