Thermal Simulator for Egg Pasteurization Temperature Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for pasteurizing whole shell eggs are inefficient due to lack of effective temperature monitoring and control, leading to inconsistent results and potential thermal damage, as existing technologies rely on cumbersome and unreliable indirect methods for measuring internal egg temperature.
Innovation Solution
A thermal simulator comprising a yolk body, albumen body, and shell layer made from materials matching the thermal characteristics of an egg, equipped with thermometric devices and communication devices to accurately measure and transmit temperature data, allowing for precise monitoring and control of the pasteurization process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If thermocouples are inserted into eggs to measure internal temperature, then temperature monitoring is achieved, but the egg shell may crack and probe positioning is unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thermal simulator that copies the thermal properties of an egg (yolk, albumen, shell layers with matched thermal diffusivity and heat capacity) to simulate egg heating behavior without the risks of actual egg measurement. This allows reliable temperature monitoring without inserting probes into real eggs.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal simulator acts as an intermediary device between the heating system and the measurement system. It provides a stable platform for probe insertion and positioning while simulating egg thermal response, separating the measurement function from the actual egg being processed.
2Ease of operation
If indirect temperature control methods are used (water bath temperature regulation), then process control is simplified, but temperature monitoring accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal simulator replicates egg thermal characteristics so that temperature measurements taken from the simulator accurately reflect what would occur in actual eggs, providing direct temperature data without needing complex indirect calculation methods.
3Loss of information
If thermocouple wires are used to transmit temperature signals, then temperature data can be obtained, but the measurement system becomes cumbersome and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical thermocouple wire system with wireless communication technology. The thermal simulator contains a communication device that transmits temperature data wirelessly to external receivers, eliminating the need for physical wire connections and reducing system complexity.
4Reliability
If multiple test eggs are monitored to ensure proper pasteurization, then pathogen elimination is improved, but the monitoring system becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal simulator provides a single, reliable model that accurately represents egg thermal behavior. By using the simulator instead of multiple actual eggs, the system reduces the number of measurements needed while maintaining or improving the reliability of pasteurization verification.
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 thermal simulator provides accurate and reliable temperature measurements, enabling effective monitoring and control of the pasteurization process, ensuring the elimination of internal egg pathogens while minimizing thermal damage to egg components.
Implementation Method 1
A first thermometric device positioned within either the yolk body or the albumen body for measuring a temperature within either the yolk body or the albumen body
Implementation Method 2
A first communication device positioned within one of the yolk body or the albumen body for transmitting a temperature measured within either the yolk body or the albumen body by the first thermometric device to a position outside of the shell layer
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal simulator simulates the thermal behavior of items such as eggs for which the actual internal temperature profile is difficult to measure. A yolk body simulates the egg yolk, an albumen body surrounds the yolk body and simulates the egg albumen, and a shell layer surrounds the albumen body to simulate the shell. The thermal properties of the materials forming the egg body, albumen body and shell layer are tuned to match the thermal properties of the egg yolk, egg albumen and egg shell. Thermometric devices are positioned within the egg body and egg albumen along with communication devices which process signals from the thermometric devices indicative of temperature and communicate these signals to a computer for further processing and display.