Product simulating probe and method

• US 7,150,156 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2004
• Issued: 12/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Computer Process Controls Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Singh, Abtar, Chabucos, Jim, Rippe, Herb, Gatling, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Jiang, Chen Wen
• Application Number:
  US10/776,857
• Publication Number:
  US 20040159714A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: 62/80, 621/75, 625/10, 236/78, 236/51, 236/78.D, 236/78.R, 236/78.B, 374/134
• US Class Current: 62/80
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2400/075 with parallel compressors
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2400/22 Refrigeration systems for supermarkets
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/07 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2500/04 Calculation of parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/10 Sensors measuring the temperature of the evaporator
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/12 Sensors measuring the inside temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/123 more than one sensor measuring the inside temperature in a compartment
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/16 Sensors measuring the temperature of products
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2007/422 Dummy objects used for estimating temperature of real objects
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control

Abstract

A probe and method for simulating refrigerated product temperature includes a housing containing a thermal mass having thermo-physical properties similar to refrigerated food product, a temperature sensing element operable to measure the temperature of the thermal mass, and a transceiver in communication with the sensing element and operable to wirelessly transmit data from a refrigeration display case to a remote receiver.

Claims

1. A probe for simulating refrigerated product temperature in a refrigeration display case, comprising:

a housing including a thermal mass having thermo-physical properties similar to refrigerated food product contained therein;

a temperature sensing element operable to measure a temperature of said thermal mass; and

a communication device connected to said temperature sensing element and operable to wirelessly transmit measured temperature data from the refrigeration display case to a remote receiver;

wherein said housing includes a plate defining a first compartment housing said thermal mass and a second compartment housing said communication device.

2. The probe of claim 1, wherein said housing includes at least one magnet.

3. The probe of claim 2, wherein said at least one magnet is disposed within said housing, said magnets operable to removably attach said housing to the refrigeration display case.

4. The probe of claim 2, wherein said at least one magnet is mounted to an external surface of said housing, said magnets operable to removably attach said housing to the refrigeration display case.

5. The probe of claim 1, wherein said plate includes a channel allowing communication between said first compartment and said second compartment.

6. The probe of claim 5, wherein said temperature sensing element extends into said channel to monitor a temperature of said thermal mass.

7. The probe of claim 1, wherein said plate further includes a gasket, said gasket operable to seal said second compartment.

8. The probe of claim 1, wherein said communication device is a transmitter.

9. The probe of claim 1, wherein said communication device is a transceiver.

10. The probe of claim 1, wherein said housing includes an attachment mechanism slidably attached to an outer surface of said housing to selectively attach said housing to the refrigeration display cases.

11. The probe of claim 10, wherein said attachment mechanism includes an attachment bracket slidably attached to an external surface of said housing.

12. The probe of claim 11, wherein said bracket is fixedly attached to the refrigeration display case and is selectively attached to said housing.