Abstract: A food thawing apparatus includes a cabinet structure defining a thawing chamber, and at least one air mover and associated air flow structure for causing an air flow through the thawing chamber. At least one air heating element is positioned for heating the air flow. At least one shelf is positioned within the thawing chamber for supporting a food product in the thawing chamber, the shelf including at least one integrated shelf heating element. A control system is configured for controlling the air mover, the air heating element and the shelf heating element so as to thaw the food product.

Abstract: A food preparation table system includes a housing including a food item holding arrangement defining multiple food pan receiving locations. At least one food pan is located in one of the food pan receiving locations. A cooling system is provided for cooling the food pan. The food pan includes a wall at least in part defining a food receiving volume, a thermowell extending inward from the wall into the food receiving volume and a temperature sensor positioned within the thermowell. A food pan is also provided.

Abstract: A method, and related refrigerated device, is provided for controlling a heater element of a refrigerated device having a compartment including an access door engageable with a perimeter of a compartment opening when the door is closed and a refrigeration circuit for cooling the compartment to a set point temperature, wherein the heater element heats a surface of the perimeter of the compartment opening to inhibit formation of condensation on the surface. The method involves: determining a temperature and relative humidity of ambient air surrounding the refrigerated device; determining a dew point temperature of the ambient air based upon the temperature and the relative humidity of the ambient air; and defining an energization level for the heater element based at least in part upon each of (i) the determined dew point temperature, (ii) the temperature of the ambient air and (iii) the set point temperature of the compartment.

Abstract: A food thawing apparatus includes a cabinet structure defining a thawing chamber accessible by at least one door, and a plurality of air movers and associated air flow structure configured for causing air flow through the thawing chamber such that multiple air flow circuits are set up within the cabinet structure. The cabinet structure defines a vertically extending flow section alongside the thawing chamber. A refrigeration system includes a condenser section and an evaporator section. In one example, the multiple air flow circuits include: a first air flow circuit that runs through the flow section, into and through the thawing chamber, into and through the evaporator section and back to the flow section; and a second air flow circuit from the flow section, through a first set of the plurality of shelves and back to the flow section, without passing through the evaporator section.

Abstract: A refrigerated device includes a compartment including an access door. A refrigeration circuit for cooling the compartment includes an evaporator coil with an associated evaporator fan and a condenser with an associated condenser fan. A temperature sensor is provided for indicating a compartment temperature within the compartment. A controller is configured to: (i) monitor the compartment temperature in order to approximate a number of door openings, (ii) compare the approximated number of door openings to a data point and (iii) take a control action based upon a certain result of the comparison.

Abstract: A refrigerated device includes a compartment including an access door, and a door sensor for identifying an open condition of the access door. A refrigeration circuit for cooling the compartment includes an evaporator coil with an associated evaporator fan and a condenser with an associated condenser fan. At least one heat source is selectively activatable to provide heat. A controller is configured to selectively activate the heat source based upon an approximated an amount of water that enters the compartment during door open conditions.

Abstract: A refrigerated device is configured to enhance condensate evaporation and includes a compartment including an access door, a refrigeration circuit for cooling the compartment, the refrigeration circuit including an evaporator coil and a condenser with an associated condenser fan, and a condensate pan for capturing condensate from the evaporator coil. At least one first air flow path is provided from a pressure side of the condenser fan, into and along at least part of the condensate pan and then to a suction side of the condenser fan. At least one second air flow path is provided from the pressure side of the condenser fan, into and along at least part the condensate pan and then back to the pressure side of the condenser fan.

Abstract: A food thawing apparatus includes a cabinet structure defining a thawing chamber, and at least one air mover and associated air flow structure for causing an air flow through the thawing chamber. At least one air heating element is positioned for heating the air flow. At least one shelf is positioned within the thawing chamber for supporting a food product in the thawing chamber, the shelf including at least one integrated shelf heating element. A control system is configured for controlling the air mover, the air heating element and the shelf heating element so as to thaw the food product.

Abstract: A method of automatically controlling a refrigerated device that includes a refrigeration system with an evaporator and an evaporator temperature sensor involves: (a) monitoring an output of the evaporator temperature sensor; (b) based upon monitored temperatures from (a), identifying when a rate of change in temperature indicated by the evaporator temperature sensor satisfies a set rate of change condition and determining if the temperature indicated by the evaporator temperature sensor when the rate of change satisfies to the set rate of change condition is consistent with a predefined expected temperature condition; (c) if the temperature indicated by the evaporator temperature sensor is consistent with the predefined expected temperature condition, taking a first refrigeration control action; and (d) if the temperature indicated by the evaporator temperature sensor is not consistent with the predefined expected temperature condition, taking a second refrigeration control action that is different than the

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a refrigeration system is disclosed. The system includes a cooled compartment, at least one heat source selectively activated to provide heat, at least one sensor, and a controller. The sensor detects a temperature and a relative humidity of ambient air that surrounds the cooled compartment. The controller is in communication with the at least one heat source and the at least one sensor. The controller includes logic for calculating a dew point temperature based on the temperature and the relative humidity. The controller also includes logic for selecting a region of operation based on at least one of the dew point temperature and the relative humidity, where the region of operation is representative of ambient conditions that surround the cooled compartment. The controller further includes logic for determining if the at least one heat source is activated based on the region of operation.

