U.S. patent application number 09/864893 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-10 for fryer.
This patent application is currently assigned to PALOMA INDUSTRIES, LIMITED. Invention is credited to Tateyama, Iwao.
Application Number | 20020002911 09/864893 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18685625 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020002911 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tateyama, Iwao |
January 10, 2002 |
Fryer
Abstract
A discrepancy in the model setting between controllers is
defitely detected. When it is judged at S4 that the setting is a
split vat model, the procedure then goes to S5 for determining the
cooking menu at the right oil vat, S6 for processing data to be
transmitted to a burner controller, and S7 for processing data
received from the burner controller. When it is judged at S8 that
the setting of the burner controller is a full vat model because
the temperature of a thermistor at the right oil vat received from
the burner controller is an FFFF.sub.H level (equivalent to
3609.degree. C.), the discrepancy in the setting is displayed for
notification at S9. Then, the burner controller is instructed at
S10 for extinction.
Inventors: |
Tateyama, Iwao; (Nagoya-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PEARSON & PEARSON
10 GEORGE STREET
LOWELL
MA
01852
US
|
Assignee: |
PALOMA INDUSTRIES, LIMITED
|
Family ID: |
18685625 |
Appl. No.: |
09/864893 |
Filed: |
May 24, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
99/330 ; 99/337;
99/403 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 210/08 20130101;
A47J 37/1266 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
99/330 ; 99/337;
99/403 |
International
Class: |
A47J 037/12; A23L
001/00; A47J 027/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 20, 2000 |
JP |
2000-185288 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fryer comprising a first controller for determining
temperature settings and/or cooking menus and a second controller
connected in a serial communication type with the first controller
for monitoring temperature measurements received from temperature
sensors which measure the temperature of oil in oil vats and, in
response to an instruction from the first controller, controlling
the action of heating means provided in the oil vats, both the
controllers arranged of which the model is determined corresponding
to the use of the oil vats, either a single model or a left and
right pair model, wherein data of the model setting is transferred
from one to the other between the first and second controllers at
the start-up of controlling the heating means and when a
discrepancy in the model setting between the two controllers is
found, the other controller received the data gives an alarm.
2. A fryer according to claim 1, wherein when the discrepancy in
the model setting is found, the action of the heating means is
inhibited.
3. A fryer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data of the model
setting consists of temperature measurements of the temperature
sensors determined by the second controller and when one single oil
vat is used, the temperature measurement from the other unused oil
vat is set to an impossible level and transferred from the second
controller to the first controller so that the first controller
acknowledges the model setting of the second controller.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a fryer for heating oil
vats with heating means to fry food.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A fryer has oil vats and heating means, such as pulse
burners, for heating up a cooking oil (referred to as an oil herein
after) contained in the oil vats. The oil vats are classified into
single vat model (referred to as a full vat hereinafter) and split
vat model (referring to as a split vat hereinafter). The split vat
model of the fryer has a heating means and a temperature sensor
provided in each vat.
[0005] The fryer also includes a controller unit which comprises an
operational display for operation and display of temperature
settings and cooking menus, a first controller (referred to as a
fry controller hereinafter) for determining the temperature setting
and duration of cooking in accordance with a cooking menu, and
second controller (referred to as a burner controller hereinafter)
for controlling the action of the heating means according to a
detected temperature by the temperature sensor so as to maintain
the temperature of oil to a setting level.
[0006] The fry controller and the burner controller are
communicated to each other by data exchange in the serial
communication type which employs less transmission lines than the
parallel communication type and will hence be minimized in the
overall construction. However, for operating in the serial
communication type, both the fry controller and the burner
controller are set in either the full vat model or split vat model.
As the two controllers are also connected by the same communication
cables, their model setting can be different, for example, the fry
controller set in a full vat model can be connected to the burner
controller set in a split vat model. This will result in a
detection error such as thermistor disconnection or combustion
failure, permitting no action of the heating means. Also, the
discrepancy in the model setting can hardly be notified and its
measure will be retarded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention, as defined in
claim 1, to provide a fryer which can readily detect a discrepancy
in the model setting for the full vat model or the split vat model
between the two controllers while its simple arrangement for a
serial communication type remains unchanged.
[0008] For achievement of the above object, the fryer according to
claim 1 of the present invention is arranged wherein data of the
model setting is transferred from one to the other between the
first and second controllers at the start-up of controlling the
heating means and when a discrepancy in the model setting between
the two controllers is found, the other controller received the
data gives an alarm.
