U.S. patent application number 11/975523 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-01 for method and system for logging cycle history of an ice-making machine that is accessible to the user for service diagnosis.
This patent application is currently assigned to SCOTSMAN GROUP, LLC. Invention is credited to Matthew W. Allison, Daniel A. Jaszkowski.
Application Number | 20080098753 11/975523 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39325128 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080098753 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Allison; Matthew W. ; et
al. |
May 1, 2008 |
Method and system for logging cycle history of an ice-making
machine that is accessible to the user for service diagnosis
Abstract
An ice-making machine with an add on board that has a processor,
a log program and a log memory. The log program periodically writes
current values of operation parameters of the ice making of the
machine in the log memory and makes the logged data available to an
external device at predetermined times or when the current values
contain an error condition.
Inventors: |
Allison; Matthew W.;
(Mundelein, IL) ; Jaszkowski; Daniel A.; (Racine,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Paul D. Greeley;Ohlandt, Greeley, Ruggiero & Perle, L.L.P.
10th Floor
One Landmark Square
Stamford
CT
06901-2682
US
|
Assignee: |
SCOTSMAN GROUP, LLC
|
Family ID: |
39325128 |
Appl. No.: |
11/975523 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60862304 |
Oct 20, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/66 ;
62/340 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25C 2400/10 20130101;
F25B 49/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/066 ;
062/340 |
International
Class: |
F25C 1/00 20060101
F25C001/00 |
Claims
1. An ice-making machine comprising: an assembly that performs an
operation of making ice; and a processor and a data log program
that when executed by said processor writes in a log memory current
values of a set of operational parameters of said operation.
2. The ice-making machine of claim 1, wherein said log program
periodically repeats the writing of current values in said log
memory so that said log memory contains a history of ice making
cycles, compressor run time and system performance.
3. The ice-making machine of claim 1, wherein said log program
causes said processor to send the values stored in said log memory
to an external device.
4. The ice-making machine of claim 3, wherein said values are sent
to said external device periodically or earlier if the current
values being written contain an error or in response to a received
request.
5. The ice-making machine of claim 4, wherein said request is
received from said external device.
6. The ice-making machine of claim 2, wherein when said log memory
is full, the current values are written over the oldest logged
current values in said log memory.
7. A method of operating an ice-making machine comprising:
performing an operation of making ice; writing in a log memory
current values of a set of operational parameters of said
operation.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein said log program periodically
repeats the writing of said current values in said log memory so
that said log memory contains a history of ice making cycles,
compressor run time and system performance.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein said log program causes said
processor to send the values stored in said log memory to an
external device.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein said values are sent to said
external device periodically or earlier if the current values being
written contain an error or in response to a received request.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein said request is received from
said external device.
12. The method -making machine of claim 8, wherein when said log
memory is full, the current values are written over the oldest
logged current values in said log memory.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/862,304, filed Oct. 20, 2006, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a method and
ice-making machine that tracks performance history including
ice-making cycles, compressor run hours, system performance data,
error codes, etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Conventional ice-making machines do not provide users with
an ability to quickly diagnose machine status or condition. It
would be useful for both machine operators and service technician
if there was a quick and easy way to diagnose machine status or
condition, thereby allowing appropriate action to be taken to
reduce delays normally associated with a more manual diagnosis.
[0004] Thus, there is a need for an improved ice-making machine and
method that aids diagnosis of ice making performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present inventors have developed a novel ice-making
machine and method which provides users and service technicians
with ready access via a USB port on an advance feature board to a
log file containing status and condition information related to the
performance of an ice-making machine, thereby allowing the user
and/or service technician to rapidly diagnose the machine's
condition.
[0006] An ice-making machine of the present invention comprises an
assembly that performs an operation of making ice, a processor and
a data log program that when executed by the processor writes in a
log memory current values of a set of operational parameters of the
operation.
[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the log program
periodically repeats the writing of current values in the log
memory so that the log memory contains a history of ice making
cycles, compressor run time and system performance.
[0008] In another embodiment of the present invention, the log
program causes the processor to send the values stored in the log
memory to an external device.
[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, the values
are sent to the external device periodically or earlier if the
current values being written contain an error or in response to a
received request.
[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, the request
is received from the external device.
[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, when the log
memory is full, the current values are written over the oldest
logged current values in the log memory.
[0012] A method of the present invention comprises performing an
operation of making ice and writing in a log memory current values
of a set of operational parameters of the operation.
[0013] In one embodiment of the method of the present invention,
the log program periodically repeats the writing of the current
values in the log memory so that the log memory contains a history
of ice making cycles, compressor run time and system
performance.
[0014] In another embodiment of the method of the present
invention, the log program causes the processor to send the values
stored in the log memory to an external device.
