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.

Abstract: A pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool includes a water pump, a variable speed motor, and an arrangement for controlling the variable speed motor. The pumping system further includes an auxiliary device operably connected to the arrangement for controlling, which is capable of receiving a parameter from the auxiliary device. The arrangement for controlling is capable of independently controlling the variable speed motor without receipt of a parameter from the auxiliary device. In addition or alternatively, the arrangement for controlling is operable to selectively alter operation of the motor based upon the parameter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a filter for use in filtering a fluid slurry that includes particles of varying size, such as pool water including debris. The filter is in electrical communication with a sensor and includes a housing having an inlet to receive the fluid slurry, an outlet, and an internal chamber. An actuator can be coupled to the filter media to move at least a portion of the filter media to vary a dimension of the pores. The filter also includes a controller connected to the actuator that is capable of receiving a signal from the sensor and controls the actuator to change the dimension of the pores based on the signal.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a recirculating aquaculture system for aquatic life. The system includes a culture tank, a sensor configured to measure a current dissolved oxygen level in the culture tank, a variable speed pump configured to circulate water through the culture tank, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the variable speed pump. The controller is configured to retrieve a dissolved oxygen threshold level and a maximum gas to liquid ratio in the culture tank, retrieve the current dissolved oxygen level, compare the current dissolved oxygen level with the dissolved oxygen threshold level, and automatically increase one of a current water flow rate and a current oxygen flow through the system when the current dissolved oxygen level is less than the dissolved oxygen threshold level.

Abstract: A method of operating a pumping system for an aquatic application based upon performance of multiple water operations is disclosed. The method includes providing a pump and a motor coupled to the pump, and a controller including a variable speed drive that is in communication with the motor. The method also includes: operating the motor in accordance with a first water operation, wherein the first water operation includes a first start time, end time, and water flow rate: operating the motor in accordance with a second water operation, wherein the second water operation includes a second start time, end time, and water flow rate; and altering the first water operation in response to performance of the second water operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool, including a water pump and a variable speed motor. In one example, a target volume amount of water and an operational time period is provided, and the operational time period is altered based upon a volume of water moved. In another example, operation of the motor is altered based upon the volume of water moved. In addition or alternatively, a target flow rate of water to be moved by the water pump is determined based upon the target volume amount and a time period. In addition or alternatively, a plurality of operations are performed on the water, and a total volume of water moved by the pump is determined. In addition or alternatively, an optimized flow rate value is determined based upon power consumption.

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.

Abstract: Some 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, a user 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 power parameter associated with the motor and compares the power parameter to a predetermined threshold value. The controller triggers a safety vacuum release system based on the comparison of the power parameter and the threshold value.

Abstract: A method of operating a variable speed pump in an aquaculture system including a culture tank that houses aquatic life. The method includes monitoring a dissolved oxygen level in the culture tank, determining a dissolved oxygen threshold based on current respiration requirements of the aquatic life in the culture tank, and comparing the dissolved oxygen level to the dissolved oxygen threshold. When the dissolved oxygen level is below the dissolved oxygen threshold, the method further includes increasing a speed of the variable speed pump until a flow rate through the culture tank that maintains the dissolved oxygen level at or above the dissolved oxygen threshold is reached. The method also includes updating the dissolved oxygen threshold based on new respiration requirements of the aquatic life as the aquatic life matures through its growth cycle.

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.

Abstract: Some 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, a user 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 power parameter associated with the motor and compares the power parameter to a predetermined threshold value. The controller triggers a safety vacuum release system based on the comparison of the power parameter and the threshold value.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of operating a pump in an aquaculture system including a water tank that houses aquatic life. The method includes monitoring a dissolved oxygen level in the culture tank, determining a flow rate threshold based on the dissolved oxygen level, and changing a speed of the pump to maintain a current flow rate through the culture tank above the flow rate threshold.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a recirculating aquaculture system for aquatic life. The system includes a culture tank, a sensor configured to measure a carbon dioxide concentration in the culture tank, a variable speed pump configured to circulate water through the culture tank, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the variable speed pump. The controller is configured to retrieve a maximum carbon dioxide concentration in the culture tank, retrieve a current carbon dioxide concentration, and compare the current carbon dioxide concentration to the maximum carbon dioxide concentration. When the current carbon dioxide concentration is greater than the maximum carbon dioxide concentration, the controller is configured to automatically increase the current water flow rate or automatically increase the current air flow rate based on the current gas to liquid ratio in the system.

Abstract: A pump and filter system and method. The system includes a housing with a housing inlet, a housing outlet, and a housing cavity, where the housing inlet is positioned above the housing outlet. The system also includes filtration media positioned inside the housing cavity and separating the housing inlet from the housing outlet, and a pump positioned at least partially inside the housing cavity. The pump includes a magnetic drive motor.

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.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pump and filter system and method. The system includes a housing with a housing cavity and a filter cartridge, and a pump positioned in the housing cavity. The filter cartridge splits the housing cavity into a filtered region and an unfiltered region and the pump is located in the filtered region. The method includes operating the pump to pull fluid through a housing inlet into the unfiltered region, to pull fluid across the filter cartridge into the filtered region via suction pressure of the pump, and to force the fluid through the pump to a housing outlet.

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.

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.