Product fan system and related methods

Abstract

A system uses one or more fans to regulate airflow associated with products, such as to assist in retarding the spoilage of produce on display for sale in a space. The system includes a display in the space for displaying the produce for sale and at least one sensor for sensing a parameter associated with the display and generating an output representative of the parameter. The fan may be an overhead fan located in the space above the display for regulating the airflow over the display. A controller is provided for controlling the fan based on the output of the sensor. Related aspects and methods are also disclosed.

1 . A method of assisting in regulating airflow in connection with a product displayed on a display for sale in a space, comprising:
 regulating a fan in the space adjacent to the product based on at least one condition associated with the product display.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regulating step is performed based on a condition selected from the group consisting of a type of product, a time of day, a concentration of CO 2 , a relative humidity, or any combination of the foregoing. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regulating step comprises regulating the ceiling fan based on a sensed amount of CO 2  within the space. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regulating step comprises regulating the operation of the fan based on the type of produce influenced by an airflow generated by the fan. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of regulating the fan based on the detection of a person adjacent to the display. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regulating step is performed by predicting a temperature within a pile of product based on a sensed surface temperature of the pile. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of regulating the fan comprises operating the fan at a first speed based on a detected difference in a temperature associated with the product at the at least one condition associated with the display and an ambient dewpoint temperature. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further including the step of regulating the fan at a second speed lower than the first speed when the temperature of the product exceeds the ambient dewpoint temperature. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second speed comprises a minimum speed not to cause discomfort if occupancy is detected adjacent to the display. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regulating step comprises regulating the fan at a speed necessary to maintain a sensed surface temperature of the product within a predetermined amount above an ambient air dew point temperature. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of regulating an HVAC system. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of overriding the regulating step if one of a person or an air curtain is located adjacent to the display. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one condition comprises a sensed temperature of an air curtain associated with a refrigerated open air case serving as the display, and the regulating step comprises regulating the fan to avoid disrupting the air curtain. 
     
     
         14 . A system for regulating airflow in a space, comprising:
 a fan for circulating air within the space;   a first sensor for sensing CO 2  within the space and generating a first output; and   a controller for controlling the operation of the fan based on the first output of the first sensor.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the space includes a display for supporting produce for sale. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , further including a second sensor for detecting one of temperature or humidity and generating a second output signal used by the controller to regulate the fan. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , comprising:
 a first display in the space for displaying a first type of produce;   the fan being a first ceiling fan for providing airflow to the first type of produce, and further including:   a second display in the space for displaying a second type of produce;   a second ceiling fan for providing airflow to the second type of produce; and   wherein the controller for controlling the operation of the first ceiling fan and the second ceiling fan based on the first and second types of produce.   
     
     
         18 . A system for regulating airflow, comprising:
 a display in the space including an air curtain;   a sensor for positioning within the air curtain; and   a fan located in the space above the display for regulating the airflow; and   a controller for controlling the fan based on the output of the sensor.