Pressure Signature Detection for Sterilization Drying Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sterilization systems for packaging liquid foods rely on hydrogen peroxide, which poses environmental and medical risks, and lack visibility of drying pipes within the sterilization chamber, making it difficult to ensure their correct placement and presence.
Innovation Solution
A detection device and system that utilize sensors to detect a specific pressure signature associated with drying devices, allowing for the determination of their presence or absence, using pressure, voltage, or frequency sensors to maintain and analyze constant pressure conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drying pipes are placed at or inserted into the package in the sterilization chamber, then the drying function is achieved, but the visibility of the pipes from outside the chamber is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pressure sensors as intermediary devices that indirectly detect the presence of drying pipes by measuring pressure changes in the sterilization chamber. Instead of directly observing the pipes, the system uses pressure variations caused by the pipes' presence and operation to determine whether they are correctly positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces visual detection methods with a mechanical sensing system based on pressure measurement. The pressure sensors detect mechanical pressure changes in the chamber atmosphere that occur when drying pipes are present or absent, substituting direct visual inspection with indirect mechanical measurement.
2Reliability
If hydrogen peroxide is used to kill bacteria in packages, then sterilization is achieved, but environmental and medical risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that monitors pressure changes to detect the presence of drying pipes and verify proper system configuration. This feedback mechanism ensures that the drying phase operates correctly, enabling more effective removal of hydrogen peroxide residues and reducing harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the pressure changes that occur during the drying process - which could be considered a normal operational variation - as a useful signal to detect pipe presence and verify system correctness. By monitoring these pressure variations, the system converts routine operational changes into valuable diagnostic information.
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
Ensures the correct placement and presence of drying devices, minimizing hydrogen peroxide usage and reducing environmental and medical risks by providing real-time alerts for proper system configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor positioned inside the sterilization chamber to detect a pressure change in the sterilization chamber
Implementation Method 2
a fan connected to the pressure sensor and configured to maintain a constant pressure in the sterilization chamber based on the detected pressure variations
Data Source
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AI summary
A detection device (10) for detecting a presence of at least one drying device (20) for drying H202at at least one package. The drying device has a specific pressure signature. The detection device comprises means for detecting (11) a characteristic linked to the specific pressure signature of the at least one drying device. And, means for determining (12) if the at least one drying device is present based on the detected characteristic.