Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for a remote starting system for an engine-driven pump are provided. The system includes a remote starter controller communicatively coupled to the engine-driven pump, and configured to transmit an engine start signal to the engine wherein the remote starter controller is positioned remotely from the engine-driven pump. The system includes an engine start sensor communicatively coupled to the engine and configured to determine whether the engine started in response to the engine start signal, and an engine start indicator configured to indicate to a user that the engine has started in response to the engine start signal.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is entitled to the benefit of, and claims priority to, provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/703,740, filed Jul. 29, 2005 and entitled “Remote Starter for a Pump”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention generally relates to operating engine-driven machinery and more particularly, to methods and apparatus for remote starting of engine-driven machinery over great distances.  
         [0003]     At least some known fluid pumps for use in for example, fighting fires, include an engine that drives one or more pump ends. Typically, before starting the pump, it must be primed; that is, fluid must be pumped into it manually so that it is filled with fluid. Then, after priming, a user manually starts the pump. Both operations, priming and starting, require the presence of the operator at the pump, possibly under extremely dangerous conditions.  
         [0004]     However a user that is required to man a fire pump is often not available to fight the fire. In the case of some fires, the pump may be located a relatively large distance from the location where the fluid is being used such that the travel time to and from the pump location further increases the operator&#39;s time away from fire-fighting.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     In one embodiment, a starting system for an engine-driven pump includes a starter controller communicatively coupled to the engine-driven pump, and configured to transmit an engine start signal to the engine wherein the starter controller is positioned remotely from the engine-driven pump. The system includes an engine start sensor communicatively coupled to the engine and configured to determine whether the engine started in response to the engine start signal, and an engine start indicator configured to indicate to a user that the engine has started in response to the engine start signal.  
         [0006]     In another embodiment, a method for remotely starting a pump system is provided. The system includes an engine, a pump end driven by the engine, and a starter communicatively coupled to the engine. The method includes providing a start signal from the starter to the engine, starting the engine upon receipt of the start signal, detecting fluid pressure at the pump end, comparing the detected fluid pressure to a predetermined threshold, and transmitting a confirmation signal to the starter if the detected fluid pressure exceeds the predetermined threshold.  
         [0007]     In yet another embodiment, an engine-driven pump assembly includes an engine including a starting system, a pump rotatably coupled to said engine, a starter controller communicatively coupled to the starting system, said controller configured to transmit an engine start signal to the starting system, said starter controller configured to determine whether the engine started in response to the engine start signal wherein the starter controller is remote from the engine-driven pump, and an engine start indicator configured to receive the engine start determination and to indicate to a user that the engine has started in response to the engine start signal. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an engine-driven pump in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of exemplary embodiment of engine-driven pump shown in  FIG. 1  with a priming system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an engine-driven pump  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Pump  100  includes an engine  102 , for example, an internal combustion engine, and a pump end  104  drivingly coupled to engine  102 . In the exemplary embodiment, pump end  104  and engine  102  are coupled through a speed changer  106 , which is configured to transmit power from engine  102  to pump end  104  at a rotational speed directly proportional to a rotational speed of engine  102 . In an alternative embodiment, speed changer  106  is configured to transmit power from engine  102  to pump end  104  at a rotational speed that is a function of a selectable engine operating parameter. In another alternative embodiment, engine  102  is directly coupled to pump end  104 .  
         [0011]     Pump end  104  includes a pump suction  108  configured to draw a fluid, such as, water and/or a fire-fighting media or other pumpable fluid, into pump end  104 . Pump end  104  also includes a pump discharge  110  configured to direct an output of pump end  104  through a conduit (not shown), such as a hose, piping system, or combination thereof. A priming connection  112 , which is generally covered by a priming cap  114 , permits entry of fluid into a pumping cavity (not shown) in pump end  104  for priming pump end  104 . Priming may be required if engine-driven pump  100  remains idle for a period of time, permitting fluid in the pumping cavity to leak out. Priming connection  112  permits adding fluid to the cavity manually or through a supply of fluid coupled to priming connection  112 . Pump discharge  110  includes a pressure switch and/or flow switch  116  configured to sense a fluid pressure and/or flow in pump discharge  110  and to transmit a signal that is a function of the fluid pressure and/or flow in pump discharge  110 .  
