Filter pan oil level sensor

Abstract

A sensor assembly for determining the oil level in a filter pan is disclosed herein. The assembly includes a load cell for sensing the amount of oil in the filter pan. The filter pan is pivotable about an end of the pan within a frame for supporting a cooking device. One end of the load cell is attached to the frame. The assembly also includes a lever pivotable about a fulcrum such that a first end of the lever supports the other end of the filter pan and a second end of the lever presses against the load cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 820,733, filed on March 19, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The apparatus disclosed herein relates to the technical field of fryers and related cooking apparatus for cooking food. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for determining the oil level in a filter pan. Background Art

[0003] Commercial cooking devices, such as deep fryers that operate with cooking oil, may have multiple frying or cooking bays that share a common filtration system to clean and recirculate the oil. The oil can only be filtered and recirculated a limited number of times before the quality of the oil deteriorates to the point where it cannot be used further. The oil can then be dumped into a filter pan for removal. In commercial cooking equipment, there is typically only one filter pan for multiple cooking or frying bays. Therefore, it is necessary to clear the filter pan of oil and dump it out. This can cause two problems. First, the filter pan may be filled with oil so that when the user dumps oil from another bay, the filter pan overflows and causes oil spills. Second, the filter pan may not be properly replaced after the user dumps the previously existing oil. Again, this can cause oil spills.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a sensor system that notifies the user when the filter pan is full or absent so that the user can dump the oil without spilling the oil. Summary of the invention

[0005] In certain aspects, the present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring the amount of oil present in a filter pan, the filter pan being pivotable about a first end of the pan, wherein the apparatus has a fulcrum fixed to a frame and a load cell fixed to the frame, and a lever pivotable about the fulcrum, the lever having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the lever supports the second end of the filter pan and the second end of the lever presses against the load cell.

[0006] In other aspects, the present invention is directed to a method for measuring the amount of oil in a filter pan, the method comprising the steps of collecting the amount of oil in the filter pan so that the filter pan tilts downward on a first side; depressing a first end of a lever engaged with the first side of the filter pan; pressing a second end of the lever against a load cell to obtain a reading; and notifying a user that the filter pan is full based on the load cell reading. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 Depicted are cooking unit components and associated control components.

[0008] Figure 2A and Figure 2B A perspective view of a frame including a filter disc is depicted.

[0009] Figure 3 A perspective view of a filter disc is depicted with an inset view of a shoe attached to the filter disc.

[0010] Figure 4A and Figure 4B Alternative embodiments of filter discs and frames are depicted.

[0011] Figure 5 A cross-section of the load cell and components is depicted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Figure 1 A front view of a cooking unit assembly 10 of a fryer having a filter pan 24 and a filter assembly 20 is depicted. Cooking units, including but not limited to fryers, typically have an oil filter system or assembly for reusing cooking oil that can support an oil level sensor of the type described herein. Thus, the oil filter sensor mechanism as disclosed herein is not limited to fryers specifically or to cooking products in general. However, to provide a specific practical context, the device is described with respect to a fryer.

[0013] The assembly 10 has a frame 18. The frame 18 provides a frying pan containing the oil and also supports the fryer and associated electrical, mechanical, and fluid components. Figure 1 As shown, the frame 18 supports an array of fryer baskets 12 suspended above basins held within a rack 14 mounted on top of the frame 18. Other elements for operating or ventilating the fryers may be included, such as a control system or a hood over the fryers (not shown). The frame 18 also supports a filter assembly 20, as further described herein.

[0014] Figure 2A and Figure 2B Different perspective views of an embodiment of the frame 18 are shown with various electrical wires and fluid hoses removed for ease of viewing. Figure 2A and Figure 2B The illustrated frame 18 is mounted on casters to facilitate moving the cooking unit assembly 10 to a desired location. A filter pump 22 is provided for pumping oil through the filter assembly. A filter pan 24 is shown at the bottom of the frame 18. Figure 2A and Figure 2B In the illustrated embodiment, the filter pan 24 is disposed on its own front casters 28 and rear casters 30. Rearwardly of the filter pan 24 is a bracket 60, beneath which is the sensor assembly 50, as described more fully herein.

[0015] Figure 3The filter tray 24 is depicted separately. The filter tray 24 in this embodiment is in the shape of a large box with high walls, more like a rectangular basin. The filter tray 24 can have other configurations, such as a wide and flat shape, or other shapes that can be used to accommodate a frame or cooking unit assembly configuration.

[0016] Figure 3 The filter pan 24 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is shown supported by a filter pan base 26 resting on casters. The front casters 28 are located at the front of the cooking assembly (i.e., the side of the assembly 10 facing the cooking assembly 10 while frying food or adjusting the cooking assembly 10). Figure 1 The rear caster 30 is positioned towards the rear of the assembly 10, with the bracket 60 positioned at Figure 2A and Figure 2B 10. In other embodiments, legs may be provided in place of casters. Alternatively, more or fewer casters than the four shown may be used. In other embodiments, the filter pan 24 may be attached directly to the frame 18, for example, by an axle passing through a front end of the filter pan 24 mounted to the frame 10, so that the filter pan 24 may be tilted in a manner further described below.

