Patent Publication Number: US-2023160629-A1

Title: Systems and methods for monitoring refrigeration systems

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to sensors, and more specifically to systems and methods for monitoring refrigeration systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Refrigeration systems are used by many businesses to store and display food and drink items for purchase. For example, a convenience store may utilize multiple reach-in coolers to store and display various food and drink items for customers to purchase. Refrigeration systems such as reach-in coolers can fail to maintain proper temperatures for many reasons. For example, a door may be left ajar by a customer, thereby allowing refrigerated air to escape. As another example, a compressor of the refrigeration system may malfunction, thereby allowing the temperature within the refrigeration system to rise above desired levels. 
     SUMMARY 
     Refrigeration systems are used by many businesses to store and display food and drink items for purchase. For example, a convenience store may utilize multiple reach-in coolers to store and display various food and drink items for purchase. Refrigeration systems such as reach-in coolers can fail to maintain proper temperatures for many reasons. For example, a door may be left ajar by a customer, thereby allowing refrigerated air to escape. As another example, a compressor of the refrigeration system may malfunction, thereby allowing the temperature within the refrigeration system to rise above desired levels. 
     This disclosure contemplates utilizing multiple sensors to monitor a refrigeration system and create various alerts about the refrigeration system for display on a user device based on data provided by the sensors. In one example, up to four different sensors coupled to a refrigeration system are used to identify and report various issues: a door sensor, a temperature sensor, a power sensor, and a compressor sensor that monitors a compressor of the refrigeration system. The disclosed embodiments utilize various methods to monitor the data provided by sensors and to alert workers of problems with the refrigeration system that are identified using data from the sensors. For example, if a temperature of a food compartment of the refrigeration system is above normal and a door is detected to be open, an alert may be sent to indicate to a worker to close the door. As another example, if the temperature of a food compartment is above normal, all doors are detected to be closed, and the amount of power consumed by the refrigeration system is not within a normal operating range, an alert may be sent to indicate to a worker to inspect a power cord of the refrigeration system. As yet another example, if the temperature of a food compartment is above normal, all doors are detected to be closed, the amount of power consumed by the refrigeration system is within a normal operating range, and acoustic signals of the compressor are within a normal range, an alert may be sent to indicate to a worker that the refrigeration system needs servicing. 
     In some embodiments, a system includes a door sensor that provides a status of whether a door of a refrigeration system is open or closed, a temperature sensor that measures a temperature of a food compartment of the refrigeration system, a power sensor that measures an amount of power consumed by the refrigeration system, and a compressor sensor that provides acoustic data about a compressor of the refrigeration system. The system further includes a remote computing system configured to send an alert indicating that the refrigeration system needs servicing when the temperature of the food compartment of the refrigeration system is determined to be above a predetermined temperature while: the door of the refrigeration system is closed, the amount of power consumed by the refrigeration system is within a predetermined power range, and acoustic signals of the compressor of the refrigeration system are within a predetermined acoustic range. 
     The disclosed embodiments provide several practical applications and technical advantages, which include at least: 1) technology that utilizes multiple sensors to monitor a refrigeration system and create various alerts about the refrigeration system for display on a user device based on data provided by the sensors; 2) technology that automatically provides visual and audible indications of different malfunctions of a refrigeration system; and 3) technology that protects refrigeration systems from further damage by automatically turning off a refrigeration system when certain malfunctions are detected. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure provide technological solutions to technological problems. For example, some embodiments automatically send instructions to a refrigeration system when certain malfunctions are detected. As a specific example, some refrigeration systems have automatic cleaning modes for cleaning evaporator coils of compressors. When a refrigeration system is not cooling properly, and other root causes such as a door being open have been eliminated, certain embodiments may determine that there is a malfunction with the compressor and therefore send instructions to the refrigeration system to enable the automatic cleaning of the evaporator coil attached to the compressor. This may reduce the load on the compressor and allow it to cool the refrigeration system more efficiently. As another specific example, when a refrigeration system is not cooling properly and it is determined that the compressor is at fault, some embodiments may send instructions for the refrigeration system to raise the temperature setpoint of the refrigeration system in order to ease the load on the compressor. Specifically, if the current temperature setpoint is 34° F. and food inside the refrigeration system must remain below 40° F. for food safety reasons, the temperature setpoint may be raised up to 36° F. (or even up to 40° F.) to ease the load on the compressor. As a result, the refrigeration system may be protected from burnout and the life of the refrigeration system may be extended. In addition, by reducing the load on the compressor of a refrigeration system by commanding an automatic evaporator coil cleaning or by raising the temperature setpoint, resources such as electricity may be conserved. 
