System for sensing oil quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for measuring the quality of cooking oil in deep fat fryers lack effective methods to assess oil degradation, leading to inconsistent food quality and potential health hazards due to impurities and oxidation.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a portable filter pan with a filter material and an oil sensing system that continuously measures electrical parameters of the oil, such as capacitance, voltage, and conductivity, to determine the quality of the oil, which includes a pump, valves, and sensors to filter and return oil to the fryer or for disposal based on quality assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing systems for measuring oil quality are used, then the system structure is simple, but the measurement precision of oil degradation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides oil quality assessment into multiple independent measurement dimensions: electrical parameters (capacitance, conductivity, voltage), optical parameters (absorbance at different wavelengths), and physical parameters (temperature, flow rate). Each parameter is measured by separate sensors and processed independently, then integrated to provide comprehensive oil quality evaluation. This segmentation enables precise multi-parameter monitoring while maintaining modular system architecture that doesn't excessively increase complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs multi-functional sensors and measurement channels that can detect various oil degradation indicators simultaneously. For example, electrical parameter measurements can indicate both moisture content and oxidation levels, while optical measurements at different wavelengths can detect multiple types of contaminants. This multi-functionality approach achieves comprehensive oil quality assessment without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If continuous oil filtration and monitoring is implemented, then the reliability of food quality is improved, but the loss of time for oil processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time feedback control where oil quality parameters are continuously monitored and immediately fed back to the control unit. When degradation thresholds are approached, the system automatically adjusts filtration operations, heating temperature, or oil replacement timing. This closed-loop feedback ensures consistent food quality by preventing oil degradation before it affects cooking performance, while minimizing unnecessary filtration time through intelligent decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary oil quality assessment and predictive analysis before actual degradation occurs. By monitoring early degradation indicators and trends, the system can schedule maintenance and filtration operations in advance, preventing quality issues rather than reacting to them. This preliminary action approach maintains food quality reliability while optimizing oil usage time by avoiding premature oil replacement.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and measurement channels are added, then the measurement precision of oil degradation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple measurement functions into integrated sensor assemblies and unified processing units. Electrical parameter sensors (capacitance, conductivity, voltage) are merged into a single measurement channel processed by one ADC unit. Optical sensors measuring absorbance at multiple wavelengths are combined and processed together. This merging approach maintains high measurement precision through multi-parameter detection while reducing overall system complexity by eliminating redundant processing architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures multiple physical and chemical parameters of the oil (electrical conductivity, capacitance, optical absorbance, temperature) and transforms these diverse parameters into a unified oil quality index through the control unit. By changing from measuring many separate parameters to generating a single integrated quality metric, the system achieves precise degradation assessment while simplifying the output interface and decision-making process.
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 system effectively monitors and maintains the quality of cooking oil by continuously filtering impurities and assessing oil degradation, ensuring consistent food quality and extending the lifespan of the oil by identifying when it needs further filtration or disposal.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor is provided to interact with the oil that has been filtered by the filter material and that measures a parameter of the oil, such as an electrical parameter, such that the parameter of the oil measured by the sensor is representative of the quality of the oil that is returned to the cooking device
Implementation Method 2
A sensor is provided to interact with the oil that has been filtered by the filter material and that measures a parameter of the oil, such as an electrical parameter
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for measuring the state of degradation of cooking oil in a deep fryer is provided. The system Includes a filter system with a filter vat, a filter media, and a filter pump. A sensor Is disposed with respect to the vat or the piping associated with the lifter system:, the sensor being adapted to measure an electrical property that is indicative of total polar materials of said cooking oil.