System for monitoring optimal equipment operating parameters

• US 20060020426A1
• Filed: 05/02/2005
• Published: 01/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emerson Digital Cold Chain Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Abtar Singh
• Inventors: Singh, Abtar
• Granted Patent: US 7,844,366 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/005 of safety devices F25B49/02 and F25B49/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A set-point monitoring system includes a controller for at least one piece of equipment operating at a set point and a monitor that communicates with the controller. At least one of the monitor and the controller receives a present value of the set point and compares the present value to a previous value or to a benchmark value. The monitor records the present value when the present value is different than the previous value. The monitor also determines a monetary cost based on the difference between the present value and the previous value or the difference between the present value and the benchmark value.

Claims

1. A set-point monitoring system comprising:

a controller associated with at least one piece of equipment operating at an associated set point; and

a monitor in communication with said controller;

wherein at least one of said monitor and said controller receives a present value of said associated set point and compares said present value to a previous value of said associated set point and wherein said monitor records said present value when said present value is different than said previous value.

2. The set-point monitor system of claim 1 wherein said controller receives said present value, compares said present value to said previous value and notifies said monitor when said present value is different than said previous value.

3. The set-point monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said monitor maintains a database of set-point information comprising present values of set points for multiple pieces of equipment.

4. The set-point monitoring system of claim 3 wherein said database of set-point information is accessible to a communication network.

5. The set-point monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said monitor determines a monetary cost based on a difference between said present value and said previous value.

6. The set-point monitoring system of claim 5 wherein said monitor associates a change in power consumption with said difference between said present value and said previous value.

7. The set-point monitoring system of claim 6 wherein said monitor determines said monetary cost based on said change in power consumption and a predetermined power consumption cost rate.

8. The set-point monitoring system of claim 6 further comprising a database of power consumption cost rates accessible to said monitor wherein said monitor retrieves a power consumption cost rate from said database and determines said monetary cost based on said change in power consumption and said power consumption cost rate.

9. The set-point monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said associated set point includes at least one of a temperature or pressure value and said at least one piece of equipment is selected from the group comprising:

an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, a condenser fan, an EPR valve, and a receiver.

10. The set-point monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said associated set point is selected from the group comprising:

a pressure, a temperature, a suction float point, a minimum float point, a maximum float point, a suction group pressure, a control sensor offset, an ambient sensor offset, a minimum head pressure, an air-cooled condenser fan speed, a hold-back valve pressure, an evaporator condenser sump temperature, a pressure from a receiver pressurization valve, a pressure from an EPR valve, a suction pressure, and a discharge pressure.

11. A set-point monitoring system comprising:

a controller associated with at least one piece of equipment operating at an associated set point; and

a monitor in communication with said controller;

wherein said monitor receives a present value of said associated set point, compares said present value of said associated set point to a benchmark set point, determines a power consumption difference based on said benchmark set point and said present value, and calculates a monetary cost based on said power consumption difference.

12. The set-point monitoring system of claim 11 wherein said monitor determines said monetary cost based on said power consumption difference and a predetermined power consumption cost rate.

13. The set-point monitoring system of claim 11 wherein said associated set point includes at least one of a temperature or pressure value and said at least one piece of equipment is selected from the group comprising:

an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, a condenser fan, an EPR valve, and a receiver.

14. The set-point monitoring system of claim 11 wherein said associated set point is selected from the group comprising:

a pressure, a temperature, a suction float point, a minimum float point, a maximum float point, a suction group pressure, a control sensor offset, an ambient sensor offset, a minimum head pressure, an air-cooled condenser fan speed, a hold-back valve pressure, an evaporator condenser sump temperature, a pressure from a receiver pressurization valve, a pressure from an EPR valve, a suction pressure, and a discharge pressure.

15. A method comprising:

monitoring a set point associated with at least one piece of equipment;

comparing a present value of said set point and a previous value of said set point;

recording said present value when said present value is different than said previous value;

determining a power consumption cost rate for said at least one piece of equipment;

determining a power consumption difference based on said present value and said previous value; and

calculating a monetary cost based on said power consumption cost rate and said power consumption difference.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said previous value is a benchmark set point.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein said determining a power consumption cost rate comprises accessing a database of power consumption cost rates.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said database of power consumption cost rates is accessed based on a location of said at least one piece of equipment.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein said set point includes at least one of a temperature or pressure value and said at least one piece of equipment is selected from the group comprising:

an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, a condenser fan, an EPR valve, and a receiver.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein said set point is selected from the group comprising:

a pressure, a temperature, a suction float point, a minimum float point, a maximum float point, a suction group pressure, a control sensor offset, an ambient sensor offset, a minimum head pressure, an air-cooled condenser fan speed, a hold-back valve pressure, an evaporator condenser sump temperature, a pressure from a receiver pressurization valve, a pressure from an EPR valve, a suction pressure, and a discharge pressure.