     Certain embodiments may include none, some, or all of the above technical advantages and practical applications. One or more other technical advantages and practical applications may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures, descriptions, and claims included herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts. 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator monitoring system, according to certain embodiments; and 
         FIG.  2    is a flowchart of a method for monitoring a refrigeration system, according to certain embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure and its advantages are best understood by referring to  FIGS.  1  and  2    of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. 
     Refrigeration systems are used by many businesses to store and display food and drink items for purchase. For example, a convenience store may utilize multiple reach-in coolers to store and display various food and drink items for purchase. Refrigeration systems such as reach-in coolers can fail to maintain proper temperatures for many reasons. For example, a door may be left ajar by a customer, thereby allowing refrigerated air to escape. As another example, a compressor of the refrigeration system may malfunction, thereby allowing the temperature within the refrigeration system to rise above desired levels. 
     This disclosure contemplates utilizing multiple sensors to monitor a refrigeration system and creating various alerts for display on a user device based on data provided by the sensors. In one example, up to four different sensors coupled to a refrigeration system are used to identify and report various issues: a door sensor, a temperature sensor, a power sensor, and a compressor sensor coupled to a compressor of the refrigeration system. The disclosed embodiments utilize various methods to monitor the data provided by sensors and to alert workers of problems with the refrigeration system as identified using the sensors. For example, if a temperature of a food compartment of the refrigeration system is above normal and a door is detected to be open, an alert may be sent to indicate to a worker to close the door. As another example, if the temperature of a food compartment is above normal, all doors are detected to be closed, and the amount of power consumed by the refrigeration system is not within a normal operating range, an alert may be sent to indicate to a worker to inspect a power cord of the refrigeration system. As yet another example, if the temperature of a food compartment is above normal, all doors are detected to be closed, the amount of power consumed by the refrigeration system is within a normal operating range, and acoustic signals of the compressor are within a normal range, an alert may be sent to indicate to a worker that the refrigeration system needs servicing. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates an example refrigerator monitoring system  100 , according to certain embodiments. As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , certain embodiments of refrigerator monitoring system  100  include a remote computing system  110 , a user device  120 , a network  130 , a gateway  140 , multiple sensors  150  (e.g.,  150 A-D), and a refrigeration system  170 . Remote computing system  110  is communicatively coupled to user device  120  and gateway  140  via a network  130  using any appropriate wired or wireless telecommunication technology. In some embodiments, sensors  150  send sensor data  155  (e.g.,  155 A-D) directly to remote computing system  110  or indirectly to remote computing system  110  via network  130  using any appropriate wired or wireless telecommunication technology. In other embodiments, sensors  150  send sensor data  155  to gateway  140  using an Internet-of-Things (IoT) communications protocol, and gateway  140  in turn sends sensor data  155  via network  130 . 
     In general, remote computing system  110  receives sensor data  155  about refrigeration system  170  generated by sensors  150  and in turn provides alerts  160  for display on user device  120  based on sensor data  155 . In some embodiments, if temperature sensor  150 D measures a temperature  155 D of a food compartment of refrigeration system  170  that is above normal and a door  171  of refrigeration system  170  is detected to be open by door sensor  150 A, an alert  160  may be sent to instruct a worker to inspect and close door  171 . In some embodiments, if temperature sensor  150 D measures a temperature  155 D that is above normal, door  171  is detected to be closed by door sensor  150 A, and power sensor  150 B detects that the amount of power consumed by refrigeration system  170  is not within a normal operating range, an alert  160  may be sent to indicate to a worker to inspect a power cord  172  of refrigeration system  170 . In some embodiments, if temperature sensor  150 D measures a temperature  155 D that is above normal, door  171  is detected to be closed by door sensor  150 A, power sensor  150 B detects that the amount of power consumed by refrigeration system  170  is within a normal operating range, and compressor sensor  150 C detects that acoustic signals of compressor  173  are within a normal range, an alert  160  may be sent to indicate to a worker or repair person that refrigeration system  170  needs servicing. 
