Respiration Ranking in Controlled Atmosphere Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for evaluating perishable commodities in controlled atmosphere rooms lack intelligence in using respiratory quotient and other data to improve selection and evaluation for customer preferences, leading to potential fermentation and unsalable products.

Innovation Solution

A system that performs successive atmospheric measurements in controlled atmosphere rooms and sampling enclosures to determine changes in respiratory values over time, allowing for the selection and prioritization of commodities based on customer criteria for optimal storage, marketing, or delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If oxygen content is reduced to delay ripening, then storage life is extended, but fermentation occurs and commodities become unsaleable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage lifeVSAvoidfermentation

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors respiratory quotient (RQ) values and uses this feedback to detect the onset of fermentation. When RQ changes indicate fermentation beginning, the system automatically adjusts oxygen levels to prevent further fermentation while maintaining extended storage life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs successive atmospheric measurements and determines changes in respiratory values over time to predict when fermentation will occur. By taking preliminary action before fermentation fully develops, the system prevents the harmful effect while maintaining the beneficial low-oxygen storage conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If respiratory quotient measurement is performed to detect fermentation, then fermentation can be prevented, but intelligent selection and evaluation of commodities for customer preferences is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefermentation detectionVSAvoidcommodity selection for customer preferences

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs multiple functions using the same measurement infrastructure: it monitors respiratory quotient for fermentation detection, tracks changes in respiratory values over time, and evaluates commodities based on customer-specific criteria. This multi-functional approach enables both reliable fermentation prevention and intelligent commodity selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its evaluation and selection process based on changing respiratory values and customer preferences. Rather than static classification, the system continuously updates commodity rankings as respiratory characteristics change over time, providing both fermentation detection and adaptive selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If successive atmospheric measurements are performed to track respiratory changes, then intelligent commodity selection is enabled, but measurement and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommodity evaluation and selectionVSAvoidmeasurement and control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the commodities' own respiration processes as the measurement mechanism. By monitoring the natural respiratory quotient and respiratory value changes that occur during storage, the system obtains evaluation data without requiring external testing equipment or complex intervention, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses respiratory quotient and respiratory value changes as intermediary parameters that naturally reflect both commodity freshness and customer preference criteria. These intermediaries simplify the measurement process by providing a single set of measurements that serve multiple evaluation purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 approach enables more efficient allocation and delivery of commodities by identifying changes in respiratory values, preventing fermentation and ensuring commodities are selected based on desired shelf life or quality, thereby improving evaluation and selection processes.

Implementation Method 1

commodities naturally consume oxygen from the atmosphere and use it to convert complex molecules, for example glucose, and release carbon dioxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRespiration: Aerobic Digestion

Implementation Method 2

At especially low oxygen concentrations, however, commodities begin to undergo fermentation. During fermentation, alcohol is also produced

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentUS11737470B2Respiration ranking in controlled atmosphere rooms

Publication Date: 2023.08.29 STORAGE CONTROL SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

An improved system and method for evaluating stored agricultural or horticultural commodities is provided. The system and method generally include performing atmospheric measurements within multiple controlled atmosphere rooms, or sampling enclosures coupled to controlled atmosphere rooms, and determining a change over time of a respiratory value of the commodities stored therein. Based on the change over time of the respiratory value, the system and method selects commodities from among at least one of the controlled atmosphere rooms for delivery, marketing, storage, or other disposition.