DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically controlling the water pump and the method thereof. More particularly, the present invention discloses an apparatus adapted for controlling water pump operation by feedback from air pressure detection in the inlet of the pump and the real time storage system condition.

BACKGROUND ART
[002] In most of rural and urban areas, timely supply of water by municipal corporation is unavailable & due water scarcity, supply of water is provided for limited amount of time (typically ½ to 1 ½ hours). The water pressure from municipal line is very low and hence people prefer to use mini pumps for pumping the water from municipal corporation line. This helps them to get ample amount of water required for daily needs.
[003] People who are using the water pump are required to manually control them to turn on/off. However, this is inconvenient to the user and have to be physically present to turn on the pump when water is available and turn off when water becomes unavailable, or storage is full. The manual operation leads to overflow of water causing waste of natural resource or burning of motor due to dry run when no water is available at the inlet.
[004] Pump burning in crucial time adds unwanted expenditure in terms of money as well as time to repair and get the system going again. The existing solution available are either timer based or semi-automatic, however they do not avoid water overflow and motor burning issues. Currently there are many alternative approaches in existence:
[005] One of the local brand Water level Pump is currently available in the market as shown in fig 1 which is a stand-alone solution available in market for smart pump. This satisfies the application of filling water in OHT tank from Underground tank. The communication from OHT sensor and main pump is wired hence this adds up installation, wire fitment and maintenance cost.
[006] This has a timer-based operation only so although it avoid overflow, it doesn’t start the system in the event water is available at the inlet but the time doesn’t fall in the scheduled time interval. This may result in underfilling or no-filling of OHT when the supply times are changed by Government body supplying water.
[007] Another approach that is traditionally used is a retrofit smart plug solution for Water pumps which provides power to the Water pump. The system uses either a remote control of pump using software system or uses timer based scheduler to turn on or off the pump. In either of the cases, the OHT water level is not monitored of feedback to the system so water overflow and storage underfilling problems prevail.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[008] The invention relates to a water pump control method, an apparatus and a system. The method comprises the steps where the liquid flow sensor placed at the incoming water inlet detects the air pressure created by the water supplied by corporation in real time; and, by a time-based schedule interval and turning on the water pump when the air pressure is detected while turning it off when no air/liquid pressure is detected to avoid the dry run. The said mechanism is controlled by the level of water filled in a tank, where in case the water level is full in storage system, the controlling mechanism is disabled and is enabled again when the water level in storage system drops below a certain software configurable threshold.

BRIEF DESCRITION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[009] Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for controlling operation of a water pump motor, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[010] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a water level sensing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[011] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a system for controlling operation of the water pump motor for supplying water to a water tank based on the apparatus of FIG. 1 and the water level sending device of FIG. 2, in accordance with which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;
[012] FIG. 4 illustrates a graph of volume per Liter versus time at different inlet conditions of the water pump motor, in accordance with which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;
[013] FIG. 5 illustrates an example sensor module installed at an inlet section of the water pump motor, in accordance with which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;
[014] FIG. 6 illustrates an example water level sensor device installed at the water tank, in accordance with which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;
[015] FIG. 7 illustrates an example apparatus of FIG. 1 coupled to the water pump motor and to the sensor module of FIG. 5, in accordance with which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.
[016] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a method for controlling operation of the water pump motor for supplying water to the water tank by the apparatus, in accordance with which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[017] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
[018] Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 100 for controlling operation of a water pump motor 302 is disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Further, FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a water level sensing device 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure and FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a system 300 having the apparatus 100 and the water level sensing device 200, in accordance with which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.
[019] As shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus 100 is coupled to the water level sensing device 200 over a first communication channel 316, to the sensor module 310 over the second channel 312, to the water pump motor 302 over a third channel 314. The sensor module 310 is provided at an inlet water section 304 of the water pump motor 302 and a water outlet section 306 of the water pump motor 302 is connected to a water tank 308.
[020] The first channel 316 between the apparatus 100 and the water level sensing device 200 is a wireless channel, for example, Long Range (LoRa) wireless communication technology. The water level sensing device 200 determines water level in the water tank 308 and sends a wireless signal to the apparatus 100 about the water level determined in the water tank 308. In some embodiments, the water level sensing device 200 sends a water level low signal to the apparatus 100 when the water is below a second predetermined threshold in the water tank. In some embodiments, the second predetermined threshold may be water level below ninety percent (90%) of the water holding capacity of the water tank 308. In some embodiments, the water level sensing device 200 sends a water level full signal to the apparatus 100 when the water determined to be full in the water tank 308. Further, in some embodiments, the water level sensing device 200 may determine water level in the water tank 308 at multiple levels and may send real-time water level to the apparatus 100. FIG. 6 illustrates an example water level sensor device 600 installed at the water tank 308, in accordance with which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.
