Energy Management System

• US 20110296852A1
• Filed: 02/03/2010
• Published: 12/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DFX Technology Limited
• Original Assignee: DFX Technology Limited
• Inventors: Wyn-Davies, Alan, Hopewell, Simon
• Granted Patent: US 9,046,290 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/56
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/12 Sensors measuring the inside temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices

Abstract

An energy management system for use with a temperature controlled unit for food or beverages. A sensor is provided that comprises means to measure a temperature in the temperature controlled unit, and means to transmit wirelessly the measured temperature to a controller. The controller comprising a memory for storing data, and a processor arranged to control electric power to the temperature controlled unit on the basis of a combination of the measured temperature and the stored data. The stored data defines at least two time periods in which a first temperature is required in the first time period, and a second, different temperature is required during the second time period.

Claims

1. An energy management system for use with a temperature controlled unit for food or beverages, the energy management system comprising:

a sensor comprising means to measure a temperature in the temperature controlled unit, and means to transmit wirelessly the measured temperature to a controller;

a controller comprising a memory for storing data, and a processor arranged to control electric power to the temperature controlled unit on the basis of a combination of the measured temperature and the stored data, the stored data defining at least two time periods in which a first temperature is required in the first time period, and a second, different temperature is required during the second time period.

2. The energy management system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises means for fitting the sensor such that it measures the temperature in one of a chilled cabinet, a cooler bath, a product line, a python, an ice making machine and a climate controlled environment.

3. The energy management system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is arranged to cut the electric power to the temperature controlled unit in the event that a measured temperature falls below a first predetermined threshold, and restore electric power to the temperature controlled unit in the event that a measured temperature exceeds a second predetermined threshold.

4. The energy management system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is arranged to cut the electric power to the temperature controlled unit in the event that a measured temperature rises above a first predetermined threshold, and restore electric power to the temperature controlled unit in the event that a measured temperature falls below a second predetermined threshold.

5. The energy management system according to claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises means for a user to input data, wherein the stored data comprises data input using the means for a user to input data.

6. The energy management system according to claim 1, wherein the memory is configured for storing historical data, and the processor is arranged to control electric power to the temperature controlled unit on the further basis of the historical data.

7. The energy management system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is arranged to be interposed between the temperature controlled unit and a power supply providing electric power to the temperature controlled unit.

8. The energy management system according to claim 1, wherein the first temperature is chosen to inhibit degradation of the food or beverage, and the second temperature is chosen to maintain the food or beverage at a temperature required for consumption of the food or beverage.

9. The energy management system according to claim 1, wherein the time periods comprise any combination of daily, weekly, monthly and yearly time periods.

10. A temperature controlled unit for controlling the temperature of food or beverages, the temperature controlled unit comprising the energy management system according to claim 1.

11. The temperature controlled unit according to claim 10, wherein the temperature controlled unit is selected from a temperature controlled unit for cooling a food or beverage, and a temperature controlled unit for heating a food or beverage.

12. A method of retrofitting an energy management system to a temperature controlled unit for food or beverages, the method comprising:

locating in the temperature controlled unit a sensor comprising means to measure a temperature and means to transmit wirelessly the measured temperature to a controller; and

interposing between the temperature controlled unit and a power supply the controller, the controller being arranged to control electric power to the temperature controlled unit, at least in part, on the basis of the measured temperature.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising locating the sensor such that it measures the temperature in one of a chilled cabinet, product line, python and a cooler bath in the temperature controlled unit.

14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

cutting the electric power to the temperature controlled unit in the event that a measured temperature falls below a first predetermined threshold; and

restoring the electric power to the temperature controlled unit in the event that a measured temperature exceeds a second predetermined threshold.

15. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

cutting the electric power to the temperature controlled unit in the event that a measured temperature rises above a first predetermined threshold; and

restoring the electric power to the temperature controlled unit in the event that a measured temperature falls below a second predetermined threshold.

16. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

storing in a memory at the controller any of historical data and user input data; and

controlling electric power to the temperature controlled unit on the basis of any combination of the measured temperature, the historical data and the user input data.

17. A cooler for cooling food or beverages, the cooler comprising:

primary cooling means;

secondary cooling means;

a controller for controlling a power to at least the secondary cooling means;

wherein the controller is arranged during a first time period to provide power to both the primary and secondary cooling means, and during a second time period to provide intermittent power to the secondary cooling means.

18. The cooler according to claim 17, wherein the primary cooling means comprises a refrigeration unit for cooling air, and the secondary cooling means comprises a fan for circulating the cooled air around the food or beverages.

19. The cooler according to claim 17, wherein the primary cooling means comprises a cooled bath of fluid, and the secondary cooling means comprises a pump connected to a pipe, the pipe being arranged to draw cooled fluid from the cooled bath of fluid, the pipe being disposed substantially adjacent to the food or beverage such that cooled fluid in the pipe cools the food or beverage.

20. The cooler according to claim 17, wherein the primary cooling means comprises an ice making unit, and the secondary cooling means comprises means to more evenly distribute ice made using the ice making unit over a heat exchanger plate.

21-36. -36. (canceled)