Compressor communication and control system

Abstract

A cooling system includes a compressor rack having a plurality of compressors and a controller associated with each compressor. Each controller is associated with a communication gateway and monitors operational characteristics of its respective compressor and communicates with an internet web server through the gateway.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cooling system comprising: 
 a compressor rack including a plurality of compressors; and    a controller associated with each said compressor, each controller associated with a communication gateway and operable to monitor operational characteristics of a respective compressor and to communicate with an internet web server through said gateway.    
     
     
         2 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , further comprising a local server in communication with said controller through said gateway.  
     
     
         3 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , further comprising a system master in communication with each said controller.  
     
     
         4 . The cooling system of  claim 3 , wherein said controller stores compressor configuration information and said system master is operable to modify said stored compressor configuration information.  
     
     
         5 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor in communication with said compressor, said sensor providing a signal to said controller indicative of an operating characteristic of said compressor, said system master receiving said signal from said controller.  
     
     
         6 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of sensors in communication with said compressor, each of said plurality of sensors providing a signal to said controller indicative of an operating characteristic of said compressor.  
     
     
         7 . The cooling system of  claim 6 , wherein said controller creates an event history from said signals of said sensors.  
     
     
         8 . The cooling system of  claim 7 , wherein said event history is provided to said internet web server from said controller.  
     
     
         9 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein said controller includes a microprocessor.  
     
     
         10 . The cooling system of  claim 9 , wherein said microprocessor functions as a gateway for communicating with a system master.  
     
     
         11 . The cooling system of  claim 10 , wherein said microprocessor controls communication between said controller and said system master.  
     
     
         12 . The cooling system of  claim 11 , wherein said system master selectively controls said controller.  
     
     
         13 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein said controller includes a memory operable to store compressor configuration information.  
     
     
         14 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein said communication gateway is located at said compressor.  
     
     
         15 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein said communication gateway is located at said compressor rack.  
     
     
         16 . The cooling system of  claim 15 , wherein said communication gateway is a system controller.  
     
     
         17 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , further comprising a status display at said compressor for indicating the status of the compressor.