Abstract:
An immersion pump assembly includes an electric drive motor and a control device ( 14 ) for controlling the drive motor, which are configured for dipping into a liquid ( 18 ) to be conveyed. An external display device ( 26 ) and/or an external communications device are/is configured for arrangement outside the liquid ( 18 ) to be conveyed and are/is connected to the control device ( 14 ) for signal transmission.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Section 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2010/005389, filed Sep. 2, 2010, which was published in the German language on Apr. 14, 2011, under International Publication No. WO 2011/042096 A1 and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a submersible pump assembly with an electrical drive motor. 
     Basically, two types of submersible pump assemblies are known from the state of the art. There are submersible pump assemblies with an electrical drive motor, which includes an electronic control or regulation device for the operation of the electrical drive motor. The device being arranged directly on the submersible electrical drive motor. These submersible pump assemblies merely require an electrical mains connection lead which leads into the pump sump. However, they provide no external control or monitoring possibilities at all. 
     Moreover, submersible pump assemblies are known, which include an external control and regulation device which is arranged outside the pump sump and which is connected via an electrical connection lead to the submerged drive motor in the pump sump. In the case that sensors such as for example level sensors in the pump sump are yet necessary for the operation of this submersible pump assembly, these sensors must likewise be connected via electrical leads to the control or regulation device outside the pump sump, so that numerous lead connections are necessary. 
     A submersible pump assembly is shown in  FIG. 1 , which once again explains the state of the art. In the state of the art, it is known to arrange a submersible pump  4 , consisting of a drive motor and the actual pump, in a pump sump  2 . The submersible pump  4  is connected via a lead  8  to an external control device  6  which is arranged outside the pump sump  2 . The lead  8  serves for the energy supply of the submersible pump  4  or of its drive motor. The switching of the submersible pump  4  on and off is thereby effected via the control device  6 . The control device  6  may furthermore for example also yet contain a frequency converter for activating the drive motor of the submersible pump  4 . Moreover, the control device  6  is connected via leads  12  to sensors  10  in the pump sump  2 . The sensors  10  may for example be pressure sensors, level switches, temperature sensors etc. The control device  6  controls the submersible pump  4  in dependence on the output signals of the sensors  10 , in particular the control device  6  switches the submersible pump  4  on and off in dependence on the signals. It is to be understood that here several leads  8  and  12  need to be led out of the pump sump to the control device  6 . 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     With regard to this state of the art, it is an objective of a preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a simplified submersible pump assembly which may be connected with few lead connections and moreover provides the possibility of monitoring the operation of the submersible pump assembly at ground level, for example outside the pump sump or borehole, into which the drive motor is submerged. 
     The above objective is achieved by a submersible pump assembly with an electric drive motor and with a control device for the control of the drive motor, which are designed for submerging into a fluid to be delivered, wherein an external display device and/or an external communication device are designed for arrangement outside of the fluid (to be delivered and are connected to the control device for signal transmission. Preferred embodiments are to be deduced from the subsequent description as well as the attached drawings. 
     The submersible pump assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an electrical drive motor and a control device for regulating or controlling the drive motor. The drive motor as well as this control device is designed for submersion into a fluid to be delivered. The control device is preferably arranged directly on the drive motor or is integrated with this into a motor housing or pump housing. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, moreover an external display device and/or an external communication device is provided, which is designed for the arrangement at ground level, for example outside the fluid to be delivered. The display device may for example comprise control lamps or a display, via which operating conditions and in particular errors of the submersible pump assembly may be signalised. An external communication device may for example serve for connecting sensors arranged outside the fluid to be delivered or however for connecting the submersible pump assembly to further monitoring or control systems, in order for example to be able to transmit error messages to central monitoring systems. The external display device or the external communication device which may also be designed as an integrated device, are connected to the control lead for signal transmission, in particular via a lead. This means that according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control lead which controls or regulates the drive motor of the submersible pump, is arranged directly on the drive motor and together with the pump and the drive motor submerges into the fluid to be delivered. In this manner, a wiring effort between an external control device or regulation device and the drive motor is done away with, and a simple mains connection lead leading to the outside is sufficient instead. However, despite this, in order to permit a communication to the outside, in particular a display of errors outside the fluid to be delivered, this submerged control device, for signal transmission, is connected to a display device or communication device, which is to be arranged outside the fluid to be delivered. 
     Preferably, at least one sensor connected to the control device is present. This sensor is preferably likewise submerged into the fluid to be delivered and further preferably likewise integrated into the submersible part of the submersible pump assembly, for example the part formed by the submersible pump, drive motor and control device. Such a sensor may for example be a level switch which is used in order to switch the pump on and/or off in dependence on the fluid level. By way of the arrangement of the control device and of the sensor in the fluid to be delivered, the effort required for connecting these elements to one another is significantly reduced, since no lead is necessary from the submerged sensor to a control or regulation device arranged outside the fluid. 