     Remote computing system  110  may be any appropriate computing system in any suitable physical form. As example and not by way of limitation, remote computing system  110  may be an embedded computer system, a system-on-chip (SOC), a single-board computer system (SBC) (such as, for example, a computer-on-module (COM) or system-on-module (SOM)), a desktop computer system, a laptop or notebook computer system, a mainframe, a mesh of computer systems, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a server, a tablet computer system, an augmented/virtual reality device, or a combination of two or more of these. Where appropriate, remote computing system  110  may include one or more remote computing systems  110 ; be unitary or distributed; span multiple locations; span multiple machines; span multiple data centers; or reside in a cloud, which may include one or more cloud components in one or more networks. Where appropriate, one or more remote computing systems  110  may perform without substantial spatial or temporal limitation one or more steps of one or more methods described or illustrated herein. As an example and not by way of limitation, one or more remote computing systems  110  may perform in real time or in batch mode one or more steps of one or more methods described or illustrated herein. One or more remote computing systems  110  may perform at different times or at different locations one or more steps of one or more methods described or illustrated herein, where appropriate. In some embodiments, remote computing system  110  includes an electronic display (not illustrated) for additionally or alternatively displaying alert  160 . 
     Remote computing system  110  may be physically located within the same physical building in which sensors  150  are located, or physically located at a location remote from the physical building in which sensors  150  are located. For example, in certain embodiments, remote computing system  110  may located in one or more remote servers (e.g. in the cloud). 
     Processor  112  is any electronic circuitry, including, but not limited to a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), an application specific instruction set processor (ASIP), and/or a state machine, that communicatively couples to memory  114  and controls the operation of remote computing system  110 . Processor  112  may be 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit, 64-bit or of any other suitable architecture. Processor  112  may include an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) for performing arithmetic and logic operations, processor registers that supply operands to the ALU and store the results of ALU operations, and a control unit that fetches instructions from memory and executes them by directing the coordinated operations of the ALU, registers and other components. Processor  112  may include other hardware that operates software to control and process information. Processor  112  executes software stored in memory to perform any of the functions described herein. Processor  112  controls the operation and administration of remote computing system  110  by processing information received from sensor  150 , gateway  140 , network  130 , user device  120 , and memory  114 . Processor  112  may be a programmable logic device, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, any suitable processing device, or any suitable combination of the preceding. Processor  112  is not limited to a single processing device and may encompass multiple processing devices. 
     Memory  114  may store, either permanently or temporarily, data such as sensor data  155 , user preferences, business rules, operational software such as refrigerator monitoring module  116 , or other information for processor  112 . Memory  114  may include any one or a combination of volatile or non-volatile local or remote devices suitable for storing information. For example, memory  114  may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, or any other suitable information storage device or a combination of these devices. 
     Refrigerator monitoring module  116  represents any suitable set of instructions, logic, or code embodied in a computer-readable storage medium. For example, refrigerator monitoring module  116  may be embodied in memory  114 , a disk, a CD, or a flash drive. In particular embodiments, refrigerator monitoring module  116  may include refrigerator monitoring instructions  117  (e.g., a software application) executable by processor  112  to perform one or more of the functions described herein. In general, refrigerator monitoring module  116  sends alert  160  for display on user device  120  either directly or via network  130 . As described in more detail herein, alerts  160  are generated by refrigerator monitoring module  116  based on sensor data  155  from sensors  150 . 
     User device  120  is any appropriate device for communicating with components of remote computing system  110  over network  130 . For example, user device  120  may be a handheld computing device such as a smartphone, wearable computer glasses, a smartwatch, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, and the like. User device  120  may include an electronic display, a processor such as processor  112 , and memory such as memory  114 . The electronic display of user device  120  may display an alert  160  that is provided by remote computing system  110 . 
     Network  130  allows communication between and amongst the various components of system  100 . For example, remote computing system  110 , user device  120 , and gateway  140  may communicate via network  130 . This disclosure contemplates network  130  being any suitable network operable to facilitate communication between the components of system  100 . Network  130  may include any interconnecting system capable of transmitting audio, video, signals, data, messages, or any combination of the preceding. Network  130  may include all or a portion of a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), an overlay network, a software-defined network (SDN), a virtual private network (VPN), a packet data network (e.g., the Internet), a mobile telephone network (e.g., cellular networks, such as 4G or 5G), a Plain Old Telephone (POT) network, a wireless data network (e.g., WiFi, WiGig, WiMax, etc.), a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network, a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, a Bluetooth network, a Near Field Communication (NFC) network, a Zigbee network, and/or any other suitable network. 