[0017] Figure 4A and Figure 4B An alternative embodiment is depicted in which the filter pan 24 has one or more tracks 46 on the outside of the filter pan 24, and the frame 10 has one or more sets of corresponding casters 48 positioned to roll along the underside or engage into the tracks 46. This allows the filter pan 24 to be lifted off the ground and supported by the frame 10. This allows the frame and filter pan to be moved on the ground as a single integrated unit rather than as separate rolling units.

[0018] Return to Figure 1 , depicts a typical control panel and configuration for a filter assembly 20. The elements described herein with respect to the control panel and valves, hoses, and pumps may or may not appear in the same manner or configuration in each particular assembly, based on the specific design provided for a given application.

[0019] use Figure 1 The process of circulating cooking oil in the configuration depicted in FIG. 1 is as follows. The drain valve is turned to allow the oil to flow, as Figure 1 As shown. If it is pointed to drain, the cooking oil will flow to the drain hose connector, to which a drain hose (not shown) is connected so that the cooking oil is completely removed for disposal. New oil is then added to the cooking basin. With the drain valve pointing to "return oil", the drain valve is opened. The oil in the cooking basin is thereby drained to the filter pan 24. The interior of the filter pan 24 includes filter paper for filtering the oil before recycling. The filter pan 24 can be removed from the frame 18 to clean the inner basin of the filter pan.

[0020] Although Figure 1The valves depicted in and described above are shown as manual valves, but in other embodiments, the valves may be automatically controlled in conjunction with a control panel and processor, for example, by using electric valves or solenoids.

[0021] The filter pan 24 has a filter hose 68 coupled to the bottom of the filter pan for draining the filter pan when opened. The filter hose 68 advances along the underside of the filter pan 24 toward the front of the filter pan, such as Figure 3 As shown, it then extends upward to the main panel for filtering components, such as Figure 1 As shown. Filter hose 68 is connected to filter hose 68 connector. When the return valve is open, the oil can be pumped back to the cooking pot by filter pump 22. Once the return valve is opened, filter pump 22 can be automatically operated, or filter pump 22 can be operated separately, such as by pressing a button. In some embodiments, the return valve and filter pump 22 can be operated in combination by pressing a single button on the control panel indicating that the oil is returned to the cooking pot.

[0022] The filter pan will usually only hold the oil from one cooking pot, so you need to make sure it is completely emptied before filtering the oil from another pot. Also, if you remove the filter pan for cleaning, you must ensure that you replace it. Otherwise, opening the drain valve will cause oil to leak onto the floor.

[0023] To address these issues, sensors are provided to determine the presence of a filter pan and the amount of oil in the filter pan. Figure 5 An embodiment of a sensor assembly 50 is depicted. A load cell 62 is mounted to the underside of the bracket 60. The bracket is Figure 5 The outline is shown in Figure 2A and Figure 2B 60. Between the load cell 50 and the filter disc 24, a bracket 52 is also attached to the underside of the bracket 60. The bracket 52 has a fulcrum 54 about which an attached lever 56 rotates. One end of the lever 56 extends below and contacts the load cell 62. The other end of the lever 56 is attached to a roller 58. The roller 58 is positioned below or beside the filter disc 24. In other embodiments, the roller may be replaced by a bumper or a plastic slide. In other embodiments, the lever may engage directly with the filter disc.

[0024] The filter pan 24 is configured so that when it is empty, the rear end of the filter pan 24 is supported by the roller 58. If the filter pan 24 has a filter pan base 26 or rear casters 30, they are slightly lifted off the ground so that the weight of the filter pan 24 is supported by the roller 58 and the lever 56. Applying the weight of the filter pan on that end of the lever 56 causes the other end of the lever to press against the load cell 62. Ultimately, the weight of the filter pan 24 is transmitted to the frame 18 through the lever 56 and the load cell 62. The load cell 62 determines that a force is being applied to it and records the force reading to the central processing unit. This information can be displayed or communicated to the user in a variety of ways, such as by a display showing the weight of the filter pan 24, or a light indicating that the filter pan 24 is in place. In addition, the opening of the drain valve can be restricted in certain circumstances. For example, if the load cell 62 does not return a reading indicating that the filter pan 24 is in place, the drain valve can be locked in place. Alternatively, if the load cell 62 indicates that the filter disc 24 is full or otherwise has a volume or weight of oil above a defined threshold, the drain valve may be locked in place. In these cases where the load cell returns to a state that requires the drain valve to remain closed, the valve may be held closed by a variety of mechanisms. For example, an electromagnet (not shown) may be activated to hold the ball of the drain valve in a locked position until the triggering condition is removed. Alternatively, an electric valve or solenoid valve may be used to control the opening or closing of the drain valve or other valve. Other mechanisms known in the art for restricting a drain valve may also be used.

