A device for quick-freezing and locking freshness of abalone

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of food quick freezing, and discloses an abalone quick freezing and freshness locking device, which comprises a quick freezing cylinder, the lateral wall of the quick freezing cylinder is provided with an inlet and an outlet, a spiral feeding plate is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the quick freezing cylinder and is correspondingly arranged and communicated with the inlet and the outlet, a nitrogen freezing mechanism comprises a corresponding air inlet cylinder and an air return cylinder, the air inlet cylinder is arranged at the top end of the quick freezing cylinder and is unidirectionally communicated with the quick freezing cylinder, the air return cylinder is arranged at the bottom end of the quick freezing cylinder and is unidirectionally communicated with the quick freezing cylinder, the air return cylinder is provided with an air return assembly, the air return assembly extends into the quick freezing cylinder and is communicated with the quick freezing cylinder, and a magnetic mechanism is arranged on the outer wall of the quick freezing cylinder and is used for magnetically interfering with the abalones in the quick freezing process. The abalone quick freezing and freshness locking device has the advantages of compact structure, convenient use, high automation degree, quick freezing of the abalones through the combination of nitrogen freezing and magnetic field intervention, high abalone quick freezing efficiency, low influence of water crystallization in the quick freezing process on the quality of the abalones and high popularization and application value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of food quick-freezing technology, and in particular to a quick-freezing and fresh-locking device for abalone. Background Technology

[0002] Abalone, a high-value seafood product, is rich in protein, various vitamins, and trace elements. Its exceptional nutritional value makes it highly sought after by consumers, and its freshness and taste are crucial to the consumer experience. However, abalone is extremely perishable after harvesting, leading to significant challenges in storage and transportation. Therefore, quick-freezing technology is particularly important to effectively extend the shelf life of fresh abalone while ensuring its quality remains intact.

[0003] Quick-freezing equipment is crucial for preserving perishable products such as seafood, and quick-freezing to lock in freshness is the core of abalone storage. Currently, quick-freezing technologies for abalone mainly include air freezing, liquid nitrogen freezing, and plate freezing. Air freezing devices achieve quick freezing by rapidly circulating low-temperature air around the abalone. This method is low-cost and easy to operate, but its limited thermal conductivity results in a long freezing time, insufficient uniformity, and the formation of large ice crystals inside the abalone, affecting its taste and quality. Liquid nitrogen freezing is known for its rapid freezing speed; however, its inconvenience, high risk, and high cost limit its widespread application in abalone quick-freezing. Plate freezing devices place fresh abalone on a metal plate, utilizing the plate's high thermal conductivity and low-temperature environment for rapid cooling and freezing. Although the plate freezing device has high heat transfer efficiency and relatively fast freezing speed, which can effectively reduce the impact of ice crystals on the quality of abalone, it has strict requirements on the shape and size of abalone and is not suitable for abalone with irregular shape or excessive size, thus limiting its application range.

[0004] Therefore, the present invention designs an abalone quick-freezing and freshness-locking device to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a quick-freezing and fresh-locking device for abalone, so as to solve the problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution: The present invention provides an abalone quick-freezing and freshness-locking device, comprising: A quick-freezing cylinder, wherein a discharge port is provided at the top of the side wall and a feed port is provided at the bottom of the side wall; A spiral feeder plate is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the quick-freezing cylinder, and the two ends of the spiral feeder plate are respectively corresponding to and connected to the inlet and the outlet. A nitrogen refrigeration mechanism includes an inlet cylinder and a return cylinder, the inlet cylinder being located at the top of the quick-freezing cylinder and communicating unidirectionally with the quick-freezing cylinder, and the return cylinder being located at the bottom of the quick-freezing cylinder and communicating unidirectionally with the quick-freezing cylinder; a return component is provided inside the return cylinder, the return component extending into the quick-freezing cylinder and communicating with the quick-freezing cylinder. A magnetic mechanism is provided, which surrounds the outer wall of the quick-freezing cylinder, to exert a magnetic field on the abalone during the quick-freezing process.

[0007] Preferably, the return air assembly includes a return air pump disposed inside the return air cylinder, the outlet of the return air pump is fixedly connected to a return air pipe, the return air pipe extends into the quick-freezing cylinder and is rotatably connected to the quick-freezing cylinder; a plurality of eccentrically arranged jet nozzles are disposed on the outer wall of the return air pipe.

[0008] Preferably, the return air pipe includes a fixed pipe communicating with the outlet of the return air pump. The fixed pipe extends into the quick-freezing cylinder and is provided with an annular connector. A rotating pipe is rotatably connected to the top of the fixed pipe. A connecting groove adapted to the connector is opened at the bottom of the rotating pipe. The connector extends into the connecting groove and is slidably connected to the connecting groove.