Abstract: A food preparation table system includes a housing including a food item holding arrangement defining multiple food pan receiving locations. At least one food pan is located in one of the food pan receiving locations. A cooling system is provided for cooling the food pan. The food pan includes a wall at least in part defining a food receiving volume, a thermowell extending inward from the wall into the food receiving volume and a temperature sensor positioned within the thermowell. A food pan is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a refrigeration system is disclosed. The system includes a cooled compartment, at least one heat source selectively activated to provide heat, at least one sensor, and a controller. The sensor detects a temperature and a relative humidity of ambient air that surrounds the cooled compartment. The controller is in communication with the at least one heat source and the at least one sensor. The controller includes logic for calculating a dew point temperature based on the temperature and the relative humidity. The controller also includes logic for selecting a region of operation based on at least one of the dew point temperature and the relative humidity, where the region of operation is representative of ambient conditions that surround the cooled compartment. The controller further includes logic for determining if the at least one heat source is activated based on the region of operation.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a refrigeration system is disclosed. The system includes a cooled compartment, at least one heat source selectively activated to provide heat, at least one sensor, and a controller. The sensor detects a temperature and a relative humidity of ambient air that surrounds the cooled compartment. The controller is in communication with the at least one heat source and the at least one sensor. The controller includes logic for calculating a dew point temperature based on the temperature and the relative humidity. The controller also includes logic for selecting a region of operation based on at least one of the dew point temperature and the relative humidity, where the region of operation is representative of ambient conditions that surround the cooled compartment. The controller further includes logic for determining if the at least one heat source is activated based on the region of operation.

Abstract: A fueling data collection unit associated with a fuel transfer apparatus and for use with a system for managing fueling transactions of a fleet operator using fuel transfer apparatuses at one or more locations includes a fueling data interface module and a temperature compensation module. The temperature compensation module compensates for a volume variance of the fuel as a result of temperature variance from the standard temperature data to determine a volume correction factor at the measured fuel temperature, while the temperature compensation module uses the measured fuel temperature to determine a compensated, more accurate volume and/or mass of fuel dispensed through the fuel meter. In this way, the fuel data collection unit can accurately measure the volume and/or mass of fuel being delivered. This allows the provider and the recipient to more accurately sell/buy what was actually delivered and can avoid over-filling a fueling order.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a refrigeration system is disclosed. The system includes a cooled compartment, at least one heat source selectively activated to provide heat, at least one sensor, and a controller. The sensor detects a temperature and a relative humidity of ambient air that surrounds the cooled compartment. The controller is in communication with the at least one heat source and the at least one sensor. The controller includes logic for calculating a dew point temperature based on the temperature and the relative humidity. The controller also includes logic for selecting a region of operation based on at least one of the dew point temperature and the relative humidity, where the region of operation is representative of ambient conditions that surround the cooled compartment. The controller further includes logic for determining if the at least one heat source is activated based on the region of operation.

Abstract: A fueling data collection unit associated with a fuel transfer apparatus and for use with a system for managing fueling transactions of a fleet operator using fuel transfer apparatuses at one or more locations includes a fueling data interface module and a temperature compensation module. The temperature compensation module compensates for a volume variance of the fuel as a result of temperature variance from the standard temperature data to determine a volume correction factor at the measured fuel temperature, while the temperature compensation module uses the measured fuel temperature to determine a compensated, more accurate volume and/or mass of fuel dispensed through the fuel meter. In this way, the fuel data collection unit can accurately measure the volume and/or mass of fuel being delivered. This allows the provider and the recipient to more accurately sell/buy what was actually delivered and can avoid over-filling a fueling order.

Abstract: A fueling data collection unit associated with a fuel transfer apparatus and for use with a system for managing fueling transactions of a fleet operator using fuel transfer apparatuses at one or more locations includes a fueling data interface module and a temperature compensation module. The temperature compensation module compensates for a volume variance of the fuel as a result of temperature variance from the standard temperature data to determine a volume correction factor at the measured fuel temperature, while the temperature compensation module uses the measured fuel temperature to determine a compensated, more accurate volume and/or mass of fuel dispensed through the fuel meter. In this way, the fuel data collection unit can accurately measure the volume and/or mass of fuel being delivered. This allows the provider and the recipient to more accurately sell/buy what was actually delivered and can avoid over-filling a fueling order.

Abstract: A battery-powered fueling data collection unit for use with a meter and a register associated with a fuel transfer apparatus and for use with a system for managing fueling transactions of a fleet operator using fuel transfer apparatuses at multiple locations includes a fueling data interface module for receiving fueling information from the fueling meter and/or register and an internal battery power source. A processor is provided for monitoring the power level in the battery and for detecting if the power level in the battery drops below a threshold amount. Also, a communications module is provided for wirelessly forwarding an alert to a remote computer to alert the remote computer that the battery power is low.

Abstract: A fueling data collection unit associated with a fuel transfer apparatus and for use with a system for managing fueling transactions of a fleet operator using fuel transfer apparatuses at one or more locations includes a fueling data interface module and a temperature compensation module. The temperature compensation module compensates for a volume variance of the fuel as a result of temperature variance from the standard temperature data to determine a volume correction factor at the measured fuel temperature, while the temperature compensation module uses the measured fuel temperature to determine a compensated, more accurate volume and/or mass of fuel dispensed through the fuel meter. In this way, the fuel data collection unit can accurately measure the volume and/or mass of fuel being delivered. This allows the provider and the recipient to more accurately sell/buy what was actually delivered and can avoid over-filling a fueling order.

Abstract: A battery-powered fueling data collection unit for use with a meter and a register associated with a fuel transfer apparatus and for use with a system for managing fueling transactions of a fleet operator using fuel transfer apparatuses at multiple locations includes a fueling data interface module for receiving fueling information from the fueling meter and/or register and an internal battery power source. A processor is provided for monitoring the power level in the battery and for detecting if the power level in the battery drops below a threshold amount. Also, a communications module is provided for wirelessly forwarding an alert to a remote computer to alert the remote computer that the battery power is low.