Method and apparatus for determining the approximate flow rate of a fluid through a pump

摘要

A method and apparatus (10) are provided for determining the flow rate of a fluid through a pump (14) driven by an electric motor (16). The method includes determining an approximated relationship (46) between the electrical power consumption of the motor (16) and the flow rate of the fluid through the pump (14) by measuring the power consumption and the flow rate while running the pump (14) in test conditions and determining the approximated relationship (46) numerically. The flow rate is then determined when using the electric motor (16) and the pump (14) to pump fluid, by measuring the electrical power consumption of the motor (16) and using the measured electrical power consumption and the approximated relationship (46).