     Door sensor  150 A is any appropriate device for sensing whether door  171  is open or closed. For example, door sensor  150 A may be a contact sensor or a non-contact sensor (e.g., utilizing an electromagnet). In some embodiments, door sensor  150 A is coupled to door  171 , but in other embodiments may be coupled to another portion of refrigeration system  170  (e.g., a hinge). Door sensor  150 A provides door status  155 A to remote computing system  110 . Door status  155 A includes an indication of whether door  171  is open or closed. Door status  155 A may be any output signal from door sensor  150 A (e.g., a voltage corresponding to the door being open or closed). 
     Power sensor  150 B is a device for sensing or measuring the amount of load power consumed by refrigeration system  170  (e.g., a current transformer, a voltage transformer, etc.). In some embodiments, power sensor  150 B plugs into a power outlet and power cord  172  of refrigeration system  170  is plugged into power sensor  150 B. Power sensor  150 B provides power consumption data  155 B to remote computing system  110 . In some embodiments, power consumption data  155 B indicates a current amount of power (e.g., watts) being consumed by refrigeration system  170 . 
     Compressor sensor  150 C is a device that senses and provides acoustic data  155 C about compressor  173  to remote computing system  110 . In some embodiments, compressor sensor  150 C is an accelerometer that is physically coupled to compressor  173 . In other embodiments, compressor sensor  150 C is not coupled to compressor  173 , but is located proximate to compressor  173  (e.g., a microphone). In general, acoustic data  155 C indicates whether compressor  173  is operating normally or abnormally with respect to acoustic signals of compressor  173 . For example, some embodiments of acoustic data  155 C indicate a frequency, periodicity, and/or amplitude of acoustic signals of compressor  173  that can be compared to stored acoustic data of a normally-operating compressor  173 . If acoustic data  155 C deviates from a normal, default acoustic profile for compressor  173  (e.g., higher or lower periodicity, higher or lower amplitude, etc.), refrigerator monitoring system  100  may determine that refrigeration system  170  is stressed or performing incorrectly. 
     Temperature sensor  150 D is any appropriate device for sensing or measuring temperatures. In some embodiments, temperature sensor  150 D is installed within a food compartment of refrigeration system  170  and reports food compartment temperature  155 D to remote computing system  110 . In some embodiments, temperature sensor  150 D is a digital thermometer or a thermocouple. Food compartment temperature  155 D may be any appropriate temperature measurement (e.g., Fahrenheit or Celsius), and in some embodiments may include a time stamp to indicate when a particular food compartment temperature  155 D was measured. 
     In some embodiments, sensors  150  send sensor data  155  on a periodic basis. For example, sensors  150  may send sensor data  155  every five minutes. In some embodiments, sensor data  155  includes a timestamp that indicates a time that sensor data  155  was sent or captured. In some embodiments, sensor data  155  is stored in memory  114  of remote computing system  110  and may overwrite the previous sensor data  155  (i.e., some embodiments may only log the latest valid sensor data  155 ). 
     In some embodiments, one or more sensors  155  are IoT sensors. In general, IoT describes a network of physical objects that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the Internet, or any other appropriate network. For example, some embodiments of sensor  150  include a microprocessor (e.g., processor  112 ), a transceiver (e.g., a Bluetooth transceiver) for wirelessly communicating sensor data  155  (e.g., via an IoT communications protocol), an antenna, and a power supply such as a battery. In embodiments where one or more sensors  150  are IoT devices, refrigerator monitoring system  100  may include gateway  140  for communicating with sensors  150 . Gateway  140  may be any appropriate IoT gateway, computer system, or electronic device that is capable of wirelessly communicating with sensors  150  using any appropriate IoT communications protocol (e.g., Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT), Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP), Advanced Message Queuing Protocol (AMQP), Data Distribution Service (DDS), HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), WiFi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Z-Wave, a media access control (MAC) protocol such as LoRaWAN, and the like). For example, temperature sensor  150 D may wirelessly transmit food compartment temperature  155 D to gateway  140 , and gateway  140  may in turn send food compartment temperature  155 D to remote computing system  110  via network  130 . In other embodiments, one or more sensors  150  are not IoT devices. In embodiments where one or more sensors  150  are not IoT devices, the one or more sensors  150  do not utilize gateway  140  but instead transmit sensor data  155  directly to remote computing system  110  or indirectly via network  130  (e.g., via Bluetooth or WiFi). 
