A machine for producing and dispensing liquid or semiliquid foodstuffs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for producing and dispensing liquid or semiliquid food products, such as ice creams and sorbets, face challenges in maintaining stable heat adjustment due to overheating issues, which affect operation stability and energy efficiency, especially during short refrigerating cycles with varying thermal loads.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a heat-adjustment system that includes a control unit capable of dynamically adjusting the overheating value using a predictive algorithm, tracking load variations and maintaining stability through a PID control technique, ensuring efficient use of the evaporator and maintaining product quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the refrigerant overheating at the evaporator's exit is increased to improve valve stability, then the valve operation stability is improved, but the overall yield of the heat-adjustment system is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the overheating value dynamic rather than static. The control unit continuously adjusts the overheating value based on real-time evaporator load conditions, allowing the system to adapt to varying thermal demands. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to maintain valve stability when needed while maximizing productivity when the load allows, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and yield.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of overheating value based on operating conditions. By monitoring evaporator load and adjusting the overheating parameter accordingly, the system can optimize both valve stability and overall yield. The control unit modifies the setpoint temperature of the evaporator outlet based on detected thermal load variations, enabling flexible operation that balances stability requirements with productivity goals.
2Measurement precision
If the thermostatic expansion valve is adjusted to maintain constant temperature difference, then the heat adjustment precision is improved, but the system shows cyclic oscillations under thermal load variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the thermal load on the evaporator and adjusting the overheating value accordingly. The control unit detects variations in thermal load and modifies the evaporator outlet temperature setpoint to maintain optimal operation. This feedback mechanism prevents cyclic oscillations by proactively adapting to load changes rather than reacting to temperature deviations, thus maintaining both precision and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by anticipating thermal load variations and adjusting the overheating value before significant temperature deviations occur. The control unit monitors thermal load conditions and pre-adjusts the evaporator outlet temperature setpoint to prevent oscillations. This proactive approach maintains temperature control precision while avoiding the instability that arises from reactive control adjustments.
3Productivity
If the refrigerating cycle duration is shortened for food production applications, then the production speed is improved, but the heat-adjustment system cannot follow the system dynamics quickly enough
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and setting appropriate overheating values based on anticipated thermal load conditions. The control unit prepares the evaporator outlet temperature setpoint in advance based on detected thermal load, enabling the heat-adjustment system to respond quickly to changing conditions. This proactive adjustment allows the system to follow rapid dynamics during short refrigerating cycles without sacrificing control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the heat-adjustment system dynamic by continuously adapting the overheating value to real-time thermal load conditions. The control unit rapidly adjusts the evaporator outlet temperature setpoint in response to thermal load variations, enabling the system to follow the fast dynamics required for short refrigerating cycles. This dynamic response capability allows the system to maintain precise temperature control during high-speed production operations.
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
The system effectively adapts to thermal load changes during whipping cycles, preventing cyclic oscillations and ensuring consistent product temperature, thereby improving the quality and efficiency of the food production process.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator (11d) used for cooling the base product, the finished product and/or intermediate products
Implementation Method 2
The expansion valve has the function of lowering the temperature of the liquid coming out of the condenser bringing it from the condensation temperature to the evaporation temperature through pressure lowering
Implementation Method 3
a compressor (11a), a condenser (11b), an electronic expansion valve (11c) and an evaporator (11d)
Implementation Method 4
a compressor (11a), a condenser (11b), an electronic expansion valve (11c) and an evaporator (11d)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A machine for producing and dispensing liquid or semiliquid foodstuffs, comprising: a holding vat (2) for a liquid base product; a treatment circuit (10) for the liquid base product, in order to obtain a liquid or semiliquid foodstuff; dispensing means (30) for distributing the foodstuff; a heat-adjustment system (11) comprising a thermal circuit (11') within which a thermal fluid (11e) circulates, and equipped with: a compressor (11a), a condenser (11b), an electronic expansion valve (11c), an evaporator (11d), and a control unit (11f) configured for determining a main parameter (SH) representative of the instantaneous overheating of the thermal fluid (11e) coming out of the evaporator (11d); determining a reference parameter (SHset) as a function of a predetermined value (SHmin), and of an auxiliary value (DT) depending on the variation in time of the temperature (Tout) of the fluid (11e) coming out of the evaporator (11d), and of the saturation temperature (Tsat) of the fluid (11e) coming out of the evaporator (11d); generating an electric command signal (S) for the valve (11c) as a function of a comparison between the main parameter (SH) and reference parameter (SHset).