Plate freezer and method for operating a plate freezer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horizontal plate freezers have limitations in reducing overall height, optimizing freezing capacity within a fixed space, and maintaining efficient operation while minimizing stress on freezer plates, leading to increased energy consumption and potential material damage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of hydraulic actuators mounted on each freezer plate, allowing for adjustable freezing spaces between plates, enabling selective opening and closing of freezer stations without interrupting the freezing process, and reducing the overall height of the freezer by distributing load evenly and minimizing plate bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire stack of plates is separated from each other when emptying the freezer, then access to all freezing spaces is provided, but the freezing process in products on all plates is interrupted and freezing capacity is not utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the stack of freezer plates into individually controllable groups or sections. Each section can be separated and accessed independently through its own actuator mechanism, allowing operators to access specific freezing spaces without disrupting the entire stack. This segmentation enables selective opening of plate pairs while maintaining contact and freezing conditions in other sections, thus preserving freezing capacity utilization.
2Ease of operation
If the entire stack of plates is lifted into position for product removal, then access to plates is provided, but the procedure is time-consuming and the building height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements individual actuators at each end of the plate stack that enable selective separation of specific plate pairs from the stack. This eliminates the need to lift the entire stack for access, as only the required section needs to be separated. The segmented approach maintains a compact overall height while providing efficient access to specific freezing spaces through localized actuation.
3Productivity
If hydraulic ram provides pressure to the entire stack of plates, then optimal contact between product and plates is ensured, but stress on plates increases and material damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the single hydraulic ram acting on the entire stack with multiple smaller actuators distributed at each end of the plate stack. These distributed actuators apply pressure locally at specific plate pairs, ensuring optimal contact between product and plates in each section without concentrating excessive stress on any single plate. This segmented actuation reduces the risk of material damage while maintaining freezing efficiency.
4Ease of operation
If air hoses or cushions are arranged between plate ends for separation, then access to freezing space is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pneumatic or hydraulic actuators mounted directly on the freezer plates to achieve controlled separation and contact between adjacent plates. These actuators provide reliable, on-demand plate separation for access while maintaining compact dimensions. The use of standardized pneumatic/hydraulic actuation mechanisms offers a balance between operational capability and system complexity, avoiding overly complicated arrangements while ensuring dependable plate control.
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 solution enhances freezing capacity within a given space, reduces energy consumption, maintains product quality, and minimizes stress on freezer plates, ensuring efficient and reliable operation with reduced risk of material damage.
Implementation Method 1
The plate freezer is special in that each freezer plate comprises at least a first and second hydraulic actuator mounted in both ends of the freezer plate
Implementation Method 2
each freezer plate having a first and a second surface, surrounding a hollow interior through which a coolant may be circulated
Implementation Method 3
The same considerations apply to other technical fields where it is desirable to utilise freezer installations
Data Source
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AI summary
A plate freezer and a method for operating the plate freezer is disclosed. The plate freezer comprises a stack of freezer plates, each freezer plate having a first and a second surface, surrounding a hollow interior though which a coolant may be circulated, which freezer plates are movably mounted in a frame, wherein each freezer plate comprises at least a first actuator mounted in a first end of the freezer plate and at least a second actuator mounted in a second end of the freezer plate, said actuators being mounted on the first surface of the freezer plate in a first end of the actuator and a second end of the actuator is intended for being brought into contact with to the second surface of an adjacent freezer plate. The actuators are preferably hydraulic actuators. The overall height of a plate freezer having a certain capacity can be reduced, and the time needed for freezing the product is reduced.