GB2544991A

GB2544991A - Flow rate indicator

Info

Publication number: GB2544991A
Application number: GB1521254.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Haffenden Gary
Original assignee: Aspen Pumps Ltd
Current assignee: Aspen Pumps Ltd
Priority date: 2015-12-02
Filing date: 2015-12-02
Publication date: 2017-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-02
Also published as: GB201521254D0; GB2544991B

Abstract

A pump flow rate indicator comprising a processor 110 configured to receive an input signal from the pump 50 dependent on the flow rate therethrough and to generate a drive signal in response to the input signal; and a LED 120 configured to be driven by the drive signal 500 to flash in a pulsatile cycle at a frequency dependent on the flow rate through the pump 50. The flashing of the light emitting diode preferably represents a heartbeat, comprising two illumination phases (502, 504; figure 3) separated by a short pause and a relatively long pause. Also disclosed is an alternative embodiment, where the input signal is from a fluid level sensor 80 in a reservoir 70 for the pump.

Description

Flow Rate Indicator [0001] This invention relates to a flow rate indicator, in particular, but not exclusively, to indicate visually a rate of flow through a pump.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Digital flow rate indicators are known for displaying on an LCD screen a visual (alphanumerical) representation of a flow rate through a pipe or a pump. However, these displays can be difficult to read, especially in the vicinity of a pump. With condensate pumps, as used to drain condensate from HVAC systems, for example, these are often wall-mounted and/or within a housing or ducting and/or in poor lighting conditions and it can therefore be difficult to determine if the pump is functioning as intended. A digital LCD flow rate indicator would be hard to read from the ground and might require a user to climb on a ladder or other item in order to determine if the pump is operating as intended. The flow rate indicator might therefore be sited remotely from the pump itself, in communication therewith via a suitable communications link.

[0003] An objective of the present invention is to address these accessibility and readability issues by providing a simple and readily viewable indicator.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pump flow rate indicator comprising: a processor configured to receive an input signal dependent on the flow rate through the pump and to generate a drive signal in response to the input signal; and an LED in communication with the processor and configured to be driven by the drive signal to illuminate in a pulsatile cycle at a frequency dependent on the flow rate through the pump.

[0005] By having the visual indication in the form of an illuminated LED that flashes at a rate dependent on the flow rate through the pump, a user can readily determine both quickly and easily that the pump is operational and at what rate it is working from a relatively great distance because the information is contained in the light flashes or pulses, which can be seen over long distances. This is particularly useful in the case of quiet pumps, which the user may not be able to hear in operation. Although the user may not be able to determine the actual flow rate through the pump as accurately as with a digital LCD screen read-out, the pulse rate is sufficient to give a clear indication of proper operation.

[0006] The pump may be a condensate removal pump.

[0007] The pump may be in fluid connection with a reservoir which includes a fluid level sensor configured to generate a fluid level signal. The flow rate through the pump may be dependent on the level of liquid in the reservoir.

[0008] In certain embodiments, the LED may be mounted on the pump and be visible from the exterior through a transparent or translucent portion of the housing. The transparent or translucent portion may be at a lower end of housing, such that the LED is visible from below. This is significant in particular for wall-mounted condensate removal pumps so that a user can quickly and easily determine proper operation of the pump from ground level. The LED may be mounted on a PCB within the pump. As such, the flow rate indicator is fully integrated into the pump itself.

[0009] In other embodiments, the LED may be mounted on a stand-alone unit which is in communication with the pump via a communications link. The communications link may be a wired connection, such that the flow rate indicator may be removably plugged into the pump.

[0010] The pulsatile cycle may represent a heartbeat, comprising two illumination phases separated by a short pause and a relatively long pause. People intuitively understand what is represented by a heartbeat and that a faster pulse rate indicates a faster flow rate.

[0011] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of visually indicating flow rate through a pump, comprising the steps of: providing a processor in communication with the pump; receiving at the processor an input signal from the pump indicative of the rate of flow therethrough; generating a drive signal in response to the input signal; and driving an LED with the drive signal to illuminate in a pulsatile cycle at a frequency dependent on the flow rate through the pump.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a flow rate indicator system according to an embodiment;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a pump housing incorporating a flow rate indicator according to an embodiment; and

Figure 3 is an exemplary drive signal trace for the flow rate indicator of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Figure 1 shows, in schematic form, a pump system 10 that incorporates a pump 50 and a flow rate indicator 100 according to the invention. The pump 50 is in communication with an associated pump controller 60 over a line 62, such that operation of the pump 50 may be controlled by signals sent from the controller 60 over the line 62. The pump 50 is for draining a reservoir 70 in order to reduce a level of fluid 72, with an input 52 in fluid connection with the reservoir and with an output 54 configured to pump the fluid onwards from the reservoir 70. A fluid level detector 80 senses the level of fluid 72 in the reservoir 70 and outputs a signal indicative of that level 72 across a line 82. The level output signal may thus be transmitted to the pump controller 60 so that operation of the pump 50 may be controlled at least partially in response to the detected fluid level 72. In certain embodiments, the pump 50 could be located within the reservoir 70.

[0014] The flow rate indicator 100 comprises a processor 110 and an LED 120 connected thereto by a line 130. The processor receives an input signal from the pump 50 over the line 140. The processor 110 generates a drive signal in response to the input signal and communicates the drive signal to the LED over the line 130 so as to drive the LED to illuminate in a pulsatile cycle at a frequency dependent on the flow rate through the pump 50.

[0015] The processor 110 may, optionally, receive a different input signal over line 82’, corresponding to the signal indicative of the fluid level 72 and as transmitted over the line 82 to the pump controller 60. Where this is the case, the flow rate through the pump may be controlled to be dependent on the level of fluid 72 within the reservoir. Accordingly, the fluid level signal may be used as a proxy for the pump flow rate. Hence, the input signal over the line 140 could be omitted in certain embodiments. In other embodiments, both input signals could be used to enhance accuracy or to provide redundancy.

[0016] In certain embodiments, it is anticipated that the pump controller 60 could be incorporated into the flow rate indicator 100 and in particular into the processor 110.

[0017] Figure 2 illustrates, in schematic form, the pump 50 comprising a housing 200. Fluid flow lines (not shown) would enter and exit the housing 200 for connection to the input 52 and output 54 of the pump respectively. The fluid flow lines may be housed within ducting (not shown), which ducting may form part of the housing 200. The LED 120 is mounted in the pump housing 200, and visible from the exterior through a transparent or translucent portion 202. This is preferably at a lower end of housing, such that the LED 120 is visible from below. The LED 120 is mounted on a PCB 190 within the pump 50. Here, the processor 110 and the line 130 connecting the processor to the LED 120 are also both mounted on the PCB 190, but these components could instead be mounted separately.

[0018] In an alternative embodiment, the LED 120 is mounted on a stand-alone unit (not shown), which is in communication with the pump 50 via a communications link, which may be a wired connection. With this arrangement, the flow rate indicator may be removably plugged into the pump 50.

[0019] The above-described types of arrangement can be used for condensate removal pumps and especially those intended to be wall-mounted adjacent to a piece of HVAC equipment. It is an objective to make these pumps operate as quietly as possible because they are used in environments such as offices and hotels where noise disturbance should be kept to a minimum. An upshot of quieter pumps is that it can be more difficult to determine audibly if they are operating.

[0020] The visual pulsing of the LED 120 of the present invention overcomes this. An example of a drive signal 500 suitable to illuminate the LED 120 with such a pulsatile cycle is shown in Figure 3. The signal 500 comprises a first period from time 0 to time U in which the signal corresponds to ‘Off, indicating that the LED will not be illuminated. From time L to time t2, a first pulse 502 is emitted, corresponding to an On’ condition which drives the LED to illuminate for that period. From time t2to time t3, the signal reverts to Off for a brief pause pi. From time t3to time U, a second pulse 504 is emitted, corresponding to the On’ condition which drives the LED to illuminate for that period, which may be the same as or either longer or shorter than the first pulse 502. From time U to time t5, the signal reverts to Off. Time t5 represents the end of a cycle. The period of the cycle is thus equal to tsand the frequency is equal to 1/ ts. The cycle is then repeated, such that the period from time tsto time t6, corresponds to the first period from time 0 to time L. The period from time U to time t6 (which is also equal to the sum of the period from time 0 to time L and the period from time tito time t5) can be considered as a second pause p2, which is longer than pause pi. This pulsatile cycle thus represents a heartbeat, comprising two illumination phases (the pulses 502 and 504) separated by a short pause Pi and a relatively long pause p2.

[0021] The drive signal 500 is adjusted dependent on the input signal that is indicative of the rate of flow through the pump 50. In particular, the frequency of the signal 500 is directly dependent on the flow rate through the pump 50. Accordingly, the ‘heartbeat’ will pulse faster with higher flow rates. This provides an intuitive, quick and easy means for an observer to determine firstly whether the pump is operational (i.e. functioning) and secondly at what rate it is operating.

[0022] It will be understood that the particular drive signal may be different to that illustrated in Figure 3. It does not have to be a binary On/Off signal and may instead provide for graduated illumination - for example through the use of pulse width modulation - to have the LED 120 fade in or out of full illumination. It may also comprise a different number of pulses.

[0023] Although the invention has been described with reference to the various signals being transmitted across lines, it will be understood that alternative means of transmitting the signals, including through use of wireless transmission protocols would be within the remit of the invention.

[0024] Whereas the invention has been described in the context of a condensate removal pump, it will be understood that the teachings of a visual flow rate indicator having a flashing LED signal that pulses at a rate dependent on the flow rate through the pump apply equally to other types of pump.

[0025] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of them mean “including but not limited to”, and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0026] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments.

The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0027] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A pump flow rate indicator comprising: a processor configured to receive an input signal from the pump dependent on the flow rate therethrough and to generate a drive signal in response to the input signal; and an LED in communication with the processor and configured to be driven by the drive signal to illuminate in a pulsatile cycle at a frequency dependent on the flow rate through the pump.

2. The pump flow rate indicator of claim 1, wherein the pump is a condensate removal pump.

3. The pump flow rate indicator of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the pump is in fluid connection with a reservoir that includes a fluid level sensor configured to generate a fluid level signal.

4. The pump flow rate indicator of claim 3, wherein the flow rate through the pump is dependent on the level of liquid in the reservoir.

5. The pump flow rate indicator of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the LED is mounted on the pump and is visible from the exterior through a transparent or translucent portion of the housing.

6. The pump flow rate indicator of claim 5, wherein the transparent or translucent portion is at a lower end of housing, such that the LED is visible from below.

7. The pump flow rate indicator of claim 6, wherein the LED is mounted on a PCB within the pump.

8. The pump flow rate indicator of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the LED is mounted on a stand-alone unit which is in communication with the pump via a communications link.

9. The pump flow rate indicator of claim 8, wherein the communications link is a wired connection.

10. The pump flow rate indicator of any preceding claim, wherein the pulsatile cycle represents a heartbeat, comprising two illumination phases separated by a short pause and a relatively long pause.

11. A method of visually indicating flow rate through a pump, comprising: providing a processor in communication with the pump; receiving at the processor an input signal from the pump indicative of the rate of flow therethrough; generating a drive signal in response to the input signal; and driving an LED with the drive signal to illuminate in a pulsatile cycle at a frequency dependent on the flow rate through the pump.