[0025] As described above, the front end of the filter disc 24 is fixed. Therefore, when the filter disc 24 is full of oil, the rear end will slightly press on the roller 58 and the lever 56, causing the oil to gather toward the rear of the filter disc 24. This will direct the weight of the oil to the rear end of the filter disc 24, thereby causing the increased force to be transmitted to the load cell 62 through the lever 56. The load cell 62 determines the weight of the oil and sends this data to the central processing unit of the control panel. Similarly, this information can be conveyed to the user, such as by a display that shows the increased weight of the filter disc 24, or a light or other device that indicates the weight or fullness of the filter disc 24. In some embodiments, when the load cell 62 reading indicates that the filter disc 24 is full of oil, it can prevent the user from turning another drain valve connected to a different cooking basin to prevent the filter disc 24 from overflowing, such as by the mechanism described above.

[0026] Figure 5 Also depicted is a shoe 42 attached to the lower rear edge of the filter pan 24. The shoe 42 provides a surface for the end of the lever 56 or roller 58 to engage on the filter pan 24 and provides additional surface area to reduce the chance of the filter pan 24 slipping off the lever 56 or roller 58. The angled shoe 42 also provides a slight misalignment between the filter pan 24 and the roller 58 so that the shoe 42 will engage the roller 58 even if the filter pan 24 is not perfectly aligned with the roller 58 when it is inserted into place. The shoe 42 also Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, the shoe 42 may also include a cutout 44 so that the roller 58 or lever 56 is caught in the cutout when the filter disc 24 is tilted downward, thereby further reducing the chance of slipping. As shown, the shoe 42 may also extend beyond the edge of the filter disc 24 and may have a curved profile to further support the filter disc 24 when the filter disc 24 slides forward a short distance.

[0027] Figure 5 Also depicted is an adjustment screw 64 for positioning the roller 58 or end of the lever 56 below the filter pan 24. In the illustrated configuration, the adjustment screw 64 is located on the same side of the fulcrum 54 as the filter pan 24, and tightening the screw will cause the roller 58 to adjust downward, while loosening the adjustment screw 64 will adjust the roller 58 upward.

[0028] Figure 5 Also depicted is a spring 66, which is provided to help balance the weight of the lever 56 and roller 58 and to keep the lever pressed against the adjustment screw 64. The spring 66 may also be on the opposite side of the fulcrum 54 and in tension rather than compression.

[0029] The filter pan oil level sensor provided herein has several advantages over the prior art. First, there is no need to place the sensor in the oil, which would eventually become covered with unfiltered waste oil and require replacement. Second, the cantilever design removes the load cell from directly below the filter pan. This simplifies the user's ability to remove and clean the filter pan and reduces the weight directly acting on the load cell. Also, the load cell is placed in a more protected position to prevent damage to the load cell.

[0030] It should be understood that any given element of the disclosed embodiments may be embodied in a single structure, a single step, a single substance, etc. Similarly, a given element of the disclosed embodiments may be embodied in multiple structures, steps, substances, etc.

[0031] The foregoing description illustrates and describes the process, machine, manufacture, material composition and other teachings of the present invention. In addition, the present invention only shows and describes certain embodiments of the disclosed process, machine, manufacture, material composition and other teachings, but, as mentioned above, it should be understood that the teachings of the present invention can be used in various other combinations, modifications and environments, and can be changed or modified within the scope of the teachings expressed herein, and these changes or modifications are commensurate with the skills and / or knowledge of ordinary technicians in the relevant field. The embodiments described above are further intended to explain certain known best modes for practicing the process, machine, manufacture, material composition and other teachings of the present invention, and enable other technicians in the field to utilize the teachings of the present invention in such or other embodiments and use various modifications required for specific applications or uses. Therefore, the process, machine, manufacture, material composition and other teachings of the present invention should not limit the exact embodiments and examples disclosed herein. Any paragraph titles provided herein are only used to be consistent with the recommendations of 37CFR§1.77 or otherwise provide organizational queues. These titles should not limit or characterize the invention described herein.

Claims

1. A device for measuring the amount of oil present in a filter disc, comprising: an oil filter pan pivotable about a first end of the oil filter pan; A fulcrum, fixed to the frame; a load cell fixed to the frame, offset from the second end of the oil filter pan and away from the first end of the oil filter pan, and the load cell is not installed directly below the oil filter pan; as well as A lever is pivotable about the fulcrum and has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the lever supports the second end of the oil filter pan and the second end of the lever presses against the load cell.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein A first end of the oil filter pan is secured to the frame. 3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a filter pan support supporting a first end of the oil filter pan. 4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a shoe attached to a second end of the oil filter pan, wherein the first end of the lever contacts the oil filter pan.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the shoe includes a cutout.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a roller attached to the first end of the lever.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a shoe attached to a second end of the oil filter pan where the roller contacts the oil filter pan.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the shoe includes a cutout.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a spring biasing the second end of the lever away from the load cell.

10. A method for measuring the amount of oil in a filter pan, comprising the steps of: collecting the amount of oil in the filter pan such that the filter pan tilts downward on a first side; depressing a first end of a lever engaged with a first side of the filter pan; pressing the second end of the lever against a load cell to obtain a reading, the second end of the lever extending away from the filter pan and the load cell not being mounted directly below the filter pan; as well as A user is notified that the filter pan is full based on the load cell reading.

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