Pipe Air Flushing to Prevent Residual Fluid Dripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oven cleaning systems often leave residual fluid in the pipe system, which thermally expands and drips during later cooking steps due to the closed system design, leading to inefficiencies and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning system with a multiple position valve that introduces a gas flow through the pipe system to remove residual fluids after the cleaning and rinsing phases, utilizing a 3/2-way valve to switch between liquid and gas modes, ensuring complete fluid removal and reducing chemical consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pipe system is designed as a closed system to maintain pressure and control fluid flow during cleaning, then the cleaning process is more controllable and efficient, but residual fluid remains in the pipe system after cleaning, which thermally expands and causes dripping during later cooking steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the residual fluid from the pipe system by introducing a gas flow that pushes the remaining cleaning fluid and rinse water out of the pipes and into the oven cavity, where it can be evaporated. This resolves the contradiction by removing the harmful residual fluid while maintaining the closed pipe system's operational benefits during cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by flushing the pipe system with gas before the cooking cycle begins, thereby preventing the thermal expansion and dripping problem that would occur during subsequent cooking. This preliminary flushing eliminates the harmful effect before it can manifest.
2Reliability
If the pipe system is flushed with additional rinse fluid to remove detergent, then more detergent is removed from the pipes, but more residual fluid remains in the closed pipe system, increasing the risk of thermal expansion and dripping
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding more fluid to flush detergent (which would leave more residual fluid), the patent extracts the residual fluid by introducing gas flow that pushes remaining detergent and rinse water out of the pipes and into the oven cavity for evaporation. This resolves the contradiction by removing detergent without increasing residual fluid volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and composition of the flushing medium from liquid (rinse fluid) to gas (air or inert gas). This parameter change allows the pipe system to be flushed without adding significant volume of residual fluid, as gas is compressible and can be easily removed, thereby maintaining reliable detergent removal while minimizing residual fluid.
3Quantity of substance
If the pipe system is opened to allow residual fluid to drain, then fluid can escape immediately, but the system becomes more complex and may introduce contamination risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing pump and valve system multi-functional by using it to introduce gas flow for flushing, in addition to its original function of pumping cleaning and rinse fluids. This resolves the contradiction by enabling residual fluid removal through the existing closed system without adding complex opening mechanisms or drainage structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic principles by introducing gas flow through the pipe system to push residual fluid out. This approach maintains the closed system structure while achieving effective fluid removal, avoiding the need for mechanical opening or complex drainage systems.
4Reliability
If more rinse fluid is used to ensure complete detergent removal, then cleaning safety is improved, but chemical consumption increases and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts residual detergent from the pipe system using gas flow, which pushes remaining detergent into the oven cavity for evaporation. This reduces the need for excessive rinse fluid, thereby decreasing chemical consumption and environmental impact while maintaining cleaning safety through effective detergent removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flushing medium from liquid rinse fluid to gas, which reduces the volume of chemical substances needed for the flushing process. This parameter change maintains reliable detergent removal (cleaning safety) while significantly reducing chemical consumption and environmental impact.
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
Effectively removes residual cleaning fluids from the pipe system, preventing thermal expansion and dripping, while reducing chemical usage and environmental impact by optimizing fluid usage and purging the system with air, thus enhancing the cleaning process and oven operation.
Implementation Method 1
After a later cooking step this remaining fluid will thermally expand, thereby resulting in dripping.
Implementation Method 2
A multiple position valve is disposed in the pipe system and has a second position in which a gas is pumped through the pipe system to remove any residual first fluid or second fluid from the pipe system.
Data Source
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AI summary
A cleaning system for cleaning a cavity of food or beverage preparation device. The cavity is connected with a pipe system. The pipe system supplies a fluid through the pipe system to the cavity. When the fluid flow stops, any remainder of the fluid in the pipe system is removed by passing a gas (for example, air) through the pipe system or by a valve disposed at a high location of the pipe system.