Fryer Heater Controller for Preemptive High-Limit Trip Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial fryers face downtime and potential damage due to high temperature limit modules that require manual reset and can overheat if insufficient cooking medium is present, leading to undesirable flavor and component damage.
Innovation Solution
A fryer system with a high limit temperature probe and controller that preemptively adjusts the heater output to avoid hard trip conditions by monitoring temperature differentials and cooking medium levels, ensuring the temperature does not exceed maximum limits and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high temperature limit module with hard trip temperature is used to prevent overheating, then the cooking medium temperature is protected from exceeding maximum limits, but the fryer experiences significant downtime requiring manual reset and waiting for temperature to drop
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary action by preemptively adjusting the heater output when an imminent high limit trip condition is detected, preventing the hard trip condition from occurring in the first place. This eliminates the need for manual reset and waiting for temperature to drop, thereby resolving the downtime issue while maintaining temperature protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the high limit temperature probe to continuously monitor temperature conditions. When the probe indicates an imminent trip condition, the controller receives this feedback and automatically adjusts the heater output, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents overheating without requiring manual intervention.
2Reliability
If the high temperature limit module relies on monitoring cooking medium temperature, then overheating is detected, but the cooking medium or fryer components may exceed maximum allowable temperature before the limit module trips if insufficient cooking medium is present
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary action by detecting imminent trip conditions before they occur and preemptively adjusting the heater output. This prevents the temperature from reaching levels that could damage the fry pot or other components, even when insufficient cooking medium is present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by counteracting the potential harmful effect of overheating before it can occur. When the high limit temperature probe detects conditions approaching the trip threshold, the controller preemptively reduces heater output to prevent temperature excursions that could cause component damage.
3Productivity
If the heater output is continuously adjusted to maintain cooking temperature, then optimal cooking conditions are maintained, but the risk of exceeding maximum temperature increases when cooking medium levels are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the high limit temperature probe to monitor temperature conditions and provide early warning of potential overheating. This feedback mechanism allows the controller to balance cooking efficiency with safety by preemptively adjusting heater output when imminent trip conditions are detected, preventing both overheating and component damage.
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 solution reduces downtime and prevents damage by proactively managing temperature and cooking medium levels, maintaining optimal cooking conditions and extending the lifespan of fryer components.
Implementation Method 1
a high limit temperature probe that provides a first signal indicative of a first temperature in the fry pot
Implementation Method 2
a heater configured to heat a cooking medium in the fry pot
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for controlling a fryer (10) having a high limit module (150). The high limit module (150) selectively decouples a heater (32) of the fryer (10) from an energy source (250) in response to a signal received from a high limit temperature probe (36) indicating a maximum allowable temperature has been exceeded at a hard trip condition. A controller (200) monitors signals received from an operational temperature probe (35) and the high limit temperature probe (36). Based on these signals, the controller (200) determines if the high limit module (150) is approaching the hard trip condition. If the controller (200) determines the high limit module (150) is approaching the hard trip condition, it preemptively adjusts the output of the heater (32) to avoid the hard trip condition. The controller (200) may thereby prevent the fryer (10) from being completely deactivated by the high limit module (150).