WO2008093061A2

WO2008093061A2 - Food processing system utilising energy storage and release

Info

Publication number: WO2008093061A2
Application number: PCT/GB2008/000284
Authority: WO
Inventors: John David Emanuel
Original assignee: John David Emanuel
Priority date: 2007-01-30
Filing date: 2008-01-28
Publication date: 2008-08-07
Also published as: WO2008093061A3; GB2446154B; GB0701718D0; GB2446154A

Abstract

Apparatus of the type described adapted for energy storage comprising: a drive member having a driven end and a driving end; a drive means for reciprocating the driven end of the drive member along a path between a first and a second position relative to a datum; a resilient means which, with the drive member moving along the path from the first to the second position, functions so as to store energy; and, with the drive member moving along the path from the second to the first position, the resilient means functions to release energy stored therein so as to urge the member from the second to the first position; the resilient means having one end mounted on a first anchorage fixed in position relative to a datum position and the other end to the one end subject to loading either by way of: a direct or indirect attachment to the drive member at a location intermediate the driven end and the driven end; or a component displaceable by the driving end of the drive member.

Description

FOOD PROCESSING SYSTEM UTILISING ENERGY STORAGE AND RELEASE

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a food processing system utilising energy storage and release. It is particularly concerned with energy storage and release during a cyclically repeated operation in which a unit in the system is caused to reciprocate along a path between two positions,

BACKGROUND ART

In European Patent 0804095 there is disclosed a process for thermally treating a product in a container having a headspace above the product, in which the container is subjected to a heated or cooled environment and is simultaneously agitated. The acceleration to which the container is subjected by the agitation is of sufficient magnitude to cause the process to operate in a regime in which the heating or cooling time required for the product to reach a predetermined temperature is very substantially reduced and moreover is substantially insensitive to changes in the acceleration. Agitation is readily achieved by means of reciprocation of the container. The present invention is concerned with the provision of apparatus for facilitating the undertaking of a process described in the above European Patent and as such will be referred to hereafter as being 'of the type described'.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Apparatus of the type described adapted for energy storage comprising: a drive member having a driven end and a driving end; a drive means for reciprocating the driven end of the drive member along a path between a first and a second position relative to a datum; a resilient means, with the drive member moving along the path from the first to the second position, functioning to store energy; and, with the drive member moving along the path from the second to the first position, the resilient means functions to release energy stored therein so as to urge the member from the second to the first position; the resilient means having one end mounted on a first anchorage fixed in position relative to a datum position and the other end to the one end subject to loading either by way of: a direct or indirect attachment to the drive member at a location intermediate the driven end and the driven end; or a component displaceable by the driving end of the drive member. Typically the resilient means is a spring selected from a class comprising: a compression spring, a tension spring and a helical spring.

According to a first preferred version of the present invention the apparatus included further resilient means, with the drive member moving along the path from the second to the first position, acting to store energy; and, with the drive member moving along the path from the first to the second position, the further resilient means functions to release energy stored therein so as to urge the member from the first to the second position; the further resilient means having one end mounted on a second anchorage fixed in position relative to a datum position and the other end to the one end subject to loading by way of a direct or indirect attachment to the drive member at a point intermediate the driven end and the driven end. Typically the further resilient means is a spring selected from a class comprising: a compression spring, a tension spring, and a helical spring.

According to a second preferred version of the present invention means are provided to vary a characteristic of the resilient means so as to match energy storage and release characteristics of the resilient means to loading arising from the component displaceable by the driving end of the drive member.

According to a third preferred version of the present invention the apparatus of the second preferred version is characterised by means provided to vary a characteristic of the further resilient means so as to match energy storage and release characteristics of the further resilient means to loading arising from the component displaceable by the driving end of the drive member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings all of which are diagrammatic cross sections of energy storage and release systems wherein:

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment;

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment; and

Figure 3 shows a third embodiment.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

First Embodiment

Figure 1 shows an energy storage and release unit 11 coupled to a retort basket 12 within a retort of which only wall 13 is shown. The retort serves to enclose a volume 14 in which the basket 12 is located and provides for the temperature of items contained in the basket 12 to be raised, maintained or lowered as required in accordance with a pre-determined program.

The retort basket 12 is displaced by means of a connecting rod 15 which in is displaced by reciprocating means 16. The rod 15 passes through the wall 13 by way of a seal 17 which provides for fluid tight reciprocation of the rod 15 in direction of axis A when the contents of basket 12 are being thermally processed.

Unit 11 comprises a base plate 18 with two upwardly extending thrust plates 19, 20 which are pierced by, respectively, apertures 21, 22 through which rod 15 can freely pass. The thrust plates 19, 20 are spaced by a fixed distance D.

The rod 15 has secured to it a plate 23. Between plate 23 and thrust plate 19 there is mounted a compression spring 19A aligned around rod 15. In a similar manner between plate 23 and thrust plate 20 there is mounted a compression spring 2OA similar in size and characteristics to compression spring 19 A and similarly aligned around rod 15. The plate 23 is shown in Figure 1 at a central position with the springs 19A, 2OA equal in length.

