Abstract: A refrigeration system including an evaporator, a suction header in fluid communication with the evaporator, a compressor in fluid communication with the suction header, and a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor and the evaporator. The refrigeration system further including a controller operable to control the compressor and a sensor coupled to the compressor. The sensor is operable to acquire a parameter for the compressor. The method of operating the refrigeration system includes acquiring a value for the parameter with the sensor, and determining if the sensor is faulty.

Abstract: A refrigeration system including a compressor, condenser, valve, and evaporator in fluid communication; a system controller operable to control one or more aspects of the refrigeration system, and a subsystem controller in communication with the system controller. The subsystem controller is operable to control one of the compressor, condenser, valve, and evaporator. A method of operating the refrigeration system includes communicating a code from the subsystem controller to the system controller, obtaining information at the system controller having a relation to the code; and communicating at least a portion of the obtained information from the system controller to the subsystem controller.

Abstract: A network including a master device and a slave device in communication with the master. The slave includes (n) input terminals adapted to receive a (n)-bit input, and (n) output terminals adapted to communicate a (n)-bit output. The network further includes a processor and memory electrically connected to the (n) input and (n) output terminals. The memory is configurable to include a block consisting of 2(n) sub-blocks, each sub-block having (n) bits.

Abstract: A refrigeration system including a compressor, condenser, valve, and refrigeration branch, all of which is in fluid communication. The refrigeration branch includes an evaporator coil. The refrigeration system further includes a case adapted to be cooled by the evaporator coil, and a system controller operable to control one or more aspects of the refrigeration system, and a subsystem controller in communication with the system controller. The subsystem controller is operable to control a subsystem having one of the compressor, condenser, valve, refrigeration branch, and case. The method of operating the refrigeration system includes at the subsystem controller, monitoring a parameter of the subsystem, comparing the monitored parameter with a parameter limit, generating an alarm when the parameter is not within the parameter limit, and communicating the alarm to the system controller.

Abstract: A commercial refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a valve, and an evaporator coil, all of which are in fluid communication. The refrigeration system further including a fixture adapted to be cooled by the evaporator coil, a system controller operable to control operation of the refrigeration system, and a subsystem controller in communication with the system controller. The subsystem controller being operable to monitor at least one parameter of a subsystem having at least one of the compressor, condenser, valve, and fixture, and being further operable to execute a command from the system controller to affect the operation of the subsystem.

Abstract: A network including a master device and a slave device in communication with the master. The slave includes (n) input terminals adapted to receive a (n)-bit input, and (n) output terminals adapted to communicate a (n)-bit output. The network further includes a processor and memory electrically connected to the (n) input and (n) output terminals. The memory is configurable to include a block consisting of 2(n) sub-blocks, each sub-block having (n) bits.

Abstract: A refrigeration system including a compressor, condenser, valve, and refrigeration branch, all of which is in fluid communication. The refrigeration branch includes an evaporator coil. The refrigeration system further includes a case adapted to be cooled by the evaporator coil, and a system controller operable to control one or more aspects of the refrigeration system, and a subsystem controller in communication with the system controller. The subsystem controller is operable to control a subsystem having one of the compressor, condenser, valve, refrigeration branch, and case. The method of operating the refrigeration system includes at the subsystem controller, monitoring a parameter of the subsystem, comparing the monitored parameter with a parameter limit, generating an alarm when the parameter is not within the parameter limit, and communicating the alarm to the system controller.

Abstract: A refrigeration system including a compressor, condenser, valve, and evaporator in fluid communication; a system controller operable to control one or more aspects of the refrigeration system, and a subsystem controller in communication with the system controller. The subsystem controller is operable to control one of the compressor, condenser, valve, and evaporator. A method of operating the refrigeration system includes communicating a code from the subsystem controller to the system controller, obtaining information at the system controller having a relation to the code; and communicating at least a portion of the obtained information from the system controller to the subsystem controller.

Abstract: A refrigeration system including an evaporator, a suction header in fluid communication with the evaporator, a compressor in fluid communication with the suction header, and a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor and the evaporator. The refrigeration system further including a controller operable to control the compressor and a sensor coupled to the compressor. The sensor is operable to acquire a parameter for the compressor. The method of operating the refrigeration system includes acquiring a value for the parameter with the sensor, and determining if the sensor is faulty.

Abstract: A refrigeration system comprises a condenser, an evaporator, and a plurality of compressors in fluid communication. The plurality of compressors has a current run pattern with a current run capacity. The refrigeration system further comprises a controller operable to control the plurality of compressors. One method of operating the refrigeration system includes, at the controller, determining whether to increase or decrease the current run capacity and, when an increase or decrease in the current run capacity is required, creating a new run pattern to replace the current run pattern.

Abstract: A commercial refrigeration system has a control system which distributes intelligence to increase granularity of the control and simplify wiring, assembly and installation. Compressors of the refrigeration system each have a bus compatible compressor safety and control module including a processor and sensors. All control and safety modules communicate over a single power and communications line with the controller, providing digital transmissions to the controller of measurements taken by the sensors. The information provided may include that the compressor is outside of a specific safety parameter, so that the controller knows not only that a safety parameter has been traversed, but exactly which one. The control and safety modules are capable of executing commands from the controller to cycle the compressors. The control and safety modules preferably contain sufficient intelligence to continue system operation upon failure of the controller.

Abstract: A commercial refrigeration system has a control system (70) which distributes intelligence to increase granularity of the control and simplify wiring, assembly and installation. Compressors (14A-C) of the refrigeration system each have a bus compatible compressor safety and control module (48) including a processor and sensors. All control and safety modules (48) communicate over a single power and communications line (80) with the controller (70), providing digital transmissions to the controller of measurements taken by the sensors. The control and safety modules (48) are capable of executing commands from the controller (70) to cycle the compressors (14A-C). The control and safety modules (48) preferably contain sufficient intellignece to continue system operation upon failure of the controller (70). A compressor (14) is also disclosed which has an intelligent control and safety module.

Abstract: A commercial refrigeration system has a control system which distributes intelligence to increase granularity of the control and simplify wiring, assembly and installation. Compressors of the refrigeration system each have a bus compatible compressor safety and control module including a processor and sensors. All control and safety modules communicate over a single power and communications line with the controller, providing digital transmissions to the controller of measurements taken by the sensors. The information provided may include that the compressor is outside of a specific safety parameter, so that the controller knows not only that a safety parameter has been traversed, but exactly which one. The control and safety modules are capable of executing commands from the controller to cycle the compressors. The control and safety modules preferably contain sufficient intelligence to continue system operation upon failure of the controller.

Abstract: A commercial refrigeration system has a control system which distributes intelligence to increase granularity of the control and simplify wiring, assembly and installation. Compressors of the refrigeration system each have a bus compatible compressor safety and control module including a processor and sensors. All control and safety modules communicate over a single power and communications line with the controller, providing digital transmissions to the controller of measurements taken by the sensors. The information provided may include that the compressor is outside of a specific safety parameter, so that the controller knows not only that a safety parameter has been traversed, but exactly which one. The control and safety modules are capable of executing commands from the controller to cycle the compressors. The control and safety modules preferably contain sufficient intelligence to continue system operation upon failure of the controller.