Hill Phoenix, Inc.

Naresh Kumar Krishnamoorthy

Shobin Balakrishnan

Nassim Khaled

Adrian Rodriguez

Pedro Jesus Greiner

Francisco Flores

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining if a product in a refrigerated display case has likely spoiled. The method can include: obtaining, from one or more thermal cameras installed in a refrigerated case, multiple images of the inside of the refrigerated case; determining, based on the multiple images, a surface temperature of one or more products contained in the refrigerated case; determining that the surface temperature of at least one product violated a spoilage temperature for a period of time; and in response to determining that the surface temperature of at least one product violated a spoilage temperature for a period of time, providing, for display on a user computing system, a graphical interface indicating that the product is likely spoiled.

Refrigeration system with temperature monitoring

A method of detecting electrical failure in a refrigeration system is provided. The method includes determining whether a present superheat of the refrigeration system is between a maximum superheat and a minimum superheat for the refrigeration system, the maximum superheat and the minimum superheat defining a normal operating range. The method also includes detecting an electrical property of an expansion valve assembly of the refrigeration system responsive to the superheat being outside the normal operating range. The method further includes determining whether the expansion valve assembly as experienced an electrical failure based on at least the electrical property. A signal indicating that the expansion valve has experienced an electrical failure is generated based on a determination that the expansion valve assembly has experienced the electrical failure.

Expansion valve performance monitoring in refrigeration system

A method for reducing sweating in a temperature-controlled display device includes receiving values of an ambient temperature, a door frame temperature, and relative humidity. The method can also include estimating a value of a dewpoint temperature using the values of the ambient temperature and the relative humidity. The method can also include determining control decisions for a door frame heater of the temperature-controlled display device using the value of the dewpoint temperature and the door frame temperature, and transitioning the door frame heater between an on-state and an off-state using the control decisions to maintain the value of the door frame temperature at or above the value of the dewpoint temperature.

Systems and methods for reducing condensation in refrigerated cases

A refrigeration system includes an evaporator within which a refrigerant absorbs heat, a gas cooler/condenser within which the refrigerant rejects heat, a compressor operable to circulate the refrigerant between the evaporator and the gas cooler/condenser, a high pressure valve operable to control a pressure of the refrigerant at an outlet of the gas cooler/condenser, and a controller. The controller is configured to automatically generate a setpoint for a measured or calculated variable of the refrigeration system based on a measured temperature of the refrigerant at the outlet of the gas cooler/condenser. The setpoint is generated using a stored relationship between the measured temperature and a maximum estimated coefficient of performance (COP) that can be achieved at the measured temperature. The controller is configured to operate the high pressure valve to drive the measured or calculated variable toward the setpoint.

COrefrigeration system with high pressure valve control based on coefficient of performance

A refrigerated display case having a housing defining a temperature controlled space and a refrigeration system coupled to the housing is provided. The refrigeration system is configured to be operable to affect a temperature of the temperature controlled space. The refrigeration system includes an actuator, a controller, and a sensor. The controller is configured to continuously update a stored position of the actuator based on measurement of an electric current provided to the actuator, retrieve the stored position after a power failure, and restart control based on the stored position of the actuator. The sensor is configured to communicate with the controller.

Expansion valve position detection in refrigeration system

A CO2 refrigeration system can include a condenser, multiple fans, and a controller. The condenser can be configured to cool CO2 and the multiple fans can be configured to affect cooling operations of the condenser. The controller may be configured to obtain a temperature value of CO2 output by the condenser. The controller may be configured to determine if the condenser is operating properly using the temperature value of the CO2. The controller may be configured to obtain values of input current and input voltage provided to the multiple fans. The controller can determine a number of in-operational or faulty fans of the multiple fans using, at least in part, the values of the input current and the input voltage and a model that relates input current to input voltage for known numbers of in-operational or faulty fans.

Growing community of inventors

Kerala, India

Naresh Kumar Krishnamoorthy