Patents by Inventor Thomas Blad

Thomas Blad 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).

  • Publication number: 20230194005
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve device includes a first inlet port (20) and a second inlet port (22) and a valve element (24) for selectively closing one of the first and the second inlet port. The valve element (24; 24?) is rotatable between two valve positions such that a surface of the valve element is moved in a direction parallel to openings of the inlet ports. The valve element includes two separate sealing portions (72, 74), a first sealing portion (72) for closing the first inlet port and a second sealing portion (74) for closing the second inlet port. The two sealing portions are arranged such that in a first valve position a first sealing portion closes the first inlet port and in a second valve position a second sealing portion closes the second inlet port. A centrifugal pump device includes such hydraulic valve device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Olav JENSEN, Bent DØSSING, Thomas BLAD, Peter MØNSTER, Ole HANSEN
  • Patent number: 11680571
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump assembly includes an electric drive motor (6, 8), a driven impeller (14) and a pump casing (2) which surrounds the impeller (14). A movable element (24; 24?) is arranged a valve element. A section of the valve element is movable from a released position into a bearing position, fixed on a contact surface (60), by pressure which is produced by the impeller in the pump casing. A control device (64) moves the valve element from one switching position into another switching position and reduces the speed of the drive motor. Upon pressure in the pump casing dropping such that the valve element is no longer fixed on the contact surface and the valve element has been moved into the other switching position, the control device increases the speed of the drive motor again. A method for moving a valve element is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Blad, Christian Blad, Peter Mønster
  • Publication number: 20230167826
    Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal pump assembly having an electric drive motor (2), at least one impeller (14) driven by said electric drive motor (2) and a valve element (24; 24?) rotatable between two 5 valve positions driven by a fluid flow produced by said impeller (14), wherein the valve element (24; 24?) has a cover plate (104; 104?) extending transverse to the rotational axis (X) of the impeller (14) and facing the impeller (14), wherein the valve element (24; 24?) having protrusions (102, 102?) arranged on an outer surface side facing away 10 from the impeller (14) such that a flow can act on them for driving the valve element (24; 24?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Olav JENSEN, Bent DØSSING, Thomas BLAD, Peter MØNSTER, Ole HANSEN
  • Patent number: 11555499
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump assembly includes an electrical drive motor (4, 6), an impeller (14) which is driven by the electrical drive motor (4, 6) as well as with at least one valve element (18) which is directly or indirectly movable along a first movement path between at least two switching positions, by the electrical drive motor (4, 6). At least a part of the valve element (18) is additionally movable along a second movement path which is different to the first movement path, between a released position, in which the valve element is distanced to at least one contact surface and a bearing position, in which the valve element bears on the at least one contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventor: Thomas Blad
  • Patent number: 11555617
    Abstract: A hydraulic construction unit for a heating facility or air-conditioning facility, includes a return connection (20) and a first feed connection (16) for a heating circuit (6), with a heat source outlet (12) fluid conducting connected to the return connection. A heat source inlet (14) is fluid conducting connected to the first feed connection and to a circulation pump assembly (28) in a flow path between the return connection and the heat source outlet (12) or in a flow path between the heat source inlet and the first feed connection. A second feed connection (18) for a second heating circuit (8), is fluid conducting connected to the heat source inlet and to the return connection. A mixing valve (54) is arranged in a flow path from the heat source inlet to the second feed connection and/or in a flow path from the return connection to the second feed connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Blad, Peter Mønster
  • Patent number: 11512712
    Abstract: A pump assembly includes at least one rotatingly driven impeller (14) and at least one valve element (18) which is rotatable about a rotation axis (X) between at least two switching positions. The valve element (18) includes a first face side (22) which extends transversely to the rotation axis of the valve element. A suction opening (24), which is engaged with a suction port (26) of the impeller (14), is formed in this first face side in a central region. The first face side (22) includes a pressure surface which surrounds the suction opening (24) and is adjacent to a delivery chamber (28) which surrounds the impeller (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Blad, Peter Mønster
  • Patent number: 11460031
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump assembly includes an electrical drive motor (2), with at least one impeller (18) which is driven by the motor and a pump casing (6) which surrounds the impeller (18) and which includes at least one suction connection (20) and at least two delivery connections (22, 24). A rotatable valve element (30, 30?, 30?) is arranged in the pump casing (6). The valve element is movable between at least two switching positions, in which the flow paths through the delivery connections (22, 24) are opened to a different extent. The valve element (30, 30?, 30?) includes an annular wall (32) which surrounds the impeller (18) and in which at least one switching opening (48) is formed. The valve element (30, 30?, 30?) is rotatably mounted about a rotation axis (X), which is centric to the annular wall (32), inside of the pump casing (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Blad, Christian Blad, Peter Mønster
