CN113019996B - Food defective product removing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A food waste removal device includes a manifold defining one or more chambers for holding a pressurized fluid. A first passage extends from the first side of the manifold into fluid communication with the chamber. A second channel extends from the first side of the manifold to the second side of the manifold. Valves selectively connect the respective first and second passages together to dispense pressurized fluid from the manifold. The manifold may have an outer wall at least partially defining a first chamber and a second chamber, with an inner wall disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The inner wall may define a second channel. The valves may be included with a valve assembly including a driver operatively coupled with the valves. The valves may be coupled in a plug-in manner with the driver.

Description

Food defective product removing device

The application is a divisional application of an application patent application with the application number of 201780037813.X, which is filed on 4 months and 18 days of 2017.

Technical Field

Various automated processes may be used to sort the physical objects. For example, optical sorters may be used to identify objects based on color, size, shape, structural features, chemical composition, and the like. In the food industry, optical sorting can be used to process harvested foods, such as potatoes, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and the like.

Disclosure of Invention

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key and/or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Also, this summary is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter in any way.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a food waste removal device for removing rejected food items from a food processing line. The reject removal apparatus includes a manifold defining one or more chambers for holding a pressurized fluid. A first passage extends from the first side of the manifold into fluid communication with the chamber. A second channel extends from the first side of the manifold to the second side of the manifold. Valves selectively connect the respective first and second passages together to dispense the pressurized fluid from the manifold. The manifold may have an outer wall at least partially defining a first chamber and a second chamber, with an inner wall disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The inner wall may define the second channel. The valve may be included with a valve assembly that also includes a driver operably coupled with the valve. The valve may be coupled in a plug-in manner with the actuator.

Drawings

The specific embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is an exploded isometric view illustrating a food impurity/foreign matter/bad product removal device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a partially exploded isometric view of the removal device shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is another partially exploded isometric view of the removal device shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an isometric view of the removal device shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an isometric view illustrating a food impurity/foreign matter/defective removal device, such as the removal device shown in fig. 1, used to remove defective food items from a food processing line, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the removal device shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of a driver for a food impurity/foreign matter/defective removal device, such as the removal device shown in fig. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the actuator shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a partial isometric view illustrating an extrusion for a food impurity/foreign matter/defective removal device, such as the removal device shown in fig. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 is an end view illustrating an extrusion for a food impurity/foreign matter/defective removal device, such as the removal device shown in fig. 1, including a straight nozzle and a sloped nozzle, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 11 is an end view illustrating an extrusion for a food impurity/foreign matter/defective removal device, such as the removal device shown in fig. 1, including a straight nozzle, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 12 is an end view illustrating an extrusion for a food impurity/foreign matter/defective removal device, such as the removal device shown in fig. 1, including a supplemental second extrusion, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 13 is an exploded isometric view of the extrusion and supplemental extrusion of fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a partially exploded isometric view illustrating a food impurity/foreign matter/bad product removal device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an extrusion formed with a cavity for receiving a latch mechanism configured to engage a cover of the removal device.

Fig. 15 is a partially exploded isometric view of the removal device shown in fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a partial side view of the removal device shown in fig. 14.

Fig. 17 is a partial cross-sectional side view illustrating a food impurity/foreign matter/defective product removal device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a system configured to remove rejected food items from a food processing line, wherein the system includes a controller and a food impurity/foreign matter/reject removal device, such as the removal device shown in fig. 17, which may include a computer system, an electronic database, an alarm mechanism, valve health status checking and maintenance equipment, etc., may perform valve health status features and data collection in real time, may detect valve feature changes, and may track a life history of a valve, according to an example embodiment of the disclosure.

Fig. 19 is a graph showing valve current measurements of a valve in a food impurity/foreign matter/bad product removal device, such as the removal device shown in fig. 1, where the valve current measurements are received from a current sensor connected to the valve, the current sensor measurements from the current sensor can be derived to determine back electromotive force (back EMF) to determine whether the valve is in a healthy state, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a system configured to remove rejected food items from a food processing line, wherein the system includes a controller and a food impurity/foreign matter/reject removal apparatus, such as the removal apparatus shown in fig. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

Detailed Description

Aspects of the present disclosure are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, example features. These features may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the combinations set forth herein; rather, these combinations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Referring generally to fig. 1-20, a food impurity (FM), foreign object, and/or bad product removal device 100 is described according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The removal device 100 includes a manifold 102 for holding a pressurized fluid (e.g., air). The removal device 100 also includes a valve 104 that is capable of selectively dispensing pressurized fluid from the manifold 102. In some embodiments, the removal device 100 is used to remove rejected food items 106 from a food processing line 108 (e.g., as shown in fig. 5). For example, potatoes are washed, peeled, trimmed, and/or sliced to form individual food products 110, which food products 110 may then be further processed (e.g., desugared, bleached, frozen, fried, etc.) to form fried potatoes. During processing, the food item 110 may be directed proximate to the removal device 100, and the removal device 100 may be used to remove the reject food item 106 from the food processing line 108. For example, the food product 110 is moved along a first conveyor 112 onto a second conveyor 114. The removal device 100 may be positioned between the first conveyor 112 and/or one or more drop chutes (not shown) and the second conveyor 114. When an unacceptable food item 106 (e.g., a flawed potato strip) is identified, one or more valves 104 of the removal device 100 may be used to selectively dispense (e.g., in the form of an air jet 116) pressurized fluid from the manifold 102 to direct the unacceptable food item 106 away from the food processing line 108. The rejected food item 106 may be collected, discarded, used to produce byproducts from the food processor, and the like.

It should be noted that while potato food products are described herein by way of certain features, the apparatus and techniques of the present disclosure are not meant to be limited to use with a particular food or food type. Thus, the removal device 100 may be used with a variety of food products 110, including, but not necessarily limited to, whole foods (e.g., whole potatoes and/or other produce), stoned foods (e.g., cherries, stoned olives), and the like. In addition, the removal device 100 may be used to remove materials (e.g., impurities and/or foreign matter) other than food from the processing line. It should also be noted that various means may be used to identify failed food products 106 on the food processing line 108. For example, the removal device 100 may be used with an optical sorting device that identifies articles to be removed based on one or more optical characteristics of the food product 110. It should also be noted that optical sorting techniques are provided by way of example only and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. In other embodiments, other sorting and/or identification techniques may be used to identify failed food products 106, including other physical sorting and/or identification techniques.

In some embodiments, the manifold 102 of the food product removal device 100 includes an outer wall 118 and an inner wall 120. For example, manifold 102 is formed using a single extrusion 122 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9) having a cross-sectional profile that includes an outer wall 118 and an inner wall 120. The outer wall 118 at least partially defines one or more chambers for holding a pressurized fluid (e.g., pressurized air). The inner wall 120 of the manifold 102 is disposed between two or more chambers. For example, the outer wall 118 at least partially defines the chamber 124, the chamber 126 (and possibly the chamber 128, other chambers, etc.), while the inner wall 120 is disposed between the chamber 124 and the chamber 126, between the chamber 124 and the chamber 128, and/or between the chamber 126 and the chamber 128. In some embodiments, two or more of the chambers 124, 126, 128, and possibly other chambers may be in fluid communication with each other (e.g., connected together such that substantially the entire internal volume of the extrusion 122 may be used to hold pressurized fluid). In this manner, the plurality of valves 104 of the removal device 100 may be actuated simultaneously or at least substantially simultaneously (e.g., individually and/or as a group) to remove off-spec food product 106 from the food processing line 108. For example, one-fourth (1/4) of the number of valves 104 in the removal device 100, one-half (1/2) of the number of valves 104 in the removal device 100, three-fourths (3/4) of the number of valves 104 in the removal device 100, all of the valves 104 in the removal device 100, or other numbers of valves 104 in the removal device 100 may be actuated simultaneously or at least substantially simultaneously.

The outer wall 118 defines a channel 130, the channel 130 extending from a side 132 of the manifold 102 to fluidly communicate with one or more of the chambers 124, 126, etc. The outer wall 118 may also define a channel 134, the channel 134 extending, for example, from a side 136 of the manifold 102 (e.g., opposite the side 132 of the manifold 102) to fluidly communicate with one or more of the chambers 124, 128, etc. The inner wall 120 defines a channel 138, the channel 138 extending from the side 132 of the manifold 102 to a side 140 of the manifold 102. In some embodiments, the inner wall 120 may also define a channel 142, the channel 142 extending from the side 136 of the manifold 102 to the side 140 of the manifold 102. As described herein, the arrangement of the chambers within the manifold 102 and the configuration of the outer wall 118 and the inner wall 120 may allow the channels 138 and/or the channels 142 to route a minimum number of transitions through the inner wall 120. For example, the holes 144 drilled into the inner wall 120 from the sides 132 and/or 136 of the manifold 102 may be connected to the holes 146 drilled into the inner wall 120 from the sides 140 of the manifold 102 to form the channels 138 and/or 142. In some embodiments, one or more of the channels may have substantially the same dimensions (e.g., width, cross-sectional area) throughout the channel. In other embodiments, the dimensions of the channel may vary from one section of the channel to the other (e.g., width, cross-sectional area). For example, the holes 144 may have a different (e.g., larger, smaller) diameter than the holes 146.

In some embodiments, the channels 138 and/or 142 extending to the sides 140 of the manifold 102 may be oriented to exit the manifold 102 in one or more directions. For example, the channels 138 and/or 142 shown in fig. 6 may be inclined (e.g., sloped) with respect to the side 140. However, in other embodiments, the channels 138 and/or 142 may be oriented differently relative to the sides 140. For example, referring to fig. 10, some of the channels 138 and/or 142 may be inclined, while other channels may be oriented vertically (e.g., vertically) with respect to the side 140. In further embodiments, all of the channels 138 and/or 142 may be vertical (e.g., with reference to fig. 11). In some embodiments, the channels 138 and/or 142 may exit the manifold 102 at a nozzle 168, which nozzle 168 may be formed as part of the extrusion 122 and then further processed with, for example, the holes 146. In addition, it should be noted that the extrusion 122 may be formed with wings 170 that rise upward from the horizontal plane of the nozzle 168. Such an arrangement may facilitate laser detection of the path of a beam or the like.

In some embodiments, one or more additional components may be attached to extrusion 122 (e.g., to form nozzle 168). For example, a secondary extrusion such as plate 172 may be bolted to extrusion 122 (e.g., see fig. 12 and 13). The plate 172 may include channels formed through the plate 172 such that the channels exit at the end of the nozzle 168. In some embodiments, the channels may be formed by holes machined from one side of plate 172 to the opposite side of plate 172 and/or machined from one side of plate 172 and from the opposite side of plate 172. For example, the holes into plate 172 may be aligned with holes 146 such that channels 138 and/or 142 continue through nozzle 168. The plate 172 may be removed and replaced (e.g., using a plate with differently oriented nozzles; for cleaning purposes; etc.). Additionally, the plate 172 may be configured to attach to the extrusion 122 such that no external fasteners are present in and/or above the product area. As shown in fig. 13, a fastener (e.g., bolt 174) may be inserted through extrusion 122 from a side opposite side 140 and then connected to plate 172. However, the bolts 174 are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Thus, in other embodiments, different fasteners may be used to secure plate 172 (or other supplemental extrusions and/or additional components) to extrusion 122, including, but not necessarily limited to: screws, nuts, rivets, pins, cams, and the like.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the valve 104 of the food removing device 100 is used to selectively connect each of the channels 130 and/or 134 to a respective one of the channels 138 and/or 142. In this manner, pressurized fluid may be selectively dispensed from a chamber within the manifold 102 (e.g., from the side 140 of the manifold 102 or the other side of the manifold 102). In some embodiments, a plurality of valves 104 are included in a valve assembly 148, the valve assembly 148 being coupled with the food removing device 100. In such a configuration, a section of valves 104 (e.g., ten (10) valves, thirty-two (32) valves, forty-two (42) valves, or a different number of valves) may be operatively coupled as a set with the removal device 100 (e.g., as opposed to individually wiring each valve to a power source, controller, etc.). Thus, when a valve 104 or valves 104 fail, the valve 104 or valves 104 of the valve assembly 148 may be removed and quickly replaced. In other embodiments, the corresponding valve assembly 148 may be removed, the failed valve 104 or valves 104 may be quickly replaced with another valve 104 or valves 104, and the valve assembly 148 may be returned to the removal device 100. In some embodiments, the airflow through the valve 104 may be reversed relative to its general path (e.g., as indicated by the manufacturer) such that the airflow advances from a position where it is the valve outlet in the opposite case to a position where it is the valve inlet in the opposite case (e.g., as indicated by directional arrow 176 in fig. 17).

In embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more valve assemblies 148 may include a driver 150 (e.g., including a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 152) that is operably coupled with the valve 104, while the valve 104 may be insertedly coupled with the driver 150. For example, thirty-two (32) valves 104 may be coupled with a driver circuit board (board). In some embodiments, the printed circuit board 152 includes stiffeners, thermal materials (thermal materials), and the like. The driver 150 may include a plug-in valve connection 154 for the valve 104 so that the valve 104 can be plugged into the driver 150 (e.g., rather than separately wired to the printed circuit board 152). This configuration may prevent or minimize the possibility of cross-wires when connecting the valve 104 to the actuator 150. Additionally, the valve assembly 148 may include one or more alignment pins to facilitate alignment of the valve 104 with the actuator 150, alignment of the actuator 150 with the manifold 102, and the like. The driver 150 may include connections for powering the valve 104, providing commands to the valve 104, and the like. For example, electrical power is supplied to each valve assembly 148 through one or more bus bars extending longitudinally along the top cover of the removal device 100. In this manner, the driver 150 is operable to selectively actuate each valve 104 (e.g., to remove failed food product 106 from the food processing line 108). For example, the drive 150 includes one or more drive connections 156 for connecting the drive 150 to a power source, a communication network (e.g., a computer bus interface), or the like. For example, the drive 150 includes one or more of an ethernet connection port, a ribbon cable connection port, and the like.

In some embodiments, the outer wall 118 of the manifold 102 at least partially defines one or more additional chambers for holding a fluid (e.g., air). Additionally, the inner wall 158 of the manifold 102 may be disposed between two or more of the chambers. For example, the outer wall 118 at least partially defines the chamber 160. In this configuration, inner wall 158 is disposed between chamber 160 and chamber 124. In some embodiments, one or more of chambers 124, 126, 128, and possibly other chambers may be in fluid communication with chamber 160. The chamber 160 may be used to supply fluid (e.g., air) to the valve assembly 148 for cooling. For example, each valve assembly 148 may include one or more cooling ports in fluid communication with the chamber 160. In some embodiments, one cooling port or a set of cooling ports is provided for each printed circuit board 152.

The removal device 100 may include a cover 162 that protects various components of the removal device 100, such as the valve 104, within the operating environment of the removal device 100. For example, the cover 162 may be used to prevent water from entering the manifold 102 (e.g., when the removal device 100 is deployed in the food processing line 108). Such a configuration may allow for cleaning of the outer surface of the removal device 100 in place. In some embodiments, one or more of the valve assemblies 148 include a handle 164 that may serve as a guide for the cover 162. For example, the handle 164 may be configured to mate with a corresponding groove or slot defined by the interior of the cover 162. As described herein, the cover 162 need not include a top inlet, which if provided, may allow water to enter through the cover 162. In addition, the removal device 100 may include one or more sealing members 166 configured to seal the cap 162. In some embodiments, the removal device 100 includes a square ring seal member. For example, including one or more "T" groove-like recesses, a plurality of (e.g., two) O-ring sealing members are disposed in the "T" groove-like recesses.

In some embodiments, the cover 162 may be coupled to the manifold 102 using one or more latching mechanisms 178 such that the cover may be selectively engaged to secure to the manifold 102. Additionally, the cover 162 may be secured to the manifold 102 such that the latch mechanism 178 is covered by the cover 162. For example, the manifold 102 extends longitudinally in a first (e.g., horizontal) direction, and the latch mechanism 178 is covered by the cover 162 in a second (e.g., vertical) direction oriented generally perpendicular to the first direction when the cover 162 is secured to the manifold 102. In some embodiments, the latch mechanism 178 may be disposed within a cavity 180 formed in the extrusion 122. For example, one or more inner walls 182 are used (e.g., as described with reference to fig. 17) to separate chambers 126 and/or 128 from chamber 180.

The extrusion 122 and/or an end wall of the manifold 102 may define an access opening for the latch mechanism 178. For example, the latch mechanism 178 may extend through an end wall of the manifold 102 and may be movable from proximate the end wall to secure and release the cover 162. In some embodiments, latches 184, which are configured as sliding mechanical wedges, may be used to wedge against corresponding portions of the cover 162 to secure the cover 162 to the manifold 102 (e.g., as shown in fig. 14-16). However, in other embodiments, latch 184 may be differently configured. For example, the latch mechanism 178 may be configured as a cam shaft that extends through the cavity 180 and includes one or more latches 184 configured as cams, a pin extending from the cover 162 that may be engaged by the latches 184. In this configuration, latch 184 may be rotated (e.g., ninety degrees (90 °), one hundred twenty degrees (120 °), etc.) to release the pin of cover 162 from engagement by latch 184. The cover 162 may then be lifted from the manifold 102. In this manner, the cover 162 can be secured to the manifold 102 without external fasteners within and/or over the product area.

In another example, the latch mechanism 178 may be configured as a slider that extends through the chamber 180 and includes one or more latches 184 configured as magnets (e.g., permanent magnets such as rare earth magnets, magnetized material, electromagnets, etc.), with material attracted to the magnets being disposed on the cover 162 that may be engaged by the latches 184. In this example, the latch mechanism 178 can slide through the chamber 180 to a position where the latch 184 is aligned with the magnetically attracted material to secure the cover 162 to the manifold 102, and the latch mechanism 178 can also slide to another position where the latch 184 is not aligned with the magnetically attracted material to separate the latch 184 from the cover 162. It should be noted, however, that these configurations are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Thus, in other embodiments, the latch mechanism 178, the latch 184, the cover 162, and/or the manifold 102 may be configured differently. For example, the cover 162 may include a magnet (e.g., a permanent magnet, magnetized material, an electromagnet, etc.), and the latching mechanism 178 includes a material that is attracted to the magnet.

In some embodiments, the valves 104 of the removal device 100 each include a coil 186, the coils 186 generating a magnetic field to operate the valves 104 when current flows through the coils 186. For example, one or more of the valves 104 may be configured as solenoid valves, and current may be supplied to the coil 186 of the valve 104 from a current source 188, such as an ac power source. The current sensor 192 is configured to be connected to a circuit including the coil 186 and the current source 188. In embodiments of the present disclosure, an optical indicator 190 (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED configured as a send diode) or other optical indicator) may be configured to send characteristic information about the valve 104, including, but not necessarily limited to: the number of actuation cycles of the valve 104 (e.g., sent as thirty-two (32) bit data), the unique Identification (ID) of the valve 104 (e.g., sent as seventy-two (72) bit data), the firmware version of the valve 104 (e.g., sent as eight (8) bit data), the checksum (e.g., sent as eight (8) bit data), etc. In some embodiments, the characteristic information about the valve 104 may be sent in less than 1 millisecond (1 ms). As described with reference to fig. 18 and 19, the valve assembly 148 may further include one or more optical sensors 194 (e.g., LEDs configured to receive diodes), each optical sensor configured to receive an optical indication from a respective optical indicator 190 of each valve 104 of the valve assembly 148. In this manner, the optical link optically couples each optical indicator 190 of each valve 104 to a respective optical sensor 194.

In some embodiments, a controller 202 for controlling the removal device 100 is communicatively coupled with the optical sensor 194 and the current sensor 192. The controller 202 may be configured to receive measurements from the current sensor 192 and determine a plurality of rates of change of the current supplied to the coil 186 (e.g., by deriving the current measured by the current sensor 192). The controller 202 may then use the rate of change to determine the health status of the respective valve 104, and possibly report the health status of the valve 104 (e.g., to an operator via a user interface). In embodiments of the present disclosure, establishing an optical link using the optical indicator 190 and the optical sensor 194 may provide a clearer signal for detecting and analyzing how the valve 104 opens and/or closes in response to being energized. In addition, the data may be sent in real-time and in parallel with the signal sent to the valve 104.

Referring to fig. 19, the controller 202 may be configured to determine whether the state of the valve 104 is healthy using the determined back electromotive force (back EMF) of the valve based on deriving valve current measurements from the current sensor 192. For example, the valve is opened by a control signal at time 0ms (0 ms), and a back emf is detected between time 1ms (1 ms) and time 2ms (2 ms) (e.g., the slope of the derived current measurement becomes negative). In this example, one ampere (1A) of current is used to open the valve 104. However, the current is initially allowed to rise above the limit of one amp (1A) until back emf is detected, then modulation begins at one amp (1A), and then can be regulated to half amp (0.5A). In some embodiments, a limit value (e.g., a maximum threshold value) above 1 ampere (1A) may be specified so that the current does not rise excessively before the back emf is detected. In addition, real-time detection of back EMF may be used to prevent or minimize overdriving of coil 186 on valve 104. Subsequently, the valve opens after a time of 2 milliseconds (2 ms).

By detecting the negative value of the back emf, the state of health of the valve 104 can be determined. However, if the back emf does not appear negative, it may be determined that valve 104 is not in a healthy state. Additionally, in some embodiments, the controller 202 may be configured to determine the response time of the respective valve based on the back emf and report the response time of the respective valve 104. This response time, in turn, can be measured from time 0 milliseconds (0 ms) to a time between time 1 millisecond (1 ms) and time 2 milliseconds (2 ms). In embodiments of the present disclosure, characteristic information about the valve 104 may be collected in an offline mode, for example, by adjusting flow rates, pressures, etc., followed by actuating the valve 104 and collecting (and possibly filtering) electromotive force information to establish a baseline for the valve 104. Additionally, in some embodiments, back EMF, response time, etc. may be used to determine the extent to which valve 104 is open.

In some embodiments, the health status of the valves 104 may be determined by comparing the optical indications (e.g., one or more health status characteristics) received from the respective optical indicators 190 of each valve 104 of the valve assembly 148 with the derived valve current measurements of the valves 104. For example, the back EMF of a particular valve 104 may be compared to health status characteristic information from the valve 104 (e.g., an actuation cycle of the valve 104, a unique identification of the valve 104, a firmware version of the valve 104, etc.) to determine the health status of the valve 104. For example, when it is determined that the back EMF of the valve 104 is as expected, but the corresponding optical indicator 190 of the valve 104 indicates an unexpected valve identification and/or firmware pattern, it may be determined that the valve 104 is not in a healthy state. In another example, when it is determined that the back emf of the valve 104 is as expected, but the actuation cycle count received from the corresponding optical indicator 190 of the valve 104 indicates that the number of actuation cycles of the valve 104 is not increased by one (1) as expected, it may be determined that the valve 104 is not in a healthy state. In some embodiments, the transmission of optical data including characteristic information about the valve 104 does not begin until after the current to the valve 104 is modulated (e.g., such that back EMF detection is not corrupted).

