Cylindrical Tank Sensor Positioning for Food Mixture Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cylindrical tanks for thermal treatment of food mixtures fail to accurately read the temperature of the mixture due to the mixer pushing the food mass towards the front, leaving the rear-mounted heat sensor uncovered, especially with small quantities, resulting in inaccurate temperature readings.
Innovation Solution
Positioning the temperature sensor on the front cover of the cylinder ensures constant contact with the food mixture, allowing for accurate temperature readings without interfering with the cooling/heating system, and optionally including a rear sensor for full cylinder conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the heat sensor is positioned on the rear wall of the cylinder, then the sensor is protected from the cooling/heating circuit, but the sensor remains uncovered by the food mixture due to mixer action, resulting in inaccurate temperature readings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional sensor positioning by placing the heat sensor on the front wall of the cylinder instead of the rear wall. This inversion ensures that the sensor is covered by the food mixture during mixing operations, allowing accurate temperature readings while maintaining protection from the cooling/heating circuit through the wall structure.
2Device complexity
If the sensor is positioned on the rear wall, then the structure is simple and sensor protection is maintained, but the sensor cannot detect the actual temperature of the food mixture, especially with small quantities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by repositioning the sensor from the rear wall to the front wall of the cylinder. This simple structural change ensures the sensor is covered by the food mixture during operation, enabling accurate temperature detection without increasing device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is moved to the front cover, then constant contact with the food mixture is ensured for accurate readings, but the sensor may be exposed to the cooling/heating circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the sensor position to the front wall where the food mixture naturally covers it during mixing. The cylinder wall structure itself provides protection from the cooling/heating circuit, eliminating the need for additional shielding while maintaining measurement accuracy.
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 accurate temperature monitoring of food mixtures regardless of quantity or consistency, maintaining the efficiency of the heat treatment process and providing real-time temperature data without altering the functionality of the cooling/heating circuit.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature sensor or probe (2) is situated on the rear wall or bottom (3) of the cylinder (1)... the same machine guarantees constant contact between the sensor and the food mixture so as to allow the actual temperature value to be read
Implementation Method 2
The temperature control of this mixture is effected by means of suitable cooling/heating systems, normally consisting of a coil situated on the outer surface of this cylinder
Implementation Method 3
the action of the mixer which, upon rotating, pushes the food mass towards the front area of the cylinder
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 4A~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a cylindrical tank for the thermal treatment of a food product (8), of the type including heating and/or cooling means (5) of said food product, in addition to a mixer (6) housed so as to be revolving in its interior. The tank (1) consists of a cylindrical mantle (4), closed by a rear bottom (3) and a front cover (7), there also being means (15, 16) for feeding the mentioned product (8) inside the tank (1). At least one temperature sensor (9) of the mentioned food product (8) is also situated in correspondence with this cover (7), with a sensitive part which, when the cover is closed, is in contact with the product (8) contained in this tank.