     It is preferable for the control device to be designed in a manner such that the control device controls the drive motor on the basis of an output signal of the at least one sensor. The sensor as described may for example be a level switch or float switch which delivers a signal representing the fluid level to the control device and, depending on which, the control device switches the drive motor on and/or off. 
     The display device preferably comprise at least one signal device, in particular a signal lamp. Such a signal device, such as also an acoustic signal device for example, may be used to signal errors of the pump assembly outside the fluid to be delivered, at ground level. Thus for example, a signal lamp may light up if the submersible pump assembly does not operate or not as envisaged, for example if the drive motor fails or the impeller of the pump blocks. 
     The external display device and/or the external communication device are connected to the control device, preferably via an electric cable. This electric cable may be a cable purely for signal transmission, so that this may also be designed as a low-voltage cable. Inasmuch as this is concerned, it is possible to design such an electrical cable so that no particularly high demands are placed on the electronic safety. The electrical energy supply for the operation of the drive motor may be effected via a separate mains cable. 
     Even if the electrical cable is not a mains cable, it is preferably for the control device as well as the display device and/or the communication device to be designed in a manner such that a data transmission in the manner of a data transmission via powerline-communication is effected via the electrical cable between the control device and the external display device and/or external communication device. Thus, a data transmission signal may be modulated on a carrier signal, in order to transmit different data or information for the electrical cable, without this electrical cable having to have numerous electrical leads. A simple data communication may therefore be achieved. Since this data transfer is effected independently of the mains connection lead of the drive motor, disturbances in the electrical mains caused by the data transmission may be avoided. Inasmuch as this is concerned, one may do away with complicated additional circuiting for preventing disturbances in the electricity mains. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control device includes at least one electrical or electronic switch for switching the display device on and off. As cited, the display device in the simplest case may be a signal lamp for example, which is switched on and off via such a switch by the control device which with the pump and the drive motor is submerged into the fluid to be delivered. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control device and the communication device are designed in a manner such that a data transmission between the control device and the communication device and/or vice versa is effected via an electrical cable which likewise connects the control device to the display device. Thus, for example with the use of a signal lamp, the two electrical leads which connect the signal lamp to the control device and to a switch arranged in this, additionally to the electrical energy for operating the signal lamp, are used in order to transmit data to the communication device or from the communication device to the control device via these leads. Thus, a data transmission signal may be modulated on a carrier signal which is formed by the operating voltage for the signal lamp. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communication device and/or the display device are designed for the connection to several control devices of several submersible pump assemblies. Thus, a central monitoring of several submersible pump assemblies is possible with the help of a single display device and/or communication device. Each of the submersible pump assemblies however has its own control device arranged in the drive motor and this control device controls the operation of the drive motor. Thereby, a communication of the individual control devices amongst one another is possible via the common communication device, so that a networked operation of several submersible pump assemblies is possible, for example in order to connect or disconnect the submersible pumps depending on the requirements. 
     Preferably, the submersible pump assembly is designed independently of external control devices and/or sensor devices, for autonomous operation. For example, necessary sensors are preferably integrated directly into the control device or however are likewise arranged directly on the submersible part of the submersible pump assembly, i.e. preferably directly on the drive motor. These in particular are the level switch for switching the submersible pump assembly on and off, for example in the form of pressure sensors. Moreover, no external control device, in particular no external control device which needs to be arranged on ground level outside the fluid to be delivered, is provided. Thus, the submersible pump assembly may be taken into operation as soon as it is submerged into the fluid to be delivered, wherein only a mains connection lead is to be led out of the fluid to be delivered. Then it is only a communication device or display device which is yet to be arranged outside the fluid to be delivered. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a submersible pump assembly according to the prior art; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a submersible pump assembly according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a submersible pump assembly according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of an arrangement of several submersible pump assemblies according to the present invention, with a common communication lead; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a submersible pump assembly according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a data transmission device for a submersible pump assembly according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an” and “the” are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. 
     Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views,  FIG. 2  shows a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. A control device  14  is arranged directly on a submersible pump  16  and submerges with this into a fluid  18  to be delivered, in a pump sump  20 . The control device  14  may thereby be applied directly onto a motor housing  22  of the submersible pump  16  or may be also integrated into this. The control device  14  controls the operation of the drive motor in the inside of the motor housing  22  and then autonomously in the submersible pump  16 , without an external control device arranged outside the pump sump  20  becoming necessary. In particular sensors, for example pressure sensors, temperature sensors or level sensors, which are arranged in the pump sump  20 , may be connected to the control device  14 . Also such sensors can be arranged directly on or in the submersible pump  16 . Since no further signals, switch impulses or likewise need to be transmitted via the mains connection lead  24 , disturbing influences on the electricity mains are avoided. 
