Monitor and control for a multi-pump system

Claim 2

Apparatus for monitoring a pumping system having a plurality of pumps coupled between an inlet header and an outer header of the system, the apparatus comprising: (a) first transducer means for measuring fluid flow rate of the pumping system at the outlet header of the pumping system; (b) second transducer means for measuring total dynamic head between the inlet and outlet headers of the system; (c) third transducer means for measuring energy utilizing by the system to drive the pumps; (d) fourth means communicating with said first, second, and third transducer means for determining wire-to-water efficiency of the system correlated to said measured fluid flow rate, total dynamic head and energy utilized; and means for indicating to an operator said wire-to-water efficiency so that the operator may monitor operation of the system.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 further including: fifth means for measuring a downstream overpressure downstream of the outlet header wherein said wire-to-water efficiency of the system is further correlated to said downstream overpressure.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 further including: means for adapting said second transducer means to be coupled to the inlet header of the system.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1, said fourth means including: calculator means for calculating said wire-to-water efficiency according to the formula: ##EQU8## wherein W is a number representing said wire-to-water efficiency, Q is a number representing said fluid flow rate, HS is a number representing said total dynamic head, E is a number representing said energy utilized, and K is a conversion factor number, said calculator means having an output communicating W to said means for indicating.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 further including: fifth means for measuring differential pressure DP between the inlet and outlet headers of the system; sixth means for measuring an overpressure OP downstream of the outlet header; and means responsive to said fifth and sixth means for determining HS by the formula: HS=DP-OP.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 4 further including: fifth means for measuring differential pressure DP between the inlet and outlet headers of the system; and means responsive to said fifth means for determining HS by the formula: HS=DP.

Claim 8

A pumping system comprising: a plurality of pumps for pumping fluid when coupled to a source of energy; an inlet header coupled to the pumps to provide a source of fluid to be pumped by the pumps; an outlet header coupled to the pumps to provide an outlet for pumped fluid; first transducer means coupled to said outlet header for measuring fluid flow rate of the pumped fluid; second transducer means coupled to said outlet header for measuring total dynamic head between said inlet and outlet headers; third transducer means communicating with a source of energy coupled to said pumps for measuring energy utilized to drive said pumps; fourth means communicating with said first, second, and third transducer means for determining wire-to-water efficiency correlated to said measured flow rate, total dynamic head and energy utilized; and means for indicating to an operator said wire-to-water efficiency so that the operator may monitor operation of the system.

Claim 9

A pumping system comprising: a plurality of pumps for pumping fluid when coupled to a source of energy; an inlet header coupled to the pumps to provide a source of fluid to be pumped by the pumps; an outlet header coupled to the pumps to provide an outlet for pumped fluid; first transducer means coupled to said outlet header for measuring fluid flow rate of the pumped fluid; second transducer means coupled to said outlet header for measuring total dynamic head between said inlet and outlet headers; third transducer means communicating with a source of energy coupled to said pumps for measuring energy utilized to drive said pumps; fourth means communicating with said first, second, and third transducer means for determining wire-to-water efficiency correlated to said measured flow rate, total dynamic head and energy utilized; and means for indicating to an operator said wire-to-water efficiency so that the operator may monitor operation of the system.

Claim 10

The pumping system of claim 7 wherein said means for indicating is a display.

Claim 11

The pumping system of claim 7 wherein said fourth means includes calculator means for calculating said wire-to-water efficiency according to the formula: ##EQU9## wherein W is a number representing said wire-to-water efficiency, Q is a number representing said fluid flow rate, HS is a number representing said total dynamic head, E is a number representing said energy utilized, and K is a conversion factor number, said calculator means having an output communicating W to said means for indicating.

Claim 14

The method of claim 10 further including: measuring an overpressure downstream of the outlet header, wherein said wire-to-water efficiency is further correlated to said downstream overpressure.

Claim 17

The method of claim 12 further comprising: measuring differential pressure DP between the inlet and outlet headers of the system; measuring an overpressure OP downstream of the outlet header; and determining HS by the formula: HS=DP-OP.

Claim 18

The method of claim 12 further comprising: measuring differential pressure DP between the inlet and outlet headers of the system; and determining HS by the formula: HS=DP.