Remote pumping station monitoring

The present invention relates to a monitoring method for monitoring a remote pumping station in communication with a computational device via the Internet. An embodiment of a method may comprise requesting, using the computational device, pumping station information from the pumping station. The pumping station information may then be received by the computational device. The pumping station information may be in the form of a pumping station profile. In one embodiment, information from the pumping station profile is displayed on a display of the computational device. The information displayed would typically comprise the water level, and indicators of the activation set points and deactivation set points for the pumps.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to pumping stations. The present invention has particular, although not exclusive application to waste water pumping stations.

BACKGROUND

Pumping stations2for emptying sewage wells (FIG. 1A) and filling water wells (FIG. 1B) are known. These pumping stations2typically include a well4in which liquid6is located, a level sensor8for sensing the liquid level in the well4, a pair of pumps10a,10bfor pumping liquid into or out of the well4as required, and a controller (not shown) in communication with sensor8and for controlling the operation of the pumps10a,10bbased on the sensed liquid level in the well4.FIG. 1shows various level trigger-points along the level sensor8in the form of electrodes. The controller independently activates or de-activates the pumps10a,10bwith hysteresis in response to it sensing the liquid level via the level sensor8.

In practice, the pumping stations2can be located in isolated and remote locations, and are not typically manned. There is a need for a suitable method for monitoring these remote pumping stations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for monitoring a remote pumping station in communication with a computational device via the Internet, the method comprising:requesting, using the computational device, a pumping station profile from the pumping station, the pumping station profile comprising a plurality of parameters relating to the pumping station; andreceiving, with the computational device, the pumping station profile.

Said requesting may involve periodically requesting the pumping station profile from the pumping station. Said requesting may involve requesting the pumping station profile responsive to the receipt of user input.

The pumping station profile may comprise any one or more of the following parameters: the mode of operation of the pumping station; the number of pumps of the pumping station; the activation set point of each pump; the deactivation set point of each pump; detectable faults for each pump; level alarms based on levels measured by each level sensor; the number of wells of the pumping station; and detectable faults for the pumping station. The parameters may be operational and/or configuration parameters of the pumping station.

The method may further comprise updating, using the computational device, the pumping station profile. Said updating may involve previewing, using the computational device, a number of possible pumping station profiles; and selecting one of the possible pumping profiles. The method may further comprise sending, using the computational device, the updated pumping station profile to the pumping station.

The method may further comprise displaying information from the pumping station profile on a display of the computational device. Said displaying may involve displaying the water level, and indicators of the activation set points and deactivation set points for the pumps.

According to a further embodiment, there is provided the computational device configured to perform any one or more of the preceding methods. In one embodiment, the computational device is a personal computer (PC).

According to another embodiment, there is provided a response method for a remote pumping station in communication with a computational device via the Internet, the method comprising:receiving, from the computational device and with a pump controller of the pumping station, a request for a pumping station profile, the pumping station profile comprising a plurality of parameters relating to the pumping station; andsending, from the pump controller and to the computational device, the pumping station profile.

Prior to said sending, the method may further comprise re-configuring pumps of the pumping station and updating, in a memory of the pump controller, the pumping station profile to be sent.

According to a further embodiment, there is provided a storage media, such as a magnetic or optical disk or solid state memory, containing computer readable instructions for execution by a processor to thereby perform any one or more of the preceding methods.

According to a further embodiment, there is provided the pump controller configured to perform any one or more of the preceding methods.

According to a further embodiment, there is provided a pump controller for a remote pumping station, the pump controller configured to:receive, from a computational device via the Internet, a request for a pumping station profile, the pumping station profile comprising a plurality of parameters relating to the pumping station; andsend, to the computational device via the Internet, the pumping station profile.

According to yet a further embodiment, there is provided a pump controller for a remote pumping station, the pump controller comprising:a processor in communication with ports for connection to pumps, and in communication with a communications port for connection to a communications device; anda memory either on-board or in communication with the processor, the memory containing a software product comprising:routines for receiving, from a computational device via the Internet and the communications device, a request for a pumping station profile, the pumping station profile comprising a plurality of parameters relating to the pumping station; androutines for sending, to the computational device via the Internet and the communications device, the requested pumping station profile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to a hosted system40for controlling a remote pumping station2and shown inFIG. 2. The system40comprises a Personal Computer (PC)42which is interfaced to a local server44. In turn, the local server44is connected in communication with a remote server46via the Internet48. The remote server46is located at the pumping station2.

A pumping station supervisor (not shown) can monitor the remote pumping station2using the PC42without the need to travel to the pumping station2. A monitoring software product comprises instructions for PC42to perform a monitoring method70for monitoring the remote pumping station2as explained in detail below with reference toFIG. 5. The monitoring software product (comprising software routines) is typically provided on a medium such as a magnetic or optical disc50which can be loaded onto PC42by means of a disc drive. Alternatively, the monitoring software product can be downloaded to PC42via the Internet48. The monitoring software product contains computer readable instructions for execution by a processor of the PC42.