[0009] Preferably, the magnetic mechanism includes a magnetically shielded shell that is fixed around the outer wall of the quick-freezing cylinder, and a magnetic field coil is fixedly installed inside the magnetically shielded shell. The magnetic field coil surrounds the outside of the quick-freezing cylinder, and the magnetic field generated acts on the abalone on the spiral feeding plate.

[0010] Preferably, the spiral feeder includes a hollow spiral frame fixed inside the quick-freezing cylinder, and a conveying component for lifting the abalone is provided inside the spiral frame; the bottom end of the conveying component is correspondingly connected to and communicates with the feed inlet, and the top end of the conveying component is correspondingly connected to and communicates with the discharge outlet.

[0011] Preferably, the conveying assembly includes an installation groove formed in the inner wall of the spiral frame, a plurality of conveying rods are slidably connected in the installation groove, the plurality of conveying rods are connected in series side by side to form a conveyor belt, and the conveyor belt is arranged in a ring in the cavity of the spiral frame to circulate and lift the abalone.

[0012] Preferably, the conveying rod includes a transmission end disposed in the mounting groove, and a transmission chain is disposed through the transmission end, the transmission chain driving adjacent transmission ends to move synchronously; a connecting rod is fixedly connected between corresponding transmission ends, and the adjacent connecting rods are spaced apart.

[0013] Preferably, a feeding frame is rotatably connected to one end of the feed inlet facing the inner cavity of the quick-freezing cylinder, and the end of the feeding frame away from the quick-freezing cylinder is elastically sliding with the feed inlet; the feeding frame is inclined towards the inner cavity of the quick-freezing cylinder; and a plurality of feeding rods for conveying abalone are rotatably connected inside the feeding frame.

[0014] Preferably, a plurality of circulating fans are provided at the bottom end of the air intake cylinder, and the circulating fans are arranged at equal intervals around the periphery of the rotating tube.

[0015] Preferably, the bottom of the inner cavity of the return air cylinder is inclined towards the middle, and the bottom of the return air cylinder is connected to a controllable vent pipe, which is connected to the middle of the bottom of the inner cavity of the return air cylinder.

[0016] Compared with existing technologies, this invention has the following advantages and technical effects: This invention discloses an abalone quick-freezing and fresh-locking device, providing the prerequisites for subsequent packaging and transportation of abalone. The quick-freezing cylinder serves as the main container of the device. The discharge port at the top of its side wall is used to discharge the quick-frozen abalone, while the inlet at the bottom is used to place the abalone to be quick-frozen, providing material inlet and outlet channels for the entire quick-freezing process, realizing automated quick-freezing and fresh-locking of abalone, and improving quick-freezing efficiency. A spiral feeding plate is fixed inside the quick-freezing cylinder, with both ends connected to the inlet and outlet respectively, allowing the abalone to move along a specific path from the inlet to the outlet under the action of the spiral feeding plate, realizing a continuous and orderly feeding process and ensuring the continuity of the quick-freezing operation. Nitrogen freezing is also used. The mechanism consists of an inlet cylinder and a return cylinder. The inlet cylinder is located at the top of the quick-freezing cylinder and is unidirectionally connected to it, used to supply liquid nitrogen into the quick-freezing cylinder for freezing. The return cylinder is located at the bottom of the quick-freezing cylinder, also unidirectionally connected, with its internal return component extending into and connecting to the quick-freezing cylinder. This allows for the recovery and reuse of nitrogen during the freezing process, improving nitrogen utilization efficiency and reducing costs. Simultaneously, since the abalone moves from bottom to top, the low-temperature nitrogen recovered by the return component can pre-cool the abalone, gradually lowering its temperature and hardening it, reducing the time required for subsequent cooling and preventing internal water crystallization caused by rapid cooling. A magnetic mechanism surrounds the outer wall of the quick-freezing cylinder, allowing for the application of a magnetic field intervention during the quick-freezing process of the abalone. This can be used to improve the ice crystal formation process and reduce ice crystal formation. The process disrupts the cell structure of abalone, improving its quality after quick-freezing. During operation, the treated abalone is first placed into the quick-freezing cylinder through the inlet. The abalone falls onto a spiral feeding plate and is then conveyed from bottom to top. This method can accommodate abalone of different shapes and sizes, unlike flat-plate quick-freezing which has strict requirements on shape and size, thus expanding the applicability of the device. Simultaneously, the spiral conveyor extends the conveying path, reduces the spiral's rising angle to prevent slippage, and effectively reduces the equipment's size. During abalone conveying, the nitrogen freezing mechanism starts working, with liquid nitrogen entering the quick-freezing cylinder from the inlet to freeze the abalone. Utilizing the ultra-low temperature properties of liquid nitrogen, the temperature of the abalone is rapidly reduced, shortening the freezing time and reducing waste compared to air quick-freezing. The reduced time for ice crystals to form inside the abalone minimizes damage to the cell structure, thus better preserving the abalone's texture and quality. During freezing, a magnetic mechanism is activated, applying a magnetic field to the abalone during the quick-freezing process. This magnetic field further optimizes the ice crystal formation process, resulting in smaller, more uniform ice crystals and improving the quick-freezing quality. A spiral feeding plate slowly moves the abalone along a spiral path from the inlet to the outlet, ensuring thorough freezing within the quick-freezing cylinder. After freezing, the quick-frozen abalone is discharged from the outlet, completing the entire quick-freezing process. During freezing, a return gas assembly recovers nitrogen from the quick-freezing cylinder to the return gas cylinder, achieving nitrogen recycling and reducing liquid nitrogen consumption, thereby lowering costs.

