Retort Agitation Assembly With Variable Non-Sinusoidal Reciprocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retort systems for in-container food preservation are limited by their inability to vary agitation patterns in terms of stroke length, speed, acceleration, and G-force, which restricts optimal thermal processing for different food products, especially during changing phases of sterilization/pasteurization.
Innovation Solution
A retort agitation system featuring a clamping assembly for selective force imposition and a reciprocating assembly with a variable input drive mechanism, allowing for customizable non-sinusoidal agitation patterns, enabling adjustment of stroke length, speed, acceleration, and G-force to suit specific food products and phases of thermal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fixed sinusoidal agitation pattern is used, then the system design is simple, but the thermal processing time cannot be optimized for different food products and phases
Solution Approach 1:
The agitation system transitions from a fixed sinusoidal pattern to a dynamic variable pattern system where stroke length, speed, acceleration, and G-force can be changed during different thermal processing phases. The drive mechanism allows real-time adjustment of agitation parameters to match the changing viscosity and texture properties of food products during heating, holding, and cooling phases, thereby reducing overall thermal processing time while accommodating product-specific requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements multiple agitation patterns with varying parameters including stroke length, speed, acceleration, and G-force. Different agitation patterns can be selected and applied during come-up, cook/hold, and cool phases of thermal processing. This parameter variation allows optimization of heat transfer and product quality for different food types without requiring complete system redesign.
2Productivity
If end-over-end agitation is used, then agitation effectiveness is high, but the system requires extensive support structure and complex drive mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The agitation system is segmented into multiple independent linear actuators, each capable of moving individual baskets or groups of baskets. This segmentation allows for distributed agitation forces throughout the retort chamber, achieving effective product mixing without requiring a single large complex drum mechanism. Each actuator can be independently controlled to create varied agitation patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical drum rotation system is replaced with an electro-hydraulic or electro-mechanical linear actuation system. This substitution eliminates the need for large rotating drums, complex crankshafts, and extensive support structures while providing precise control over agitation parameters through electronic control systems that can adjust stroke length, speed, and acceleration independently for each actuator.
3Device complexity
If linear agitation with fixed stroke is used, then the drive system is simpler, but the agitation pattern cannot be optimized for different food product phases
Solution Approach 1:
The linear actuation system serves multiple functions: it provides agitation during come-up phase, maintains agitation during cook/hold phase, and continues agitation during cool phase with varying parameters. The same basic linear actuator mechanism handles all three thermal processing phases by adjusting stroke length, speed, and acceleration parameters, eliminating the need for separate agitation mechanisms for each phase and achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of processing products in a retort having a length includes arranging products in at least one product carrier for movement along at least a portion of the length of the retort and reciprocating the at least one product carrier along at least a portion of the length of retort in a non-sinusoidal pattern of movement.