A controller14of the pumping station2is shown inFIG. 3. As previously discussed, the pumping station2comprises a level sensor8for sensing the liquid level in a well4, and a pair of pumps10a,10b(e.g. variable speed drive (VFD) three-phase pumps) for pumping liquid into or out of the well4as required. The controller14is suitable for controlling the operation of the pumps10based on the sensed liquid level in the well. A user interface12is provided to enable a remote user (e.g. a maintenance worker reconfiguring the pumping station2) to input data to the controller14and review controller data relating to the operation of the pumping station2on a display. The user interface12is fixedly wired to fixed input/output (I/O) ports16of the controller14which, in turn, are interfaced using suitable circuitry to a microprocessor19that executes a pumping station software product20.

The level sensor8and pumps10are wired to variable I/O ports18of the controller14which, in turn, are interfaced using suitable circuitry to the microprocessor19. The wiring configuration between the variable I/O ports18and the peripheral hardware is prone to variation depending upon the type of peripheral hardware (e.g. level sensor8, pumps10, etc.) used in the pumping station2. The pumping station software product20comprises instructions for processor19to perform a response method120(see.FIG. 7) for responding with pumping station configuration information subsequent to receiving a configuration information request from the pumping station supervisor using PC42. Pumping station software product20(comprising software routines) is typically provided as firmware in an integrated circuit memory device17or on a magnetic or optical disc21which microprocessor19can access by means of disc drive23. The software product20contains computer readable instructions for execution by the processor19.

The processor19is coupled in communication with a communications port24which, in turn, is connected to the remote server46. The pumping station software product20comprises routines for receiving, from the PC42via the Internet48and the servers44,46, a request from the supervisor for pumping station configuration information relating to the pumping station2. The pumping station software product20further comprises routines for sending, to the PC42via the Internet48and the servers44,46, the requested pumping station configuration information.

Turning toFIG. 4, the pumping station configuration information is in the form of a pumping station profile52. The pumping station profile52comprises the following configuration variables or parameters: the mode of operation54of the pumping station2(i.e. filling or emptying); the number of pumps56of the pumping station2; the water level58of a well4of the pumping station2; the activation set point60of each pump10; the deactivation set point62of each pump10; and each pump's operational status64(i.e. running or stopped). Although not shown inFIG. 4, the pumping station profile52can further comprise the following operational variables or parameters: detectable faults associated with each pump10; level alarms based on levels measured by each level sensor8; the number of wells4of the pumping station2; and detectable faults associated with the pumping station2. The active pumping station profile52is stored in the memory17of pump controller14.

In use, pump controller14periodically senses the well water level with level sensor8and updates the well water level58of the pumping station profile52. The pump controller14controls the pumps14based upon information in the stored pumping station profile52. In particular, the pump controller14controls the operation of the pumps10a,10bbased on the sensed liquid level in the well4and the stored set points60,62, and sets the operational status64of each pump10in the pumping station profile52. The mode of operation54, the number of pumps56, and the set points60,62of the pumping station profile52, can be adjusted by either the pumping station supervisor using PC42or the maintenance worker using user interface12.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a monitoring method70for monitoring the remote pumping station2as shown inFIG. 5. The method70is performed using PC42.

The method begins at element72when the pumping station supervisor executes the monitoring software product on the PC42.

Upon executing the monitoring software product and at element74, the PC42requests the pumping station profile52from the pump controller14of the pumping station2. In this manner, a profile request message is sent by PC42to pump controller14via the Internet14and servers44,46.

At element76, the PC42receives the pumping station profile52sent from the pump controller14.

At element78, the PC42displays information from the received pumping station profile52, on its display and in a graphical user interface (GUI)100as shown for example inFIG. 6.

The particular GUI100shown inFIG. 6is displaying information for the pumping station2configured to empty the sewage well4shown inFIG. 1A, and having the pumping station profile52shown inFIG. 4. The GUI100displays the operation status64of each pump10and the well water level58. A well graphic102is also displayed which shows a representation of the well4containing the liquid6in accordance with the dynamic water level58, and a percentage full indicator to the left of the well. A pair of shaded bars104a,104bis displayed to the right of the well graphic102and correspond to respective pumps10a,10b. The top end of each shaded bar104corresponds to the activation set point60and the bottom end of each shaded bar corresponds to the deactivation set point62.

Furthermore, a pair of active indicator bars106a,106bis located above respective shaded bars104a,104b. The active indicator bars106a,106bshow the level of the liquid at which corresponding pumps10a,10bare activated. The supervisor can readily ascertain from glancing at the GUI100that the mode of operation54of the pumping station2is set to “emptying”, because the pumps10a,10bare to be activated when the dynamic liquid level displayed in the well of the well graphic102is in register with respective active indicator bars106a,106b.

Returning toFIG. 5and at element80, the supervisor can optionally use the PC42to change and update information in the pumping station profile52stored in the memory17of the pump controller14. As previously explained, the pump controller14controls the pumps14based upon information in the stored pumping station profile52.