[0017] This invention features a compact structure, ease of use, and a high degree of automation. It employs a combination of nitrogen freezing and magnetic field intervention to achieve rapid freezing and freshness preservation of abalone, thereby improving the efficiency of quick-freezing and reducing the impact of water crystallization on the quality of abalone during the quick-freezing process. It has value for widespread application. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of this application. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this application are used to explain this application and do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is an axial view of the abalone quick-freezing and freshness-locking device of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the abalone quick-freezing and freshness-locking device of the present invention; Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 2 A magnified view of part A in the image; Figure 4 For the present invention Figure 2 A magnified view of part B in the image; Figure 5 This is a side view of the feed inlet structure of the present invention; Figure 6 For the present invention Figure 5 A magnified view of part C; Figure 7 This is an axial view of the return air assembly of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the spiral feeder plate of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-section of the connecting rod of the present invention; In the diagram: 1. Quick-freezing cylinder; 2. Spiral feeder plate; 3. Nitrogen refrigeration mechanism; 4. Magnetic mechanism; 11. Discharge port; 12. Inlet port; 13. Feed frame; 14. Feed rod; 15. Rotating shaft; 16. Sliding shaft; 17. Sliding groove; 18. Support spring; 19. Insulation layer; 21. Spiral frame; 22. Mounting groove; 23. Conveying rod; 24. Conveying belt; 25. Transmission end; 26. Transmission chain; 27. Connecting rod; 28. Bearing; 29. ​​Baffle plate; 210. Blocking head; 31. Air inlet cylinder; 32. Air return cylinder; 33. Air inlet port; 34. Air return port; 35. Air return pump; 36. Air return pipe; 37. Jet nozzle; 38. Fixed pipe; 39. Connector; 310. Rotary pipe; 311. Connecting groove; 312. Ball bearing; 313. Fixing bracket; 314. Intensifier; 315. Circulating fan; 316. Vent pipe; 317. Vent valve; 318. Nitrogen supply pipe; 41. Magnetic shielding housing; 42. Magnetic field coil. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] Liquid nitrogen flash freezing involves both direct and indirect contact with the food during the freezing process, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Direct contact achieves rapid cooling but poses hygiene risks; indirect contact is relatively hygienic but cools down more slowly.

[0021] Advantages of direct contact: Liquid nitrogen can be directly sprayed or immersed in food, resulting in extremely high heat exchange efficiency. Liquid nitrogen has an extremely low boiling point of -196℃. When it comes into contact with food, it instantly absorbs a large amount of heat and rapidly vaporizes, allowing the food to cool down quickly. This rapid cooling minimizes the formation of ice crystals, as ice crystal growth takes time. Rapid cooling shortens this process, resulting in small, uniform ice crystals that cause minimal damage to food cells, perfectly preserving the texture, taste, and nutritional components of the food. When freezing seafood, direct contact with liquid nitrogen for quick freezing allows the seafood to freeze rapidly, and after thawing, its taste and freshness are almost indistinguishable from when it was freshly caught.

[0022] Disadvantages of direct contact: Direct contact between liquid nitrogen and food may introduce impurities or microorganisms, posing hygiene risks. If the purity of the liquid nitrogen is not high, impurities may adhere to the food surface. Poor hygiene conditions in the freezer can also lead to microbial contamination of the food. Moreover, direct contact requires extremely high purity liquid nitrogen, which undoubtedly increases production costs. If the purity of the liquid nitrogen used does not meet the requirements, it will not only affect the quality of the food but may also pose potential health hazards.

[0023] Advantages of indirect contact: By using liquid nitrogen to cool air, metal plates, or other media, and then having these media indirectly cool the food, direct contact between the liquid nitrogen and the food is avoided, effectively reducing the risk of food contamination and better ensuring food hygiene and safety. This method has relatively lower purity requirements for the liquid nitrogen, thus reducing operating costs to some extent. Indirect contact is also relatively simple to operate, requiring no complex equipment or technology, making it easy to promote and apply. In some food processing plants, indirect contact liquid nitrogen quick-freezing equipment is used, and operators can master its operation after simple training.