  • Patent number: 11371509
    Abstract: A circulation pump assembly (22) includes an electrical drive motor (10) and an electronic control device (12) controlling the drive motor (10). The control device (12) is configured for the speed control of the drive motor (10) according to a control schema (I, II, III). The control device (12) includes a detection function (42) which is configured to detect a condition variable representing an operating condition, from a parallel flow path (16, 18, 20) with a second circulation pump assembly (22). The control device (12) is also configured such that it can change the control schema (I, II, III) on the basis of a condition variable detected by the detection function (42). Further an arrangement of at least two such circulation pump assemblies (22) and a method for the control of such two circulation pump assemblies (22) are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventor: Thomas Blad
  • Patent number: 11359822
    Abstract: A circulation pump assembly includes a first inlet (84), an outlet (80), an electric drive motor (30) and at least one impeller (68; 100) driven by the drive motor (30). The circulation pump assembly has at least one first flow path (26; 48) positioned in a connection between the first inlet (84) and the outlet (80) for increasing the pressure of a fluid. The circulation pump assembly has a second inlet (86). The at least one impeller (68; 100) has at least one second flow path (28; 50) for increasing the pressure of a fluid, which is positioned in a connection of the second inlet (86) to the outlet (80). A heating system is provided having a circulation pump assembly of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Blad, Christian Blad
  • Patent number: 11333151
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump assembly includes an electrical drive motor (4, 6), an impeller (14) which is driven by the drive motor and a pump casing (12) surrounds the impeller and including two branches (27, 32, 34). A movable valve element (18) is arranged in the pump casing and is movable between two switching positions, in which the flow paths through the two branches (27, 32, 34) are opened to a different extent. The valve element (18) is configured and arranged in the pump casing (12) such that it separates a suction chamber (24) which is connected to a suction side of the impeller (14) from a delivery chamber (26) which is in connection with the delivery side of the impeller (14). The valve element (18) is mechanically and/or hydraulically coupled to the drive motor (4, 6) for at least a movement between the two switching positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventor: Thomas Blad
  • Patent number: 11073161
    Abstract: A hydraulic construction unit includes a centrifugal pump assembly which includes an electrical drive motor and at least one impeller which is driven by the electric drive motor. At least one valve element is arranged such that the valve element is movable by way of a fluid flow which is created by the impeller. At least one section of a wall delimits a flow path in the hydraulic construction unit and is configured to be movable as a moveable section. The movable section of the wall is part of the valve element or is connected to the valve element for movement. The movable section is movable so as to be at least partly effected by friction forces of a fluid flow which runs along the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Blad, Christian Blad
  • Publication number: 20210164664
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the operation of a mixing device in a heating facility, in which mixing device two heating medium flows of different temperatures are mixed for adjusting the temperature of the heating medium, wherein the mixing device comprises at least one circulation pump assembly (24; 46) which delivers the heating medium, wherein the at least one circulation pump assembly (24; 46) is regulated in its speed in dependence on a temperature value which is detected in the heating medium, as well as to a mixing device for mixing the heating medium flows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas BLAD, Christian BLAD
  • Publication number: 20210156396
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump assembly includes an electric drive motor and an impeller (38; 38?), driven rotationally by the electric drive motor and arranged in a pump housing (24; 24?). The pump housing includes a first suction duct (46; 46?) that forms a first flow path from a first suction connector (44; 44?) to a suction side of the impeller. The pump housing includes a receiving chamber (50; 50?) which intersects the first suction duct, is connected to a second suction connector (58; 82; 110; 116), and in an interior includes a movable valve element (64; 90; 100; 128) connected to an actuating drive (76; 94; 105; 124) and configured to, with the movement of the valve element, change a cross-sectional ratio between the first flow path which extends from the first suction connector and a second flow path which extends from the second suction connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas BLAD, Peter MØNSTER
  • Publication number: 20210140435
