Capacitor-Powered Wireless Temperature Probe for High-Heat Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature-measurement systems for high-temperature environments, such as food cooking, face challenges in reliability and safety due to material limitations and the risk of toxic gas emission from battery-based energy sources, and lack the ability to monitor temperatures accurately and wirelessly over extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A wireless temperature-measurement system utilizing energy-storage capacitors instead of batteries, with a probe-charging station that supplies electric charge to the capacitors, allowing for periodic temperature measurement and transmission, and featuring a reader that receives and stores temperature data, including operational parameters and probe IDs, while preventing toxic gas emission by using non-outgassing materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a lithium-ion battery is used as the energy source in the temperature probe, then the probe can operate wirelessly for extended periods, but the battery will vent toxic gases when exposed to temperatures greater than 400°F
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery from the temperature probe, eliminating the toxic gas emission problem. The probe is designed to be battery-free, using the target's internal power for operation, thereby removing the harmful component while maintaining wireless functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable, battery-free probe design where the probe itself is inexpensive and can be discarded after use. This eliminates the need for rechargeable batteries that pose safety risks at high temperatures, while the low cost allows for single-use applications.
2Reliability
If the probe is designed to withstand high temperatures up to 600°F, then safety is improved by preventing toxic gas emission, but the choice of materials and electronics becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature measurement system into two separate components: a high-temperature probe that can withstand 600°F and a separate charging station that houses the electronics and battery. This segmentation allows the probe to be made from heat-resistant materials without compromising electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a charging station as an intermediary device that charges the probe when it is not in use. This mediator allows the probe to maintain wireless functionality without containing its own battery, enabling high-temperature operation while preserving electronic capabilities in the external charging station.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the probe is battery-free and uses capacitive energy storage, then toxic gas emission is prevented, but the probe requires periodic charging which may interrupt operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary charging of the probe's capacitive energy storage before each use. The charging station pre-charges multiple probes in advance, so when a probe is needed for temperature measurement, it is already charged and ready for immediate deployment without interrupting the cooking process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous operational capability by having multiple pre-charged probes available. While one probe is in use, others are being charged in the background, ensuring that the useful action of temperature monitoring continues without interruption through seamless probe replacement.
4Quantity of substance
If multiple probes are used to monitor different food items, then measurement coverage is improved, but the complexity of managing and charging multiple probes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal charging station that can charge multiple probes simultaneously through a single interface. The charging station serves multiple functions: charging, storing, and managing multiple probes, thereby simplifying probe management despite the increased quantity of probes used for monitoring different food items.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides reliable, safe, and accurate wireless temperature monitoring up to 600°F, preventing toxic gas emission and enabling extended operation without battery-related issues, with the ability to manage multiple probes and create electronic cooking records.
Implementation Method 1
one or more energy-storage capacitors which supply the electrical energy for operation of the one or more probes
Implementation Method 2
a probe-charging station having circuitry configured to supply electric charge to the energy-storage capacitors
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless temperature-measurement system comprising (a) one or more temperature probes each including one or more energy-storage capacitors which supply the electrical energy for operation of the probe(s) and (b) a probe-charging station having circuitry configured to supply electric charge to the energy-storage capacitors prior to the temperature probes being positioned to measure temperature.