Milk Cooling Tank with Modulated Compressor to Prevent Freezing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milk cooling systems risk freezing milk when small volumes are cooled rapidly due to sluggish temperature response, leading to quality deterioration and bacterial growth.
Innovation Solution
A system with a capacity modulated scroll compressor and sensors to monitor milk level and temperature, controlling refrigerant pressure to maintain milk temperature above freezing, ensuring efficient cooling without freezing, using a control device to adjust compressor capacity based on milk volume and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the cooling device operates at full capacity to cool milk quickly, then the cooling speed is improved, but the risk of freezing the milk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the compressor capacity adjustable rather than fixed. The control device modulates the compressor capacity based on real-time feedback from temperature and filling level sensors, allowing the cooling system to adapt its cooling power to match the actual thermal load. This prevents over-cooling and freezing while maintaining efficient cooling when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using temperature sensors and filling level sensors to continuously monitor the milk cooling process. The control device receives this feedback information and adjusts the compressor capacity accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents freezing while maintaining cooling efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If temperature is measured on the outside of the tank to meet hygienic requirements, then hygiene is improved, but the temperature response becomes sluggish
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the tank wall as an intermediary element that conducts heat from the milk to the external temperature sensor. By optimizing the thermal properties of the tank wall and positioning the sensor appropriately, the system achieves both hygienic separation (sensor outside the tank) and adequate temperature measurement responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary action by using the filling level sensor to predict when milk will be present in the tank and pre-adjusting cooling parameters. This allows the system to be prepared for temperature changes before they occur, reducing the effective response time while maintaining hygiene.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the compressor capacity is reduced for small milk volumes, then the freezing risk is minimized, but the cooling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts compressor capacity based on the actual cooling demand determined by milk volume and temperature. For small volumes, the capacity is reduced to prevent freezing, while for larger volumes or higher temperature deviations, the capacity increases to maintain cooling efficiency. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between preventing freezing and maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the compressor based on system conditions. By modulating the compressor capacity parameter in response to sensor feedback, the system optimizes the balance between preventing freezing and maintaining cooling efficiency for different milk volumes and temperature conditions.
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
Ensures safe, fast, accurate, and precise cooling of milk to 4°C, minimizing the risk of freezing and maintaining milk quality by adjusting compressor capacity according to milk volume and temperature.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator (19), a compressor (20) connected with its suction side (20a) to the evaporator (19), a condenser (21) connected to the high pressure side (20b) of the compressor (20), and an expansion valve (22) interconnected between the condenser (21) and the evaporator (19), thereby forming a closed circuit, in which a refrigerant can be circulated
Implementation Method 2
The evaporator (19) is in heat exchange contact with at least a portion of the bottom surface (12a) of the cooling tank (12)
Data Source
AI summary
A system for storing and cooling milk includes a cooling tank to store milk, a first sensor monitoring the filling level of milk in the cooling tank, and a cooling system cooling the milk in the cooling tank including a cooling device, a second sensor, and a control device. The cooling device includes an evaporator, a varying-capacity modulated scroll compressor connected with its suction side to the evaporator, a condenser connected to the high pressure side of the compressor, and an expansion valve interconnected between the condenser and the evaporator. The second sensor monitors a parameter indicative of the pressure at the suction side of the compressor. The control device is operatively connected to the first sensor to receive the monitored filling level, the second sensor to receive the monitored parameter, and the compressor to control the capacity thereof in response to the monitored filling level and the monitored parameter.