[021] The second channel 312 between the apparatus 100 and the sensor module 310 is wired channel for example, a cable or a bus carrying power supply to the sensor module 310 from the apparatus 100 and carrying a signal indicating flow of air or flow of water when detected by the sensor module 312 at the water inlet section 304 of the water pump motor 302. FIG. 5 illustrates an example sensor module 500 installed at an inlet section of the water pump motor 302, in accordance with which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.
[022] The third channel 314 between the apparatus 100 and the water pump motor 302 may be a wired channel where power supply is provided to the water pump motor 302 by the apparatus 100, accordingly, the apparatus 100 may control the operation of the water pump motor 302. Further, the apparatus 100 may receive power supply from a power source and controller the operation of the water pump motor 302 based on the signals received from the water levelling sensing device 200 and sensor module 310. FIG. 7 illustrates an example apparatus 700 coupled to the water pump motor 702 and to the sensor module 600, in accordance with which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. The apparatus 100 may have power input port for receiving power supply and a power outport for supply power to the water pump motor 302
[023] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the apparatus 100 includes a processor 102 which is configured to determine a flow of air at a water inlet section 304 of the water pump motor 302 (see FIG. 3), based on a signal received from a sensor module 310, determine water level in a water tank 308, based on a water level signal received from a water level detection device over a wireless channel, and control operation of the water pump motor based on the determined flow of air at the water inlet section and the determined water level in the water tank.
[024] In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 may include a bus 112 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor 102 coupled with the bus 112 for processing information. The apparatus 100 also includes a memory 104, such as a random-access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus 112 for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor 102. The memory 104 can be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by the processor 102. The memory 104 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 220 or other static storage device for storing static information and instructions for processor 210. The memory 104 may store data based on the signals received from the sensor module 310 or the water level sensing device 200 or the instructions received from an input/output interface 106 (I/O interface) of the apparatus 100.
[025] In some embodiments, the processor 102 can be coupled via the bus 112 to a display for displaying real-time information about working of the water pump motor. The I/O interface 106 may include an input device, including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to bus 112 for communicating information and command selections to the processor 102. The input device may also be included in the display, for example a touch screen.
[026] Various embodiments are related to the use of apparatus 100 for implementing the techniques described herein. In one embodiment, the techniques are performed by the apparatus 100 in response to the processor 102 executing instructions included in the memory 104. Execution of the instructions included in the memory 104 causes the processor 210 to perform the process steps described herein.
[027] The apparatus 100 also includes a wireless transceiver module 108, also referred to as Tx/Rx module, coupled to the bus 112. The wireless transceiver module 108 is a two-way data communication with the water level sensing device 200. In some embodiments, the wireless transceiver module 108 may send real-time operation data of the water pump motor 302 to one or more computing devices like, a mobile phone, a tablet, a server, or a repository. In some embodiments, the wireless transceiver module 108 may receive signals to control the water pump motor 302. The wireless transceiver module 108 may send and receive electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.
[028] As shown in FIG. 2, the water level sensing device 200 includes a processor 202, a memory 204, an I/O interface 206, a wireless transmission module 208, and a wireless reception module 210. In some embodiments, the processor 202, the memory 204, and the I/O interface 206 are configured to function similar to the function described for the processor 102, the memory 104, the I/O interface 106. In some embodiments, the wireless transmission module 208 and the wireless reception module 210 may be integrated as a single module and may function similar to the function described for the wireless transceiver module 108.
[029] The water level sensing device 200 is coupled to the water sensor 214. The water sensor 214 may be a single electrode to determine water level above or below the second predetermined threshold or a combination of plurality of electrodes to determine water level at various level in the water tank 308. In some embodiments, the water sensor 214 is disposed inside the water tank 308 to detect the water level when the water is in direct contact with the electrode(s) of the water sensor 214. The water sensor 214 generates a signal when in contact with water. The water level sensing device 200 monitors the signals from the water sensor 214 and determines the water level in the water tank 208 based on the signal(s) received from the water sensor 214. When the water sensor 214 include multiple electrodes, the electrodes are suspended inside the water tank 308 are different heights. The number of electrodes in contact with water may indicate water level upto the corresponding height.
[030] In some embodiments, the sensor module 310 detects at least one of air pressure and water pressure. The processor 102 is configured to determine the flow of air or flow of water corresponding to the detected air pressure or water pressure. The sensor module 310 may be a flow sensor that can detect the very low flow of either air or water, i.e. at least 1 Liter per minute. FIG. 4 illustrates a graph of Liters per minute (LPM) (Y-axis) versus time (X-axis) at different inlet conditions of the water pump motor, in accordance with which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. There are three different conditions detected at the water inlet section 304 which are clearly distinguished. At a first condition, when there is no water incoming, there’s lack of any pressure which results in no flow readings by processor 102. The pressure is near zero and indicated by “No Water”. At a second condition, when the water supply by corporation is initiated, initially it creates a difference in pressure between wate inlet section 304 and the supply distribution point of the corporation, which results in a minor yet considerable flow, indicated as “Air pressure when water is coming”. The processor 102 determines that the flow air below 20 LMP. At a third condition, when the water finally arrives at the water inlet section 304 and continuous flow is started, the sensor module 310 detects maximum LPM value, for example, 100 LMP.