     Alert  160  is a message or other indication that is displayed on user device  120  regarding refrigeration system  170 . In some embodiments, alert  160  includes one or more of an indication of refrigeration system  170 , door status  155 A, power consumption data  155 B, food compartment temperature  155 D, a timestamp, and a recommended action regarding refrigeration system  170 . For example, when refrigerator monitoring system  100  determines that food compartment temperature  155 D is above a predetermined temperature and door  171  is open, alert  160  may be: “Temperature violation on cooler #1 at 10:20 AM: a door is open.” As another example, when refrigerator monitoring system  100  determines that food compartment temperature  155 D is above a predetermined temperature, door  171  is closed, and power consumption data  155 B indicates that the amount of power currently consumed by refrigeration system  170  is not within a predetermined power range, alert  160  may be: “Temperature violation on cooler #1 at 10:20 AM: inspect the power cord to ensure that it is fully plugged into the power receptacle and not damaged.” Additional examples of alert  160  are discussed below. 
     In operation, remote computing system  110  analyzes sensor data  155  provided by sensors  150  and provides alerts  160  about refrigeration system  170  for display on user device  120  based on sensor data  155 . Generally, remote computing system  110  analyzes sensor data  155  in order to isolate a possible root cause of inadequate temperatures within refrigeration system  170  and then provide an alert  160  to address or otherwise indicate the cause of the malfunction. In some embodiments, refrigerator monitoring system  100  utilizes sensors  150 A-D in order to isolate three possible causes of inadequate temperatures within refrigeration system  170 : 1) when a door  171  is not properly closed, 2) when power cord  172  is damaged or not fully engaged with an electrical outlet, and 3) when compressor  173  is malfunctioning. Each situation is described in more detail below. 
     First, certain embodiments of refrigerator monitoring system  100  utilize sensor data  155  from sensors  150  to determine whether the root cause of inadequate temperatures within refrigeration system  170  is door  171  being open. In these embodiments, remote computing system  110  first analyzes food compartment temperature  155 D and determines whether food compartment temperature  155 D is above a predetermined temperature. For example, remote computing system  110  may determine whether food compartment temperature  155 D is above a static temperature such as 32° F. If food compartment temperature  155 D is above the predetermined temperature, remote computing system  110  then determines from door status  155 A whether door  171  is open or closed. If remote computing system  110  determines that door  171  is open in addition to food compartment temperature  155 D being above the predetermined temperature, remote computing system  110  sends alert  160  for display on user device  120  to indicate that door  171  is open. Additionally, if remote computing system  110  determines that door  171  is open in addition to food compartment temperature  155 D being above the predetermined temperature, remote computing system  110  may send one or more instructions to refrigeration system  170  to produce an audible or visual indication that door  171  is open. For example, the one or more instructions may include an instruction that causes one more lights of the refrigeration system to blink or an instruction that causes an alarm of the refrigeration system to sound. As a result, a worker may be able to quickly identify and close door  171 , thereby reducing energy consumption of refrigeration system  170 , prolonging the operational life of refrigeration system  170  (i.e., by closing door  171 , the operating time and wear on components such as compressor  173  will be reduced), and avoiding potential food spoilage. 