[0024] Disadvantages of indirect contact: Due to the added intermediate heat exchange step, the heat transfer efficiency of indirect contact is relatively low, resulting in slower cooling of food and longer freezing time compared to direct contact. This may affect production efficiency, requiring more equipment and time investment for large-scale production. During freezing, the temperature distribution inside the food may be uneven, with parts closer to the cooling medium cooling faster than those further away, potentially affecting the overall freezing effect.

[0025] Analysis shows that plate freezing is an indirect contact method, and its shortcomings are not easy to overcome. Therefore, this application chooses to freeze abalone directly in contact with liquid nitrogen for freshness preservation, and all subsequent technical solutions are based on this method.

[0026] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0027] Reference Figures 1 to 9 As shown, this embodiment provides a quick-freezing and freshness-locking device for abalone, including: The quick-freezing cylinder 1 has a discharge port 11 at the top of its side wall and a feed port 12 at the bottom of its side wall. Spiral feeder 2 is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of quick-freezing cylinder 1. The two ends of spiral feeder 2 are respectively set and connected to the feed inlet 12 and the discharge outlet 11. The nitrogen refrigeration mechanism 3 includes an air inlet cylinder 31 and an air return cylinder 32. The air inlet cylinder 31 is located at the top of the quick-freezing cylinder 1 and is unidirectionally connected to the quick-freezing cylinder 1. The air return cylinder 32 is located at the bottom of the quick-freezing cylinder 1 and is unidirectionally connected to the quick-freezing cylinder 1. An air return component is provided inside the air return cylinder 32. The air return component extends into the quick-freezing cylinder 1 and is connected to the quick-freezing cylinder 1. Magnetic mechanism 4 is arranged around the outer wall of quick-freezing cylinder 1 to exert magnetic field intervention on abalone during quick-freezing.

[0028] This invention discloses an abalone quick-freezing and freshness-locking device, providing prerequisites for the subsequent packaging and transportation of abalone. The quick-freezing cylinder 1 serves as the main container of the device. Its top side wall outlet 11 is used to discharge the quick-frozen abalone, while the bottom inlet 12 is used to place the abalone to be quick-frozen, providing material inlet and outlet channels for the entire quick-freezing process, achieving automated quick-freezing and freshness-locking of abalone, and improving quick-freezing efficiency. A spiral feeding plate 2 is fixed inside the quick-freezing cylinder 1, with its two ends connected to the inlet 12 and outlet 11 respectively, allowing the abalone to move along a specific path from the inlet 12 to the outlet 11 under the action of the spiral feeding plate 2, achieving a continuous and orderly feeding process and ensuring the continuity of the quick-freezing operation. The nitrogen freezing mechanism 3 consists of an air inlet 31 and an air return 32. The system comprises an air inlet cylinder 31 located at the top of the quick-freezing cylinder 1 and connected in one direction to it, used to supply liquid nitrogen into the quick-freezing cylinder 1 for freezing; a return air cylinder 32 located at the bottom of the quick-freezing cylinder 1, also connected in one direction, with its internal return air assembly extending into and connected to the quick-freezing cylinder 1, enabling the recovery and reuse of nitrogen during the freezing process, improving nitrogen utilization efficiency and reducing costs; simultaneously, since the abalone moves from bottom to top, the low-temperature nitrogen recovered by the return air assembly can pre-cool the abalone, causing its temperature to gradually decrease and harden, reducing the time required for subsequent cooling and preventing internal water crystallization caused by rapid cooling of the abalone; a magnetic mechanism 4 surrounding the outer wall of the quick-freezing cylinder 1 can apply a magnetic field intervention during the quick-freezing process of the abalone, which can be used to improve the ice crystal formation process and reduce the impact of ice crystals on abalone cell formation. The process of quick-freezing abalone improves its quality after freezing by reducing structural damage. During operation, the processed abalone to be quick-frozen is first placed into the quick-freezing cylinder 1 through the inlet 12. The abalone falls onto the spiral feeding plate 2 and is then conveyed from bottom to top. This method can accommodate abalone of different shapes and sizes, unlike flat-plate quick-freezing which has strict requirements on the shape and size of the abalone, thus expanding the applicability of the device. Simultaneously, the spiral conveyor extends the conveying path length, reduces the spiral's rising angle, avoids slippage, and effectively reduces the equipment's size. During abalone conveying, the nitrogen freezing mechanism 3 starts working, with liquid nitrogen entering the quick-freezing cylinder 1 from the inlet 31 to freeze the abalone. Utilizing the ultra-low temperature characteristics of liquid nitrogen, the temperature of the abalone can be rapidly reduced. Compared to air quick-freezing, this shortens the freezing time and reduces ice crystal formation on the abalone. The internal formation time reduces the damage of ice crystals to cell structure, thus better preserving the taste and quality of abalone. During freezing, the magnetic mechanism 4 is activated to apply a magnetic field to the abalone during the quick-freezing process. The magnetic field intervention of the magnetic mechanism 4 further optimizes the ice crystal formation process, making the ice crystals smaller and more uniform, further improving the quick-freezing quality. The spiral feeding plate 2 drives the abalone to move slowly along the spiral path from the inlet 12 to the outlet 11, ensuring that the abalone is fully frozen in the quick-freezing cylinder 1. After freezing, the quick-frozen abalone is discharged from the outlet 11, completing the entire quick-freezing process. During freezing, the return gas component recovers the nitrogen in the quick-freezing cylinder 1 to the return gas cylinder 32, realizing the recycling of nitrogen and reducing the consumption of liquid nitrogen, thereby reducing costs.This invention features a compact structure, ease of use, and a high degree of automation. It employs a combination of nitrogen freezing and magnetic field intervention to achieve rapid freezing and freshness preservation of abalone, thereby improving the efficiency of quick-freezing and reducing the impact of water crystallization on the quality of abalone during the quick-freezing process. It has value for widespread application.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, cryogenic liquid nitrogen from the outside is pumped into the air inlet cylinder 31 through a nitrogen supply pipe 318 located at the top of the air inlet cylinder 31. After vaporization, it is introduced into the quick-freezing cylinder 1 through an air inlet hole 33 located at the bottom of the air inlet cylinder 31. The cryogenic nitrogen comes into contact with the abalone and exchanges heat, causing the temperature of the abalone to drop rapidly, thus achieving quick-freezing.

