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 management center is configured to communicate with a controller for an energy consuming system at a remote location, to receive ambient temperature data corresponding to an ambient temperature at the remote location, to calculate a projected energy consumption value for at least one component of the energy consuming system based on the ambient temperature data, to receive an actual energy consumption value for the at least one component from the controller, to compare the actual energy consumption value with the projected energy consumption value, and to generate an output based on the comparison.

Abstract: A management center is configured to communicate with a controller for an energy consuming system at a remote location, to receive ambient temperature data corresponding to an ambient temperature at the remote location, to calculate a projected energy consumption value for at least one component of the energy consuming system based on the ambient temperature data, to receive an actual energy consumption value for the at least one component from the controller, to compare the actual energy consumption value with the projected energy consumption value, and to generate an output based on the comparison.

Abstract: A management center is configured to communicate with a refrigeration system controller for a refrigeration system at a remote location. The management center is configured to receive ambient temperature data corresponding to an ambient temperature at the remote location, to calculate a projected energy consumption value for at least one component of the refrigeration system based on the ambient temperature data, and to receive an actual energy consumption value for the at least one component from the refrigeration system controller. The management center is also configured to compare the actual energy consumption value with the projected energy consumption value and to generate an output based on the comparison.

Abstract: A management center is configured to communicate with a refrigeration system controller for a refrigeration system at a remote location. The management center is configured to receive ambient temperature data corresponding to an ambient temperature at the remote location, to calculate a projected energy consumption value for at least one component of the refrigeration system based on the ambient temperature data, and to receive an actual energy consumption value for the at least one component from the refrigeration system controller. The management center is also configured to compare the actual energy consumption value with the projected energy consumption value and to generate an output based on the comparison.

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 method and apparatus for refrigeration system control includes a control system operable to modulate a suction pressure of each of the refrigeration circuits by controlling an evaporator pressure regulator respectively associated with each of the refrigeration circuits independently of evaporator refrigerant superheat to meet cooling demand. A sensor assembly provides refrigeration case temperature and evaporator pressure regulator valve position data to the control system to determine cooling demand.

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 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 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 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 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 for improving system performance in a building environment according to the invention includes installing a temperature monitoring system for a refrigeration system, and performing a temperature audit on the refrigeration system. Temperature and pressure sensors are calibrated, and operating parameters of the refrigeration system are obtained. Pressure drop and efficiency tests are performed on at least one component of the refrigeration system, and operating pressures of at least one component are adjusted. System stability is tracked. In one embodiment, the building environment further includes an HVAC system and the method includes adjusting the HVAC system according to desired presets. In another embodiment, the building environment includes a lighting system and the method includes adjusting internal lighting levels of the lighting system to desired set points.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for transferring a measured level of liquefied refrigerant to a refrigeration system includes the steps of purging a calibration container; filling the calibration container with liquefied refrigerant from a liquefied refrigerant supply to a desired level; and charging a system with the liquefied refrigerant from the calibration container.

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 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 method for improving system performance in a building environment according to the invention includes installing a temperature monitoring system for a refrigeration system, and performing a temperature audit on the refrigeration system. Temperature and pressure sensors are calibrated, and operating parameters of the refrigeration system are obtained. Pressure drop and efficiency tests are performed on at least one component of the refrigeration system, and operating pressures of at least one component are adjusted. System stability is tracked. In one embodiment, the building environment further includes an HVAC system and the method includes adjusting the HVAC system according to desired presets. In another embodiment, the building environment includes a lighting system and the method includes adjusting internal lighting levels of the lighting system to desired set points.