     Second, certain embodiments of refrigerator monitoring system  100  utilize sensor data  155  from sensors  150  to determine whether the root cause of inadequate temperatures within refrigeration system  170  is power cord  172 . In these embodiments, remote computing system  110  first analyzes food compartment temperature  155 D and determines whether food compartment temperature  155 D is above a predetermined temperature. If food compartment temperature  155 D is above the predetermined temperature, remote computing system  110  then determines from door status  155 A whether door  171  is open or closed. If remote computing system  110  determines that door  171  is closed in addition to food compartment temperature  155 D being above the predetermined temperature, remote computing system  110  then determines from power consumption data  155 B whether the current amount of power consumed by refrigeration system  170  is within a predetermined power range (e.g., greater than 100 watts but less than 800 watts). If remote computing system  110  determines that door  171  is closed in addition to food compartment temperature  155 D being above the predetermined temperature and the current amount of power consumed by refrigeration system  170  is not within the predetermined power range, remote computing system  110  sends alert  160  for display on user device  120  to indicate that power cord  172  is damaged or not fully engaged with an electrical outlet. Additionally, if remote computing system  110  determines that door  171  is closed in addition to food compartment temperature  155 D being above the predetermined temperature and the current amount of power consumed by refrigeration system  170  is not within the predetermined power range, remote computing system  110  may send one or more instructions to refrigeration system  170  to produce an audible or visual indication to indicate a problem with power cord  172 . For example, the one or more instructions may include an instruction that causes one more lights of the refrigeration system to blink or an instruction that causes an alarm of the refrigeration system to sound. As a result, a worker may be able to quickly identify a problem with power cord  172 , thereby prolonging the operational life of refrigeration system  170  (i.e., by closing door  171 , the operating time and wear on components such as compressor  173  will be reduced) and avoiding potential food spoilage. 
     Third, certain embodiments of refrigerator monitoring system  100  utilize sensor data  155  from sensors  150  to determine whether the root cause of inadequate temperatures within refrigeration system  170  is compressor  173 . In these embodiments, remote computing system  110  first analyzes food compartment temperature  155 D and determines whether food compartment temperature  155 D is above a predetermined temperature. If food compartment temperature  155 D is above the predetermined temperature, remote computing system  110  then determines from door status  155 A whether door  171  is open or closed. If remote computing system  110  determines that door  171  is closed in addition to food compartment temperature  155 D being above the predetermined temperature, remote computing system  110  then determines from power consumption data  155 B whether the current amount of power consumed by refrigeration system  170  is within a predetermined power range (e.g., greater than 100 watts but less than 800 watts). If remote computing system  110  determines that door  171  is closed in addition to food compartment temperature  155 D being above the predetermined temperature and the current amount of power consumed by refrigeration system  170  is within the predetermined power range, remote computing system  110  then determines from acoustic data  155 C whether measured acoustic signals of compressor  173  are within a predetermined acoustic range (e.g., higher or lower than a predetermined periodicity, higher or lower than a predetermined amplitude, higher or lower than a predetermined frequency, etc.). If remote computing system  110  determines that door  171  is closed in addition to food compartment temperature  155 D being above the predetermined temperature, the current amount of power consumed by refrigeration system  170  is within the predetermined power range, and measured acoustic signals of compressor  173  are within the predetermined acoustic range, remote computing system  110  sends alert  160  for display on user device  120  to indicate that refrigeration system  170  needs servicing and that compressor  173  is functioning properly. If, however, remote computing system  110  determines that door  171  is closed in addition to food compartment temperature  155 D being above the predetermined temperature, the current amount of power consumed by refrigeration system  170  is within the predetermined power range, and measured acoustic signals of compressor  173  are not within the predetermined acoustic range, remote computing system  110  sends alert  160  for display on user device  120  to indicate that refrigeration system  170  needs servicing and that compressor  173  is not functioning properly. 
     In some embodiments, if remote computing system  110  determines that door  171  is closed in addition to food compartment temperature  155 D being above the predetermined temperature, the current amount of power consumed by refrigeration system  170  is within the predetermined power range, and measured acoustic signals of compressor  173  are within the predetermined acoustic range, remote computing system  110  may automatically send one or more instructions to refrigeration system  170  in order to switch refrigeration system  170  to an off mode. That is, if refrigeration system  170  is determined to be malfunctioning but the malfunction is not due to a faulty power cord  172  or door  171  being left open, remote computing system  110  may automatically turn off refrigeration system  170  in order to avoid any further damage to refrigeration system  170 . As a result, the cost to repair refrigeration system  170  may be reduced, and the operational lifetime of refrigeration system  170  may be increased. 
