Plate freezer and method for operating a plate freezer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horizontal plate freezers have limitations in overall height, freezing capacity, and efficient operation, leading to increased energy consumption and potential damage to freezer plates during lifting, which affects the freezing process and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A plate freezer design with movable freezer plates and a system of continuous rods and engagement members allows for selective opening of freezing stations without disrupting the freezing process, reducing overall height and energy consumption, and eliminating the need for hydraulic rams, while maintaining optimal thermal contact and product quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire stack of plates is separated when emptying the freezer, then the frozen product can be removed from a single plate, but the freezing process is interrupted in products on all plates and the freezing capacity is not utilised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the stack of freezer plates into individually controllable segments. Each plate can be moved independently between freezing and emptying positions through separate actuators, allowing one plate to be emptied while others continue freezing products, thus maintaining productivity while enabling easy operation.
2Ease of operation
If the entire stack of plates is lifted to adjust position for product removal, then another plate can be put in level with the conveyor, but the procedure is time-consuming and results in a tall building height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements individual position control for each freezer plate through separate actuators, allowing plates to be positioned independently at different heights. This eliminates the need to lift the entire stack, reducing the overall freezer height while maintaining ease of operation for product removal and conveyor alignment.
3Length of stationary object
If horizontal movable opening stations are used to move plates away at each end of the stack, then the overall height is reduced, but there is a significant load on each plate during lifting which may cause bending and cracks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lifting system with actuators that apply force directly to move plates horizontally and vertically with controlled load distribution. This substitution reduces the significant mechanical load and bending moments that cause plate cracking, thereby improving reliability while maintaining reduced height.
4Productivity
If a hydraulic ram provides pressure to the entire stack of plates, then optimal contact between product and plates is achieved, but the system becomes more complex and energy-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the single hydraulic ram system with multiple individual actuators, each controlling a specific plate or group of plates. This segmented approach maintains optimal contact pressure between product and plates for high freezing efficiency while reducing overall system complexity and energy consumption compared to a centralized hydraulic system.
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 design enhances freezing capacity within a fixed space, reduces energy use, minimizes plate damage, and simplifies operation, allowing for efficient and reliable freezing with reduced maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
coolant may be circulated through the plates... cooling medium may be guided through the plates... optimal thermal conductive contact between the products to be frozen and the freezing plates
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a plate freezer comprising a stack of freezer plates (1), each freezer plate having a first and a second surface (2,3), surrounding a hollow interior through which a coolant may be circulated, where each freezer plate is provided with one or more apertures (10,11), where one or more continuous rods (12,13) is/are inserted through overlapping apertures in the stack of freezer plates, where each rod in a first end is provided with actuator means (20,21), and where engagement members (14) are arranged in communication with the one or more rods, where said engagement members may be in a locked position with the rod such that the rod and engagement members move at the same time or an unlocked position where the rod moves relative to the engagement member. The overall height of a plate freezer having a certain capacity can be reduced, and the time needed for freezing the product is reduced.