The pump controller14controls the operation of the pumps10a,10bbased on the sensed liquid level in the well4and the stored set points60,62, and sets the operational status64of the pumping station profile52. When updating the pumping station profile52, the pumping station supervisor can firstly preview, using the PC42, a number of possible pumping station profiles stored in a profile register (not shown) in the memory of PC42. Each profile appears similar to GUI100, but comprises unique set points60,62represented by shaded bars104a,104b. Once the supervisor is satisfied that a particular possible profile better suits the current operating conditions of the pumping station2(e.g. well water level58), and the PC42verifies that that profile complies with safety rules and can be safely implemented, the supervisor can then use the PC42to select that possible profile. The selected and updated profile is then sent, using the PC42, and is stored as the active pumping station profile52in controller14.

At element82, the supervisor can optionally select a POLL input command108displayed on the GUI100with a mouse of PC42. In this event, the PC42: requests the pumping station profile52, receives the pumping station profile52and displays the pumping station profile52in a similar way to the method explained above with reference to elements74to78.

Alternatively, the PC42automatically and periodically (e.g. once per hour) requests: the pumping station profile52, receives the pumping station profile52and displays the pumping station profile52in a similar way to the method explained above with reference to elements74to78.

At element84, the supervisor can select an appropriate option to exit (i.e. shut down) the monitoring software product.

As briefly explained above, the pumping station software product20comprises instructions for the pump controller14to perform the response method120shown inFIG. 7. The response method120is described in detail below.

At element122, the pump controller14receives the profile request message which was sent from the PC42during element74of monitoring method70shown inFIG. 5.

At element124, the pump controller14retrieves the pumping station profile52from memory17and sends it to PC42. As explained above, PC42then receives the sent pumping station profile52at element76of monitoring method70shown inFIG. 5.

A maintenance worker may upgrade the pumping station2by, for example, re-configuring the pumps and adding an additional pump10. In this event, the maintenance worker can accordingly adjust the pumping station profile52stored in the controller14using the user interface12. The maintenance worker may adjust the mode of operation54, the number of pumps56, and the set points60,62of the pumping station profile52. Alternatively, the supervisor may use PC42to adjust the profile52. The next time that the controller14receives a profile request message at element122, the controller14sends the adjusted (and newly stored) pumping station profile52to PC42at element124. The PC42then refreshes the GUI100to display information from the adjusted pumping station profile52.

Similarly, when the monitoring method70is first performed to monitor a pumping station2, the PC42automatically refreshes the GUI100to adequately display information from the newly acquired pumping station profile52based on, for example, the number of pumps10at the pumping station2.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

One embodiment was described with reference to two pumps10a,10b. The skilled person would readily understand that the pumping station2in other embodiments could readily comprise more than two pumps.

Furthermore, one embodiment was described with reference to an example where the mode of operation54of the pumping station2was set to “emptying”.

In an alternative embodiment, the mode of operation54may be set to “filling”, whereby the active indicator bars106a,106bare located below respective shaded bars104a,104b. In this instance, the bottom end of each shaded bar104corresponds to the activation set point60and the top end of each shaded bar corresponds to the deactivation set point62.

In one embodiment, the pumping station supervisor could update the pumping station profile52by firstly previewing a number of possible pumping station profiles and then selecting one of the possible profiles. In alternative embodiments, the supervisor may use PC42to manually adjust and update respective variables (e.g. set points60,62) stored within the pumping station profile52at controller14.

One embodiment was described with reference to a single PC42in communication with a single controller14of a pumping station2via the Internet. In an alternative embodiment, more than one PC may be in communication with the controller14via the Internet. In yet another embodiment, the PC42may be in communication with a plurality of controllers at respective pumping stations so that the supervisor can monitor those pumping stations using PC42.

In one embodiment described in detail above, the pumping station profile52comprised the following variables: well water level58and pump operation status64. In an alternative embodiment, theses variable may not be included in the profile52, and could instead be sent from the controller14to the PC42in a separate data structure (e.g. with pumping station operational status message).

In an alternative embodiment, the hosted system40may comprise a wireless communications link49between the PC42and controller14as shown inFIG. 8. The PC42is in communication with an intermediate Internet server45using a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) over the Internet48. The intermediate server45comprises a central storage facility for storing pumping station profiles52sent from various pumping stations. Authorized PC users at various locations can access the central storage facility of intermediate server45using the SSL, and view information from the pumping station profiles52in the central storage facility via the Internet48. The intermediate server45effectively forms a local Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.

In addition, the intermediate server45is in communication with a remote wireless modem47via a Virtual Private Network (VPN) over the Internet48. A wireless cellular phone link48is located between the Internet48and the remote modem47. In turn, the remote modem47is coupled to the controller14of the pumping station2.

In one embodiment, the PC42may also be loaded with a control software product configured to control the operation of the pumping station2. Upon receiving the pumping station profile52, the PC42can configure the control software product in accordance with the received pumping station profile52so that a PC user can then control the operation of the pumping station2using the PC42. For example, the PC user may adjust the operational status of the pumps10(i.e. on of off), display or adjust relevant alarms for each pump10, and adjust the conditions under which pump alarms are generated. Advantageously, the operation of the pumping station2may be affected without the need to reconfigure (or re-program) the local SCADA system of the intermediate server45.