     Some embodiments automatically send instructions to refrigeration system  170  when certain malfunctions are detected. As a specific example, some refrigeration systems  170  have automatic cleaning modes for cleaning evaporator coils of compressors  173 . When refrigeration system  170  is not cooling properly, and other root causes such as a door being open have been eliminated, certain embodiments may determine that there is a malfunction with compressor  173  and therefore send instructions to refrigeration system  170  to enable the automatic cleaning of the evaporator coil attached to compressor  173 . This may reduce the load on compressor  173  and allow it to cool refrigeration system  170  more efficiently. As another specific example, when refrigeration system  170  is not cooling properly and it is determined that compressor  173  is at fault, some embodiments may send instructions for refrigeration system  170  to raise the temperature setpoint of refrigeration system  170  in order to ease the load on compressor  173 . Specifically, if the current temperature setpoint is 34° F. and food inside refrigeration system  170  must remain below 40° F., the temperature setpoint may be raised up to 36° F. to ease the load on compressor  173 . As a result, refrigeration system  170  may be protected from burnout and the life of refrigeration system  170  may be extended. In addition, by reducing the load on compressor  173  of a refrigeration system by commanding an automatic evaporator coil cleaning or by raising the temperature setpoint, resources such as electricity may be conserved. 
     In certain embodiments, user device  120  may receive data  155  generated by sensors  150  and use data  155  to monitor refrigeration system  170  and create various alerts  160  about refrigeration system  170  for display on user device  120 . In these embodiments, sensors  150  may directly communicate with user device  120  instead of with remote computing system  110 . For example, in such embodiments, memory  114  of user device  120  may include instructions (e.g., refrigerator monitoring module  116 ) that, when executed by a processor  112  of user device  1204 , enable user device  120  to monitor refrigeration system  170  and create various alerts  160  about refrigeration system  170  for display on the user device  120 , as described herein. For example, instructions stored in memory  114  of user device  120  may determine that door  171  is open in addition to food compartment temperature  155 D being above the predetermined temperature. In response to this event, user device  120  may automatically generate and display an alert  160  to instruct to a user associated with user device  120  to close door  171 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a method  200  for monitoring a refrigeration system, according to certain embodiments. In general, method  200  may be utilized by remote computing system  110  (e.g., refrigerator monitoring module  116 ) to automatically provide alert  160  about refrigeration system  170  for display on user device  120 . Method  200  may begin by collecting data in parallel from various sensors in operations  210 - 240 . 
     At operation  210 , method  200  receives, from a door sensor, a status of whether a door of a refrigeration system is open or closed. In some embodiments, the status is door status  155 A. In some embodiments, the door sensor is door sensor  150 A that monitors door  171  of refrigeration system  170 . If the status is not received from the door sensor within a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 30 seconds), method  200  may utilize the previously-received door status and then send an alert to check that the door sensor is functional. 
     At operation  220 , method  200  receives, from a temperature sensor, a temperature of a food compartment of the refrigeration system. In some embodiments, the temperature is food compartment temperature  155 D. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor is temperature sensor  150 D. If the temperature is not received from the temperature sensor within a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 30 seconds), method  200  may utilize the previously-received temperature and then send an alert to check that the temperature sensor is functional. 
     At operation  230 , method  200  receives, from a power sensor, an indication of an amount of power consumed by the refrigeration system. In some embodiments, the indication of an amount of power consumed by the refrigeration system is power consumption data  155 B. In some embodiments, the power sensor is power sensor  150 B. If the indication of an amount of power is not received from the power sensor within a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 30 seconds), method  200  may utilize the previously-received indication of the amount of power and then send an alert to check that the power sensor is functional. 
     At operation  240 , method  200  receives, from a compressor sensor, acoustic data about a compressor of the refrigeration system. In some embodiments, the acoustic data is acoustic data  155 C. In some embodiments, the compressor sensor is compressor sensor  150 C that is an accelerometer physically coupled to compressor  173  or a microphone disposed proximate to compressor  173 . If the acoustic data is not received from the compressor sensor within a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 30 seconds), method  200  may utilize the previously-received acoustic data and then send an alert to check that the compressor sensor is functional. 
     At operation  250 , method  200  determines whether the temperature of the food compartment of the refrigeration system from operation  220  is above a predetermined temperature. In some embodiments, the predetermined temperature is a static temperature such as 32° F. If the temperature of the food compartment of the refrigeration system is greater the predetermined temperature, method  200  proceeds to operation  260 . If the temperature of the food compartment of the refrigeration system is less than or equal to the predetermined temperature, method  200  may end. 
