Conveyor Product Temperature Measurement Using Thickness Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring product temperature on a conveyor in food processing operations are either discontinuous and costly or prone to false measurements due to interference from conveyor temperature, lacking a reliable and cost-effective online solution.
Innovation Solution
A system combining a fixed pyrometer or contact thermometer with a laser distance measurement to continuously monitor product thickness, allowing reliable temperature measurement by distinguishing between product presence and absence, and using a default value and sliding average calculations to filter out invalid measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pyrometer is used to continuously measure surface temperature of products on a conveyor, then continuous temperature monitoring is achieved, but false measurements occur due to conveyor temperature interference
Solution Approach 1:
A laser distance measurement system is introduced as an intermediary to detect product presence and thickness. This intermediary device enables the temperature measurement system to distinguish between product and conveyor surfaces, allowing continuous monitoring while filtering out false conveyor temperature readings through thickness-based validation
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful factor (conveyor temperature interference) is extracted and identified through thickness measurement. By measuring product thickness separately, the system can extract and eliminate false temperature measurements from the conveyor belt, keeping only valid product temperature readings in the continuous monitoring data stream
2Measurement precision
If manual temperature measurement of product samples is performed, then temperature data is obtained, but the process is discontinuous and requires human intervention
Solution Approach 1:
Manual mechanical sampling and measurement is replaced by an automated optical measurement system. The pyrometer and laser distance sensor work together in an automated setup that continuously measures temperature and thickness without human intervention, while the computer automatically processes data and applies validation logic to ensure measurement reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement process transitions from discontinuous manual sampling to continuous automated monitoring. The system continuously measures temperature and thickness of passing products, maintaining constant surveillance of product temperature throughout the processing operation without interruption or human intervention
3Productivity
If a pyrometer measures temperature without product presence detection, then temperature readings are obtained, but conveyor temperature readings falsify the evaluation
Solution Approach 1:
The laser distance measurement system serves as an intermediary validation layer between the pyrometer and the temperature evaluation. It provides thickness information that acts as a mediator to verify whether a temperature reading corresponds to actual product or is merely conveyor surface radiation, thereby ensuring measurement validity while maintaining fast continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through thickness measurement validation. The laser continuously provides thickness feedback that the computer uses to validate temperature readings in real-time. When thickness indicates no product or abnormal conditions, the system feedbacks this information to filter out invalid temperature readings, ensuring only valid product measurements are recorded
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
Provides continuous, reliable, and cost-effective temperature measurement of products on a conveyor, reducing false readings and improving operational efficiency by differentiating between product presence and absence.
Implementation Method 1
A temperature measurement system, for example a pyrometer, fixed in space in a position close to (above or to the side) of the conveyor, is used to perform a continuous measurement of the surface temperature of the products passing by
Implementation Method 2
a laser distance measurement is also implemented (a laser or another distance measurement system based on another principle such as for example ultrasound, visible light, or even a physical probe)
Implementation Method 3
a laser distance measurement is also implemented (a laser or another distance measurement system based on another principle such as for example ultrasound, visible light, or even a physical probe)
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Method for determining the temperature of products transported on the conveyor belt of a cryogenic tunnel, comprising the following steps: - continuously measuring the surface temperature of products travelling on the conveyor belt; - measuring the thickness of a product at the point where the temperature measurement is taken; - performing the following evaluation: a. when the thickness of the product is within a certain range, then the temperature measured for said product is considered to be a reliable value; b. when the thickness of the product is outside the range, then the last temperature value of the measured product is considered to be a reliable value according to paragraph a) above; c. after a determined period of time during which the measured thickness is outside the range, it is concluded that there are no products on the conveyor belt and the temperature measurements are no longer taken into account.