Food heating apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Food heating apparatuses using hydraulic head pressure face challenges with heat insulation efficiency, high manufacturing and operational costs, and potential operational interruptions due to steam pressure issues, leading to reduced heating efficiency and increased operator burden.
Innovation Solution
A food heating apparatus with a simplified structure featuring pressure exhaust pipes in communication chambers to release excessive pressure, utilizing a difference in specific gravity between high-temperature and low-temperature water to form distinct layers for continuous heating and cooling, and a water exhaust tank to manage steam, reducing the need for pressurized fluids and complex pressure vessel regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If communication chambers are substantially sealed and structured as pressure vessels to provide heat insulation, then heat insulation between main tank and reserve tanks is improved, but manufacturing cost and running cost are increased due to regulation requirements and inspection needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure vessel function from the communication chamber structure. Instead of making the communication chambers substantially sealed as pressure vessels, the invention uses open communication chambers where water naturally flows between tanks, eliminating the need for pressure vessel certification while maintaining operational safety through hydraulic head pressure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, regulated pressure vessel structures with simpler, non-pressurized communication chambers. The communication chambers are designed as simple water flow passages rather than sealed pressure-containing structures, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and eliminating inspection requirements.
2Loss of energy
If pressurized fluid is supplied to communication chambers for heat insulation, then heat insulation is improved, but high-temperature water gradually mixes with pressurized fluid causing temperature rise in reserve tanks and reduced heating efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs natural convection and density differences to achieve heat insulation without active pressurized fluid supply. The system uses the natural tendency of hot water to rise and cold water to sink, creating self-regulating thermal barriers in communication chambers without requiring external energy input for pressurization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic principles based on density differences and natural convection currents rather than pressurized fluid systems. The communication chambers utilize natural water circulation driven by temperature-induced density variations, eliminating the need for pressurized fluid supply infrastructure.
3Reliability
If communication chambers are evacuated to reduce apparent capacity increase from steam pressure, then steam-related safety is improved, but heat insulating effect is deteriorated and operation may be interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for evacuation systems by designing communication chambers that operate at atmospheric pressure. The chambers are not sealed and do not contain pressurized steam, eliminating the requirement for evacuation while maintaining safe operation through natural water flow and hydraulic head pressure control.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of evacuating communication chambers to prevent steam pressure issues, the patent inverts the approach by allowing atmospheric pressure operation with open communication chambers. The design accepts steam generation but prevents pressure buildup through open architecture and natural ventilation, eliminating the need for evacuation systems.
4Temperature
If low-temperature water is supplied to cool reserve tanks during long-term operation, then temperature control is improved, but convection mixes low-temperature water into main tank causing lower layer water temperature to drop below required level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the water circulation paths using partition walls with controlled openings. The communication chambers are divided into upper and lower sections, allowing temperature control in reserve tanks while preventing direct mixing with main tank water. This segmentation enables independent temperature management without compromising main tank heating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality control through strategically positioned partition walls and controlled openings in communication chambers. The partition walls allow selective water flow paths that enable cooling of reserve tanks while maintaining high temperature in the main tank, creating different thermal zones within the same system.
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
Enables continuous operation with improved heat insulation, reduced costs, and enhanced heating efficiency by controlling pressure through water levels, while minimizing the risk of steam-related interruptions and maintaining food texture quality.
Implementation Method 1
the pressurized fluid within the communication chambers has a heat insulating function
Implementation Method 2
heat of high-temperature water in the main tank is easily transferred to water in each reserve tank
Implementation Method 3
convection occurs in the communication chambers and a large amount of the low-temperature water with a small specific gravity for cooling is mixed into the main tank
Implementation Method 4
a steam layer is formed on a water surface of a main tank and on each water surface of a front reserve tank and a rear reserve tank adjacent to the main tank, but the steam layer becomes thin because of the hydraulic head pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A food heating apparatus includes a main tank, a water exhaust tank, reserve tanks, communication chambers, heat insulating partition walls, a water exhaust tank and pressure exhaust pipes. The main tank stores water exceeding 100° C. The reserve tanks communicate with the main tank and imparts hydraulic head pressure to the water in the main tank. The communication chambers are respectively between the main tank and the reserve tank and have top plates higher than a top plate of the main tank. The heat insulating partition walls separate the main tank and each reserve tank and protrude into the front communication chamber. The water exhaust tank higher than the communication chambers has an upper surface higher than water surfaces of the reserve tanks. The pressure exhaust pipes have inlet openings in the top plates of the communication chambers and outlet openings within the water exhaust tank higher than the water surfaces.