     At operation  260 , method  200  determines from the door status of operation  210  whether the door of the refrigeration system is open or closed. If the door of the refrigeration system is closed, method  200  proceeds to operation  270 . If the door of the refrigeration system is open, method  200  proceeds to operation  265  where method  200  indicates to check the door of the refrigeration system. In some embodiments, an alert is sent for display on a user device to check that the door is open. In other embodiments, a camera is used to check if the door is open. 
     At operation  270 , method  200  determines whether the amount of power consumed by the refrigeration system of operation  230  is within a predetermined power range. If the amount of power consumed by the refrigeration system is within the predetermined power range, method  200  proceeds to operation  280 . If the amount of power consumed by the refrigeration system is not within the predetermined power range, method  200  proceeds to operation  275  where method  200  determines whether a power cord of the refrigeration system is plugged in. In some embodiments, a camera may be used in operation  275  to determine whether the power cord of the refrigeration system is plugged in. If it is determined in operation  275  that the power cord of the refrigeration system is plugged in, method  200  proceeds to operation  277 . Otherwise, method  200  proceeds to operation  276  where an alert is sent for display on a user device to check a power cord of the refrigeration system. 
     At operation  277 , method  200  determines whether a circuit breaker of the refrigeration system is turned on. In some embodiments, a camera may be used in operation  277  to determine whether the circuit breaker of the refrigeration system is turned on. If it is determined in operation  277  that the circuit breaker of the refrigeration system is turned on, method  200  proceeds to operation  280 . Otherwise, method  200  proceeds to operation  278  where an alert is sent for display on a user device to check a circuit breaker of the refrigeration system. 
     At operation  280 , method  200  determines from the acoustic data whether measured acoustic signals of the compressor of the refrigeration system are within a predetermined acoustic range. If the acoustic signals of the compressor of the refrigeration system are within the predetermined acoustic range, method  200  proceeds to operation  282 . If the acoustic signals of the compressor of the refrigeration system are not within the predetermined acoustic range, method  200  proceeds to operation  290 . 
     In operation  282 , method  200  checks if an evaporator coils of the compressor of the refrigeration system needs cleaning. After operations  282 , method  200  proceeds to operation  285  where an alert is sent for display on a user device that indicates that the refrigeration system needs servicing and that the compressor is functioning properly. After operation  285 , method  200  may end. 
     In operation  290 , an alert is sent for display on a user device that indicates that the refrigeration system needs servicing and that the compressor is not functioning properly. After operation  290 , method  200  may end. 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The methods may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. That is, the steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated. 
     As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set. Furthermore, as used in the document “or” is not necessarily exclusive and, unless expressly indicated otherwise, can be inclusive in certain embodiments and can be understood to mean “and/or.” Similarly, as used in this document “and” is not necessarily inclusive and, unless expressly indicated otherwise, can be inclusive in certain embodiments and can be understood to mean “and/or.” All references to “a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc.” are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. 
     Furthermore, reference to an apparatus or system or a component of an apparatus or system being adapted to, arranged to, capable of, configured to, enabled to, operable to, or operative to perform a particular function encompasses that apparatus, system, component, whether or not it or that particular function is activated, turned on, or unlocked, as long as that apparatus, system, or component is so adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled, operable, or operative. 
     The embodiments disclosed herein are only examples, and the scope of this disclosure is not limited to them. Particular embodiments may include all, some, or none of the components, elements, features, functions, operations, or steps of the embodiments disclosed herein. Certain embodiments are in particular disclosed in the attached claims directed to a method, a storage medium, a system and a computer program product, wherein any feature mentioned in one claim category, e.g. method, can be claimed in another claim category, e.g. system, as well. The dependencies or references back in the attached claims are chosen for formal reasons only. However, any subject matter resulting from a deliberate reference back to any previous claims (in particular multiple dependencies) can be claimed as well, so that any combination of claims and the features thereof are disclosed and can be claimed regardless of the dependencies chosen in the attached claims. The subject-matter which can be claimed comprises not only the combinations of features as set out in the attached claims but also any other combination of features in the claims, wherein each feature mentioned in the claims can be combined with any other feature or combination of other features in the claims. Furthermore, any of the embodiments and features described or depicted herein can be claimed in a separate claim and/or in any combination with any embodiment or feature described or depicted herein or with any of the features of the attached claims. 
     To aid the Patent Office, and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants note that they do not intend any of the appended claims to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) as it exists on the date of filing hereof unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.