Methods and systems for operating a refrigeration system for refrigerating a product are provided. A first temperature of the refrigerant downstream of a condenser and upstream of an evaporator may be obtained. A first pressure of the refrigerant downstream of the condenser and upstream of the evaporator may be obtained. A second pressure of the refrigerant downstream of the evaporator and upstream of a compressor and/or a temperature of the product being refrigerated may be obtained. A first valve, disposed between the condenser and the evaporator, may be controlled based on the first temperature and the first pressure to maintain a pre-determined cooling set-point for the refrigeration system. A second valve of the refrigeration system, coupled to the compressor, may be controlled based on the second pressure or the temperature of the product to optimize a capacity of a compressor of the refrigeration system.

A method for verifying an alarm condition in an environmental sensing system includes monitoring data received from environmental sensors; detecting anomalous data received from one of the plurality of environmental sensors; determining the context in which the anomalous data was acquired is consistent with typical usage activities; and providing an alarm condition alert when the determined context is not consistent with typical activities. A system for intelligently monitoring environmental conditions includes environmental sensors configured to monitor first and second environmental conditions and to communicate with an intelligent analysis module. The intelligent analysis module is configured with logic to determine whether anomalous data has been collected by the environmental sensors, to determine the context in which the anomalous data was collected, to determine whether the anomalous data can be attributed to a routine activity, and to provide an alarm condition if the anomalous data cannot be attributed to a routine activity.

A refrigerator includes a plurality of storage compartments, a plurality of cooling units to cool the plurality of storage compartments, a temperature sensing unit to sense temperatures of the plurality of storage compartments, a drive unit to drive the plurality of cooling units, and a controller to control the drive unit to drive the cooling unit that satisfies a predetermined driving condition. If at least one cooling unit among the plurality of cooling units is being driven, the controller delays driving the other cooling unit even if the other cooling unit satisfies the driving condition. The refrigerator minimizes simultaneous driving a plurality of compressors, which may prevent generation of noise and vibration, as well as excessive power consumption, due to driving the plurality of compressors.

A method for operating a refrigeration system for a mobile unit includes steps of: 1) providing a refrigeration unit having a compressor, an evaporator, and at least one fan operable to move air towards the evaporator, a generator dedicated to the refrigeration unit, and a battery; 2) determining at least one environmental parameter in one or both of the mobile unit and the refrigeration unit; and 3) selectively operating the refrigeration unit in one of a plurality of modes based on the environmental parameter. The plurality of modes includes a first mode wherein at least the fan is powered by the battery, and a second mode wherein the compressor and the fan are powered by the generator.

A smart temperature control system is disclosed. The smart temperature control system includes processing circuitry and a temperature control device. The temperature control device includes a container configured to store a product and temperature control hardware configured to control a temperature within the container. The processing circuitry includes one or more processors configured to monitor the temperature cycles within the container, determine a duration of at least portions of each temperature cycle over a time period, determine a selected time value based on the duration of the portions of each temperature cycle, and update a time limit variable with the selected time value.

A refrigerating appliance includes a cabinet that defines an interior cavity. A temperature sensing network monitors a temperature stratification of the interior cavity. The temperature stratification includes a plurality of temperature levels that correspond to respective locations of the interior cavity. A controller is configured to receive an input related to an item to be stored. The controller is further configured to compare the input with the temperature stratification. The controller is further configured to identify a primary storage location of the item to be stored based upon a comparison of the input and the plurality of temperature levels of the temperature stratification. A visual indicia is disposed within the interior cavity and coupled to the controller. The visual indicia activates to identify the primary storage location of the item to be stored.

A method for verifying an alarm condition in an environmental sensing system includes monitoring data received from environmental sensors; detecting anomalous data received from one of the plurality of environmental sensors; determining the context in which the anomalous data was acquired is consistent with typical usage activities; and providing an alarm condition alert when the determined context is not consistent with typical activities. A system for intelligently monitoring environmental conditions includes environmental sensors configured to monitor first and second environmental conditions and to communicate with an intelligent analysis module. The intelligent analysis module is configured with logic to determine whether anomalous data has been collected by the environmental sensors, to determine the context in which the anomalous data was collected, to determine whether the anomalous data can be attributed to a routine activity, and to provide an alarm condition if the anomalous data cannot be attributed to a routine activity.

A smart temperature control system is disclosed. The smart temperature control system includes processing circuitry and a temperature control device. The temperature control device includes a container configured to store a product and temperature control hardware configured to control a temperature within the container. The processing circuitry includes one or more processors configured to monitor the temperature cycles within the container, determine a duration of at least portions of each temperature cycle over a time period, determine a selected time value based on the duration of the portions of each temperature cycle, and update a time limit variable with the selected time value.

The various components of the controlled temperature unit allow the unit to control temperature and collect or manage temperature data. The controlled temperature unit may be equipped with multiple temperature probes, and data generated by these probes may be managed by a process control unit housed within the wall of the controlled temperature unit. The process control unit may then be operable to display temperature related data on a visual display attached to one of the exterior walls of the controlled temperature unit.

Systems, methods and apparatus may be applicable to managing and monitoring refrigeration assets, including refrigeration plants and cold-storage facilities comprising large numbers of refrigeration assets. A method of managing refrigeration systems includes receiving measurements captured by a plurality of sensors deployed with a refrigeration asset, the measurements being related to temperatures within a temperature-controlled chamber of the refrigeration asset, identifying a difference between a first temperature measurement obtained from measurements provided by a first sensor and a second temperature measurement obtained from measurements provided by at least one sensor, and calibrating the first sensor based on the difference between the first temperature measurement and the second temperature measurement.