Method of analyzing a product to determine the degree of freezing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the temperature and degree of freezing of products, especially in the food industry, are invasive, unreliable, and prone to inaccuracies due to internal temperature gradients and variability in product size and shape.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive method using a correlation between the phase angle exhibited by a product in an electromagnetic field and its degree of freezing, allowing for accurate determination of temperature and freezing state without contact or penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contact temperature measurement methods (thermometer, thermocouple) are used, then measurement reliability is improved, but product integrity is damaged and continuous production is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based temperature measurement (thermometers, thermocouples) with electromagnetic field-based measurement. The system applies electromagnetic fields to the product and measures temperature through non-contact detection of electromagnetic responses, eliminating physical penetration while maintaining measurement reliability and enabling continuous production without disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary between the measurement system and the product. Instead of direct contact, the electromagnetic field serves as a mediator that interacts with the product's thermal properties, allowing temperature measurement without physical contact or penetration, thus preserving product integrity and enabling continuous processing.
2Ease of operation
If infrared temperature sensors are used, then noncontact measurement is achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to surface temperature variations and internal gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the measurement system's universality by using electromagnetic fields that can detect both surface and internal temperature characteristics simultaneously. The system processes electromagnetic responses to derive average temperature, core temperature, and surface temperature from a single non-contact measurement, overcoming the limitation of infrared sensors that only measure surface spots and are affected by temperature gradients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct infrared radiation detection to electromagnetic field response analysis. By measuring how the product responds to applied electromagnetic fields (which penetrates deeper than infrared), the system can infer internal temperature distribution and average temperature, significantly improving measurement precision while maintaining non-contact operation.
3Measurement precision
If temperature probes are inserted into products, then internal temperature measurement is improved, but product damage occurs and measurement consistency deteriorates due to penetration depth variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical probe insertion with electromagnetic field-based measurement. The electromagnetic fields penetrate the product non-invasively and interact with the internal temperature distribution, allowing measurement of core and internal temperatures without physical penetration. This eliminates variability caused by different insertion depths and maintains measurement consistency across all products.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an electromagnetic model or representation of the product's internal temperature distribution by analyzing its electromagnetic field response. Instead of physically inserting probes that may vary in depth and position, the system uses electromagnetic field interactions to generate an accurate thermal model of the product's interior, providing consistent and repeatable measurements without physical contact.
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 method provides reliable and accurate measurements of product temperature and degree of freezing, independent of product size and shape, and avoids false readings from external factors like production throughput.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the phase angle exhibited by a product while it is irradiated with an electromagnetic field
Implementation Method 2
providing a correlation of the degree of freezing of a product having the composition of the product that is to be analyzed, that is conductive, correlated with the phase angle exhibited by a product
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 1D
AI summary
Disclosed is a technique for characterizing a product utilizing novel measurements based on the reactive and resistive signals exhibited by the product in an electromagnetic field.