Three-Paddle Rocker Chiller Agitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art rocker chillers in the poultry processing industry are inadequate in enhancing product washing and cooling of poultry carcasses effectively.
Innovation Solution
A three-paddle rocker chiller system with an elongated tank, a main paddle assembly, and side paddle assemblies that oscillate in an arc within the tank to ensure thorough contact of poultry carcasses with chilled liquid for enhanced cooling and washing, including a semi-cylindrical tank with a chilled liquid and power means for oscillating the paddles to massage and agitate the carcasses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single paddle is used in the rocker chiller, then the device complexity is reduced, but the product washing effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle assembly is segmented into a main paddle and two side paddles that oscillate independently. This segmentation allows each paddle to contact different portions of the poultry carcasses, thereby improving washing effectiveness while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design
2Reliability
If the paddle oscillation amplitude is increased to improve washing, then the contact between carcasses and chilled liquid is enhanced, but the risk of damaging the carcasses increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side paddles are positioned to contact specific local areas of the carcasses, distributing the mechanical action across different zones. This localized contact approach enhances washing effectiveness in specific areas while preventing excessive force concentration that could damage the carcasses
3Temperature
If the residence time of carcasses in the chiller is extended to improve cooling, then the cooling effectiveness increases, but the processing productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillating paddles create mechanical agitation that enhances heat transfer between the chilled liquid and carcasses. This vibrational action improves cooling effectiveness by disrupting boundary layers and increasing convective heat transfer, allowing for shorter residence times while maintaining cooling quality
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 three-paddle rocker chiller achieves more effective washing and cooling of poultry carcasses by ensuring thorough contact with chilled liquid, leading to faster cooling and more uniform residence time, while the agitation tenderizes the meat and enhances liquid absorption.
Implementation Method 1
The contact between the carcasses and the paddle also causes product washing
Implementation Method 2
a paddle that oscillates to stir up the carcasses within the tank
Data Source
AI summary
A rocker-type poultry chiller, including a tank for receiving poultry carcasses and holding chilled water, an axle mounted in the tank, a main paddle connected to the axle, and a side paddle connected to the axle. The oscillation of the main paddle and the side paddle urges the carcasses upwardly and laterally, which contributes to the cooling of the carcasses as a result of their thorough contact in the chilled water. The movement of the paddles also gently massages the carcasses by gently bumping them against the paddle blades and the wall of the tank. The repeated compression of the carcasses tends to tenderize the meat. The side paddles ensure more predictable and consistent contact between the paddles and all of the carcasses, which causes more agitation of the carcasses and more effective washing of the carcasses.