     In the preferred embodiment example according to  FIG. 2 , moreover a signal lamp  26  is provided which is arranged outside the pump sump  20  and forms a display device. This display device or signal lamp  26  may indicate the operating condition of the submersible pump  16  outside the pump sump, for example light up when the pump is in operation, or however may light up or light up in a different color for example, in order to signalise an error of the submersible pump  16 , for example a blocking of the impeller. For this, the signal lamp  26  is activated and in particular switched on and off, by the control device  14 . For this, the signal lamp  26  is connected via an electrical cable  28  which here is represented as a three-core cable. 
     A similar alternative preferred embodiment is shown in  FIG. 3 . This preferred embodiment corresponds to the design according to  FIG. 2 , with the difference that instead of a signal lamp  26 , a communication device  30  is connected to the control device  14  via an electrical cable  28 . With this preferred embodiment too, the submersible pump  16  is controlled or regulated autonomously by the control device  14 , wherein the control device  14  as the case may be processes signals of sensors and controls the submersible pump  16  in dependence of these signals. The sensors may for example detect the temperature, fluid level and/or pressure and are preferably likewise integrated into the submersible pump  16  or arranged directly on this. Signals or display devices, for example also a signal lamp according to the preferred embodiment example in  FIG. 2 , may be connected to the communication device  30 . Moreover, the communication device  30  may form an interface to external monitoring systems or control systems, for example a central building control or likewise. The data transmission between the control device  14  and the communication device  30  via the electrical cable  28  is preferably effected as is described further below, in the manner of a data transmission via powerline-communication and thereby a data transmission signal is modulated on a carrier signal. 
     In the examples according to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in each case a signal lamp  26  or a communication device  30  was assigned to a submersible pump  16 . However, as is shown in  FIG. 4 , it is also possible so connect several submersible pumps  16  to a common communication device  30  via electrical cables  28 . Thereby, it is to be understood that as is described by way of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the individual submersible pumps  16  are autonomously operated or controlled via an associated control device  14 . The communication device  30  which is connected via electrical cables  28  to the individual submersible pumps  16 , preferably only serves for the communication of the control devices  14  to the outside, for example with display devices or house automation systems, in order there to display the operating conditions of the individual submersible pumps  16 . 
     A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is described by way of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , with which the use of a communication device  30  is combined with at least one signal lamp  26 . With this preferred embodiment example, the signal lamp  26  is switched on and off by the control device  14  via an electrical switch, for example a relay. The electrical leads in the electrical cable  28  thereby serve for the direct voltage supply for the signal lamp  26 . Simultaneously, a powerline-communication of the control device  14  and the communication device  30  is effected simultaneously via these electric leads. Thus, for example, the operating voltage for the signal lamp  26  may be used as a carrier signal and a data transmission signal may then be modulated on this carrier signal. In this manner, one may realise varied tasks via very few connection leads which lead to the outside out of the pump sump  20 . The control of the submersible pump  16  is effected autonomously via the control device  14  which is arranged directly on the submersible pump  16  and this likewise is submerged into the fluid  18 . This control device is likewise connected to sensors  32  integrated into the submersible pump  16 , and the control device  14  controls the drive motor of the submersible pump  16  on the basis of the output signals of these sensors. This corresponds to the embodiment examples according to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     Communication modules  34 ,  36  are arranged in the control device  14  and the communication device  30 , for the data transmission by way of powerline-communication. The communication module  34  of the control device  14  is activated by the actual control module  38  which controls the operation of the submersible pump  16 , in order to send data to the communication module  36  in the communication device  30  via the electrical cable  28 . Moreover, an electric switch in the form of a relay  40  is in the control device  14  and may selectively bring a third electrical lead  42  in the electrical cable  28  in contact with the first electrical lead  44  or the second electric lead  46 . A signal lamp  26  may either be connected between the connections  48 ,  50  or  50 ,  52  of the electric cable  28 , depending on which operating condition is to be displayed. Alternatively, it is also possible to provided two signal lamps, one between the electrical connections  48 ,  50  and one between the electric connections  50 ,  52 . In this manner, the communication device  30  may be connected to the control device  14  in a very simple manner as a display device in the form of a signal lamp  26  for example, via one and the same connection cable  28 . Thereby, it is advantageous that this data transfer is effected completely independently of the mains connection lead  24 , so that no disturbances of the signal is effected in the electricity mains, Moreover, disturbances in the electricity mains may not compromise the communication via the electric cable  28 . 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.