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US 2012/0067072 A1Published application
Methods, systems, and devices for controlling anti-sweat heaters
AssigneeSupermarket Energy Solutions
InventorsBruce Malwitz, James M. LaRocque
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to anti-sweat heater systems for refrigeration units. More specifically, certain embodiments relate to anti-sweat heater control systems having one or more controllers that operate anti-sweat heaters independently of each other.
Claims20
A system for controlling anti-sweat heaters, comprising:
- (a) a controller comprising:
- (i) a door channel comprising at least one door channel input;
- and
- (ii) a frame/mullion channel comprising at least one frame/mullion channel input, wherein the frame/mullion channel is independent of the door channel;
- (b) at least one door heater operably coupled to the door channel;
- (c) a first door moisture sensor configured to be positioned on a refrigeration case door, the sensor operably coupled to the controller at the at least one door channel input, the first door moisture sensor configured to transmit a door sensor resistance reading to the controller;
- (d) at least one frame/mullion heater operably coupled to the frame/mullion channel;
- and
- (e) a first frame/mullion moisture sensor configured to be positioned on a frame or mullion, the sensor operably coupled to the controller at the at least one frame/mullion channel input, the first frame/mullion sensor configured to transmit a frame/mullion sensor resistance reading to the controller.
6 more elements
A system for controlling anti-sweat heaters, comprising:
- (a) a first controller comprising:
- (i) a first door channel comprising at least one first door channel input;
- and
- (ii) a first frame/mullion channel comprising at least one first frame/mullion channel input, wherein the first frame/mullion channel is independent of the first door channel;
- (b) at least one first door heater operably coupled to the first door channel;
- (c) a first door moisture sensor configured to be positioned on a first refrigeration case door, the first door moisture sensor operably coupled to the first controller at the at least one first door channel input, the first door moisture sensor configured to transmit a first door sensor resistance reading to the first controller;
- (d) at least one first frame/mullion heater operably coupled to the first frame/mullion channel;
- (e) a first frame/mullion moisture sensor configured to be positioned on a first refrigeration case frame or mullion, the first frame/mullion moisture sensor operably coupled to the first controller at the at least one first frame/mullion channel input, the first frame/mullion sensor configured to transmit a first frame/mullion sensor resistance reading to the first controller;
- (f) a second controller independent of the first controller, the second controller comprising:
- (i) a second door channel comprising at least one second door channel input;
- and
- (ii) a second frame/mullion channel comprising at least one second frame/mullion channel input, wherein the second frame/mullion channel is independent of the second door channel;
- (g) at least one second door heater operably coupled to the second door channel;
- (h) a second door moisture sensor configured to be positioned on a second refrigeration case door, the second door moisture sensor operably coupled to the second controller at the at least one second door channel input, the second door moisture sensor configured to transmit a second door sensor resistance reading to the second controller;
- (i) at least one second frame/mullion heater operably coupled to the second frame/mullion channel;
- and
- (j) a second frame/mullion moisture sensor configured to be positioned on a second refrigeration case frame or mullion, the second frame/mullion moisture sensor operably coupled to the second controller at the at least one second frame/mullion channel input, the second frame/mullion sensor configured to transmit a second frame/mullion sensor resistance reading to the second controller.
14 more elements
A system for controlling anti-sweat heaters, comprising:
- (a) a controller comprising:
- (i) a door channel comprising at least one door channel input;
- and
- (ii) a frame/mullion channel comprising at least one frame/mullion channel input, wherein the frame/mullion channel is independent of the door channel;
- (b) at least one door heater operably coupled to the door channel;
- (c) a first detachable door moisture sensor configured to be positioned on a refrigeration case door, the sensor operably coupled to the controller at the at least one door channel input, the first door moisture sensor configured to transmit a door sensor resistance reading to the controller, wherein the first detachable door moisture sensor is powered with AC current;
- (d) at least one frame/mullion heater operably coupled to the frame/mullion channel;
- and
- (e) a first detachable frame/mullion moisture sensor configured to be positioned on a frame or mullion, the sensor operably coupled to the controller at the at least one frame/mullion channel input, the first frame/mullion sensor configured to transmit a frame/mullion sensor resistance reading to the controller, wherein the first detachable frame/mullion moisture sensor is powered with AC current,
- wherein the controller is configured to activate the at least one door heater when the door sensor resistance reading reaches a predetermined level and is further configured to activate the at least one frame/mullion heater when the frame/mullion sensor resistance reading reaches a predetermined level,
- wherein the controller is further configured to perform a programmed maintenance cycle.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.