Patents by Inventor Florin Lungeanu

Florin Lungeanu has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11563389
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method (19) for starting an electric single-phase induction motor (1), wherein during a start-up interval of the start-up cycle for starting said electric motor (1), the frequency (fref) of the electric current for driving said electric motor (1) is set to a first frequency (fstart), and later to the operating frequency (frun) of the electric motor (1), wherein the first frequency (fstart) is higher than the operating frequency (frun).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignees: Danfoss Customised Power Electronics, Sta-Rite Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Torben Damsgaard, Robert Ehmsen, Florin Lungeanu, Rasmus Fink, Lars Berthelsen, Melissa Drechsel Kidd, William James Genaw, Micheal Robert Pasche, Gary Thomas Baase, II
  • Patent number: 11391281
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller is configured to store a timeout time value. The controller is also configured to initiate a pump priming process and subsequently initiate a timeout counter to begin counting a counter time value. The controller is configured to initiate a timeout interrupt routine that interrupts the pump priming process when the counter time value exceeds the timeout time value. The timeout interrupt routine includes shutting down the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Power Electronics A/S
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Publication number: 20210054846
    Abstract: A pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, a filter coupled to the pump, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller is configured to make a sensorless determination of a current value of a water flow rate based on an input power to the motor, drive the motor speed to maintain the water flow rate at a first constant value during a first time period, and drive the motor speed to maintain the water flow rate at a second constant value during a second time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Everett Cox, Donald Steen, Kevin Murphy, Daniel J. Hruby, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Nils-Ole Harvest, Christopher Yahnker, Walter Woodcock, Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Arne Fink Hansen, Alberto Morando, Florin Lungeanu
  • Publication number: 20200362866
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller is configured to store a timeout time value. The controller is also configured to initiate a pump priming process and subsequently initiate a timeout counter to begin counting a counter time value. The controller is configured to initiate a timeout interrupt routine that interrupts the pump priming process when the counter time value exceeds the timeout time value. The timeout interrupt routine includes shutting down the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Patent number: 10731655
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller receives input of a performance value that is determined utilizing information from operation of the motor and compares the performance value to a reference value. The controller also is configured to prime and run the pump when the performance value equals the first reference value and to continue to do so until the performance value equals a second reference value. Alternatively, the controller receives user input of an amount of time the system can take to attempt to successfully prime the pump and is configured to operate the motor at maximum speed until the amount of time elapses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignees: PENTAIR WATER POOL AND SPA, INC., DANFOSS POWER ELECTRONICS A/S
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Patent number: 10527042
    Abstract: A pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool includes a water pump, an infinitely variable speed motor, and an arrangement for operating the motor. In one example, the pumping system includes a memory configured to store a plurality of retained speed values, an arrangement for providing a plurality of retained speed values to the memory, and an arrangement for reading a selected one of the plurality of retained speed values from the memory. In addition or alternatively, the pumping system includes a storage medium for digitally storing a plurality of pre-established motor speed values and an arrangement for receiving input from a user to select one of the pre-established motor speeds. In addition or alternatively, the pumping system further includes an arrangement for restarting operation of the motor at a previously selected speed value when power supplied to the motor is interrupted during operation of the motor. A method for controlling the pumping system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Power Electronics A/S
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher Yahnker, Daniel J. Hruby, Kevin Murphy, Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Arne Fink Hansen, Florin Lungeanu, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 10502203
    Abstract: A pumping system for an aquatic application includes a motor to be coupled to a pump and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller is configured to determine a speed of the motor, determine a current performance value of the pumping system, compare the current performance value to a referenced performance value, determine an adjustment value based upon the comparison of the reference and current performance values, and adjust a speed of the motor based on the adjustment value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Power Electronics A/S
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher Yahnker, Daniel J. Hruby, Kevin Murphy, Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Arne Fink Hansen, Florin Lungeanu, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 10480516
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, the present disclosure provides for systems and methods for controlling a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system can include a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, an interface associated with the pump designed to receive input instructions from a user, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller determines a blockage condition based on a power consumption value of the motor, and can further include an auto-restart function that is designed to allow the pump to automatically restart after detection of the blockage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Power Electrics A/S
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Patent number: 10415569
    Abstract: A pumping system for at least one aquatic application includes a motor coupled to a pump and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller is adapted to determine a first motor speed of the motor, determine a reference power consumption using a reference flow rate and a curve of speed versus power consumption for the reference flow rate, and generate a difference value between the reference power consumption and a present power consumption. The controller drives the motor to reach a steady state condition at a second motor speed based on the difference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Power Electronics A/S
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Patent number: 10240604
    Abstract: A pumping system for at least one aquatic application controlled by a user. The pumping system includes a pump and a motor disposed in a first housing and coupled to the pump. A user interface is associated with a second housing, the second housing defined by a base portion shaped to interact with the first housing and a user interface portion that carries a plurality of control buttons, wherein the second housing is selectively positionable among a plurality of positions relative to the first housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Power Electronics A/S
