Proofing a refrigeration system operating state

• US 20070089437A1
• Filed: 10/21/2005
• Published: 04/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Copeland Cold Chain LP
• Original Assignee: Emerson Retail Services, Inc. (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Singh, Abtar, Woodworth, Stephen, Churiwal, Pawan
• Granted Patent: US 7,665,315 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/129
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2500/19 Calculation of parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/21 Refrigerant outlet evaporator temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/15 Power, e.g. by voltage or current
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/005 of safety devices F25B49/02 and F25B49/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/02 for compression type machines, plants or systems

Abstract

A method of proofing a refrigeration system operating state includes monitoring a change in operating state of a refrigeration system component, determining an expected operating parameter of the refrigeration system component as a function of the change, and detecting an actual operating parameter of the refrigeration system component after the change. The method also comprises comparing the actual operating parameter to the expected operating parameter of the refrigeration component and detecting a malfunction of the refrigeration system component based on the comparison. The method may be executed by a controller or stored in a computer-readable medium.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

monitoring a change in operating state of a refrigeration system component;

determining an expected operating parameter of said refrigeration system component as a function of said change;

detecting an actual operating parameter of said refrigeration system component after said change;

comparing said actual operating parameter to said expected operating parameter of said refrigeration component; and

detecting a malfunction of said refrigeration system component based on said comparison.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said refrigeration system component comprises a compressor of said refrigeration system and said actual operating parameter comprises a discharge temperature of said compressor, and wherein said expected operating parameter is based on a predetermined incremental temperature.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said refrigeration system component comprises a condenser fan of a condenser of said refrigeration system and said actual operating parameter comprises a condenser fan electrical current, and wherein said expected operating parameter is based on predetermined incremental electrical current.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising generating a notification based on said detecting said malfunction.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising generating a notification based on said detecting said malfunction.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said refrigeration system component comprises a condenser fan of a condenser of said refrigeration system and said actual operating parameter comprises a condenser fan control signal, and wherein said expected operating parameter is based on a predetermined incremental control signal amount.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said refrigeration system component comprises a condenser fan of a condenser of said refrigeration system and said actual operating parameter comprises a condenser fan electrical power, and wherein said expected operating parameter is based on a predetermined incremental electrical power.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said refrigeration system component comprises a condenser fan of a condenser of said refrigeration system, said operating state comprises a desired condenser fan speed, and said actual operating parameter comprises a condenser fan voltage frequency, and wherein said expected operating parameter is based on said desired condenser fan speed.

9. A controller executing the method of claim 1.

10. A controller executing the method of claim 2.

11. A controller executing the method of claim 3.

12. A controller executing the method of claim 4.

13. A controller executing the method of claim 5.

14. A controller executing the method of claim 6.

15. A controller executing the method of claim 7.

16. A controller executing the method of claim 8.

17. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 1.

18. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 2.

19. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 3.

20. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 4.

21. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 5.

22. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 6.

23. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 7.

24. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 8.