Proofing a refrigeration system operating state

• US 7,665,315 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2005
• Issued: 02/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Copeland Cold Chain LP
• Original Assignee: Emerson Retail Services, Inc. (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Singh, Abtar, Churiwal, Pawan K., Woodworth, Stephen T.
• Primary Examiner(s): JIANG, CHEN WEN
• Application Number:
  US11/256,640
• Publication Number:
  US 20070089437A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,586 Days
• Field of Search: 621/25, 621/26, 621/27, 621/29, 621/49, 621/58, 622/82, 623/241
• US Class Current: 62/129
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2500/19 Calculation of parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/21 Refrigerant outlet evaporator temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/15 Power, e.g. by voltage or current
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/005 of safety devices F25B49/02 and F25B49/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/02 for compression type machines, plants or systems

Abstract

A method of proofing a refrigeration system operating state includes monitoring a change in operating state of a refrigeration system component, determining an expected operating parameter of the refrigeration system component as a function of the change, and detecting an actual operating parameter of the refrigeration system component after the change. The method also comprises comparing the actual operating parameter to the expected operating parameter of the refrigeration component and detecting a malfunction of the refrigeration system component based on the comparison. The method may be executed by a controller or stored in a computer-readable medium.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

monitoring a change in an operating state of a condenser fan of a refrigeration system;

determining an expected electrical current of said condenser fan as a function of said change in said operating state and a predetermined incremental electrical current;

detecting an actual electrical current of said condenser fan after said change in said operating state;

comparing said actual electrical current to said expected electrical current; and

detecting a malfunction of said condenser fan based on said comparison.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a notification based on said detecting said malfunction.

3. A controller configured with programming stored in a computer readable medium to execute the method of claim 2.

4. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for execution by a controller to perform the method of claim 2.

5. A controller configured with programming stored in a computer readable medium to execute the method of claim 1.

6. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for execution by a controller to perform the method of claim 1.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said change in said operating state includes said condenser fan turning on.

8. A method comprising:

monitoring a change in an operating state of a condenser fan of a refrigeration system;

determining an expected electrical power of said condenser fan as a function of said change in said operating state and a predetermined incremental electrical power;

detecting an actual electrical power of said condenser fan after said change in said operating state;

comparing said actual electrical power to said expected electrical power; and

detecting a malfunction of said condenser fan based on said comparison.

9. A controller configured with programming stored in a computer readable medium to execute the method of claim 8.

10. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for execution by a controller to perform the method of claim 8.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein said change in said operating state includes said condenser fan turning on.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising generating a notification based on said detecting said malfunction.

13. A method comprising:

monitoring a change in a desired speed of a condenser fan of a refrigeration system;

determining an expected electrical current of said condenser fan as a function of said change in said desired speed and a predetermined incremental electrical current;

detecting an actual electrical current of said condenser fan after said change in said desired speed;

comparing said actual electrical current to said expected electrical current; and

detecting a malfunction of said condenser fan based on said comparison.

14. A controller configured with programming stored in a computer readable medium to execute the method of claim 13.

15. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for execution by a controller to perform the method of claim 13.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising generating a notification based on said detecting said malfunction.