Patent ID: 8480373

Claim:
A pumping system for a swimming pool, the pumping system comprising: a pump; a motor coupled to the pump; a filter coupled to the pump; and a controller in communication with the motor, the controller determining if a steady state flow rate to achieve a desired number of turnovers in the swimming pool has been reached, the controller calculating a filter loading value based on a clogged filter pressure value, an unclogged filter pressure value, and an actual pressure of the pumping system after the steady state flow rate has been reached, the controller decreasing an actual flow rate of the pumping system if the filter loading value is greater than a threshold value to help prolong filter life after the filter has become clogged, the controller decreasing the actual flow rate during at least one subsequent time cycle until at least one of the filter loading value is less than the threshold value and a backwash cycle is completed, the controller increasing the actual flow rate if the filter loading value is less than the threshold value and the actual flow rate is less than the steady state flow rate.