Pressure-Based Content Volume Measurement for Aircraft Ovens
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no effective method to determine the content volume of ovens, such as those on aircraft, without manually opening and counting items, which is inefficient and lacks precision.
Innovation Solution
A device equipped with a pressure sensor and a fluid system that injects a known amount of fluid into the oven, allowing the item volume deduction module to calculate the volume and number of items based on pressure changes, and optionally adjust heating settings accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual counting method is used to determine oven content volume, then measurement can be performed, but it requires opening the oven and manual intervention which reduces efficiency and productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical counting with an automated pressure-based measurement system. A fluid (water, steam, or air) is injected into the oven enclosure, and the resulting pressure increase is measured by a pressure sensor. The item volume deduction module calculates the total item volume based on the pressure change, eliminating the need for manual opening and counting of meals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the oven to automatically determine its own content volume without external intervention. The pressure sensor and item volume deduction module work together to self-measure the volume occupied by meals through fluid injection and pressure measurement, allowing the oven to provide this information autonomously for cooking program selection.
2Measurement precision
If manual counting method is used, then content volume can be determined, but it requires time-consuming operation which reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement action by injecting fluid and measuring pressure before the cooking process begins. This allows the item volume to be determined in advance, enabling automatic selection of appropriate cooking programs without time-consuming manual counting during meal preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual time-consuming counting process is replaced by an automated pressure measurement system that quickly determines item volume through fluid injection and pressure sensing, significantly reducing the time required for content assessment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If no content measurement system is installed, then device complexity remains low, but inability to determine content volume prevents optimized cooking programs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fluid (water, steam, or air) as an intermediary substance to transfer information about item volume to the pressure sensor. The fluid acts as a mediator between the items in the oven and the measurement system, enabling volume determination through pressure changes without direct contact with or complex interaction with the items themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
Complex mechanical measurement systems are replaced by a simpler pressure-based measurement approach. Instead of using mechanical sensors to directly measure item volume, the system uses fluid injection and pressure sensing, which are easier to implement and maintain while providing the necessary adaptability for cooking program optimization.
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
Enables precise determination of the volume and number of items in the oven, allowing for optimized cooking programs and improved meal preparation by providing accurate content information without manual counting.
Implementation Method 1
correlate a pressure increase caused by injection of a known amount of fluid (e.g., water, steam, air) in the enclosure to a total item volume
Data Source
AI summary
A device can include an enclosure defining an interior having an enclosure volume and configured to hold one or more items, a heat system configured to heat the interior of the enclosure, a fluid system configured to input a known amount of a fluid (e.g., water, steam, air) into the enclosure, and a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure within the enclosure. The device can include an item volume deduction module operatively connected to the pressure sensor and the fluid system. The item volume deduction module can be configured to correlate a pressure increase caused by injection of a known amount of the fluid (e.g., water, steam, air) in the enclosure to a total item volume of the one or more items within the enclosure.