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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for refrigeration system control includes a control system operable to meet cooling demand and control suction pressure for a plurality of refrigeration circuits each including a variable valve and an expansion valve. The controller controls the variable valve independently of the expansion valves to meet cooling demand by determining a change in a measured parameter and controlling at least one of the variable valves based upon the change to an approximately fully open position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a food quality and safety monitoring system and method for evaluating food characteristic management for improving the safety of perishable food products for human consumption and the shelf life of perishable food product. A sensor within a refrigeration case may be continuously monitored by a controller to calculate a food characteristic index. The food characteristic index can be monitored over time to evaluate the food characteristic management of a particular store or group of stores.

Abstract: A controller comprises a first input that receives a signal indicating an energy consumption value of a compressor, a second input that receives a signal indicating an energy consumption value of a variable speed condenser fan, and an output that provides a control signal to the variable speed condenser fan. The controller also comprises a memory that stores a condenser set point, and a processor in communication with the input, output and memory and that modulates the condenser set-point to minimize energy consumption and controls the variable speed condenser fan based on the condenser set-point.

Abstract: A method includes calculating an energy consumption model for at least one component of a building system, accessing actual weather data, applying the actual weather data to the energy consumption model, and determining an expected energy consumption value for the at least one component of the building system based on the applying.

Abstract: A controller comprises a first input that receives a signal indicating an energy consumption value of a compressor, a second input that receives a signal indicating an energy consumption value of a condenser fan, and an output that provides a control signal to the condenser fan. The controller also comprises a memory that stores a condenser set point, and a processor in communication with the input, output and memory and that modulates the condenser set-point to minimize energy consumption and controls the condenser fan based on the condenser set-point.

Abstract: A method of managing a refrigeration system includes transmitting energy consumption, maintenance indicator, and food condition data from the refrigeration system to a management center; analyzing the energy consumption, maintenance indicator, and food condition data at the management center; and monitoring, diagnosing and prognosing the performance of the refrigeration system in response to the analysis. The method may also include altering a configuration of the refrigeration system in response to the analysis. The refrigeration system may be located at a retail location and the management center may be located remotely to the retail location.

Abstract: A system and method according to the invention includes a communication network and a food product manager in communication with a monitored location through the communication network, wherein the manager receives product-temperature condition information from the monitored location and determines a food characteristic for a refrigerated product as a function of a frequency and severity of the product-temperature condition information. The function may be a time-temperature calculation, a degree-minute calculation, or a bacteria-count calculation.

Abstract: A method for controlling refrigeration including a simulated product temperature sensor operable to measure a simulated product temperature from a refrigeration case and a transceiver in communication with said simulated product temperature sensor and operable to wirelessly transmit data. A receiver receives the wirelessly transmitted data and a controller in communication with the receiver controls the refrigeration system based upon the wirelessly transmitted data from the refrigeration case.

Abstract: A system and method for managing energy consumption of a building system includes a source of actual energy consumption data, a source of actual weather data, and a database correlating discrete weather data values with expected energy consumption values for at least one component of the building system. A computer accesses the actual weather data, actual energy consumption data and database, wherein the computer compares the expected energy consumption values with actual energy consumption data and generates an output based on the comparison. The expected energy consumption values are generated for the discrete weather data values using an energy consumption model that functionally relates discrete weather data values and design information for the building system component.

Abstract: A set-point monitoring system includes a controller for at least one piece of equipment operating at a set point and a monitor that communicates with the controller. At least one of the monitor and the controller receives a present value of the set point and compares the present value to a previous value or to a benchmark value. The monitor records the present value when the present value is different than the previous value. The monitor also determines a monetary cost based on the difference between the present value and the previous value or the difference between the present value and the benchmark value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for refrigeration system control includes an evaporator pressure regulator and sensor in communication with one of a plurality of refrigeration circuits. The sensor is operable to measure a parameter of the refrigeration circuit. A controller is operable to adaptively control a suction pressure of the compressor rack based upon the measured parameter, whereby the controller controls a circuit temperature for one of the plurality of circuits. Further, the controller is operable to control the electronic evaporator pressure regulator to control the temperature in the one of a plurality of refrigeration circuits by determining a change in the parameter and updating a set point based upon the change of parameter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for refrigeration system control includes a control system operable to meet cooling demand and control suction pressure for a plurality of refrigeration circuits each including a variable valve and an expansion valve. The controller controls the variable valve independently of the expansion valves to meet cooling demand by determining a change in a measured parameter and controlling at least one of the variable valves based upon the change to an approximately fully open position.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the food product and refrigeration system performance of a remote location includes a management center in communication with a remote location through a communication network. The management center receives performance information of the refrigeration system at a remote location. The management center employs software modules to analyze the performance information, diagnose system conditions, and provide alarms for food safety and quality issues, refrigeration system component failure, and indicate maintenance conditions.

Abstract: A system for monitoring equipment operating parameters of a remote system includes a monitor that communicates with a controller of the remote system, and at least one piece of equipment operable within the remote system, and that communicates with the controller. The equipment has at least one associated operating parameter. The monitor compares a present value of the associated operating parameter to a previous value to determine a difference therebetween. The difference is associated with a cost, measuring the cost of operating the equipment at the present operating parameter.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and managing a refrigeration system of a remote location includes a management center in communication with a refrigeration system through a communication network. The management center receives performance information of the refrigeration system. The management center employs software modules to analyze the performance information; diagnose system conditions; provide alarms for food safety issues, food quality issues and refrigeration system component failure; indicate maintenance conditions; and configure the refrigeration system.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a remote refrigeration system includes a plurality of sensors that monitor parameters of components of the refrigeration system and a communication network that transfers signals generated by each of the plurality of sensors. A management center receives the signals from the communication network and processes the signals to determine an operating condition of at least one of the components. The management center generates an alarm based on the operating condition.

Abstract: A probe and method for simulating product temperature includes a housing containing a thermal mass having thermo-physical properties similar to 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.

Abstract: A system and method for managing energy consumption of a building system includes a source of actual energy consumption data, a source of actual weather data, and a database correlating discrete weather data values with expected energy consumption values for at least one component of the building system. A computer accesses the actual weather data, actual energy consumption data and database, wherein the computer compares the expected energy consumption values with actual energy consumption data and generates an output based on the comparison. The expected energy consumption values are generated for the discrete weather data values using an energy consumption model that functionally relates discrete weather data values and design information for the building system component.

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.