Liquid Nitrogen Dosing for Ice Cream Freezing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ice cream manufacturing methods result in inconsistent product quality due to variations in storage temperature and production time, making it difficult for consumers to achieve the desired consistency.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing liquid nitrogen for rapid cooling of ice cream ingredients, combined with a controlled dosing system and interlocking beaters, to reproducibly produce ice cream with desired characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional batch production methods are used, then production time is extended and product consistency varies, but if rapid cooling with liquid nitrogen is implemented, then production time is reduced and consistency is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter rapidly by introducing liquid nitrogen at controlled rates, transforming the gradual cooling process into a rapid controlled freezing process. This allows the system to achieve consistent product quality while significantly reducing production time from hours to minutes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through viscosity sensors and temperature sensors that continuously monitor the freezing process. The system adjusts the liquid nitrogen dosing rate based on real-time measurements, ensuring consistent product quality regardless of variations in ingredient batches or environmental conditions.
2Loss of time
If liquid nitrogen is added to rapidly cool ingredients, then production time is reduced, but controlling the dosage precisely becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual or mechanical dosing methods with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors and motors to precisely control liquid nitrogen dispensing. This substitution enables accurate dosage control while maintaining rapid cooling speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary devices including a controlled valve system and viscosity sensor that mediate between the liquid nitrogen source and the ingredients. These intermediaries provide precise measurement and control of the dosing rate, ensuring consistent freezing without manual intervention.
3Productivity
If interlocking beaters are used to mix ingredients, then mixing efficiency is improved, but frozen ingredients may adhere to the beaters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic reversal of the beater rotation direction during the mixing process. This periodic action prevents frozen ingredients from adhering to the beater surfaces by periodically dislodging them, maintaining mixing efficiency without requiring additional heating or scraping mechanisms.
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 enables the production of ice cream with consistent texture and flavor, allowing for customizable consistency and rapid production, addressing the limitations of traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
A system utilizing liquid nitrogen for rapid cooling of ice cream ingredients
Implementation Method 2
liquid nitrogen configured to provide a controlled amount of liquid nitrogen to the ingredients in the container such that the ingredients freeze
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of producing a frozen food product include dosing ingredients with a liquefied gas while mixing the ingredients using self-cleaning interlocking beaters. A system can include a container mount rotatable in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction, a coolant dosing system configured to provide coolant to ingredients in a container coupled to the container mount, at least one beater to mix ingredients in the container, and a controller to control the rotation of the container mount and the beaters, the controller performing a mixing process that includes rotating the beaters and the container mount in opposite directions for a first time period, rotating the beaters and the container mount in the same directions for a second time period, and rotating the beaters and the container mount in opposite directions for a third time period.