Build-up monitoring system for refrigerated enclosures

Abstract

A build-up monitoring system in combination with a refrigerated enclosure comprises a refrigerated enclosure having a drain, a drain basin and a refrigeration unit adapted to maintain refrigerating conditions in the refrigerated enclosure. A build-up detector is positioned with respect to the refrigerated enclosure so as to monitor a level of build-up in the drain/drain basin. A condition analyzer receives detection data from the build-up detector, the condition analyzer identifying from the detection data a build-up in the drain/drain basin requiring an intervention. An interface indicates the requirement for the intervention. A method is provided to identify a build-up requiring an intervention in a drain/drain basin of a refrigerated enclosure.

1 . A build-up monitoring system in combination with a refrigerated enclosure, comprising:
 a refrigerated enclosure having a drain, a drain basin and a refrigeration unit adapted to maintain refrigerating conditions in the refrigerated enclosure;   a build-up detector positioned with respect to the refrigerated enclosure so as to monitor a level of build-up in the drain/drain basin;   a condition analyzer for receiving detection data from the build-up detector, the condition analyzer identifying from the detection data a build-up in the drain/drain basin requiring an intervention; and   an interface for indicating the requirement for the intervention.   
     
     
         2 . The build-up monitoring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the build-up detector is at least one temperature sensor, the detection data being a temperature value associated with the level of build-up in the drain/drain basin. 
     
     
         3 . The build-up monitoring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the build-up detector is at least one optical switch, the detection data being a visual detection of a build-up in the drain/drain basin. 
     
     
         4 . The build-up monitoring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the build-up detector is wirelessly connected to the condition analyzer. 
     
     
         5 . The build-up monitoring system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a database for storing comparative data, such that the condition analyzer identifies a build-up from the detection data as a function of the comparative data. 
     
     
         6 . The build-up monitoring system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an alarm for indicating the requirement for the intervention. 
     
     
         7 . The build-up monitoring system according to  claim 6 , wherein the alarm is located remotely from the refrigerated enclosure. 
     
     
         8 . A method for identifying a build-up requiring an intervention in a drain/drain basin of a refrigerated enclosure, comprising:
 positioning a build-up detector in the refrigerated enclosure;   monitoring detection data from the build-up detector;   identifying a build-up condition by comparing the detection data with at least one predetermined parameter value for a given time period; and   indicating the requirement for an intervention from the build-up condition.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein monitoring detection data comprises monitoring a temperature in the drain/drain basin of the refrigerated enclosure, and identifying a build-up condition comprises comparing the temperature with at least one predetermined temperature value. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein comparing the temperature with at least one predetermined temperature value comprises determining that the temperature is above/below the at least one predetermined temperature value for said given time period. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein comparing the temperature with at least one predetermined temperature value comprises determining that the temperature is outside a selected range of temperature values for said given time period. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising pausing the monitoring of detection data for a maintenance period. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein pausing for a maintenance period comprises pausing during a defrost cycle of a refrigerated enclosure. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein monitoring detection data comprises visually monitoring the drain/drain basin of the refrigerated enclosure, and identifying a build-up condition comprises comparing a visual monitoring signal with an unobstructed signal value. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein indicating the requirement for an intervention comprises alarming off-site personnel. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein monitoring detection data comprises monitoring a temperature in the drain/drain basin of the refrigerated enclosure, and identifying a build-up condition comprises comparing a variation of the temperature over the time period with an acceptable temperature variation value.