In operation the rod 15 is reciprocated on axis A by means of the reciprocating means 16. From the position shown in Figure 1 the rod 15 is driven to the right with consequent compression of spring 2OA with consequent storage of energy in spring 2OA and extension of spring 19A. Once the plate 23 has reached is right limit position R the movement of rod 15 is reversed and energy stored in compressed spring 2OA acts to drive the plate 23 to the left. This motion of the rod 15 results in spring 19A being compressed with consequent storage of energy in spring 19 A. Once the plate 23 has reached its left limit position L the movement of rod 15 is reversed and energy stored in compressed spring 19A acts to drive the plate 23 to the right. This reciprocation of plate 23 between left (L) and right (R) limit positions is continued as required until processing of the contents of basket 12 is completed.

Second Embodiment

This embodiment is similar in many respects to that shown in Figure 1 but additionally provide means to adjust spring lengths to match the energy storage and release characteristics to load and agitation regimes that may be required. Parts having a similar form and function are not described again and are provided with similar references to those in Figure 1 with the addition of an apostrophe. In this embodiment the spacing D' between thrust plates 19', 20' can be adjusted, for example by screwed links, on base plate 18'. For this purpose adjustable links 25, 26 are mounted between thrust plates 19', 20'. Link 25 has screwed end sections 25a, 25b whose threads are of opposite handing so that rotation of the link 25 results in the thrust plates 19', 20' being either driven apart or drawn together as required. Link 26 is similar in form and function to link 25. Third Embodiment

This embodiment is similar in many respects to that shown and described in connection with Figures 1 and 2. Parts having a similar form and function are not described again and are provided with similar references to those in Figure 1 or 2 but with addition of two apostrophes. In this embodiment each of thrust plates 39, 40 are in two parts. Lower parts 39 A, 4OA are separated by a fixed distance X on a base support 41. Upper parts 39B, 4OB are can be adjusted in spacing Y by means of screwed links 25", 26" linking upper parts 39B, 4OB. Screwed links 25", 26" are similar in form and function to links 25, 26 of Figure 2.

The base support 41 further supports basket 12" within retort R by way of member 45 extending into the retort R through seal 46. This minimises the transmission of vibration to the retort.

In the foregoing embodiments a resilient means is provided in the form of a compression spring. In such a spring energy is stored as the spring is compressed and energy recovered when the compressed spring is allowed to expand to its uncompressed configuration. It will be apparent that an alternative resilient energy storage source would be a tension spring in which energy would be stored as the spring is extended and energy would be recovered when the extended spring is allowed to retract to its un-extended configuration.

It is envisaged that other means could be used for the cyclical storage and release of energy including torsion springs and compressed gases and vapours including air.

It will be apparent that the stored energy and its subsequent release can be achieved with the resilient means having one end mounted on a first anchorage fixed in position relative to a datum position and the other end to the one end subject to loading either by way of:: a direct or indirect attachment to the drive member at a location intermediate the driven end and the driven end; or a component displaceable by the driving end of the drive member.

In the exemplary embodiments the resilient, and further resilient, means are mounted co-axially with the reciprocating connecting rod and transmit their cyclical loading directly to the connecting rod by way of a plate secured to the connecting rod. However in an alternative arrangement the resilient means could be mounted to act directly on a retort basket by way of an extension or a separate shaft through a seal in a wall of the retort. The released energy would be subsequently fed back into the reciprocating system by way of the retort basket.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention provides apparatus whereby reciprocation of materials being subject to heat treatment, typically in a retort, can be carried out by means including resilient energy storage means, such as compressions springs, so saving on power consumption during a processing cycle.

Claims

1 Apparatus of the type described adapted for energy storage comprising: a drive member having a driven end and a driving end; a drive means for reciprocating the driven end of the drive member along a path between a first and a second position relative to a datum; a resilient means which, with the drive member moving along the path from the first to the second position, functions so as to store energy; and, with the drive member moving along the path from the second to the first position, the resilient means functions to release energy stored therein so as to urge the member from the second to the first position; the resilient means having one end mounted on a first anchorage fixed in position relative to a datum position and the other end to the one end subject to loading either by way of: a direct or indirect attachment to the drive member at a location intermediate the driven end and the driven end; or a component displaceable by the driving end of the drive member.

2 Apparatus for energy storage as claimed in Claim 1 including further resilient means which, with the drive member moving along the path from the second to the first position, functions to store energy; and, with the drive member moving along the path from the first to the second position, the further resilient means functions to release energy stored therein so as to urge the member from the first to the second position; the further resilient means having one end mounted on a second anchorage fixed in position relative to a datum position and the other end to the one end subject to loading by way of a direct or indirect attachment to the drive member at a point intermediate the driven end and the driven end. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the resilient means is a spring selected from a class comprising: a compression spring, a tension spring and a helical spring

Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the further resilient means is a spring selected from a class comprising: a compression spring, a tension spring and a helical spring

Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 3 wherein means are provided to vary a characteristic of the resilient means so as to match energy storage and release characteristics of the resilient means to loading arising from the component displaceable by the driving end of the drive member.

Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 or 4 wherein means are provided to vary a characteristic of the further resilient means so as to match energy storage and release characteristics of the further resilient means to loading arising from the component displaceable by the driving end of the drive member.

Apparatus as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figure 1, Figure 2 or Figure 3 of the drawings.