Multi-Bank Fryer Plumbing With Coordinated Safety Interlocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional deep frying systems are limited in capacity and pose safety and maintenance concerns due to the need for multiple fryers and additional safety features, which increase operational complexity and costs in high-volume cooking environments.
Innovation Solution
A dual- or multi-bank deep frying system with shared plumbing and coordinated safety mechanisms, including a common drain, rotatable drain spout, pan-in-place sensor, fluid presence sensor, and door sensor, controlled by a central controller to ensure safe and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If additional fryers are added to increase cooking capacity, then the amount of food that can be cooked increases, but service and safety concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fryers into a single integrated unit with shared safety mechanisms and coordinated plumbing systems. The multi-bank fryer system allows multiple frypots to operate simultaneously while sharing common safety features, thereby increasing cooking capacity without proportionally increasing safety risks or maintenance complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal safety mechanisms that serve multiple fryers simultaneously. A single set of safety features protects the entire multi-bank system, and the coordinated plumbing system handles drainage and filtration for all frypots through shared components, reducing the need for duplicate safety systems
2Reliability
If additional safety features are incorporated into individual fryers, then safety concerns are addressed, but maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges safety features across multiple fryers into a coordinated system. Instead of each fryer having independent safety mechanisms, the system uses shared safety components that monitor and protect the entire multi-bank unit, reducing the total number of safety features while maintaining comprehensive protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal safety mechanisms that serve multiple functions across different fryers. The coordinated plumbing system and shared safety features provide multi-functional protection, allowing a single maintenance team to service the entire system rather than requiring specialized maintenance for each individual fryer
3Productivity
If multiple fryers are used to increase cooking volume, then food production capacity increases, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fryers into a coordinated multi-bank system with integrated controls and shared plumbing. The fryers operate simultaneously but are managed through a unified framework, reducing operational complexity compared to managing separate fryers independently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic coordination between multiple fryers through the common drain system and rotatable drain spout. The system can dynamically direct drainage flow and coordinate operations between frypots, allowing flexible management of cooking loads while maintaining simplified operational procedures
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 allows for increased food capacity while minimizing safety risks and maintenance through coordinated operation and shared safety features, enhancing efficiency and reducing operational complexity in high-volume cooking environments.
Implementation Method 1
A fluid shock arrestor may be disposed in a common manifold that delivers frying oil to the system, the fluid shock arrestor suppressing extreme vibration when a volume of fluid is introduced
Implementation Method 2
A pan-in-place sensor to sense and indicate presence/placement of a common filter pan
Implementation Method 3
A fluid presence sensor disposed in the common filter pan indicates presence of fluid in the common filter pan
Implementation Method 4
A door sensor associated with the securable door is configured to transmit an affirmative signal upon sensing a closed state of the securable door
Implementation Method 5
A common drain may be in fluid communication with each of the first and second fryer assemblies
Implementation Method 6
The drain spout may be rotatably mounted to the common drain and rotatable between a raised and a lowered position
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-bank cooking system includes multiple discrete cooking systems sharing common plumbing and integrated safety features. The multi-bank cooking system may include two or more rack-fryer systems, each with discrete frypots, operating mechanisms and cooking controllers. Each of the discrete cooking systems, may share a common plumbing system with integrated valves and controls receiving coordinated safety signals to facilitate safe and efficient operation of the system.