         [0012]     Engine  102  includes a choke  118  and a choke actuator  120 , generally used during starting when engine  102  is at a temperature that is less than normal operating temperature. An integral choke control engages choke  118  for start-up and disengages choke  118  once engine  102  is running. Choke  118  is configured to be operated manually and/or automatically. Engine  102  also includes a throttle  122  and a fuel injection system  124 . Although a choke and a throttle are provided as examples, it would be understood by one skilled in the art that other additional components related to the operation of engine  102  could also be controlled and/or monitored.  
         [0013]     Engine  102  also includes an engine starter  126  that is rotatably coupled to engine  102  through a gear  128  that is actuated by a solenoid  130  to engage a complementary gear (not shown) on engine  102 . An engine control  132  receives inputs from various engine sensing components for parameters, such as, but not limited to RPM, fuel tank level, engine temperature, ambient temperature, pump discharge pressure, ambient pressure, engine oil temperature and pressure, and engine vibration, and generates control outputs to control engine  102  during operation. Each input is also used to generate alarm or warning signals if the measured input parameter is outside of predetermined operating limits. For example, an engine vibration input from an engine vibration sensor  133  is used to monitor engine operating performance. During startup of other transient operations, engine vibration may be higher than in a warm steady state operating condition. Engine control  132 , sensing the operating condition of engine  102  modifies the engine vibration threshold limit to avoid an unnecessary alarm or engine shutdown during transient operation. Engine control  132  is also configured to transmit the engine sensing component outputs to other control devices for further processing.  
         [0014]     A remote starter  134  is communicatively coupled to engine-driven pump  100  through a hard-wire connection such a wire or a fiber optic conduit, or a wireless connection  136 . In the exemplary embodiment, remote starter  134  is mounted remotely from engine-driven pump  100  as a separate component, for example, as a retro-fit component. In this case “remotely” is defined as separate from engine-driven pump  100 , but not necessarily at a great distance from engine-driven pump  100 . In an alternative embodiment, remote starter  134  is incorporated into the control system of engine-driven pump  100 . In various embodiments, remote starter  134  is programmed to perform several different tasks, for example, to start engine  102  at regular intervals, such as every two hours, start engine  102  and run for a designated or pre-designated interval, and then shut engine  102  down. Remote starter  134  is also programmed to attempt to start engine  102  up to a predetermined number of times (for example, three) upon failure of engine  102  to start upon command. As another example, remote starter  134  is programmed to start engine  102  at idle and uses throttle  122  to increase engine RPM to operating speed. Prior to shutting down, throttle  122  is used to lower engine RPM to idle before shutting engine  102  down. Such programming permits engine  102  to be remotely started, for example, every two hours to run sprinklers to soak down a house or area to efficiently use water. The programming may be coded to start engine  102  at a specific recurrent time or at a time relative to an event or a beginning time. A plurality of switches  137  includes an ‘on’ switch that permits the user to start the pump at remote starter  134 , program switches that are used to program the unit to run for different periods of time, cycle the run times, program other handheld remotes. In the exemplary embodiment, a key interlocks with the ‘on’ switch to permit the user to start engine  102  at remote starter  134  and is also used during some programming functions, while at the same time limiting access to only authorized users.  