[0015] In another embodiment of the method of the present
invention, the values are sent to the external device periodically
or earlier if the current values being written contain an error or
in response to a received request.
[0016] In another embodiment of the method of the present
invention, the request is received from the external device.
[0017] In another embodiment of the method of the present
invention, when the log memory is full, the current values are
written over the oldest logged current values in the log
memory.
[0018] The present invention also provides many additional
advantages, which shall become apparent as described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Other and further objects, advantages and features of the
present invention will be understood by reference to the following
specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which like reference characters denote like elements of structure
and:
[0020] FIG. 1 is front left perspective view of an ice-making
machine of the present invention with an exploded view of a control
board mounting bracket and main control board;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a textual display of
the ice-making machine of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a block diagram view of a portion of an advance
feature board of the ice-making machine of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a log program of the ice-making
machine of FIG. 1; and
[0024] FIG. 5 is a chart that depicts log data monitored of harvest
time of the ice-making machine of FIG. 1 before and after service
thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] The ice-making machine according to the present disclosure
regulates ice making based on time variable electrical power rates
and logs data records of the performance of the ice-making
machine.
[0026] Some utility companies vary power rates during the day to
lower demand during peak use hours. Typical ice-making machines are
mounted on or above ice storage bins. When power rates are low, the
ice-making machine of the present disclosure runs to fill the
storage bin. When power rates are high, the ice-making machine lets
the ice level in the bin drop to lower levels and maintains them at
the lower levels until power rates drop again. Alternatively, if
through monitoring the usage rate of the ice, the ice-making
machine determines that at the lower levels the customer will run
out of ice, the ice-making machine will make ice regardless of
electricity rates.
[0027] By way of example and completeness of description, the
present invention will be described in a preferred embodiment that
comprises a field add on or retrofit to an existing ice-making
machine. Referring to FIG. 1, an ice-making machine 20 comprises an
assembly 21 disposed in a housing 22. Assembly 21 makes ice and
includes an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, a refrigeration
circulation system, a water delivery system, various valves and
switches (none of which is shown on the drawing). Housing 22
comprises a top wall 24, a bottom wall 26, side walls 28 and 30, a
back wall 32 and a front wall 34. In FIG. 1, front wall 34 is
detached to show a control board assembly 36. An ice bin 46 is
located below bottom wall 26.
[0028] Control board assembly 36 comprises a mounting bracket 38
and a main control board 40. A controller 42 and an interface 44
are mounted on main control board 40.
[0029] A field add on assembly 50 comprises a bin level control
board 52, an advance feature control board 54, a communication
cable 56 and a bin level sensing device 58. Bin level sensing
device 58 comprises a sensor 60, a mount 62 and a wire 64. Sensor
60 is any suitable sensor that senses a level of ice in ice bin 46.
Preferably, sensor 60 is an ultrasonic sensor.
[0030] Bin level control board 52 includes circuitry to monitor the
current ice level in ice bin 46, a plug (not shown) and a user
interface knob 66. Bin level control board 52 plugs into main
control board 40. Advance feature control board 54 also plugs into
main control board 40 via communication cable 56.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, advance feature control board 54
comprises a processor 70, a user interface 72, a USB port 74, an
input/output (I/O) interface 90, a plug 92, a RAM memory 94, a log
memory 98 and a real time clock 96. An energy program 100 is stored
in memory 94 and when run causes processor 70 to control ice making
based on the time of day and energy (e.g., electricity) rates via
I/O interface 90 and communication cable 56. That is, I/O interface
90 sends and receives signals to and from main control board 40,
ice level control board 52 via communication cable 56 and external
device 106 via USB port 74. External device 106 may be a personal
computer or a device that provides wireless communication to other
devices via a network, e.g., the Internet.
[0032] User interface 72 comprises USB port 74, a display area 76,
a scroll down button 78, a scroll up button 80, a select button 82,
an escape button 84 and an enter button 86. A display program 102
is also stored in memory 94 and when run causes processor 70 to
present menus in display area 76. Display program 102 responds to
manual operation of scroll down and up buttons 78 and 80 to scroll
down and up through a list of menu items on a menu presented in
display area 76. Display program 102 responds to manual operation
of select button 82 to make changes to settings, such as
electricity rates and the times of day when applicable or other
parameters. Display program 102 responds to manual operation of
enter button 86 to change from a main menu list to a sub-menu list.
Display program 102 responds to manual operation of escape button
84 to back up through the menu. Display program 102 can also
display alerts and data in display area 76. Examples of alerts are
"service ice machine soon", "slow water fill", "long freeze cycle",
"long harvest cycle", and "high discharge temperature".
