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  Controller for a motor and a method of controlling the motorUSPTO Application #: 20080095638Title: Controller for a motor and a method of controlling the motor Abstract: A pumping apparatus for a jetted-fluid system includes a pump having an inlet connectable to the drain, and an outlet connectable to the return. The pump is adapted to receive the fluid from the drain and jet fluid through the return. The apparatus includes a motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump, a sensor configured to generate a signal having a relation to a parameter of the motor, and a switch coupled to the motor and configured to control at least a characteristic of the motor. The apparatus also includes a microcontroller coupled to the sensor and the switch. The microcontroller includes a model observer configured to receive a first value based on the signal and to generate a second value representative of at least one of a modeled flow or a modeled pressure based on the first value. The microcontroller is configured to control the motor based on the second value. (end of abstract) Agent: Michael Best & Friedrich LLP - Milwaukee, WI, US Inventor: Brian Thomas Branecky USPTO Applicaton #: 20080095638 - Class: 417 43 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080095638. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001]The invention relates to a controller for a motor, and particularly, a controller for a motor operating a pump. [0002]Occasionally on a swimming pool, spa, or similar jetted-fluid application, the main drain can become obstructed with an object, such as a towel or pool toy. When this happens, the suction force of the pump is applied to the obstruction and the object sticks to the drain. This is called suction entrapment. If the object substantially covers the drain (such as a towel covering the drain), water is pumped out of the drain side of the pump. Eventually the pump runs dry, the seals burn out, and the pump can be damaged. [0003]Another type of entrapment is referred to as mechanical entrapment. Mechanical entrapment occurs when an object, such as a towel or pool toy, gets tangled in the drain cover. Mechanical entrapment may also effect the operation of the pump. [0004]Several solutions have been proposed for suction and mechanical entrapment. For example, new pool construction is required to have two drains, so that if one drain becomes plugged, the other can still flow freely and no vacuum entrapment can take place. This does not help existing pools, however, as adding a second drain to an in-ground, one-drain pool is very difficult and expensive. Modern pool drain covers are also designed such that items cannot become entwined with the cover. [0005]As another example, several manufacturers offer systems known as Safety Vacuum Release Systems (SVRS). SVRS often contain several layers of protection to help prevent both mechanical and suction entrapment. Most SVRS use hydraulic release valves that are plumbed into the suction side of the pump. The valve is designed to release (open to the atmosphere) if the vacuum (or pressure) inside the drain pipe exceeds a set threshold, thus releasing the obstruction. These valves can be very effective at releasing the suction developed under these circumstances. Unfortunately, they have several technical problems that have limited their use. SUMMARY [0006]In one embodiment, the invention provides a pumping apparatus for a jetted-fluid system having a vessel for holding a fluid, a drain, and a return. The pumping apparatus is connected to a power source and includes a pump having an inlet connectable to the drain, and an outlet connectable to the return. The pump is adapted to receive the fluid from the drain and jet fluid through the return. The pumping apparatus also includes a motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump, a sensor configured to generate a signal having a relation to a parameter of the motor, and a switch coupled to the motor and configured to control at least a characteristic of the motor. The pumping apparatus also includes a microcontroller coupled to the sensor and the switch. The microcontroller includes a model observer configured to receive a first value based on the signal and to generate a second value representative of at least one of a modeled flow or a modeled pressure based on the first value. The microcontroller is configured to control the motor based on the second value. [0007]In another embodiment, the invention provides a pumping apparatus for a jetted-fluid system having a vessel for holding a fluid, a drain, and a return. The pumping apparatus is connected to a power source and includes a pump having an inlet connectable to the drain, and an outlet connectable to the return. The pump is adapted to receive the fluid from the drain and jet fluid through the return. The pumping apparatus also includes a motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump, a sensor configured to generate a signal having a relation to a parameter of the motor, and a switch coupled to the motor and configured to control at least a characteristic of the motor. The pumping apparatus also includes a microcontroller coupled to the sensor and the switch. The microcontroller includes a model observer configured to receive a first value based on the signal and to generate a second value representative of a modeled pressure based on the first value. The microcontroller is configured to control the motor based on the second value. [0008]In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of controlling a motor operating a pumping apparatus of a jetted fluid system having a vessel for holding a fluid, a drain, and a return. The pumping apparatus includes a pump having an inlet connectable to the drain, and an outlet connectable to the return. The pump is adapted to receive the fluid from the drain and jet fluid through the return, and the motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump. The method includes determining a power of the pump motor, applying the power to a model observer, and obtaining a value representative of a flow based on the power and the model observer. The method also includes determining whether the value indicates a condition of the pump, and controlling the motor to operate the pump based on the condition of the pump. [0009]In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of controlling a motor operating a pumping apparatus of a jetted fluid system having a vessel for holding a fluid, a drain, and a return. The pumping apparatus includes a pump with an inlet connectable to the drain, and an outlet connectable to the return. The pump adapted to receive the fluid from the drain and jet fluid through the return, and the motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump. The method includes determining a power of the pump motor, applying the power to a model observer, and obtaining a value representative of a pressure based on the power and the model observer. The method also includes determining whether the value indicates a condition of the pump, and controlling the motor to operate the pump based on the condition of the pump. [0010]In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of controlling a fluid-movement system having a motor and a pump. The motor is coupled to the pump to operate the pump. The method includes calibrating the system to obtain a calibration value for a motor parameter, obtaining a relationship between the motor parameter and a fluid parameter, and determining a trip value based on the calibration value and the relationship. The method also includes controlling the motor to operate the pump, and monitoring the operation of the pump. The monitoring act includes determining a value for the motor parameter, comparing the value to the trip value, and determining whether the comparison indicates a condition of the pump. The method of controlling the fluid-movement system also includes controlling the motor to operate the pump based on the condition of the pump. [0011]In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of controlling a fluid-movement system having a motor and a pump. The motor is coupled to the pump to operate the pump. The method includes determining a relationship between an input power to the motor and a flow rate through the pump, determining a calibration value for the input power, and determining a percentage drop for the relationship. The method also includes determining a trip value based on the relationship, the calibration value, and the percentage drop, and monitoring the operation of the pump. The monitoring act includes determining a first value for the input power, comparing the first value to the trip value, and determining whether the first value indicates a condition of the pump. The method of controlling the fluid-movement system also includes controlling the motor to operate the pump based on the condition of the pump. [0012]Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013]FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a jetted-spa incorporating the invention. [0014]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a first controller capable of being used in the jetted-spa shown in FIG. 1. [0015]FIGS. 3A and 3B are electrical schematics of the first controller shown in FIG. 2. [0016]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a second controller capable of being used in the jetted-spa shown in FIG. 1. [0017]FIGS. 5A and 5B are electrical schematics of the second controller shown in FIG. 4. [0018]FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a third controller capable of being used in the jetted-spa shown in FIG. 1. [0019]FIG. 7 is a graph showing an input power signal and a derivative power signal as a function of time. [0020]FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a model observer. [0021]FIG. 9 is a graph showing an input power signal and a processed power signal as a function of time. Continue reading... Full patent description for Controller for a motor and a method of controlling the motor Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Controller for a motor and a method of controlling the motor patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. 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