[0030] Further optimization of the scheme: the return gas assembly includes a return gas pump 35 installed inside the return gas cylinder 32. A return gas pipe 36 is fixedly connected to the outlet of the return gas pump 35, extending into the quick-freezing cylinder 1 and rotatably connected to it. Several eccentrically positioned jet nozzles 37 are provided on the outer wall of the return gas pipe 36. When the low-temperature nitrogen gas flows to the bottom of the quick-freezing cylinder 1, its temperature is still low. It then enters the return gas cylinder 32 through the return gas hole 34. The return gas pump 35 then starts, transporting the gas in the return gas cylinder 32 to the quick-freezing cylinder 1 through the return gas pipe 36. The return gas pipe 36 extends into the quick-freezing cylinder 1 and is rotatably connected. The jet nozzles 37 on the outer wall of the return gas pipe 36 spray out the low-temperature return gas, achieving gas circulation between the quick-freezing cylinder 1 and the return gas cylinder 32. The rotatable arrangement of the jet nozzles 37 and the return gas pipe 36 makes the return gas distribution more uniform within the quick-freezing cylinder 1, helping to improve the freezing effect and nitrogen utilization rate.

[0031] Further optimizing the design, the return gas pipe 36 includes a fixed pipe 38 connected to the outlet of the return gas pump 35. The fixed pipe 38 extends into the quick-freezing cylinder 1 and is equipped with an annular connector 39. A rotating pipe 310 is rotatably connected to the top of the fixed pipe 38. The bottom end of the rotating pipe 310 has a connecting groove 311 adapted to the connector 39. The connector 39 extends into the connecting groove 311 and is slidably connected to the connecting groove 311. The gas output from the return gas pump 35 enters the quick-freezing cylinder 1 through the fixed pipe 38. The sliding connection between the top of the fixed pipe 38 and the connecting groove 311 through the connector 39 allows the rotating pipe 310 to rotate relative to it, ensuring gas transmission while allowing the rotating pipe 310 to rotate. Since the jet nozzle 37 is eccentrically positioned, when low-temperature nitrogen gas is ejected from the jet nozzle 37, the reaction force causes the rotating pipe 310 to rotate, allowing the injection angle of the return gas in the quick-freezing cylinder 1 to vary, further enhancing the uniformity of the return gas distribution in the quick-freezing cylinder 1 and improving the freezing effect.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of balls 312 are provided between the fixed tube 38 and the rotating tube 310 to avoid sliding friction between the fixed tube 38 and the rotating tube 310.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, a booster 314 is provided on the fixed pipe 38. The low-temperature nitrogen gas recovered by the return gas pump 35 is pressurized by the booster 314 and enters the rotating pipe 310, further increasing the pressure of the low-temperature nitrogen gas ejected from the jet head 37.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fixing bracket 313 fixes the return air pump 35 to the bottom end of the return air cylinder 32. The return air pump 35 does not contact the structure at the bottom end of the inner cavity of the return air cylinder 32, thus avoiding the residue of dirt in the contact area.

