Keeping Operators in ‘Touch’ with Their Refrigeration Systems The new GForce™ microprocessor control panel from FES Systems Inc. literally keeps refrigeration equipment operators in „touch‟ with their refrigeration systems. This operator-friendly touch-screen control panel is the most practical and easy-to-use microprocessor control in the industry. And to show its complete versatility, the GForce™ Panel is designed to do the following operations:

• Screw compressor control
• Reciprocating compressor control
• Compressor sequencing
• Condenser fan/pump sequencing
• Air unit cooling & defrost control
• Pump package control
• Chiller control
• Refrigerant leak detection
• KW limiting/load shedding

“All of these functions and many more are possible in a single, or distributed across multiple, GForce™ panels,” stated James Rohrbaugh, FES Systems‟ Product Manager Controls. “The GForce™ control is not only available on new compressor systems, but can also replace existing controls and can be installed on the following compressor types: Grasso, Mycom, Howden WRV & XRV, Dunham-Bush, Kobe, Sullair A, B, & C, Frick RWB, RWF, RXB, RXF & RDB, and Vilter 440, 450 & 450XL. And the list keeps growing.

Easy Ethernet Communications

“The GForce™ Ethernet port makes the panel easily compatible with outside communications. Through a secure Ethernet network, new or existing, a remote User is able to view and access the panel as if standing right in front of it,” continued Rohrbaugh. “Any Java-enabled web browser can be used; no additional software is needed.

” A dedicated network can be built using only an Ethernet switch and standard Ethernet CAT5 cable running to each GForce™ panel and to the remote viewing computer.
The GForce™ panel‟s Ethernet Port also supports Modbus/TCP/IP industry standard protocols for providing access to an FES Systems MicroLINK SCADA System, a PLC, the plant‟s DCS, or any other supervisory system.

A ComMENT Network interface option available for GForce™ panels makes new FES Systems compressors backward compatible with existing Micro-III based sequencing via the FES Systems ComMENT Network.

Reliable and Secure

“Built on an industrial processor hardware platform and utilizing the proven Microsoft Windows® XP Embedded operating system software, the GForce™ Panel is meeting the reliability required by the refrigeration industry” stated Rohrbaugh. “The GForce™ industrial processor is made for tough environments and is designed for control purposes, not for a desktop PC. It is based on an Intel processor that is currently used in many products. And obsolescence is not a concern—the GForce ™ panel design allows for future replacement of a malfunctioning processor with a newer processor that is available, extending the panel‟s useful life.”

Programs and data are stored on a “disk on chip” type flash memory. The GForce™ mass storage media will provide reliable data storage for many years.

The GForce™ Panel screen is weather and chemical resistant, and it can withstand even a high-speed impact from a blunt object. The display‟s backlight will last tens of thousands of hours; the panel‟s screen saver feature makes sure these are hours of real use.

Integral to the monitoring and control provided by the GForce™ panel is an I/O Interface Board custom-designed by FES Systems for interfacing directly to the field devices. The processor accesses all field devices via a robust RS485/Modbus network connection to this I/O interface board, a very reliable means for reading the state of the inputs and directing the outputs.

The I/O Interface Board, with its own microprocessor, can override the main processor and shut off the outputs for failsafe operation if it detects a problem.

It will direct all control outputs to their safe state. Three levels of “watchdog” protection are designed into the panel hardware and software to ensure that the compressor (or other equipment) is only driven when the panel is working properly. Even the inside panel temperature is monitored, and will generate an alarm if too high.

Rounding out the hardware is the I/O Rack connected to the I/O Interface Board. Each rack has space for 24 I/O modules configured as inputs or outputs by the panel program. The widely available modules with fuse and LED indicator are available with built-in H-O-A toggle switch. The I/O rack includes a fuse tester and space for spare fuses.

The GForce™ Panel‟s operating application software was developed directly from the FES Micro-III panel, providing functionality that has been well-tested and proven reliable since the mid 1990‟s. This application software interfaces to Microsoft‟s Windows® XP Embedded
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operating system, custom tailored for the GForce™ panel hardware. Windows® XP Embedded and software tools used to develop the GForce™ application software are in use by many companies and in many, many products operating throughout the world. By using proven operating system and development tools, the FES Systems‟ GForce™ development team has been able to concentrate on implementing and testing the control and monitoring of the compressor and other refrigeration equipment, not on the support software. All helping to ensure reliable GForce™ panel software.

The GForce™ panel has 3 levels of security—Basic, User, and Service—each with increased capabilities and each accessible via unique password entry.

Easy to Operate and View

The GForce™ Control Panel display is clear, crisp, and easy to view. Utilizing a large 15” diagonal, full 32-bit-color, LCD display with 1024 x 768 pixel resolution and a 120° viewing angle, the GForce™ provides extremely fine resolution and the color variations, making even very detailed screens appear with superior clarity.

The GForce™ display is also a resistive touch screen with active touch areas clearly indicated. The screen can sense a stylus or a bare, oil-covered, or even gloved finger.

Navigating from screen to screen is so easy it is almost natural. A touch of the Suction Pressure Display area near the compressor‟s suction inlet will bring up a screen with all Suction Pressure parameters—control, alarm & shutdown. Access of all panel information is one or two screen touches away!

Multi-language support is included for standard screens—English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese are standard. Further customization is available; the GForce™ is adaptable for almost any language.

Easy to Maintain and Update

An ordinary USB Flash Memory Device plugged into the GForce™ Panel‟s USB port is the means for transferring data to and from the panel. The transfer capabilities are simple and versatile—operating program, parameters, historical trend data, alarm history—all can be transferred from the GForce™ memory and archived or used for analysis. Manuals and drawings, even a User‟s document or picture in PDF format (SOP‟s, equipment service photos, etc.) can be loaded into the panel‟s memory and viewed on the panel display. Program updates are easy—the update is e-mailed from FES Systems and transferred to the GForce™ processor in the field through this same USB port.

For cleaning the screen, a Washdown mode is included. After cleaning, a series of touches in sequence at specific points on the screen will return the screen to its normal responsive mode.

The GForce™ Maintenance Scheduler lists tasks with time interval between service operations, time stamping when service is done, and tracking of time remaining (in Run-time hours) until due. The GForce™ Maintenance Log provides a date and time-stamped log of activities and a way for Users to enter notes for the next shift User to view.

Easy to Support

 When trouble-shooting a problem, the refrigeration technician can quickly look at diagnostic utility screens, on-screen manuals, drawings and trouble-shooting guides. Also capturing “Rx-Trend” historical data, the technician can quickly display all analog and digital status with the capability of e-mailing the data for diagnosis.

The GForce™ Panel has a minimal number of components to change and a minimal number of connections between them, making troubleshooting & repair easier. The main components are: Processor/Touch Screen Assembly, I/O Interface Board, I/O Rack, Power Supply, I/O Modules, relays, and fuses.

To find out more about the GForce microprocessor control, contact your local FES Systems Sales Representative or email sales@fessystems.com for additional information.

FES Systems Inc. designs, builds and services refrigeration systems serving the food, beverage, chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical markets in North and South America, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Rim.

For additional information regarding this news release or for other information regarding FES Systems Inc., please contact Jeff Cook, FES Systems Inc. marketing manager.

Visit our web-site at www.fessystems.com