[031] In some embodiments, for controlling the operation of the water pump motor based on the determined flow of air at the water inlet section 304 and the determined water level in the water tank 308, the processor 102 is configured to start the water pump motor 302 when flow of air at the water inlet section of the water pump motor is above a first predetermined threshold and when the water level in the water tank is determined to be lower than the second predetermined threshold. The processor 102 is configured to stop the water pump motor 302 when the water level in the water tank 308 is determined to be full or when the flow of water at the water inlet section 304 of the water pump motor 302 is determined to be below the first predetermined threshold for a predetermined time during working of the water pump motor.
[032] In some embodiments, the processor 102 is configured to determine the flow of air at the water inlet section 304 of the water pump motor 302 and determine water level in the water tank 308 according to a predetermined schedule. The processor 102 may work according to the predetermined schedule. A user may feed the schedule in the apparatus 100 through I/O interface 106 or by wirelessly connecting with the apparatus using a computing device. In some embodiments, the wireless connection between the apparatus 100 and the computing device may be a Bluetooth, a Loca Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), or wireless technologies based on 3gpp (third generation partnership project),
[033] In some embodiments, the processor 102 is configured to stop the water pump motor 302 when the operating voltage is outside of predetermined operating voltage range. The processor 102 starts and stops the water pump motor by controlling the power supply provided to the water pump motor 302. The processor 102 may monitor voltage fluctuations at the power source and may discontinue the working of the water pump controller 302 when the voltage increases or decreases out the operating voltage range.
[034] The present invention relates to novel water pump control system 300 which comprises of an embedded computer for example, the apparatus 100, a sensor module 310 on the water inlet section 310, the water storage system like water tank 308, a water level sensor device 200, water pump motor 302 and a method to control the operation of water pump motor.
Flow sensor-based mode operation
[035] In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may monitor the signals from the sensor module 310 to check if any air pressure is created at the inlet for every 2 min. The processor 102 may determine air flow rate based on the air pressure signal received from the sensor module 310. The pressure at the water inlet section 304 transduces the sensor module 310 to detect the flow value. If the flow sensor value false in the configurable threshold, it is understood that the inlet may have water available. The water pump is then started by the apparatus 100 to check if the sensor module 310 detects the water flow, in which case the processor 102 continue to operate the water pump motor 302 until (a) the water level sensor device 200 detects an overhead tank (OHT), for example, the water tank 308, is full or (b) the sensor module detects no pressure of water for a predetermined time, for example, 120 seconds. At the initial stage, if the OHT water level is <90% of its total storage capacity then only the processor 102 starts the water pump motor 302. In some embodiments, the processor 102 may initiate sensing the flow of air /water at water inlet section 304 at every 20 minutes after the OHT is full and till the delay set time, which in usual cases is set to 3 hours but is configurable in the apparatus 100. The entire operation will start when the OHT water level drops below (Set full value-15%) of its capacity.
Real time clock or Schedule based operation.
[036] The schedule-based operation is executable as per the set time defined by the user which also depends on the water supply time set by Local Government bodies controlling the water supply. The processor 102 allows the user to schedule date and time of the operation during which the processor 102 initiates monitoring the signals from the sensor module 302 and the water level sensing device 200. In some embodiments, the processor 102, depending on the scheduled time starts a pre-check operation 60 minutes before the pre-set time and continue the same 60 minutes until after the post-set time. The processor 102 will turn on the water pump motor 302 for 120 sec and check if the sensor module 310 at the water inlet section 304 detects any air or water pressure. If the pressure is detected, the processor 102 continue to run the water pump motor 302 to fill up the OHT. In the event there’s no pressure at the water inlet section 304, the processor 102 will pause the running of the water pump motor 302 for 15 minutes, and the same cycle will repeat until one-hour post-set time. If the OHT fills the water level to 100% of its capacity, then the processor 102 may suspend the operation of the water pump motor 302 until the next pre-set time to avoid overflow of water. For this operation to be active, the water level in OHT should be lower than 90% of its storage capacity.
