Comprehensive control system for mobile pumping apparatus
A control system for a pumping apparatus consisting of an engine-driven primary pump includes an intake pressure regulating system for maintaining the intake pressure above a preset low value, a discharge pressure regulating system for maintaining the discharge pressure below a preset maximum value, and a master controller for monitoring, recording, and controlling the intake and discharge pressure regulating systems and other components of the system. The discharge pressure regulating system includes a pump governor which varies the engine RPM and operates a relief valve in response to fluctuations in discharge pressure. The intake pressure regulating system includes a reserve tank that is automatically maintained at a preset level which determines the minimum intake pressure of the system. The system may also include a priming pump, foam tanks, foam pumps, bottled nonflammable gas, and an air compressor.
1. A Mobile pump system comprising:
an engine;
a reserve tank having an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and a level sensor;
a primary pump driven by said engine, the primary pump including a supply side and a discharge side;
an intake manifold having two inlets and two outlets;
a first conduit for joining one of the inlets of the intake manifold in fluid communication with a source of pressurized liquid,
a second conduit for joining one of the outlets of the intake manifold to the inlet opening of the reserve tank;
a third conduit for joining the other inlet of the intake manifold to the outlet opening of the reserve tank;
a supply line for joining the other outlet of the intake manifold to the supply side of the pump;
a first control valve associated with the first conduit, the first control valve having a closed position preventing flow from the source of the pressurized liquid into the intake manifold and an open position allowing flow into the intake manifold;
a second control valve associated with the second conduit, the second control valve having a closed position preventing flow from the intake manifold into the reserve tank and an open position allowing flow from the intake manifold into the reserve tank;
a third control valve associated with the third conduit, the third control valve having a closed position preventing flow from the reserve tank into the intake manifold and an open position allowing flow from the reserve tank into the intake manifold;
an inlet pressure sensor communicating with the intake manifold and monitoring the pressure P IN of liquid in the intake manifold;
a priming pump associated with the primary pump;
a discharge manifold having an inlet opening coupled to the discharge side of the primary pump and a plurality of outlet openings coupled to discharge hoses;
a fourth control valve located between the primary pump and the discharge manifold, the fourth control valve having a closed position preventing flow from the primary pump into the discharge manifold and an open position allowing flow from the primary pump into the discharge manifold;
a fifth control valve disposed between the discharge manifold and a discharge outlet;
a flow meter disposed in a conduit leading to the discharge outlet;
a discharge pressure sensor communicating with the discharge manifold and monitoring the pressure P A of liquid within the discharge manifold;
a master processor receiving input from the level sensor, the intake pressure sensor, and the discharge pressure sensor, and being programmed to:
actuate the priming pump in response to P A being below a preset minimum P MIN ,
switch off the priming pump in response to P MIN being at least equal to the preset minimum P MIN ;
open the first and second control valves in response to the P A being at least equal to a desired output pressure P D and the tank level being below a desired level;
shut the second control valve in response to the tank level reaching a desired level;
open the fifth control valve in response to the P A being at least equal to a desired output pressure P D ;
open the third control valve in response to the pressure in the intake manifold P IN being below a preset level P LOW ;
monitor and maintain the discharge pressure P A close or equal to the desired output pressure P D ; and
monitor the flow meter reading to maintain an optimum flow rate to the discharge outlet.
2. The Mobile pump system according to claim 1 , wherein said preset low value P LOW is in the range of 2 psi to 7 psi.