[0035] Further optimizing the design, the magnetic mechanism 4 includes a magnetically shielded shell 41 fixed around the outer wall of the quick-freezing cylinder 1. A magnetic field coil 42 is fixedly installed inside the magnetically shielded shell 41. The magnetic field coil 42 surrounds the quick-freezing cylinder 1, generating a magnetic field that acts on the abalone on the spiral feeding plate 2. During the quick-freezing process, the magnetic field coil 42 is energized to generate a magnetic field. The magnetically shielded shell 41 prevents the magnetic field from leaking out. The magnetic field acting on the abalone on the spiral feeding plate 2 inhibits the growth of ice crystals within the abalone cells, making the ice crystals smaller and more uniform, reducing damage to the abalone cell structure, and improving the quality of the quick-frozen abalone.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, magnetic field-assisted quick-freezing is an emerging technology that introduces a magnetic field to improve the quick-freezing process based on traditional quick-freezing technology. The application of a magnetic field can influence key aspects of the quick-freezing process, such as heat transfer, mass transfer, and ice crystal formation, thereby improving the quick-freezing effect in multiple ways and exhibiting unique advantages in food preservation, biological sample preservation, and other fields, specifically including: Inhibiting Ice Crystal Growth: In traditional quick-freezing, the rapid growth of ice crystals can easily damage cells, affecting the quality of food or biological samples. Magnetic field-assisted quick-freezing can interfere with the movement and arrangement of water molecules, inhibiting the nucleation and growth rate of ice crystals. Studies have shown that under the influence of a magnetic field, the growth rate of ice crystals decreases, resulting in smaller and more uniform ice crystals. In quick-freezing experiments on strawberries, applying a magnetic field significantly reduced the size of the ice crystals inside the strawberries, making their distribution more uniform. This effectively reduced the mechanical damage to cells caused by ice crystals, better preserving the cellular structure and original quality of the strawberries.

[0037] Improving quick-freezing efficiency: Magnetic fields can enhance heat transfer efficiency and accelerate the cooling rate of food or biological samples, thereby improving quick-freezing efficiency. Magnetic fields can alter the polarity of water molecules, increasing their thermal conductivity and promoting heat transfer. Taking meat quick-freezing as an example, under magnetic field-assisted quick-freezing conditions, the core temperature of meat decreases faster than with traditional quick-freezing methods, shortening the freezing time and improving production efficiency.

[0038] Improving Food Quality: Magnetic field-assisted quick-freezing not only inhibits ice crystal growth and improves freezing efficiency, but also effectively improves food quality. Because cell structure is better protected, the taste, color, and nutrients of the food are better preserved. In the production of frozen dumplings, using magnetic field-assisted quick-freezing technology results in dumplings with a more delicious taste, better dough elasticity, and less nutrient loss.

[0039] Enhancing the viability of biological samples: In the field of biological sample preservation, magnetic field-assisted quick-freezing is of great significance for maintaining the viability of biological samples. For biological samples such as cells and tissues, ice crystal damage during traditional quick-freezing can lead to reduced sample viability or even inactivation. Magnetic field-assisted quick-freezing can reduce ice crystal damage to biological samples, improving sample survival rate and viability. Experiments show that cells quick-frozen under magnetic field assistance have a significantly higher survival rate after thawing than cells preserved by traditional quick-freezing, providing a more reliable sample preservation method for biomedical research and clinical applications.

[0040] Further optimization of the design involves a spiral feeding plate 2 comprising a hollow spiral frame 21 fixed within the quick-freezing cylinder 1. A conveying assembly for lifting abalone is installed within the spiral frame 21. The bottom end of the conveying assembly corresponds to and is connected to the inlet 12, while the top end corresponds to and is connected to the outlet 11. Processed abalone enters the quick-freezing cylinder 1 through the inlet 12 and falls onto the conveying assembly of the spiral frame 21. The conveying assembly activates, causing the abalone to spirally rise along the spiral frame 21 from the inlet 12 to the outlet 11, ensuring the abalone is fully in contact with the freezing environment during movement, guaranteeing uniform freezing and improving the quick-freezing effect. The spirally arranged conveying assembly extends the abalone's movement path while maintaining the positions of the inlet 12 and outlet 11, reducing the lifting angle of the abalone and extending the quick-freezing time while minimizing equipment size, thus ensuring the best quick-freezing effect.

[0041] Further optimization of the scheme involves a conveying assembly including an installation groove 22 formed on the inner wall of the spiral frame 21. Several conveying rods 23 are slidably connected within the installation groove 22, and these rods are connected in series to form a conveyor belt 24. The conveyor belt 24 is arranged in a ring within the cavity of the spiral frame 21, cyclically lifting the abalone. The spiral frame 21 has two layers of spirally rising installation grooves 22. The conveyor belt 24, composed of several conveying rods 23 that are intermittently driven by a transmission chain 26, circulates within the installation grooves 22, lifting the abalone in a spiral motion during the quick-freezing process. This conveys the abalone from the inlet 12 to the outlet 11, achieving continuous conveying of the abalone, ensuring the continuity of the quick-freezing process, and improving production efficiency.

