WO1990013861A1 - Temperature control system - Google Patents

Temperature control system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1990013861A1
WO1990013861A1 PCT/GB1990/000664 GB9000664W WO9013861A1 WO 1990013861 A1 WO1990013861 A1 WO 1990013861A1 GB 9000664 W GB9000664 W GB 9000664W WO 9013861 A1 WO9013861 A1 WO 9013861A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
temperature
control system
temperature control
controller
heating zone
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1990/000664
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Martin Burgess
Original Assignee
Sureflame Electronics Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sureflame Electronics Limited filed Critical Sureflame Electronics Limited
Publication of WO1990013861A1 publication Critical patent/WO1990013861A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D23/00—Control of temperature
    • G05D23/19—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means
    • G05D23/1927—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means using a plurality of sensors
    • G05D23/193—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means using a plurality of sensors sensing the temperaure in different places in thermal relationship with one or more spaces
    • G05D23/1932—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means using a plurality of sensors sensing the temperaure in different places in thermal relationship with one or more spaces to control the temperature of a plurality of spaces
    • G05D23/1934—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means using a plurality of sensors sensing the temperaure in different places in thermal relationship with one or more spaces to control the temperature of a plurality of spaces each space being provided with one sensor acting on one or more control means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J37/00—Baking; Roasting; Grilling; Frying
    • A47J37/12—Deep fat fryers, e.g. for frying fish or chips
    • A47J37/1266—Control devices, e.g. to control temperature, level or quality of the frying liquid

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a temperature control system, particularly but not exclusively for cooking installations.
  • the standard temperature regulation system for food fryers in fish and chip shops for example, comprises a manual on/off control of fuel supply which is activated in response to a signal from a temperature sensor.
  • a temperature control system for use in controlling the supply of heat to at least one heating zone, the system comprising a programmable controller, a temperature sensor arranged to supply a signal representing the temperature in said heating zone to the programmable controller means for actuating the supply of heat to said heating zone under the control of the programmable controller, and means enabling a user to select one from a plurality of heating zone temperatures preset in the programmable contoller.
  • a respective temperature sensor is provided for each heating zone.
  • one or more further temperature sensors are connected to the programmable controller and positioned to detect overheating in areas spaced from said heating zones.
  • the controller comprises a computer housed in a control box, and said selecting means comprises a series of manually operable inputs, one for each preset temperature of each heating zone, arranged on a control panel on the front of said box.
  • control panel includes a visual dispaly indicating which control is in use.
  • audible and visual alarm indicators are actuated by the controller in the event that any sensor detects a temperature exceeding a predetermined maximum for that sensor.
  • the controller acts to close down the supply of heat to all heating zones in the event that "any sensor detects a temperature exceeding a predetermined maximum for that sensor.
  • the fuel used is gas which is supplied to each heating zone via a respective valve controlled by the controller.
  • each heating zone being supplied via a respective solid state relay controlled by the controller.
  • the electricity supply is pulsed the duration of the pulses decreasing and the temporal separation of the pulses increasing, under the direction of the controller, as the temperature of the substance being heated approaches the reguired temperature.
  • the temperature control system is for use in a cooking installation, in which there is a plurality of heating zones, each being a separate cooking pan, and in which the programmable controller is preset for each pan with a plurality of temperatures each of which corresponds to a given foodstuff.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic of a gas powered food fryer in accordance with the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a front view of a control panel in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic of an electrically powered food fryer, in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram of the computerised controller electronics.
  • the actual layout of the sensors, the actuation means used and the detail of the control system are determined by the fuel used, the heating system used and the material to be heated.
  • a temperature control system for cooking installations is presented in use with a gas fired multi pan food fryer 1. -
  • the food fryer 1 incorporates four pans 2, which contain the fat or oil for frying.
  • the fat or oil is heated by gas fired burners 3 situated below the pans 2.
  • Each of the burners 3 is ignited by a spark ignition system 4 positioned adjacent to the burner 3 and is supplied by gas through a solenoid valve 5.
  • the gas supply is controlled by a computer, operating in accordance with a program, which is housed in the control box 6.
  • the controller circuit contains the following components: an EPROM, preferably an NMOS CPU 2K bite D87494D; monolithic thermocouple amplifier integrated circuits, preferably AD595AQ; CMOS logic integrated circuits preferably PC74 HCT 374 P or PC74 HCT 244 P; a gas discharge driver reference number ULN 2803A; an analogue data aguisition unit reference number HD 46508 PA, as illustrated in Figure 4.
  • the control system is operated from a control panel 13 which includes a set of controls A, B, C and D for each pan A, B, C and D.
  • Each set of controls comprises four buttons: an off button 9, two constant temperature buttons 10 and 11, which can be pre-set to a range of temperatures and a button 12 which is pre-set to accomodate a variety of temperature permutations.
  • button 12 "Low Fry” button when activated causes the system to allow the temperature in the appropriate pan 2 to drop by 25°C and then rapidly increase again to temperature. This feature is used when a lower starting temperature is necessary when cooking certain foods.
  • the system can be pre-programmed for any number of changes in temperature.
  • Indicator lights 14 provide a visual indication of which control is in use.
  • the control system regulates the pan temperature to + 3 ⁇ C by closing and opening the appropriate solenoid valve 5 feeding the burner 3 beneath the pan 2 and thus heating the pan 2 or allowing it to cool.
  • the temperature sensor 8 in the room, remote from the food fryer 1 detects a temperature in excess of a predetermined maximum, for example 50 ⁇ C, then again the gas supply to all burners 3 is switched off and the audible and visual alarm is sounded.
  • buttons 9, 10, 11 and 12 which set the pans 2 to predetermined temperatures, allows unskilled or inexperienced personnel to operate the system with a minimum safety risk.
  • This system provides the two fold benefit of a saving in fuel costs and an increase in safety * standards.
  • the invention may be applied to ranges heated by other means, eg electrically, and to other cooking apparatus such as shallow friers and boiling ranges.
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic of an electrically heated range 14.
  • Each of the frying pans A, B, C are heated by heating elements 15 and power is supplied to each of the heating elements 15 by the control box 6 via solid state relays 5a.
  • each pan In use the required temperature of each pan is programmed into the computer. When the appropriate switches 9, 10, 11 and 12 are operated the control box 6 supplies electricity to the heating elements 15 in pulses. As the substance which is being heated approaches the desired temperature the duration of each pulse decreases and the temporal separation of the pulses increases, thus thermal overshoot shoot is kept to a minimum of approximately 10 ⁇ C.
  • the temperature control system may also be used to control the supply of fluids to a tank, through the valve controls 5, and the temperature of the fluids in the tanks through the electrical controls 5a. This is extremely useful in chemical cleaning of tanks where particular cleaning fluid mixtures are used at particular temperatures.

