Microwave Power Control via Core Temperature Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microwave cooking technologies fail to achieve the fastest possible cooking while minimizing energy consumption, as they primarily focus on maintaining temperature distribution and preventing surface drying without optimizing microwave power settings based on food characteristics and cooking process parameters.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining the target difference quotient, gradient, or C-value as a function of food and cooking process parameters, using temperature sensors to adjust microwave power, and combining microwave radiation with steam and hot air to optimize core temperature rise, thereby minimizing energy usage and cooking time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If microwave power is increased to reduce cooking time, then cooking speed improves, but energy consumption increases and temperature distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The microwave power is dynamically adjusted during the cooking process based on real-time core temperature measurements. The control device continuously monitors the core temperature and modifies the microwave power output accordingly, transitioning from high power at the beginning to lower power as the core temperature approaches the target value, thereby optimizing both cooking speed and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback control system is implemented where the core temperature sensor provides continuous temperature data to the control device. The control device processes this feedback information and adjusts the microwave power in response, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically optimizes cooking parameters based on actual cooking progress
2Productivity
If microwave power is increased to reduce cooking time, then cooking speed improves, but temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The microwave power is dynamically adjusted during the cooking process based on real-time core temperature measurements. The control device continuously monitors the core temperature and modifies the microwave power output accordingly, transitioning from high power at the beginning to lower power as the core temperature approaches the target value, thereby optimizing both cooking speed and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback control system is implemented where the core temperature sensor provides continuous temperature data to the control device. The control device processes this feedback information and adjusts the microwave power in response, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically optimizes cooking parameters based on actual cooking progress
3Use of energy by moving object
If microwave power is optimized based on core temperature rise saturation, then energy consumption decreases, but cooking time may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary high-power microwave heating to rapidly raise the core temperature during the initial phase of cooking. This preliminary action allows the food to quickly approach the target temperature range, after which the power is reduced to avoid excessive energy consumption, thereby achieving an optimal balance between cooking time and energy usage
Solution Approach 2:
The microwave heating is conducted in periodic phases with different power levels. The process includes an initial high-power phase for rapid heating, followed by a lower-power phase for temperature maintenance and completion of cooking. This periodic action pattern optimizes energy efficiency while maintaining acceptable cooking time
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 approach allows for the fastest possible cooking with minimal energy consumption by setting optimal microwave power based on core temperature rise, which saturates at a certain level, ensuring efficient heat diffusion and preventing unnecessary energy expenditure.
Implementation Method 1
the direct absorption of microwave radiation in the food to be cooked
Implementation Method 2
provision of powerful microwave sources
Implementation Method 3
detect the surface temperature and the core temperature of an item to be cooked using an arrangement of temperature sensors
Implementation Method 4
ensuring efficient heat diffusion
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves measuring core temperature at two time points, and determining difference coefficients of core temperature from change of the measured temperature in a time interval. Increase of the core temperature is determined from deviation of the measured temperature, and a C-value is determined from characteristics of the measured temperature. The determined coefficients, temperature increase and C-value are compared with target difference coefficients, target temperature increase, and target C-value, respectively. Microwave power is adjusted based on the comparison results. An independent claim is also included for a cooking device comprising a heating device.