Filter loading
A pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool includes a water pump, a variable speed motor, and a filter arrangement in fluid communication with the pump. The pumping system can also include means for determining a load value indicative of an unclogged filter that permits movement of water through the filter arrangement, means for determining a load value indicative of a clogged filter that inhibits movement of water through the filter arrangement, and means for determining a performance value of the pumping system. The pumping system also includes means for determining a relative loading value of the filter arrangement, means for displaying the relative loading value, and means for controlling the motor in response to the relative loading value. In one example, the load values and performance value can include flow pressure values. A method of moving water of a swimming pool is also disclosed.
1. A method of controlling filter loading in a pumping system for at least one aquatic application, the pumping system including a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, a filter coupled to the pump, and a controller, the method comprising:
initiating a filter loading control process using the controller, the filter loading control process including:
determining an actual flow rate of the pumping system;
comparing the actual flow rate of the pumping system to a predetermined flow reference;
when the predetermined flow reference has not been reached, exiting the filter loading control process; and
when the predetermined flow reference has been reached:
determining an actual pressure of the pumping system through at least one of the filter and the pump,
determining a relative filter loading value of the filter, and
changing the actual flow rate based on a comparison between the relative filter loading value and a predetermined value.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the actual flow rate of the pumping system is decreased when the relative filter loading value exceeds the predetermined value.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the actual flow rate is decreased by about one gallon per minute.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining a clogged filter pressure value, wherein the clogged filter pressure value can be determined using at least one of the clogged filter pressure value received from a user interface, the controller calculating the clogged filter pressure value; the controller retrieving the clogged filter pressure value from a look-up table, and the controller retrieving a clogged filter pressure value constant from a memory.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the clogged filter pressure value includes at least one of an absolute value, a relative change with respect to an unclogged filter pressure value, and a percentage change with respect to the unclogged filter pressure value.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the relative filter loading value is determined based on the clogged filter pressure value, the unclogged filter pressure value and the actual pressure of the pumping system.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising attempting to maintain a steady state flow rate despite an increase in the relative filter loading value caused by the filter becoming clogged.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining whether the actual flow rate is a steady state flow rate that has been achieved substantially immediately following a backwash operation.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising the step of determining an unclogged filter pressure value after the backwash operation when the steady state flow rate has been achieved.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the actual pressure is determined using a motor speed.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the actual pressure is determined using a curve of a motor speed versus a pressure.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the actual pressure is determined using a power consumption of the motor.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising changing the actual flow rate when a relative change of the actual pressure is determined with respect a load value indicative of an unclogged filter.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the relative filter loading value is a percentage calculated from a clogged filter pressure value, an unclogged filter pressure value, the actual pressure, and a threshold value.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising comparing the actual flow rate of the pumping system to a steady state flow rate when the relative filter loading value is less than the predetermined value, and increasing the actual flow rate if the actual flow rate is less than the steady state flow rate.
16. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of displaying the relative filter loading value on a user interface.
17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining whether the relative filter loading value has exceeded the predetermined value by determining at least one of a relative change and a percentage change in the actual pressure with respect to a filter loading value of an unclogged filter.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the at least one of the relative change and the percentage change are determined with respect to a previous measurement taken during a previous time cycle interval.
19. The method of claim 1 , further comprising initiating a backwash cycle automatically when the relative filter loading value is greater than the predetermined value.
20. The method of claim 1 , further comprising shutting down the pumping system automatically when the relative filter loading value is greater than the predetermined value, the pumping system remaining shut down until the pumping system is manually restarted.
21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of initiating the filter loading control process is repeated after a time cycle interval, wherein the time cycle interval is about five minutes.