Abstract

A temperature control system is provided which comprises a computerised controller which receives information on the temperature at particular locations from sensors and controls the temperature of particular heating zones via temperature control means. The heating zones are normally deep fat fryers or other cooking systems which are heated by gas or electricity. The control system pulses the heat supplied to the heating zone as it approaches a preset temperature for that zone which provides extremely accurate control of zone temperature and minimal thermal overshoot.

Description

"Temperature Control System"
This invention relates to a temperature control system, particularly but not exclusively for cooking installations.
The standard temperature regulation system for food fryers in fish and chip shops, for example, comprises a manual on/off control of fuel supply which is activated in response to a signal from a temperature sensor.
When the temperature exceeds a certain temperature an alarm is sounded and the fuel supply must be manually switched off until the temperature decreases to a level below the optimum frying temperature, whereupon the fuel supply is manually reinstated.
This manual control of temperature is both uneconomic and a zsafety risk, as the system must be watched at all times to ensure that the system does not catch fire. The safety risk is increased if unskilled or inexperienced workers have to manually regulate the temperature of these systems.
The introduction of a fail safe system which both regulates the temperature of such a system and closes down the fuel supply in the event of an emergency would constitute a major improvement.
According to the present invention there is provided a temperature control system for use in controlling the supply of heat to at least one heating zone, the system comprising a programmable controller, a temperature sensor arranged to supply a signal representing the temperature in said heating zone to the programmable controller means for actuating the supply of heat to said heating zone under the control of the programmable controller, and means enabling a user to select one from a plurality of heating zone temperatures preset in the programmable contoller.
Preferably a respective temperature sensor is provided for each heating zone.
Preferably one or more further temperature sensors are connected to the programmable controller and positioned to detect overheating in areas spaced from said heating zones.
Preferably the controller comprises a computer housed in a control box, and said selecting means comprises a series of manually operable inputs, one for each preset temperature of each heating zone, arranged on a control panel on the front of said box.
Most preferably the control panel includes a visual dispaly indicating which control is in use.
Preferably audible and visual alarm indicators are actuated by the controller in the event that any sensor detects a temperature exceeding a predetermined maximum for that sensor.
Preferably the controller acts to close down the supply of heat to all heating zones in the event that "any sensor detects a temperature exceeding a predetermined maximum for that sensor.
Preferably the fuel used is gas which is supplied to each heating zone via a respective valve controlled by the controller.
Alternatively the heat is supplied by electricity, each heating zone being supplied via a respective solid state relay controlled by the controller.
Preferably the electricity supply is pulsed the duration of the pulses decreasing and the temporal separation of the pulses increasing, under the direction of the controller, as the temperature of the substance being heated approaches the reguired temperature.
Preferably the temperature control system is for use in a cooking installation, in which there is a plurality of heating zones, each being a separate cooking pan, and in which the programmable controller is preset for each pan with a plurality of temperatures each of which corresponds to a given foodstuff.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic of a gas powered food fryer in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a front view of a control panel in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a schematic of an electrically powered food fryer, in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram of the computerised controller electronics.
The actual layout of the sensors, the actuation means used and the detail of the control system are determined by the fuel used, the heating system used and the material to be heated.
With reference to Figs. 1 and 2 a temperature control system for cooking installations is presented in use with a gas fired multi pan food fryer 1. -
The food fryer 1 incorporates four pans 2, which contain the fat or oil for frying. The fat or oil is heated by gas fired burners 3 situated below the pans 2.
Each of the burners 3 is ignited by a spark ignition system 4 positioned adjacent to the burner 3 and is supplied by gas through a solenoid valve 5.
The gas supply is controlled by a computer, operating in accordance with a program, which is housed in the control box 6. The controller circuit contains the following components: an EPROM, preferably an NMOS CPU 2K bite D87494D; monolithic thermocouple amplifier integrated circuits, preferably AD595AQ; CMOS logic integrated circuits preferably PC74 HCT 374 P or PC74 HCT 244 P; a gas discharge driver reference number ULN 2803A; an analogue data aguisition unit reference number HD 46508 PA, as illustrated in Figure 4.
A number of temperature sensors 7 attached to the pans 2 and one or more sensors 8 in positions in the shop, remote from the fryer 1, are connected to the control box 6. The control system is operated from a control panel 13 which includes a set of controls A, B, C and D for each pan A, B, C and D.
Each set of controls comprises four buttons: an off button 9, two constant temperature buttons 10 and 11, which can be pre-set to a range of temperatures and a button 12 which is pre-set to accomodate a variety of temperature permutations.
For example button 12 "Low Fry" button when activated causes the system to allow the temperature in the appropriate pan 2 to drop by 25°C and then rapidly increase again to temperature. This feature is used when a lower starting temperature is necessary when cooking certain foods. However, the system can be pre-programmed for any number of changes in temperature.
Indicator lights 14 provide a visual indication of which control is in use.
The control system regulates the pan temperature to + 3βC by closing and opening the appropriate solenoid valve 5 feeding the burner 3 beneath the pan 2 and thus heating the pan 2 or allowing it to cool.
When the pan temperature drops the solenoid valve 5 is automatically opened, by the system, and the spark ignition systems 4 lights the gas burner 3. If for any reason the spark ignition fails to light the burner 3, this is detected by the control system and the gas supply is automatically stopped, by closing the solenoid valve 5.
When the temperature in the pan 2 exceeds a predetermined safe maximum, for example 235°C, then this temperature rise is detected by the system and the gas supply to all the pans 2 is closed off by closing all the valves 5 and an audible and visual alarm is sounded, by the control system.
Also if the temperature sensor 8 in the room, remote from the food fryer 1, detects a temperature in excess of a predetermined maximum, for example 50βC, then again the gas supply to all burners 3 is switched off and the audible and visual alarm is sounded.
The use of a simple push button control panel 13 with buttons 9, 10, 11 and 12, which set the pans 2 to predetermined temperatures, allows unskilled or inexperienced personnel to operate the system with a minimum safety risk.
This system provides the two fold benefit of a saving in fuel costs and an increase in safety* standards.
The invention may be applied to ranges heated by other means, eg electrically, and to other cooking apparatus such as shallow friers and boiling ranges.
For example, Fig. 3 is a schematic of an electrically heated range 14. Each of the frying pans A, B, C are heated by heating elements 15 and power is supplied to each of the heating elements 15 by the control box 6 via solid state relays 5a.
In use the required temperature of each pan is programmed into the computer. When the appropriate switches 9, 10, 11 and 12 are operated the control box 6 supplies electricity to the heating elements 15 in pulses. As the substance which is being heated approaches the desired temperature the duration of each pulse decreases and the temporal separation of the pulses increases, thus thermal overshoot shoot is kept to a minimum of approximately 10 βC.
The temperature control system may also be used to control the supply of fluids to a tank, through the valve controls 5, and the temperature of the fluids in the tanks through the electrical controls 5a. This is extremely useful in chemical cleaning of tanks where particular cleaning fluid mixtures are used at particular temperatures.
Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims
1. A temperature control system for use in controlling the supply of heat to at least one heating zone, the system comprising a programmable controller, a temperature sensor arranged to supply a signal representing the temperature in said heating zone to the programmable controller, means for actuating the supply of heat to said heating zone under the control of the programmable controller, and means enabling a user to select one from a plurality of heating zone temperatures preset in the programmable contoller.
2. A temperature control system as claimed in claim 1 for use with a plurality of heating zones, in which a respective temperature sensor is provided for each heating zone.
3. A temperature control system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, including one or more further temperature sensors connected to the programmable controller and positioned to detect overheating in areas spaced from said heating zones.
4. A temperature control system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the controller comprises a computer housed in a control box, and said selecting means comprises a series of manually operable inputs, one for each preset temperature of each heating zone, arranged on a control panel on the front of said box.
5. A temperature control system as claimed in claim 4, in which the control panel includes a visual dispaly indicating which control is in use.
6. A temperature control system as claimed in any preceding claim, including audible and visual alarm indicators actuated by the controller in the event that any sensor detects a temperature exceeding a predetermined maximum for that sensor.
7. A temperature control system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the controller acts to close down the supply of heat to all heating zones in the event that any sensor detects a temperature exceeding a predetermined maximum for that sensor.
8. A temperature control system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the fuel used is gas which is supplied to each heating zone via a respecitve valave controlled by the controller.
9. A temperature control systen as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, in which the heat is supplied by electricity, each heating zone being supplied via a respective solid state relay controlled by the controller.
10. A temperature control system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the electricity supply is pulsed, the duration of the pulses decreasing and the temporal separation of the pulses increasing, under the direction of the controller, as the temperature of the substance being heated approaches the required temperature.
11. A temperature control system as claimed in any preceding claim for use in a cooking installation, in which there is a plurality of heating zones, each being a separate cooking pan, and in which the programmable controller is preset for each pan with a plurality of temperatures each of which corresponds to a given foodstuff.
PCT/GB1990/000664 1989-04-29 1990-04-27 Temperature control system WO1990013861A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8909951.9 1989-04-29
GB898909951A GB8909951D0 (en) 1989-04-29 1989-04-29 Control system for cooking installations

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1990013861A1 true WO1990013861A1 (en) 1990-11-15

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1990/000664 WO1990013861A1 (en) 1989-04-29 1990-04-27 Temperature control system

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GB (1) GB8909951D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1990013861A1 (en)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3772499A (en) * 1973-02-08 1973-11-13 Gen Electric Fryer circuit for use with a hood circuit having fire protection apparatus
US3836689A (en) * 1972-07-19 1974-09-17 Owens Corning Fiberglass Corp Electric glass furnace with zone temperature control
US4131786A (en) * 1976-09-08 1978-12-26 James Cooper Remotely controllable electric oven
DE2733362A1 (en) * 1977-07-23 1979-02-08 Weiss Kg Alfons Roasting time control - with microprocessor converting code number into pre- and post-roasting time settings
US4254906A (en) * 1979-08-13 1981-03-10 Johnson Controls, Inc. Thermostat with simulated heat anticipation
US4639578A (en) * 1986-01-06 1987-01-27 General Electric Company Temperature sensor failure detection system for cooking appliance
US4688475A (en) * 1986-03-17 1987-08-25 Food Automation-Service Techniques, Inc. Cooking apparatus

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3836689A (en) * 1972-07-19 1974-09-17 Owens Corning Fiberglass Corp Electric glass furnace with zone temperature control
US3772499A (en) * 1973-02-08 1973-11-13 Gen Electric Fryer circuit for use with a hood circuit having fire protection apparatus
US4131786A (en) * 1976-09-08 1978-12-26 James Cooper Remotely controllable electric oven
DE2733362A1 (en) * 1977-07-23 1979-02-08 Weiss Kg Alfons Roasting time control - with microprocessor converting code number into pre- and post-roasting time settings
US4254906A (en) * 1979-08-13 1981-03-10 Johnson Controls, Inc. Thermostat with simulated heat anticipation
US4639578A (en) * 1986-01-06 1987-01-27 General Electric Company Temperature sensor failure detection system for cooking appliance
US4688475A (en) * 1986-03-17 1987-08-25 Food Automation-Service Techniques, Inc. Cooking apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8909951D0 (en) 1989-06-14
AU5563490A (en) 1990-11-29

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