[0042] Further optimizing the design, the conveyor rod 23 includes a transmission end 25 disposed within the mounting groove 22, with a transmission chain 26 running through it. The transmission chain 26 drives adjacent transmission ends 25 to move synchronously. Connecting rods 27 are fixedly connected between corresponding transmission ends 25, with adjacent connecting rods 27 spaced apart. The transmission chain 26 drives the transmission ends 25 to move synchronously, and the connecting rods 27 connect adjacent transmission ends 25. Under the action of the transmission chain 26, the adjacent connecting rods 27 are spaced apart, achieving stable cyclical movement of the conveyor belt 24. This ensures the stability of the conveyor belt 24's movement, preventing abalone from falling or getting stuck during transport and ensuring the smooth progress of the quick-freezing process. Simultaneously, the spaced connecting rods 27 also allow residual moisture on the abalone to fall off, improving the quality of the abalone.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of baffle plates 29 are provided at equal intervals along the outer axial direction of the connecting rod 27, which increases the support of the connecting rod 27 for the abalone and prevents the abalone from slipping; the ends of the baffle plates 29 away from the connecting rod 27 are provided with spherical baffle heads 210 to prevent sharp structures from damaging the abalone and reduce damage during the quick-freezing process of the abalone.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of bearings 28 are sleeved on the transmission end 25. The inner ring of the bearing 28 is sleeved and fixed to the transmission end 25, and the outer ring of the bearing 28 rolls in contact within the mounting groove 22, thereby reducing the friction of the transmission end 25 within the mounting groove 22 and improving the smoothness of the conveyor belt 24.

[0045] In a further optimized design, a feeding frame 13 is rotatably connected to one end of the inlet 12 facing the inner cavity of the quick-freezing cylinder 1. The end of the feeding frame 13 away from the quick-freezing cylinder 1 slides elastically with the inlet 12. The feeding frame 13 is inclined towards the inner cavity of the quick-freezing cylinder 1. Several feeding rods 14 for conveying abalone are rotatably connected inside the feeding frame 13. The abalone is placed on the feeding rods 14 on the feeding frame 13. The weight of the abalone causes the feeding rods 14 to rotate, which conveys the abalone into the quick-freezing cylinder 1. The feeding frame 13 is rotatable and slides elastically with the inlet 12. The inclined design facilitates the entry of abalone and makes feeding easier. The elastic sliding and rotating design can adapt to different feeding conditions, improving the convenience and stability of feeding.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, one end of the feeding frame 13 is rotatably connected to the end of the feeding port 12 facing the quick-freezing cylinder 1 via a rotating shaft 15, while the end of the feeding frame 13 away from the quick-freezing cylinder 1 is provided with a sliding shaft 16. The sliding shaft 16 slides in a sliding groove 17 opened on the feeding port 12, and the sliding shaft 16 is connected to the bottom end of the sliding groove 17 via a support spring 18. When the abalone is placed on the feeding rod 14, the weight of the abalone compresses the support spring 18. As the abalone slides down, the force on the support spring 18 changes, thereby causing the end of the feeding frame 13 away from the quick-freezing cylinder 1 to elastically rise and fall, causing the feeding frame 13 to vibrate back and forth, accelerating the movement of the abalone towards the quick-freezing cylinder 1. At the same time, the vibration of the abalone during movement can also accelerate the dripping of water from the surface of the abalone.

[0047] To further optimize the design, several circulating fans 315 are installed at the bottom of the air inlet cylinder 31, and the circulating fans 315 are evenly spaced around the rotating tube 310. During operation, the circulating fans 315 are activated, causing the liquid nitrogen and gas in the air inlet cylinder 31 to quickly enter the quick-freezing cylinder 1, and making the freezing medium more evenly distributed in the quick-freezing cylinder 1; accelerating the delivery speed of the freezing medium, enhancing the uniform distribution of the freezing medium in the quick-freezing cylinder 1, and improving freezing efficiency and uniformity; at the same time, the setting of the circulating fans 315 accelerates the contact speed between the low-temperature nitrogen and the abalone, improving the freezing efficiency of the abalone.

[0048] The design is further optimized by arranging the bottom of the return air cylinder 32 at an angle towards the center. A controllable drain pipe 316 connects to the bottom of the return air cylinder 32, and the drain pipe 316 connects to the center of the bottom of the return air cylinder 32. Liquid or impurities within the return air cylinder 32 converge towards the center due to the angled interior and are discharged through the drain pipe 316. The discharge is controlled by a drain valve 317, facilitating the cleaning of liquid or impurities from the return air cylinder 32, ensuring the normal operation of the return air cylinder 32 and the entire refrigeration system, extending the equipment's service life, and facilitating post-use cleaning.

