Compressor system for vending devices and the like
First Claim
1. A vending machine, comprising:
- a product storage compartment configured to store products to be vended in an essentially vertical orientation such that products are vended from a bottom of the product storage compartment;
a variable capacity refrigeration system providing cooling to the product storage compartment;
a plurality of temperature sensors positioned at different vertical positions within the product storage compartment; and
a controller in communication with the plurality of temperature sensors to receive temperature information for the different vertical positions within the product storage compartment, the controller operatively coupled to the variable capacity refrigeration system to control operation thereof; and
wherein the controller operates the variable capacity refrigeration system to maintain the product storage compartment at a predetermined vend temperature for a predetermined learning period of time;
wherein the controller monitors an amount of products vended by the vending machine during the learning period to construct a vend profile; and
wherein the controller operates the variable capacity refrigeration system in accordance with the vend profile.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An variable capacity compressor system operated by an adaptive energy usage management and thermal control system is provided to reduce the energy consumption and cost of operation of a vending machine. The variable capacity refrigeration system of the present invention includes the use of a variable or multi-speed compressor, a plurality of fixed capacity or speed compressors arranged in a compressor bank, a variable or multi-speed speed compressor with a plurality of refrigeration coils placed in vertical strata levels within the storage compartment, a plurality of fixed capacity or speed compressors arranged in a compressor bank with a plurality of refrigeration coils placed in vertical strata levels within the storage compartment operated by individual refrigerant media control valves, or a plurality of compressors with a plurality of refrigeration coils placed in vertical strata levels within the storage compartment coupled individually to a corresponding compressor, or combinations thereof.
103 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A vending machine, comprising:
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a product storage compartment configured to store products to be vended in an essentially vertical orientation such that products are vended from a bottom of the product storage compartment;
a variable capacity refrigeration system providing cooling to the product storage compartment;
a plurality of temperature sensors positioned at different vertical positions within the product storage compartment; and
a controller in communication with the plurality of temperature sensors to receive temperature information for the different vertical positions within the product storage compartment, the controller operatively coupled to the variable capacity refrigeration system to control operation thereof; and
wherein the controller operates the variable capacity refrigeration system to maintain the product storage compartment at a predetermined vend temperature for a predetermined learning period of time;
wherein the controller monitors an amount of products vended by the vending machine during the learning period to construct a vend profile; and
wherein the controller operates the variable capacity refrigeration system in accordance with the vend profile. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A vending machine, comprising:
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a product storage compartment configured to store products to be vended;
a variable capacity refrigeration system configured to provide temperature regulation to the product storage compartment;
a controller operatively coupled to the variable capacity refrigeration system to control operation thereof; and
wherein the controller operates the variable capacity refrigeration system to maintain at least a portion of the product storage compartment at a predetermined vend temperature. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A vending machine having a product storage compartment configured to store products to be vended therefrom, comprising a variable capacity refrigeration system configured to provide temperature regulation of at least a portion of the product storage compartment.
Specification