         [0015]     Remote starter  134  is coupled to a strobe light  138  that permits a firefighter or pilot to determine a status of engine-driven pump  100  from across a wide area or from the air. Strobe light  138  is energized by remote starter  134  only if engine  102  is running and there is fluid pressure, i.e., fluid is available. In the exemplary embodiment, remote starter  134  receives signals relating to fluid pressure and flow available at pump discharge  110  and the vibration associated with engine  102 . If the pressure, flow, and/or engine parameters are outside determined thresholds, remote starter  134  generates an alarm and or engine shutdown signal. In the exemplary embodiment, remote starter  134  is configured to communicate with a handheld remote control  135 . For example, with remote starter  134  retrofitted to an existing pump (water, air, hydraulic, etc.) with pressure/flow switch  116  coupled to discharge  110 , remote control  135  is capable of engine  102  remote starting from a range of approximately 3000 feet to approximately 6000 feet. The range of operation may be influenced by the terrain between handheld remote control  135  and remote starter  134 . When pressure/flow switch  116  senses pressure and/or flow in discharge  110  and engine vibration is not excessive, pressure/flow switch  116  and vibration sensor  133  transmit an engine running signal to remote starter  134  through, for example, a wired connection  137  to indicate engine  102  is running. If pressure/flow switch  116  does not sense pressure and/or flow of predetermined quantities or vibration sensor  133  determines that engine vibration is excessive for the current operating conditions, remote starter  134  shuts down engine  102 . Accordingly, if there is no fluid in the pump, i.e., the pump is running dry, remote starter  134  will secure engine  102  pump before damage to pump end  104  occurs. While engine  102  is running, if pump end  104  experiences a loss of prime, pressure/flow switch  116  will not sense pressure and/or flow and remote starter  134  will shutdown engine  102  before any damage to pump end  104  occurs.  
         [0016]     In various alternative embodiments, remote starter  134  is coupled to a transmitter/receiver  140  communicatively coupled to remote starter  134  through a hard-wire or wireless connection  142 . A transmitter/receiver  144  that is complementary to transmitter/receiver  140  is communicatively coupled to transmitter/receiver  140 .  
         [0017]     In one embodiment, transmitter/receiver  144  includes a home-base unit that communicates with transmitter/receiver  140  via long-range RF antennas  148  and  150  such that an operator at the home-base is able to start engine-driven pump  100 . A start button (not shown) on the home-base unit allows the user to start engine-driven pump  100  and a confirmation light (not shown) on the home-base unit indicates when the pump is working/operating. Accordingly, in this embodiment, remote starter  134  is able to accept an add-on auxiliary RF transmitter/receiver, therefore increasing the range of remote starter  134 . Additionally, transmitter/receiver  140  and transmitter/receiver  144  may be configured as a separate transmitter unit and receiver unit or may be configured as transceivers.  
         [0018]     In another embodiment transmitter/receiver  140  and transmitter/receiver  144  communicate using satellite communications. A signal is sent to remote starter  134  via satellite. A user sends, for example, an email including commands for controlling remote starter  134 . The commands are decoded at remote starter  134  or an intermediate point and a signal is transmitted to remote starter  134  initiating a start sequence for engine-driven pump  100 . Upon successful startup of the pump, the user receives an email indicating that the pump is running. In an alternative embodiment, remote starter  134  includes a web interface configured to communicate to the Internet using, for example, a satellite communications connection. The web interface permits a remote user to access the functions of remote starter  134  to view the status on engine  102 , operating parameters associated with engine  102 , and to control engine  102  using the web interface.  
         [0019]     In yet another embodiment a signal is transmitted to remote starter  134  via any type of telephone. A confirmation is transmitted to the user indicating whether engine-driven pump  100  is running.  
         [0020]     In still yet another embodiment of the present invention a satellite modem is used to transmit information to the user regarding the performance of engine-driven pump  100  and ambient conditions. For example, with the addition of cameras into the pump, sensing footage can be sent back to the user. With such information, the use can control engine and pump end parameters based on a visual and/or video display.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of exemplary embodiment of engine-driven pump  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) with a priming system  202  that includes a supply of priming fluid, such as a priming pump  204 , a conduit between priming pump  204  and suction  108 , and priming controls, such as an electric solenoid valve and check valve. If engine-driven pump  100  is not started for extended periods of time, a possibility that the pump may lose prime (no fluid in the pump end) exists. Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment, whenever the user remote starts engine-driven pump  100 , remote starter  134  first primes pump end  104  using priming pump  204 . Priming pump  204  stops automatically when fluid reaches a liquid/fluid monitor  206 . Remote starter  134  is then enabled to start engine-driven pump  100 .  
         [0022]     The above-described remote starting system is a cost-effective and highly reliable system for facilitating operating equipment at relatively long range such that a user can operate the equipment rapidly and/or without endangering the user&#39;s health or life. Accordingly, the remote starting system facilitates operation of for example, fire-fighting or rescue equipment in a cost-effective and reliable manner.  
         [0023]     While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.