Pump ControllerTeam Number: May06-12

Team MembersDwayne Stammer  CprEFrancois Munyakazi EEDan Paulsen CprE/EE

Faculity AdvisorNicola Elia

ClientViking Pump

Cedar Falls, IA

Introductory Materials Abstract

The precise control of a viscous fluid using a pump has been Viking Pump’s forte for many years. The current design for a flow manager is aging and needs updated to current hardware and to be outfitted with a new easy to use interface much like current common software applications. The project objective is to update the user interface and move the software to an updated hardware setup. The hardware used will be available over the shelf and the new user interface will be intuitive and much easier to use than the current interface.

AcknowledgementViking Pump has supplied the team with the test bed for the project and the control algorithm to be used to control the flow using inputs from the test bed.

Problem StatementGeneral Problem Statement

• User interface with the current flow manager is difficult to use and understand• Current flow manager is constructed of propitiatory parts and is not portable to other hardware

General Solution-approach Statement• Create a user interface which is intuitive to a common user and mimics the behavior of common pc applications• New software will be written using standard software which can be run on any hardware

Operating Environment• Factory floor• Long periods of use

Intended Users and Uses• Applications where the volume of fluid being pumped is sensitive and required to make an application successful, commonly used in factories

Assumptions• Inputs to the controller will be inlet and outlet pump pressure, fluid temperature, and pump speed• Parameters of the fluid being pumped such as viscosity at different temperatures will be known

Limitations• Controller must be able to operate in a real time environment• Software implementation must be portable to different hardware• Controller must control the flow of a fluid within .25% of a set point

Expected End Product• Prototype controller with

updated graphical interface

• Documentation and source

code

Pump Controller

Inputs from Model

Output PumpSpeed

Graphical Interface for User to Enter in and Read Data

Closure Material Closing Summary

Viking Pump needs an updated replacement which is cost effective and portable from one hardware platform to another. These characteristics will produce a product which will once again be a leader in the pump controller market.

Proposed Approaches and Considerations Proposed Approaches

• Identify and meet the requirement of the project• Identify accuracy of the flow• Identify speed need for processing • Design friendly user interface• Portable algorithm

Technologies Considered• Java programming language• C/C++ and C# programming languages• Tab based user interface• Browsing based user interface

Testing Considerations• Testing of code using simulation• Testing of circuitry using simulation• Final Testing on test bed

Project Requirements

Design Objectives• Future functionality • Simple design • Function in factory conditions • Backward compatible

Functional Requirements• Accurate flow control • Fast-processing • Interface with the required sensors • Store and interpret provided inputs • Provide a friendly user interface • Portable algorithm

Design Constraints• Reasonably low cost• Portable code• Durable and reliable

Milestones• Produce circuitry design• Produce working circuit• Complete control code• Complete GUI code• Complete PC interfacing code• Test the unit as a whole

Estimated Resources and SchedulePersonal Effort

Project Schedule

Other Resources ($70.00)• Document Printing $20• Components $40• Other $10

Financial Resources ($17,564.00)• Previous Team $ 8,270.00• Other Resources $ 70.00• Labor(11/ hr) $ 9,147.00

• Temperatures ranging from 40° to 120°F