Single Fill Manifold Layout for Precise Fryer Oil Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fryer systems are complex and inefficient due to multiple manifolds and piping, leading to excessive cooking medium usage and potential flavor contamination when filtering and replacing cooking media, especially when using higher-quality, more expensive media like zero trans fats.
Innovation Solution
A single fill manifold system with sensors to accurately determine cooking medium levels, reducing piping and internal routing, allowing for precise control and efficient use of cooking medium, and enabling the use of higher-quality media by routing multiple tanks through a single manifold for reduced volume and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple tanks each have their own manifold and control system, then cooking medium can be regulated for each tank, but device complexity increases due to plurality of manifolds, piping, actuators, solenoids, and controllers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate manifolds and control systems into a single integrated manifold system. The manifold is configured with multiple inlet ports for receiving cooking medium from different tanks and multiple outlet ports for distributing to different cooking vessels, eliminating the need for separate manifolds and control systems for each tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The single manifold system serves multiple functions: it distributes cooking medium from any tank to any cooking vessel, filters cooking medium centrally, and provides unified control for the entire system. This multi-functional design replaces the need for dedicated manifolds and control systems for each individual tank.
2Reliability
If cooking medium is filtered periodically to maintain cooking quality, then cooking by-products are removed, but the amount of cooking medium remaining in the frypot decreases below predetermined level
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary filtering of cooking medium before it is distributed to cooking vessels. The filter is positioned in the manifold system to remove cooking by-products in advance, preventing contamination from affecting the cooking quality while maintaining adequate cooking medium volume in the frypots.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold system acts as an intermediary between the cooking medium source and the cooking vessels, incorporating a filter in this intermediate position. This allows cooking medium to be filtered centrally before distribution, removing suspended food particles and other by-products without requiring removal of the entire frypot contents.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple manifolds are used to regulate cooking medium from multiple tanks, then each tank can be controlled independently, but the fryer occupies larger space and requires more cooking medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate manifold systems into a single compact manifold unit that handles cooking medium from all tanks. This consolidated design significantly reduces the space required compared to having separate manifolds for each tank, while maintaining the ability to control and distribute cooking medium from any tank to any vessel.
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
The single manifold system reduces fryer size and complexity, minimizes cooking medium usage, and ensures consistent food quality by accurately managing cooking medium levels and reducing the need for excessive cooking medium, allowing for the use of higher-quality cooking media.
Implementation Method 1
a filter pump positioned between the filter container and the fill manifold and configured to selectively be in fluid communication with the fill manifold via the first flow path, and to convey a recycled, e.g., a filtered, cooking medium
Implementation Method 2
an overflow pump configured to selectively be in fluid communication with the fill manifold via a second flow path and at least one portion of the first flow path, and to convey a new cooking medium to the fill manifold
Data Source
AI summary
A system for delivering a cooking medium of a cooking apparatus includes one or more cooking vessels. The system also includes a drain manifold in fluid communication with the cooking vessel, and a fill manifold having input valves, and output valves in fluid communication with a corresponding cooking vessel. A first flow path is connected to the fill manifold. A filter container selectively is in fluid communication with the fill manifold. A filter pump is positioned between the filter container and the fill manifold and conveys a recycled cooking medium. An overflow pump selectively is in fluid communication with the fill manifold via a second flow path and a portion of the first flow path. The overflow pump conveys a new cooking medium to the fill manifold. The first flow path conveys one of the recycled cooking medium and the new cooking medium to the fill manifold.