REFRIGERATION MONITOR UNIT

• US 20110130887A1
• Filed: 02/09/2011
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gregory Allen Sr. Ehlers
• Original Assignee: Gregory Allen Sr. Ehlers
• Inventors: Ehlers, Gregory Allen SR.
• Application Number:
  US13/023,856
• Publication Number:
  US 20110130887A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/296
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/005 of safety devices F25B49/02 and F25B49/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00016 using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00024 by means of mobile telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00026 involving a local wireless network, e.g. Wi-Fi, ZigBee or Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/64 The condition being economic, e.g. tariff based load management
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/244 the home appliances being or involving heating ventilating and air conditioning [HVAC] units
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/126 using wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/10 Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid

Abstract

A control unit is attached to or embedded within a refrigeration appliance to monitor electric power voltage and/or frequency supplied by the mains. If the unit detects a sag or peak in either the voltage or frequency, the control unit either separates any high demand elements of the appliance from the mains to reduce demand in a sag or energizes the elements in a peak. When the control system separates the refrigeration compressor from the mains, a food spoilage monitoring system monitors the food storage compartments. This system utilizes food industry temperature and time algorithms to ensure the food does not spoil. If food spoilage could occur, the unit re-energizes the compressor to allow it to lower the temperature provided the power is sufficient to operate the compressor unit without damaging it. Once the sensed temperature is restored to a safe level, the unit separates the compressor from the mains.

Claims

1. A method of limiting the demand for electricity from an electricity delivery system by a refrigeration appliance having at least one refrigerated compartment, comprising:

monitoring a characteristic of the electricity delivery system

interrupting the supply of electricity to the refrigeration appliance when the characteristic exceeds a threshold;

monitoring a sensed condition within the compartment after interruption of the supply of electricity;

calculating a time when food spoilage will occur within the compartment during the interruption of electricity to the refrigeration appliance based upon the sensed condition; and

reconnecting the supply of electricity to the refrigeration appliance to prevent food spoilage even when the characteristic exceeds the threshold.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the sensed condition in the compartment is temperature.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the characteristic of the electricity delivery system is at least one of voltage or frequency of the electricity.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of calculating when food spoilage will occur includes monitoring the sensed condition over a period of time following the interruption of electricity to the refrigeration appliance.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of reconnecting the supply of electricity to the refrigeration appliance when the characteristic of electricity no longer exceeds the threshold.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the refrigeration appliance is reconnected to the supply of electricity to prevent food spoilage in the compartment.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of operating the refrigeration appliance when the characteristic of electricity exceeds a second threshold.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the refrigeration appliance is operated to reduce the voltage or frequency along the electricity delivery system.

4. (canceled)

10. A refrigeration appliance configured to be connected to an electricity delivery system comprising

at least one compartment configured to receive food;

an appliance controller configured to control operating conditions within the compartment;

a sensor configured to sense a condition within the compartment; and

a monitoring circuit in communication with the sensor and configured to be connected to the electricity delivery system and operable to monitor a characteristic of the electricity delivery system and to determine when food spoilage will occur within the compartment,

wherein the monitoring circuit is operable to disconnect the refrigeration appliance from the electricity delivery system when the condition of the electricity delivery system exceeds a threshold and to reconnect the supply of electricity to the refrigeration appliance to prevent food spoilage even when the characteristic exceeds the threshold.

11. The refrigeration appliance of claim 10 wherein the sensed condition is temperature.

12. The refrigeration appliance of claim 10 wherein the characteristic of the electricity delivery system is voltage or frequency.

13. The refrigeration appliance of claim 10 wherein the monitoring circuit is operable to determine a time when food spoilage will occur based upon the sensed condition.

14. The refrigeration appliance of claim 13 wherein the monitoring circuit is operable to reconnect the refrigeration appliance to the electricity delivery system to prevent food spoilage based upon the determined time when food spoilage will occur.

15. A method of limiting the demand for electricity from an electricity delivery system by a refrigeration appliance having at least one temperature controlled compartment, comprising:

monitoring a characteristic of the electricity delivery system;

interrupting the supply of electricity to the refrigeration appliance to limit the demand for electricity when the characteristic exceeds a threshold;

monitoring the sensed condition following the interruption of electricity;

determining when food spoilage will occur within the compartment; and

reconnecting the supply of electricity to the refrigeration appliance to prevent food spoilage even when the characteristic exceeds the threshold.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the sensed condition in the compartment is temperature.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of determining the time when food spoilage will occur includes monitoring the sensed condition over a period of time following the interruption of electricity to the refrigeration appliance.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of instantaneously engaging the refrigeration appliance when the characteristic of the electricity exceeds a second threshold.