Egg Candling Apparatus Dual Opacity Thresholds Black Rot Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional candling methods fail to accurately detect 'black rot' eggs, which are difficult to identify due to bacterial contamination causing a dark or blackened interior, leading to equipment contamination and unnecessary removal of live eggs.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that illuminate eggs with light, detect the opacity using a photodetector or camera, and analyze the output signals to differentiate between live and non-live eggs by setting specific opacity cutoff values, allowing for the removal of eggs with opacity below a first value and above a second value, thereby identifying black rot eggs and preventing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional single-threshold candling methods are used to identify non-live eggs, then clear eggs can be detected, but black rot eggs cannot be accurately distinguished from live eggs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from a single opacity threshold to a dual-threshold system with a first opacity value and a second opacity value. This creates two distinct classification zones: eggs with opacity below the first threshold are identified as non-live, eggs with opacity between the first and second thresholds are identified as live, and eggs with opacity above the second threshold are identified as black rot. This parameter expansion enables accurate differentiation of black rot eggs while maintaining clear egg detection capability.
2Productivity
If eggs are removed based on single opacity threshold, then clear eggs can be eliminated, but live eggs may be incorrectly identified as non-live
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by establishing a parameter range (between the first opacity value and the second opacity value) that defines live eggs. This range creates a safety buffer that prevents misclassification of live eggs as non-live, while still enabling removal of clearly non-live eggs (below first threshold) and black rot eggs (above second threshold). The dual-threshold system thus maintains high reliability in live egg identification while optimizing incubator space utilization.
3Ease of manufacture
If black rot eggs are not identified, then processing continues normally, but equipment contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by identifying and removing black rot eggs before they enter the injection and processing stages. The dual-threshold candling system detects black rot eggs (opacity above second threshold) in advance, allowing their removal before contamination can occur. This preliminary identification and removal prevents bacterial contamination of equipment and other eggs, ensuring processing continuity without compromising hygiene safety.
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
Effectively identifies and removes black rot eggs, reducing contamination risks and minimizing the incorrect identification of live eggs as non-live, thereby optimizing egg processing and vaccine production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
illuminating eggs in a carrier with light from a light source; receiving light passing through each egg at a light detector
Implementation Method 2
receiving light passing through each egg at a light detector (e.g., photodetector, video camera, etc.)
Data Source
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AI summary
Egg candling methods and apparatus are provided wherein black rot eggs can be identified and removed. A method of identifying live eggs includes illuminating eggs ina carrier with light from a light source; receiving light passing through each egg at a light detector; generating an output signal that corresponds to light received at a light detector for each respective egg; analyzing the output signal for each egg to determine opacity of each egg; removing eggs having an opacity less than a first opacity value; and removing eggs having an opacity greater than a second opacity value that is different from the first opacity value.