[0049] In one embodiment of the present invention, the inner wall of the quick-freezing cylinder 1 is provided with a heat insulation layer 19, which effectively avoids the influence of liquid nitrogen freezing on the outside world and also reduces the interference of high external temperature on the quick-freezing process.

[0050] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0051] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A quick-freezing and fresh-locking device for abalone, characterized in that, include: A quick-freezing cylinder (1) is provided with a discharge port (11) at the top of its side wall and a feed port (12) at the bottom of its side wall. Spiral feeder plate (2), the spiral feeder plate (2) is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the quick-freezing cylinder (1), and the two ends of the spiral feeder plate (2) are respectively corresponding to and connected to the feed inlet (12) and the discharge outlet (11); The nitrogen refrigeration mechanism (3) includes an air inlet cylinder (31) and a return cylinder (32) respectively. The air inlet cylinder (31) is located at the top of the quick-freezing cylinder (1) and is unidirectionally connected to the quick-freezing cylinder (1). The return cylinder (32) is located at the bottom of the quick-freezing cylinder (1) and is unidirectionally connected to the quick-freezing cylinder (1). A return gas assembly is provided inside the return gas assembly, which extends into the quick-freezing cylinder (1) and is connected to the quick-freezing cylinder (1). A magnetic mechanism (4) is arranged around the outer wall of the quick-freezing cylinder (1) to exert a magnetic field on the abalone during the quick-freezing process.

2. The abalone quick-freezing and freshness-locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The return air assembly includes a return air pump (35) disposed in the return air cylinder (32), and a return air pipe (36) is fixedly connected to the outlet of the return air pump (35). The return air pipe (36) extends into the quick-freezing cylinder (1) and is rotatably connected to the quick-freezing cylinder (1). A plurality of eccentrically arranged jet nozzles (37) are provided on the outer wall of the return air pipe (36).

3. The abalone quick-freezing and freshness-locking device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The return air pipe (36) includes a fixed pipe (38) that communicates with the outlet of the return air pump (35). The fixed pipe (38) extends into the quick-freezing cylinder (1) and is provided with an annular connector (39). The top end of the fixed pipe (38) is rotatably connected to a rotating pipe (310). The bottom end of the rotating pipe (310) is provided with a connecting groove (311) that is adapted to the connector (39). The connector (39) extends into the connecting groove (311) and is slidably connected to the connecting groove (311).

4. The abalone quick-freezing and freshness-locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The magnetic mechanism (4) includes a magnetic shielding shell (41) that is fixed around the outer wall of the quick-freezing cylinder (1). A magnetic field coil (42) is fixedly installed inside the magnetic shielding shell (41). The magnetic field coil (42) surrounds the quick-freezing cylinder (1) and generates a magnetic field that acts on the abalone on the spiral feed plate (2).

5. The abalone quick-freezing and freshness-locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spiral feeding plate (2) includes a spiral frame (21) fixed inside the quick-freezing cylinder (1) and hollow. The spiral frame (21) is provided with a conveying component for lifting the abalone. The bottom end of the conveying component is correspondingly connected to the feed port (12) and the top end of the conveying component is correspondingly connected to the discharge port (11).

6. The abalone quick-freezing and freshness-locking device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The conveying assembly includes an installation groove (22) formed on the inner wall of the spiral frame (21). Several conveying rods (23) are slidably connected in the installation groove (22). Several conveying rods (23) are connected in series to form a conveyor belt (24). The conveyor belt (24) is arranged in a ring in the cavity of the spiral frame (21) to circulate and drive the abalone to rise.

7. The abalone quick-freezing and freshness-locking device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The conveying rod (23) includes a transmission end (25) disposed in the mounting groove (22), and a transmission chain (26) is disposed through the transmission end (25). The transmission chain (26) drives the adjacent transmission end (25) to move synchronously. A connecting rod (27) is fixed between the corresponding transmission end (25), and the adjacent connecting rods (27) are spaced apart.

8. The abalone quick-freezing and freshness-locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feed inlet (12) is rotatably connected to a feed frame (13) at one end facing the inner cavity of the quick-freezing cylinder (1). The feed frame (13) at one end away from the quick-freezing cylinder (1) slides elastically with the feed inlet (12). The feed frame (13) is inclined toward the inner cavity of the quick-freezing cylinder (1). Several feed rods (14) for conveying abalone are rotatably connected inside the feed frame (13).

9. The abalone quick-freezing and freshness-locking device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The bottom end of the air intake cylinder (31) is provided with several circulating fans (315), which are evenly spaced around the periphery of the rotating tube (310).

10. The abalone quick-freezing and freshness-locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the inner cavity of the return air cylinder (32) is inclined towards the middle. The bottom of the return air cylinder (32) is connected to a controllable vent pipe (316), and the vent pipe (316) is connected to the middle of the bottom of the inner cavity of the return air cylinder (32).

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