    Abstract: A pump assembly includes an electric drive motor (4, 6), an impeller, driven by the drive motor (4, 6), and a valve device (18) situated in a flow path through the pump assembly, which is movable between a first and a second switching position. The valve device (18) is coupled to the drive motor via a first coupling such that a movement of the drive motor (4, 6) is transmitted onto the valve device (18) and the valve device is movable from the first into the second switching position by rotation movement of the drive motor. The first coupling is releasable by way of increasing the speed of the drive motor (4, 6) and/or increasing the pressure at the outlet side of the impeller and/or by way of slip, such that the coupling between the drive motor (4, 6) and the valve device (18) is reduced or lifted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas BLAD
  • Publication number: 20210010477
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump assembly includes an electric drive motor (6, 8), a driven impeller (14) and a pump casing (2) which surrounds the impeller (14). A movable element (24; 24?) is arranged a valve element. A section of the valve element is movable from a released position into a bearing position, fixed on a contact surface (60), by pressure which is produced by the impeller in the pump casing. A control device (64) moves the valve element from one switching position into another switching position and reduces the speed of the drive motor. Upon pressure in the pump casing dropping such that the valve element is no longer fixed on the contact surface and the valve element has been moved into the other switching position, the control device increases the speed of the drive motor again. A method for moving a valve element is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas BLAD, Christian BLAD, Peter MØNSTER
  • Publication number: 20210003133
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump assembly includes an electrical drive motor (2), with at least one impeller (18) which is driven by the motor and a pump casing (6) which surrounds the impeller (18) and which includes at least one suction connection (20) and at least two delivery connections (22, 24). A rotatable valve element (30, 30?, 30?) is arranged in the pump casing (6). The valve element is movable between at least two switching positions, in which the flow paths through the delivery connections (22, 24) are opened to a different extent. The valve element (30, 30?, 30?) includes an annular wall (32) which surrounds the impeller (18) and in which at least one switching opening (48) is formed. The valve element (30, 30?, 30?) is rotatably mounted about a rotation axis (X), which is centric to the annular wall (32), inside of the pump casing (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas BLAD, Christian BLAD, Peter MØNSTER
  • Patent number: 10830458
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes at least one pump assembly and a switching device which includes at least two switch positions. The switching device is configured such that on operation of the pump assembly in a first operating condition, the switching device is held in a stable manner in each of the at least two switch positions in each case by the hydraulic forces in the system. In a second operating condition of the pump assembly, the switching device is moved from a first switch position into a second switch position, assisted by switching energy stored in the first operating condition. The hydraulic system is configured such that in the first operating condition, the switching energy is stored independently of a switching-over of the switching device between the switch positions. A method is provided for operating such a hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventor: Thomas Blad
  • Patent number: 10823175
    Abstract: A pump assembly includes an impeller (18), which for rotation is connected to an electrical drive motor (20) which can be driven in two rotation directions (A, B) and a valve (10) situated in an inlet of the pump assembly. The valve includes a valve element (48) movable between at least two switch positions and is connected for movement to a drive element (36, 60) subjected to the flow produced by the impeller (18). The valve element (48), in at least a first of the two switch positions, closes an inlet channel (44, 46) of the pump assembly (12) and is arranged such that the movement direction into this first switch position corresponds to the flow direction (S1, S2) through this inlet channel (44, 46). A hydraulic system is provided with two circuits and such a pump assembly. The valve serves as a switch-over valve between the two circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Blad, Peter Mønster
  • Publication number: 20200340684
    Abstract: A circulation pump assembly includes a first inlet (84), an outlet (80), an electric drive motor (30) and at least one impeller (68; 100) driven by the drive motor (30). The circulation pump assembly has at least one first flow path (26; 48) positioned in a connection between the first inlet (84) and the outlet (80) for increasing the pressure of a fluid. The circulation pump assembly has a second inlet (86). The at least one impeller (68; 100) has at least one second flow path (28; 50) for increasing the pressure of a fluid, which is positioned in a connection of the second inlet (86) to the outlet (80). A heating system is provided having a circulation pump assembly of this type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas BLAD, Christian BLAD
  • Patent number: 10801737
    Abstract: A method for adapting the control of the feed temperature of a heating installation to a building to be heated or at least to a building part to be heated, with which the heating installation supplies the building or the building part with heat by way of a heat transfer medium led in the circuit. The circuit comprises at least one temperature-controlled heating circuit. The flow rate of the heat transfer medium in the circuit is registered in a continuous manner or in temporal intervals. The adaptation of the control of the feed temperature is effected automatically in dependence on the registered values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventor: Thomas Blad