Wireless Temperature Probe Control for Continuous Thermal Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current thermal processing equipment, such as batch ovens and chillers, face challenges with wired temperature probes that are inconvenient to place and often impossible to use in conveyor ovens, leading to inefficient process monitoring and control, especially when transferring products between multiple equipment units.

Innovation Solution

A control system utilizing wireless temperature probes that transmit real-time data to a receiver and control panel, allowing for continuous monitoring and process control across multiple thermal processing devices, including batch ovens, chillers, and conveyor ovens, with a graphical user interface for programming and reporting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If wired temperature probes are used in thermal processing equipment, then temperature monitoring can be achieved, but the probes are inconvenient to place and sometimes impossible to insert where desired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature monitoring capabilityVSAvoidprobe placement convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wired temperature probes with wireless temperature probes that transmit data via radio frequency signals. This eliminates the mechanical constraint of physical wiring, allowing probes to be placed anywhere in the processing chamber without being limited by cable routing or connection points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If wired temperature probes are used in batch ovens and chillers, then temperature data can be collected, but the probes must be removed when transferring racks to another oven, interrupting continuous monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature data collectionVSAvoidmonitoring interruption during transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless temperature probes remain attached to the racks throughout the entire process flow, including during transfers between batch ovens and chillers. The wireless transmission eliminates the need to remove or disconnect probes, enabling continuous temperature monitoring across multiple processing steps and equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If wired temperature probes are used, then temperature monitoring is possible, but additional manual monitoring is required for conveyor ovens where probes cannot be installed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature monitoring capabilityVSAvoidmanual monitoring requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Wireless temperature probes can be freely positioned on products or racks in conveyor ovens without requiring physical connections to the equipment structure. The wireless transmission allows temperature monitoring in conveyor ovens and other equipment where wired probe installation would be impractical or impossible, eliminating the need for manual monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If wireless temperature probes are used, then ease of probe placement and continuous monitoring is improved, but wireless communication infrastructure is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprobe placement flexibilityVSAvoidwireless communication system requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication infrastructure serves multiple functions: transmitting temperature data from probes, enabling continuous monitoring across equipment transfers, and providing data to the control system for process control. This multi-functional approach justifies the added complexity by eliminating the need for manual monitoring and enabling flexible probe placement throughout the facility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables efficient, real-time temperature monitoring and control of food products throughout the processing flow, improving operational convenience and accuracy by allowing wireless probes to be easily moved between processing zones and integrated with both wireless and wired systems.

Implementation Method 1

The wireless temperature probes transmit a signal to a receiver through an antenna configured in the thermal processing equipment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio frequency transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS8783167B1Control system and method for thermal processing equipment

Publication Date: 2014.07.22 ALKAR RAPIDPAK MP EQUIP

AI summary

A control system and method that controls the processing, logging, visual display, and product tracking functions for thermal processing equipment includes one or more wireless temperature probes. The wireless temperature probes allow the system to obtain and process real time data information and provide real time control, logging, display and validation for thermal processing. The wireless temperature probes transmit a signal to a receiver through an antenna configured in the thermal processing equipment, and the receiver sends that information to a control panel. The control panel utilizes a graphical user interface with touch screen capabilities, an input/output device, a process and storage media to log and control the process implemented for the food product.