Drying Device Oxygen Sensor Control for Beverage Cans
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drying devices for containers, particularly beverage cans, are inefficient due to unregulated drying fluid introduction, leading to excessive energy consumption and unsatisfactory drying outcomes, as conventional methods struggle to accurately determine saturation levels at high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A drying device equipped with an oxygen sensor arrangement to determine the final oxygen content of the drying fluid, allowing for precise control of fluid flow and temperature to achieve optimal saturation and efficiency, with the control device adjusting these parameters based on the oxygen sensor's output to ensure the drying fluid is either slightly undersaturated or saturated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drying fluid is supplied at high rate and high temperature to ensure reliable drying, then the drying reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system using oxygen sensors to monitor the oxygen content in the drying fluid. The control device adjusts the drying fluid flow rate and/or temperature based on the measured oxygen content to maintain optimal saturation levels. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables reliable drying while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding excessive heating and flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the parameters of the drying fluid (flow rate and temperature) based on the measured oxygen content. By adjusting these parameters to maintain the drying fluid slightly undersaturated or saturated, the system achieves effective drying with reduced energy consumption compared to constant high-temperature high-flow operation.
2Productivity
If the drying fluid flow rate is increased to improve drying efficiency, then the drying speed is improved, but the energy consumption and resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The oxygen sensor provides real-time feedback on the saturation level of the drying fluid. The control device uses this information to adjust the flow rate dynamically, increasing it only when necessary to maintain optimal drying conditions. This prevents unnecessary energy loss from excessive flow rates while maintaining high drying efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static, fixed flow rate operation to dynamic, adaptive flow rate control. The drying fluid flow rate is continuously adjusted based on the measured oxygen content, allowing the system to optimize drying efficiency while minimizing energy consumption at each moment of operation.
3Device complexity
If conventional drying methods are used without saturation control, then the device complexity is reduced, but the drying precision and outcome satisfaction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical saturation control mechanisms with an analytical measurement and control approach. Instead of using complex mechanical devices to control saturation, the system uses oxygen sensors to measure oxygen content and a control device to adjust parameters, achieving precise drying control with a simpler overall system architecture.
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
This approach enables efficient and reliable drying of containers by optimizing the saturation of the drying fluid, reducing energy consumption and ensuring complete drying of containers while minimizing resource usage.
Implementation Method 1
an oxygen sensor arrangement arranged and configured to determine a final oxygen content of the drying fluid exiting the drying chamber
Implementation Method 2
The drying fluid is supplied at a rate, for example, of 2 m/s to 10 m/s. The drying fluid is typically air. The drying fluid is to be provided so that constituents of the cleaning fluid, in particular water molecules, can be absorbed.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a drying device (1, 100, 150) for drying containers containing cleaning fluid, particularly beverage cans, comprising a drying chamber (2, 102) for applying a drying fluid to the containers in order to remove the cleaning fluid, and an oxygen sensor arrangement (28, 128, 172) which is arranged and configured to determine a final oxygen content of the drying fluid exiting the drying chamber (2, 102).