BUILD-UP MONITORING SYSTEM FOR REFRIGERATED ENCLOSURES

• US 20080196419A1
• Filed: 02/14/2008
• Published: 08/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Serge Dube
• Original Assignee: Serge Dube
• Inventors: DUBE, Serge
• Application Number:
  US12/031,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20080196419A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/80
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 21/14 Collecting or removing condensed and defrost water; Drip trays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/008 Alarm devices

Abstract

A build-up monitoring system in combination with a refrigerated enclosure comprises a refrigerated enclosure having a drain, a drain basin and a refrigeration unit adapted to maintain refrigerating conditions in the refrigerated enclosure. A build-up detector is positioned with respect to the refrigerated enclosure so as to monitor a level of build-up in the drain/drain basin. A condition analyzer receives detection data from the build-up detector, the condition analyzer identifying from the detection data a build-up in the drain/drain basin requiring an intervention. An interface indicates the requirement for the intervention. A method is provided to identify a build-up requiring an intervention in a drain/drain basin of a refrigerated enclosure.

Claims

1. A build-up monitoring system in combination with a refrigerated enclosure, comprising:

a refrigerated enclosure having a drain, a drain basin and a refrigeration unit adapted to maintain refrigerating conditions in the refrigerated enclosure;

a build-up detector positioned with respect to the refrigerated enclosure so as to monitor a level of build-up in the drain/drain basin;

a condition analyzer for receiving detection data from the build-up detector, the condition analyzer identifying from the detection data a build-up in the drain/drain basin requiring an intervention; and

an interface for indicating the requirement for the intervention.

2. The build-up monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the build-up detector is at least one temperature sensor, the detection data being a temperature value associated with the level of build-up in the drain/drain basin.

3. The build-up monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the build-up detector is at least one optical switch, the detection data being a visual detection of a build-up in the drain/drain basin.

4. The build-up monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the build-up detector is wirelessly connected to the condition analyzer.

5. The build-up monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising a database for storing comparative data, such that the condition analyzer identifies a build-up from the detection data as a function of the comparative data.

6. The build-up monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising an alarm for indicating the requirement for the intervention.

7. The build-up monitoring system according to claim 6, wherein the alarm is located remotely from the refrigerated enclosure.

8. A method for identifying a build-up requiring an intervention in a drain/drain basin of a refrigerated enclosure, comprising:

positioning a build-up detector in the refrigerated enclosure;

monitoring detection data from the build-up detector;

identifying a build-up condition by comparing the detection data with at least one predetermined parameter value for a given time period; and

indicating the requirement for an intervention from the build-up condition.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein monitoring detection data comprises monitoring a temperature in the drain/drain basin of the refrigerated enclosure, and identifying a build-up condition comprises comparing the temperature with at least one predetermined temperature value.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein comparing the temperature with at least one predetermined temperature value comprises determining that the temperature is above/below the at least one predetermined temperature value for said given time period.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein comparing the temperature with at least one predetermined temperature value comprises determining that the temperature is outside a selected range of temperature values for said given time period.

12. The method according to claim 8, further comprising pausing the monitoring of detection data for a maintenance period.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein pausing for a maintenance period comprises pausing during a defrost cycle of a refrigerated enclosure.

14. The method according to claim 8, wherein monitoring detection data comprises visually monitoring the drain/drain basin of the refrigerated enclosure, and identifying a build-up condition comprises comparing a visual monitoring signal with an unobstructed signal value.

15. The method according to claim 8, wherein indicating the requirement for an intervention comprises alarming off-site personnel.

16. The method according to claim 8, wherein monitoring detection data comprises monitoring a temperature in the drain/drain basin of the refrigerated enclosure, and identifying a build-up condition comprises comparing a variation of the temperature over the time period with an acceptable temperature variation value.