[0033] A log program 104 is also stored in memory 94. Log program
104 is executed by processor 70 on a periodic basis to obtain data
records of operational parameters at sample times. Log program 104
causes each data record to be written to log memory 98. Log memory
98 is preferably a non-volatile memory that retains stored data
records in the event of turn off of ice-making machine 20 by
operator action or power failure. Real time clock 96 provides time
and date stamping information for log program 104. When log memory
98 is full, log program 104 writes the data records over the oldest
records. The logged data can be downloaded to external device 106
that comprises a data analysis tool 108 that downloads the logged
data and presents views and charts of the logged data to a user,
such as a technician
[0034] Advance feature board 54 is an add-on board to the base
control system of conventional ice-making machines. It provides
additional features that are not incorporated into main control
board 40.
[0035] Log program 104 tracks the ice machine performance including
ice making cycles, compressor run hours, system performance data,
error codes, etc. In one embodiment, log memory 98 has the capacity
to store a cycle history of 12 hours minimum to 720 hours maximum
history, depending on sample rate setting, which is adjustable from
one second to 60 seconds. As memory 98 becomes full, log program
104 writes new data records over the oldest data records. Log
program 104 has the ability to clear memory 98. Assuming ice-making
machine 20 is operating without any type of error condition, log
program 104 will cause a basic log of data to be sent out every
hour via USB port 74 to external device 106. If an error occurs,
log program 104 will cause the logged data up to the occurrence of
the error condition to be sent out. A user of external device 106
can at any time request a download of the logged data.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 4, log program 104 cycles through the
steps as determined by at step 120. When the clock time represents
a sample time (e.g., every second), step 120 is satisfied. At step
122, processor 70 gets the current log data from main control board
40 and inserts a time stamp. At step 124, it is determined if log
memory 98 is full. If not, the current log data is written in the
next available address space. If log memory 98 is full, step 128
overwrites the oldest data in log memory 98 with the current log
data. Step 130 determines if the current data written by steps 126
or 128 contains an error code. If so, the logged data up to the
occurrence of the error is downloaded to external device 106 at
step 136. If there is no error, step 132 determines if it is time
to send out the logged data. For example, the logged data may be
sent out once every hour via USB port 74 to external device 106. If
so, step 136 downloads the logged data stored in log memory 98 to
external device 106. If it is not time to send out the logged data,
step 134 determines if a user demand for the logged data has been
received. If so, step 136 downloads the logged data stored in log
memory 98 to external device 106. If a user demand for the logged
data has not been received, log program 106 waits for the next
sample time at step 120. This procedure is repeated at each sample
time.
[0037] The table below lists exemplary variables for which the
ice-making machine can log cycle history. By charting these
variables out over time, the user can determine if various
components are turning on and off at the appropriate time within
each ice making cycle. FIG. 5 is a chart of logged data over a
period of time when a change was made to an ice-making machine.
FIG. 5 clearly demonstrates that there was erratic behavior at the
beginning of the logged data and when ice harvest time was random.
However, once the ice-making machine was serviced with new
components this erratic harvest time was eliminated and a more
consistent normal behavioral pattern emerged. TABLE-US-00001 TABLE
Exemplary list of logged variables Date and Time = Date and time of
the following values freeze_timer = Amount of time the machine has
been in freeze mode harvest_timer = Amount of time the machine has
been in harvest mode freeze_cycles = The number of consecutive
freeze cycles the machine has run flush_level_set = One of 6 values
that the flush level can be set to flush_level_used = The actual
flush level used (when machine is set to automatically choose)
relative_conductivity = An indication of water quality used to
select flush level error_code = Diagnostic error code op_mode =
Current operational mode (state) of the machine sump_temp =
Temperature of the water in the sump discharge_temp = Temperature
of the compressor discharge line v_raw = An approximation of board
voltage RLO = Indicates if Remote Lockout option board is present
ICE_PROBE = Set if ice thickness probe has a conductivity path to
ground SUMP_UPPER = Set if the upper sump level probe has a
conductivity path to the sump common probe SUMP_LOWER = Set if the
lower sump level probe has a conductivity path to the sump common
probe REMOTE_SEL = Indicates if machine is a remote condenser unit
C_SW2 = Status of curtain 2 (curtains are used to cover evaps and
prevent splash inside machine. C_SW1 = Status of curtain 1 WIV =
State of water inlet valve PUMP = State of water pump HGV = State
of hot gas bypass valve COND = State of condenser fan COMP = State
of compressor PURGE = State of discharge purge valve
MACHINE_RUNTIME = Amount of time in hours that the machine has been
powered COMPRESSOR_RUNTIME = Amount of time in hours that
compressor has ran POWER_INTERRUPTS = The number of times power has
been interrupted to the machine usbls_set = Setpoint of the bin
level option board usbls_level = Actual ice level from the bin
level board HGV_COUNTER = The number of cycles of the Hot Gas
Bypass Valve
[0038] The present invention having been thus described with
particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be
obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *