Patent ID: 8133034
Filing Date: 2012-03-13
Classification: A61H,F04D,Y02B

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling a pumping apparatus for a jetted-fluid system comprising a vessel for holding a fluid, a drain, and a return, the pumping apparatus comprising a pump having an inlet fluidly connectable to the drain to receive the fluid, and an outlet fluidly connectable to the return to exhaust the fluid, and a motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump, the method comprising: determining a power calibration value for the motor, the power calibration value being calculated using at least one of a value for a motor current and a value for a motor voltage; initiating a first mode of operation for the pumping apparatus; controlling the motor to controllably operate the pump to pump the fluid during the first mode of operation; monitoring an electrical characteristic of the motor power when operating the pump during the first mode of operation; receiving a user-initiated monitoring interrupt signal; initiating a second mode of operation in response to receiving the user-initiated monitoring interrupt signal; ceasing the monitoring of the electrical characteristic of the motor power during the second mode of operation; controlling the motor to controllably operate the pump to pump the fluid during the second mode of operation; reinitiating the first mode of operation; determining, during the first mode of operation, a power value having a relation to the electrical characteristic of the motor power; and initiating, during the first mode of operation and not the second mode of operation, a fault mode when the power value is a predetermined percentage of the power calibration value.