In embodiments of the present disclosure, valve health status information may be generated to indicate the status of the valve 104 to an operator. For example, such information may include time-stamped information about the valve 104, such as a current measurement from the current sensor 192, a derived current measurement, a valve response time, one or more optical indications from the optical indicator 190, and so forth. In some embodiments, valve health status information may be stored (e.g., recorded) in an electronic database (e.g., a central system database). Additionally, when unhealthy valves (e.g., malfunctioning valves, valves near the end of their life span, etc.) are determined, one or more alarms may be provided to the operator. The alarm may be initiated by an indicator, an alarm, etc. In some embodiments, the indicator may include an electronic display (e.g., a central display panel), one or more indicator lights, or the like. In addition, the alert may include an audible alert, a visual alert (e.g., an indicator light), a tactile alert, a signal sent to a remote monitoring mechanism, and so forth. However, these alarms are provided by way of example only and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. In other embodiments, different and/or additional alarms may be initiated. For example, the alert is initiated in the form of an electronic message, such as an email message, a text message, or the like.

In some embodiments, an alarm may be initiated using a light emitting device (e.g., a light emitting diode) on the driver 150, the position of the light emitting device on the driver 150 corresponding to the position of the particular valve 104. In other embodiments, an alarm may be initiated using a light emitting device (e.g., a light emitting diode) at the valve 104 (e.g., on a printed circuit board including the valve). Additionally, the alert can be provided in the form of a number, text, and/or graphic identification of the unhealthy valve, which can correspond to, for example, a marking location on the extrusion 122 (e.g., a numbered location imprinted onto the extrusion). The position of the unhealthy valve 104 may also be graphically depicted on a display, such as on a central display panel, and/or on other electronic devices, including but not necessarily limited to: large touch panel products, all-in-one computers, mobile computing devices (e.g., handheld portable computers, personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, tablet computers, etc.), mobile telephone devices (e.g., cellular telephones or smartphones), devices that include functionality associated with smartphones and tablet computers (e.g., tablet computers), surface computing devices (e.g., desktop computers), personal Computer (PC) devices, etc. Additionally, in some embodiments, multiple removal devices 100 may be coupled with a single display (e.g., a central display panel). In this example, multiple drivers 150 and/or valves 104 may be graphically depicted, and an operator may manipulate the display (e.g., zoom in, zoom out) to display detailed information about a particular driver 150 and/or valve 104, etc.

Referring to fig. 20, the system 200 includes the food removal device 100 and a controller 202 for controlling removal of rejected food items 106 from the food processing line 108. In some embodiments, the controller 202 is separate (e.g., remote) from the removal device 100. In other embodiments, the controller 202 is housed with the removal device 100 (e.g., within the removal device 100). For example, each driver 150 may include an associated controller 202. However, in other embodiments, each driver 150 need not include a controller 202. For example, one controller 202 may be connected to multiple drivers 150, and one or more of the drivers 150 may not necessarily include a processor. The system 200, including some or all of its components, may operate under computer control. For example, a processor may be included with system 200 or within system 200 to control the components and functions of system 200 described herein using software, firmware, hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry), manual processing, or a combination thereof. The terms "controller," "functionality," "service," and "logic" as used herein generally represent software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of software, firmware, or hardware in coordination with controlling the system 200. In the case of a software implementation, the module, functionality, or logic represents program code that performs specified tasks when executed on a processor (e.g., central Processing Unit (CPU) or CPUs). The program code can be stored in one or more computer-readable storage devices (e.g., internal memory and/or one or more tangible media), and the like. The structures, functions, methods, and techniques described herein may be implemented on a variety of commercial computing platforms having a variety of processors.

The controller 202 may include a processor 204, a memory 206, and a communication interface 208. The processor 204 provides processing functions for the controller 202 and may include any number of processors, microcontrollers, or other processing systems, as well as resident or external memory for storing data and other information accessed or generated by the controller 202. The processor 204 may execute one or more software programs that implement the techniques described herein. The processor 204 is not limited by the materials from which it is formed or the processing mechanisms employed therein, and thus may be implemented via semiconductors and/or transistors (e.g., using electronic Integrated Circuit (IC) components), etc.

Memory 206 is an example of a tangible computer-readable storage medium that provides storage functionality to store various data associated with the operation of controller 202, such as software programs and/or code segments, or other data for commanding processor 204 and possibly other components of controller 202, to implement the functionality described herein. Thus, the memory 206 may store data, such as programs of instructions for the operating system 200 (including components thereof), and the like. It should be noted that although a single memory 206 is described, various types and combinations of memories (e.g., tangible, non-transitory) may be employed. The memory 206 may be integral to the processor 204, may comprise a separate memory, or may be a combination of both.

Memory 206 may include, but is not necessarily limited to: removable and non-removable memory components such as Random Access Memory (RAM), read Only Memory (ROM), flash memory (e.g., secure Digital (SD) memory cards, mini SD memory cards, and/or micro SD memory cards), magnetic memory, optical memory, universal Serial Bus (USB) storage, hard disk memory, external memory, and the like. In an embodiment, the removal device 100 and/or the memory 206 may include removable Integrated Circuit Card (ICC) memory, such as memory provided by a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) card, universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC), or the like.

Communication interface 208 is operatively configured to communicate with components of system 200. For example, the communication interface 208 may be configured to transmit data for storage at the system 200, retrieve data from storage in the system 200, and the like. The communication interface 208 is also communicatively coupled with the processor 204 to facilitate data transmission between the components of the system 200 and the processor 204 (e.g., for communicating input received from a device communicatively coupled with the controller 202 to the processor 204). It should be noted that although the communication interface 208 is described as a component of the controller 202, one or more components of the communication interface 208 may be implemented as external components communicatively coupled to the system 200 via wired or wireless connections. The system 200 may also include and/or be connected (e.g., via the communication interface 208) to one or more input/output (I/O) devices including, but not necessarily limited to: a display, a mouse, a touch pad, a keyboard, etc.

The communication interface 208 and/or the processor 204 may be configured to communicate with a variety of different networks, including but not necessarily limited to: a wide area cellular telephone network, such as a 3G network, a 4G cellular network, or a global system for mobile communications (GSM) network system; a wireless computer communication network, such as a WiFi network (e.g., a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) operating using IEEE 802.11 network standards); an Internet network; the Internet; a Wide Area Network (WAN); local Area Networks (LANs); personal Area Networks (PANs) (e.g., wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs) operating using IEEE802.15 network standards); a public telephone network; an extranet; an intranet; etc. However, this list is provided by way of example only and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Further, the communication interface 208 may be configured to communicate with a single network or with multiple networks over different access points.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller 202 may be used to monitor the health status and/or lifecycle characteristics of the valve 104. For example, feedback from the valve 104 may be collected and used to determine the number of actuation cycles for a particular valve 104. Further, additional information about the valve 104 may be collected, for example, in embodiments where the valve circuit is only driven when the valve 104 is actuated. This information may be used to predict when the valve 104 is at or near the end of its useful life within the system 200. However, the drive cycle count is provided by way of example only and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. In other embodiments, the feedback loop may be used to determine the number of cycles that the valve 104 has been in the wrong orientation (e.g., open when commanded to close, closed when commanded to open). Additionally, in some embodiments, the system 200 tracks the length of time (e.g., in milliseconds) that a particular valve 104 spends opening and/or closing. Additionally, the system 200 may also include one or more sensors configured to determine (e.g., sense, measure) an operational characteristic of the valve 104. For example, back EMF associated with a solenoid is measured for valve 104 (e.g., as previously described).

When the valve 104 is initially deployed, information from the valve 104 may be collected and subsequent readings may be used to determine when the valve 104 begins to act irregularly and/or slowly, which may indicate the end of its useful operational life. In this manner, the system 200 may monitor the health status of each valve 104, valve assembly 148, etc., and may recommend intervention (e.g., replacement of a single valve 104 or multiple valves 104, maintenance of the valve assembly 148, replacement of the valve assembly 148, etc.). In addition, the system 200 can initiate verification queries at predetermined and/or random time intervals. In some embodiments, one or more valves 140 of the valve assembly 148 may be configured as "send only" valves, wherein information is communicated to the controller 202 periodically (e.g., at regular time intervals, at random time intervals, at pseudo-random time intervals, etc.) and/or at predetermined times (e.g., at scheduled times). However, in other embodiments, the controller 202 may initiate a request to receive information from the valves 140, e.g., one or more of the valves 104 are configured as "send and receive" valves. In some embodiments, each valve position (e.g., number) within the removal device 100 may be marked, and the information presented to the operator regarding the one or more valves may include an identification of the valve associated with its marking.

In general, any of the functions described herein may be implemented using hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry such as an integrated circuit), software, firmware, manual processing, or a combination thereof. Accordingly, the blocks discussed in the above disclosure generally represent hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry such as an integrated circuit), software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In the case of a hardware configuration, the various blocks discussed in the above disclosure may be implemented as integrated circuits along with other functions. These integrated circuits may include all or a portion of the functionality of a given block, system, or circuit. In addition, elements of the block, system, or circuit may be implemented on multiple integrated circuits. These integrated circuits may include a variety of integrated circuits including, but not necessarily limited to: a monolithic integrated circuit, a flip chip integrated circuit, a multi-chip module integrated circuit, and/or a mixed signal integrated circuit. In the case of software implementations, the various blocks discussed in the above disclosure represent executable instructions (e.g., program code) that perform specified tasks when executed on a processor. These executable instructions may be stored in one or more tangible computer-readable media. In some such cases, the entire system, block, or circuit may be implemented using its software or firmware equivalent. In other cases, one portion of a given system, block, or circuit may be implemented in software or firmware while the other portion is implemented in hardware.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims (20)

1. A system for determining a health status of a valve, comprising: a plurality of electromechanically operated valves, each of the plurality of electromechanically operated valves comprising a coil configured to generate a magnetic field to operate the valve when a current flows through the coil, and an optical indicator for transmitting at least one health status characteristic of the valve as an optical data bit; a plurality of optical sensors each configured to receive an optical indication from a respective optical indicator of each valve of the plurality of valves, the optical indication comprising the optical data bits comprising at least one of a number of actuation cycles, a unique identification and a firmware pattern, and a checksum for the respective valve; a plurality of optical links optically coupling each optical indicator of each valve of the plurality of valves to a respective optical sensor of the plurality of optical sensors; a current sensor configured to be connected to a circuit including the coil and a current source for supplying current to the coil; and a controller communicatively coupled with the plurality of optical sensors and the current sensor, the controller configured to receive the optical indications from the optical indicators of the plurality of optical indicators as current flows through the coils of the respective valves, determine a plurality of rates of change of the current supplied to the coils, compare the optical indications and the plurality of rates of change to determine health status of the respective valves, and report health status of the respective valves.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a solenoid valve.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical indicator comprises a light emitting diode.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine that the valve is not in a healthy state when a back emf of the valve determined based on the plurality of rates of change does not correspond to the optical indication from the optical indicator that an indication current is flowing through the coil.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine that the valve is not in a healthy state when the optical indication from the optical indicator that indicates that current is flowing through the coil does not correspond to the determined back emf of the valve.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine a response time of the respective valve based on at least one of the optical indication or the plurality of rates of change and report the response time of the respective valve.

7. The system of claim 1, comprising a driver operably coupled with the plurality of valve housings to selectively actuate each of the plurality of valves, the plurality of valves being matingly coupled with the driver.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the driver comprises a printed circuit board.

9. A method for determining a health status of a valve, comprising: flowing an electrical current through a coil of an electromechanically operated valve; coupling an optical indicator with the valve to transmit at least one health status characteristic of the valve as an optical data bit;

a circuit for connecting the current sensor to a current source comprising the coil and supplying current to the coil; receiving an optical indication from the optical indicator when current flows through the coil, the optical indication comprising the optical data bits comprising at least one of a number of actuation cycles, a unique identification and a firmware pattern, and a checksum of the electromechanically operated valve;

determining a plurality of rates of change of current supplied to the coil; and comparing the optical indication and the plurality of rates of change to determine a health state of the valve.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the valve comprises a solenoid valve.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the optical indicator comprises a light emitting diode.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the health status of the valve is determined to be unhealthy when a back emf of the valve determined based on the plurality of rates of change does not correspond to the optical indication from the optical indicator that an indicating current is flowing through the coil.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the health status of the valve is determined to be unhealthy when the optical indication from the optical indicator that an indicating current is flowing through the coil does not correspond to the determined back emf of the valve.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining a response time of the valve based on at least one of the optical indication or the plurality of rates of change.

15. A system for determining a health status of a valve, comprising: an electromechanically operated valve comprising a coil configured to generate a magnetic field to operate the valve when a current flows through the coil; an optical indicator coupled with the valve to transmit at least one health status characteristic of the valve as an optical data bit; a current sensor configured to be connected to a circuit including the coil and a current source for supplying current to the coil; and a processor communicatively coupled with the optical indicator and the current sensor, the processor configured to receive an optical indication from the optical indicator when current flows through the coil, determine a plurality of rates of change of the current supplied to the coil, and compare the optical indication and the plurality of rates of change to determine a health state of the valve, wherein the optical indication includes the optical data bits including at least one of a number of actuation cycles, a unique identification and a firmware pattern, and a checksum of the electromechanically operated valve.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the valve comprises a solenoid valve.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the optical indicator comprises a light emitting diode.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to determine that the valve is not in a healthy state when a back emf of the valve determined based on the plurality of rates of change does not correspond to the optical indication from the optical indicator that an indication current is flowing through the coil.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to determine that the valve is not in a healthy state when the optical indication from the optical indicator that indicates that current is flowing through the coil does not correspond to the determined back emf of the valve.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to determine a response time of the respective valve based on at least one of the optical indication or the plurality of rates of change.