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher Yahnker, Daniel J. Hruby, Kevin Murphy, Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Arne Fink Hansen, Florin Lungeanu, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20180023574
    Abstract: A pumping system for at least one aquatic application includes a motor coupled to a pump and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller is adapted to determine a first motor speed of the motor, determine a reference power consumption using a reference flow rate and a curve of speed versus power consumption for the reference flow rate, and generate a difference value between the reference power consumption and a present power consumption. The controller drives the motor to reach a steady state condition at a second motor speed based on the difference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Patent number: 9777733
    Abstract: A pumping system for at least one aquatic application comprises a motor coupled to a pump and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller may be adapted to determine a first motor speed, determine a present flow rate using curves of speed versus flow rate for discrete power consumptions, generate a difference value between the present flow rate and a reference flow rate, and/or drive the motor at a second motor speed based on the difference value until reaching a steady state condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Drives A/S
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Publication number: 20170198697
    Abstract: A pumping system for a pool or spa application that pumps water. The pumping system comprising a means for moving water through the pool or spa application, a means for driving the means for moving water, and a means for controlling the means for driving. The means for controlling monitors a current flow rate based on an input power to the means for driving, monitors whether the current flow rate is above a priming flow value in order to identify whether the means for moving water has become initially primed, and indicates a priming alarm if the means for moving water has not become initially primed before reaching a maximum priming time allotment, wherein the maximum priming time allotment is a fixed time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Everett Cox, Donald Steen, Kevin Murphy, Daniel J. Hruby, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Nils-Ole Harvest, Christopher Yahnker, Walter Woodcock, JR., Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Arne Fink Hansen, Alberto Morando, Florin Lungeanu
  • Patent number: 9647457
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for damping grid oscillations. The oscillations may be damped by controlling e.g. wind turbine generators to inject power to the grid in anti-phase with the grid oscillations. Instead of controlling one or more wind turbine generators to generate the same anti-phase power signal, a plurality of wind turbine generators are controlled so that each of them only generates a part of the anti-phase power signal, but so that all of the wind turbine generators in combination generates the entire anti-phase power signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Jorge Martinez Garcia, Florin Lungeanu
  • Publication number: 20170114788
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, the present disclosure provides for systems and methods for controlling a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system can include a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, an interface associated with the pump designed to receive input instructions from a user, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller determines a blockage condition based on a power consumption value of the motor, and can further include an auto-restart function that is designed to allow the pump to automatically restart after detection of the blockage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Patent number: 9605680
    Abstract: A pumping system includes a pump for moving water. In one aspect, this is in connection with performance of an operation. The system includes a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump. A value indicative of flow rate of water is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow rate indicative value toward a constant. A value indicative of flow pressure is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow pressure indicative value toward a constant. A selection is made between flow rate control and flow pressure control. In another aspect, the pump is controlled to perform a first operation, and is operated to perform a second water operation. Control of operation of the pump to perform the first water operation is altered in response to operation of the pump to perform the second operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Drives A/S
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Everett Cox, Donald Steen, Kevin Murphy, Daniel J. Hruby, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Nils-Ole Harvest, Christopher Yahnker, Walter Woodcock, Jr., Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Arne Fink Hansen, Alberto Morando, Florin Lungeanu
  • Patent number: 9551344
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, an interface associated with the pump designed to receive input instructions from a user, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller determines a blockage condition based on a power consumption value of the motor, and further includes an auto-restart function that is designed to allow the pump to automatically restart after detection of the blockage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Drives A/S
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Publication number: 20160153456
    Abstract: A pumping system for an aquatic application includes a motor to be coupled to a pump and a controller in communication with the motor, the controller configured to determine a speed of the motor, determine a current performance value of the pumping system, compare the current performance value to a reference performance value, determine an adjustment value based upon the comparison of the reference and current performance values, and adjust a speed of the motor based on the adjustment value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher Yahnker, Daniel J. Hruby, Kevin Murphy, Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Arne Fink Hansen, Florin Lungeanu, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20160061204
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller receives input of a performance value that is determined utilizing information from operation of the motor and compares the performance value to a reference value. The controller also is configured to prime and run the pump when the performance value equals the first reference value and to continue to do so until the performance value equals a second reference value. Alternatively, the controller receives user input of an amount of time the system can take to attempt to successfully prime the pump and is configured to operate the motor at maximum speed until the amount of time elapses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Publication number: 20150300358
    Abstract: A pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool includes a water pump and a variable speed motor. The pumping system further includes means for determining a first motor speed of the motor, means for determining first and second performance values of the pumping system, and means for comparing the first and second performance values. The pumping system further includes means for determining an adjustment value based upon the comparison, means for determining a second motor speed based upon the adjustment value, and means for controlling the motor in response to the second motor speed. In one example, the pumping system includes means for determining a value indicative of a flow rate of water moved by the pump. In addition or alternatively, the pumping system includes a filter arrangement. A method of controlling the pumping system for moving the water of the swimming pool is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu