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 pumping system for a swimming pool, the pumping system comprising:
a pump;
a motor coupled to the pump;
a filter coupled to the pump; and
a controller in communication with the motor,
the controller determining if a steady state flow rate to achieve a desired number of turnovers in the swimming pool has been reached,
the controller calculating a filter loading value based on a clogged filter pressure
value, an unclogged filter pressure value, and an actual pressure of the pumping system after the steady state flow rate has been reached,
the controller decreasing an actual flow rate of the pumping system if the filter loading value is greater than a threshold value to help prolong filter life after the filter has become clogged,
the controller decreasing the actual flow rate during at least one subsequent time cycle until at least one of the filter loading value is less than the threshold value and a backwash cycle is completed,
the controller increasing the actual flow rate if the filter loading value is less than the threshold value and the actual flow rate is less than the steady state flow rate.
2. The pumping system of claim 1 , wherein the controller attempts to maintain the steady state flow rate despite an increase in the filter loading value caused by the filter becoming clogged.
3. The pumping system of claim 1 , wherein the clogged filter pressure value includes at least one of an absolute value, a relative change with respect to the unclogged filter pressure value, and a percentage change with respect to the unclogged filter pressure value.
4. The pumping system of claim 1 , wherein the controller determines whether the steady state flow rate substantially immediately follows a backwash operation.
5. The pumping system of claim 4 , wherein the controller determines the unclogged filter pressure value after the backwash operation.
6. The pumping system of claim 1 , wherein the controller uses a motor speed to determine the actual pressure.
7. The pumping system of claim 6 , wherein the controller uses a curve of motor speed versus pressure to determine the actual pressure.
8. The pumping system of claim 1 , wherein the controller uses power consumption of the motor to determine the actual pressure.
9. The pumping system of claim 8 , wherein the controller determines the power consumption of the motor from at least one of current and voltage provided to the motor.
10. The pumping system of claim 1 , wherein the filter loading value is a percentage calculated from the clogged filter pressure value, the unclogged filter pressure value, and the actual pressure, and wherein the threshold value is about 100 percent.
11. The pumping system of claim 1 , wherein the controller determines whether the filter loading value has exceeded the threshold value by determining at least one of a relative change and a percentage change in the actual pressure with respect to a load angle of an unclogged filter.
12. The pumping system of claim 11 , wherein the controller determines at least one of the relative change and the percentage change with respect to a previous measurement taken during a previous time cycle interval.
13. The pumping system of claim 1 , wherein the controller displays the filter loading value.
14. The pumping system of claim 13 , wherein the controller displays a service system soon indicator when the filter loading value is greater than the threshold value.
15. The pumping system of claim 1 , wherein the controller increases the actual flow rate by about one gallon per minute in order to attempt to maintain the steady state flow rate.
16. The pumping system of claim 1 , wherein the controller decreases the actual flow rate by about one gallon per minute in order to lower the filter loading value.
17. The pumping system of claim 16 , wherein the controller decreases the actual flow rate during each consecutive time cycle of a predetermined elapsed period of time until at least one of the filter loading value is less than the threshold value and a backwash cycle is completed.
18. The pumping system of claim 1 , wherein the controller determines the filter loading value about once every five minutes.
19. The pumping system of claim 1 , wherein the controller automatically initiates a backwash cycle when the filter loading value is greater than the threshold value.
20. The pumping system of claim 1 , wherein the controller automatically shuts down the pumping system when the filter loading value is greater than the threshold value and the pumping system remains shut down until the pumping system is manually restarted.
21. The pumping system of claim 1 , wherein the filter includes at least one of a sand filter, a cartridge filter, and a diatomaceous earth filter.
22. The pumping system of claim 1 , wherein the actual flow rate of the pumping system depends in part on the desired number of turnovers.