Systems and methods for flexible reversal of condenser fans in vending machines, appliances, and other store or dispense equipment

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for operating a condenser fan. The systems and methods may include a compressor and a condenser fan, where the condenser fan is operable in a forward mode and a reverse mode. The systems and methods may further include a programmable timer/microcontroller in communication with the compressor and the condenser fan, where the programmable timer/microcontroller operates the condenser fan between the forward mode and the reverse mode independently of a running cycle of the compressor.

1 . A system for operating a condenser fan, comprising:
 a compressor;   a condenser fan, wherein the condenser fan is operable in a forward mode and a reverse mode; and   a programmable timer/microcontroller in communication with the compressor and the condenser fan, wherein the programmable timer/microcontroller operates the condenser fan between the forward mode and the reverse mode independently of a running cycle of the compressor.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the condenser fan includes one of a scroll motor, a permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor and an electronically commutated blower (ECM) motor. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the programmable timer/microcontroller operates the condenser fan according to at least one first preset time delay, and wherein the programmable timer/microcontroller operates the compressor between the forward mode and the reverse mode according to at least one second preset time delay. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one first present time delay and the at least one second preset time delay is determined at least in part by one of (i) a back office, and (ii) a merchant-owner, a route supervisor, or a bottler. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the programmable timer/microcontroller operates the condenser fan and the compressor according to one or more schedules. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a first relay and a second relay, wherein the programmable timer/microcontroller includes at least the first relay, wherein the first relay operates to provide power from a power source to the condenser fan, and wherein the second relay selects between the forward mode and the reverse mode for the condenser fan. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first relay and the second relay operate according to a preset time delay. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the second relay is coupled to a light output, wherein an operation of the light output determines whether the second relay selects the forward mode or the reverse mode for the condenser fan. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein second relay automatically selects the reverse mode when the light output is one of (i) off and (ii) in standby. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the second relay is an AC relay. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the programmable timer/microcontroller includes a third relay, wherein the third relay operates to provide power from the power source to the light output. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the programmable timer/microcontroller includes a third relay, wherein the third relay operates to provide power from the power source to the compressor. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the first relay further operates to provide power from the power source to the compressor, wherein both the compressor and the condenser fan are inoperable when the first relay disconnects power to the compressor and condenser fan. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the programmable timer/microcontroller comprises a main board and a daughter board, wherein the first relay is included on the main board and the second relay is included on the daughter board. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein prior to operating the condenser fan in the reverse mode, the first relay is disengaged to disconnect the condenser fan from the power source to allow the condenser fan to decelerate from a forward speed to the substantially zero speed. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the second relay selects the reverse mode for the condenser fan for a preset amount of time upon the occurrence of a triggering event associated with the compressor. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the triggering event is a beginning or end of the running cycle for the compressor. 
   
   
       18 . A method for operating a condenser fan, comprising:
 providing a compressor;   providing a condenser fan, wherein the condenser fan is operable in a forward mode and a reverse mode; and   operating the condenser fan between the forward mode and reverse mode independently of a running cycle of the compressor.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the condenser fan includes one of a scroll motor, a permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor, and an electronically commutated blower (ECM) motor. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising providing a programmable timer/microcontroller, wherein operating the condenser fan includes the programmable timer/microcontroller operating (i) the condenser fan between the forward mode and the reverse mode according to at least one first preset time delay, and (ii) the compressor according to at least one second preset time delay. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one first present time delay and the at least one second preset time delay is determined at least in part by one of (i) a back office, and (ii) a merchant-owner, a route supervisor, or a bottler. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising providing a programmable timer/microcontroller, wherein operating the condenser fan includes the programmable timer/microcontroller operating the condenser fan and the compressor according to one or more schedules. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising providing a first relay and a second relay, wherein at least the first relay is included with a programmable timer/microcontroller, wherein the first relay operates to provide power from a power source to the condenser fan, and wherein the second relay selects between the forward mode and the reverse mode for the condenser fan. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein at least one of the first relay and the second relay operate according to a preset time delay. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the second relay is coupled to a light output, wherein an operation of the light output determines whether the second relay selects the forward mode or the reverse mode for the condenser fan. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein second relay automatically selects the reverse mode when the light output is one of (i) off and (ii) in standby. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the second relay is an AC relay. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising providing a third relay with the programmable timer/microcontroller, wherein the third relay operates to provide power from the power source to the light output. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the programmable timer/microcontroller includes a third relay, wherein the third relay operates to provide power from the power source to the compressor. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the first relay further operates to provide power from the power source to the compressor, wherein both the compressor and the condenser fan are inoperable when the first relay disconnects power to the compressor and condenser fan. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the programmable timer/microcontroller comprises a main board and a daughter board, wherein the first relay is included on the main board and the second relay is included on the daughter board. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein prior to operating the condenser fan in the reverse mode, disengaging the first relay to disconnect the condenser fan from the power source to allow the condenser fan to decelerate from a forward speed to the substantially zero speed. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the second relay selects the reverse mode for the condenser fan for a preset amount of time upon the occurrence of a triggering event associated with the compressor. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the triggering event is a beginning or end of the running cycle for the compressor. 
   
   
       35 . A system for operating a condenser fan, comprising:
 a compressor;   a condenser fan, wherein the condenser fan is operable in a forward mode and a reverse mode; and   means for operating the condenser fan between the forward mode and reverse mode independently of a running cycle of the compressor.