[037] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a method 800 for controlling operation of the water pump motor for supplying water to the water tank by the apparatus, in accordance with which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. At step 802 the apparatus 100 determines a flow of air at a water inlet section 304 of the water pump motor 304, based on a signal received from the sensor module 310. At step 804, the apparatus 100 determines water level in the water tank 308, based on a water level signal received from a water level detection device 200 over a wireless channel. At step 806, the apparatus 100 controls operation of the water pump motor 302 based on the determined flow of air at the water inlet section and the determined water level in the water tank 308.
[038] The present subject matter in this context solves many existing problems in current residential pumping system:
1. The system 300 comprises of the sensor module 310 at the inlet itself, which detects presence of water pressure by continuous monitoring and thereby controlling the water pump motor 302, which makes the entire system efficient.
2. The system 300 can also work on timer based scheduling system, where controlling operation of water pump motor 302 can be achieved on a specific duration and time frame only.
3. The system 300 provides various protections like Over/Under Voltage Protection, Over Current Protection, Dry Run Protection, Short circuit current protection and Switch off the pump in case of variation and water unavailable in line.
4. Wireless communication between the apparatus 100 and the water sensing device 200 provides flexibility to the system in monitoring water level in a water tank whether installed at the roof of a building or at a basement or at any remote location without establishing any physical connection between the apparatus 100 and the water sensing device 200
5. The apparatus 100 of the present subject matter may be developed as standalone controller unit (plug & play type), so consumer can connect this to his/her existing water pump.
6. Real time-based system allows user to set the time as per water availability conditions and fill the overhead tank.
[039] While present invention has been described with reference to a specific preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes could be made to this embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. The above-mentioned description are provided to serve the purpose of clarifying the aspects of the invention, and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that they do not serve to limit the scope of the invention. By way of example, the total process is customized. The above-mentioned process example is just one of the many configurations that the mentioned components can take on. All modifications and improvements have been incorporated herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the present invention. ,CLAIMS:1. An apparatus for controlling operation of a water pump motor for supplying water in a water tank, the apparatus comprising:
a processor configured to:
determine a flow of air at a water inlet section of the water pump motor, based on a signal received from a sensor module;
determine water level in the water tank, based on a water level signal received from a water level detection device over a wireless channel; and
control operation of the water pump motor based on the determined flow of air at the water inlet section and the determined water level in the water tank.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor module detects at least one of air pressure and water pressure, wherein the processor is configured to determine the flow of air or flow of water corresponding to the detected air pressure or water pressure, and wherein the processor determines the flow of air or flow of water of at least 1 litter per minute.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, where in the wireless channel is a long range (LoRa) wireless communication technology.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein for controlling the operation of the water pump motor based on the determined flow of air at the water inlet section and the determined water level in the water tank, the processor is configured to:
start the water pump motor when flow of air at the water inlet section of the water pump motor is above a first predetermined threshold and when the water level in the water tank is determined to be lower than a second predetermined threshold; and
stop the water pump motor when the water level in the water tank is determined to be full or when the flow of water at the water inlet section of the water pump motor is determined to be below the first predetermined threshold for a predetermined time during working of the water pump motor.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the flow of air at a water inlet section of the water pump motor and determine water level in the water tank according to a predetermined schedule.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the processor is configured to stop the water pump motor when the operating voltage is outside of predetermined operating voltage range.
7. A system for controlling operation of a water pump motor for supplying water in a water tank, the system comprising:
an apparatus as claimed in claim 1, where in the apparatus is coupled to the water pump motor to control operation of the water pump motor;
a water level detection device to determine water level in the water tank, the water level detection device sends a water level signal to the apparatus over a wireless channel; and
a sensor module coupled to the apparatus and provided at a water inlet section of the water pump motor, wherein the sensor is configured to send at least one of air flow detection signal or water flow detection signal to the apparatus.
8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor module detects at least one of flow of air and flow of water, and wherein the senor module detects the flow of air or flow of water of at least 1 litter per minute.
9. The system as claimed in claim 7, where in the wireless channel is a long range (LoRa) wireless communication technology.
10. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the apparatus is configured to:
start the water pump motor when the flow of air at the water inlet section of the water pump motor is above a first predetermined threshold and when the water level in the water tank is determined to be lower than a second predetermined threshold; and
stop the water pump motor when the water level in the water tank is determined to be full or when the flow of water at the water inlet section of the water pump motor is determined to be below the first predetermined threshold for a predetermined time during working of the water pump motor.
11. A method for controlling operation of a water pump motor for supplying water in a water tank, the method comprising:
determining, by an apparatus, a flow of air at a water inlet section of the water pump motor, based on a signal received from a sensor module, wherein the apparatus is coupled to the water pump motor to control operation of the water pump motor;
determining, by the apparatus, water level in the water tank, based on a water level signal received from a water level detection device over a wireless channel; and
controlling, by the apparatus, operation of the water pump motor based on the determined flow of air at the water inlet section and the determined water level in the water tank.