[0009] As defined in claim 2, the fryer according to claim 1 is
modified wherein when the discrepancy in the model setting is
found, the action of the heating means is inhibited.
[0010] As defined in claim 3, the fryer according to claim 1 or 2
is modified wherein the data of the model setting consists of
temperature measurements of the temperature sensors determined by
the second controller and when one single oil vat is used, the
temperature measurement from the other unused oil vat is set to an
impossible level and transferred from the second controller to the
first controller so that the first controller acknowledges the
model setting of the second controller.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic overall view of a fryer;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a controller unit of the
fryer;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing a communication type
between a fry controller and a burner controller;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of controlling action of the burner
controller; and
[0015] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of controlling action of the fry
controller.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] One embodiment of the present invention will be described in
more detail referring to the accompanying drawings.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic overall view of a fryer. As shown, the
fryer 1 comprises a pair of left and right oil vats 3, 3 provided
in a casing 2 and filled with oil for frying foods (only one vat 3
shown in FIG. 1 as will be explained), a pulse burner 4 provided in
the oil vat 3 as a heating means to heat the oil, and an oil tank 5
for temporally storing the oil to be filtered. Also, a thermistor 6
is provided as a temperature sensor in the oil vat 3 for measuring
the temperature of the oil.
[0018] The pulse burner 4 consists mainly of a combustion chamber 7
located in the oil vat 3 and a mixing chamber 8 provided outside
the oil vat 3 and communicated with the combustion chamber 7. The
mixing chamber 8 is also connected with a gas conduit 12 which is
in turn connected with, from the upstream side, an intake solenoid
valve 9, a main solenoid valve 10, and a gas governor 11 for
introduction of fuel gas. In addition, the mixing chamber 8 is
connected with an air conduit 13 equipped with a fan for supplying
air for combustion.
[0019] The combustion chamber 7 is communicated in the oil vat 3
with a tail pipe 14 which is connected by a decoupler 15 outside
the oil vat 3 to an exhaust conduit 16 opened to the outside of the
fryer 1. Denoted by 17 is a high-limit switch which incorporates a
bimetal thermostat and is mounted on the exterior surface of the
oil vat 3 for switching ON and OFF in response to the surface
temperature of the oil vat 3.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit of the fryer 1.
Denoted by 20 is a first controller (referred to as a fry
controller hereinafter) which includes a control circuit board 21
carrying thereon known components including a CPU (central
processing unit), ROM devices, and an interface for transmission
and reception of data. The control circuit board 21 is connected at
input side with an EEPROM 22 for storage of control data and
setting data of both the full and split vat models. The fry
controller 20 also includes an operational display 23 mounted on
the front of the casing 2 as exposed for allowing the temperature
setting and the selection of a cooking menu by means of the
switching action and displaying the temperature and the selected
menu.
[0021] A second controller 24 is also provided (referred to as a
burner controller hereinafter), similar to the fry controller 20,
having a CPU and ROM devices and connected with an EEPROM 25 for
storage of setting data of both the full and split vat models. The
burner controller 24 is connected at input side with a pair of
thermistors 6 for the corresponding oil vats 3 and a pair of
high-limit switches 17.
[0022] The fry controller 20 and the burner controller 24 are
connected to each other in a serial communication type for exchange
of data over a polling control system. More specifically, the fry
controller 20 releases its setting information signal (referred to
as an FSI signal hereinafter), such as ON and OFF operating data,
set point temperatures, or ON and OFF high limit test data, at the
initial stage of a polling period T shown in Fig.3 for demanding a
response of the burner controller 24. Upon receiving the signal
from the fry controller 20, the burner controller 24 transmits its
operating data signal (referred to as BSI signal hereinafter), such
as temperature measurements of the thermistors 6 or error detection
codes, after a duration of a period T1. The transmission of the FSI
signal at intervals of the period T1 from the fry controller 20 is
executed regardless of the reception of the BSI signal from the
burner controller 24. Especially, the burner controller 24 releases
the BSI signal only when receiving the FSI signal from the fry
controller 20.
[0023] As the fry controller 20 and the burner controller 24 are
predetermined of the model for assigning the oil vats 3 as a full
vat or as a pair of split vats like this embodiment, their model
setting is regularly examined prior to the start-up of the pulse
burner 4 to identify any error combination. This examination of the
model setting will now be explained referring to the flowcharts of
FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0024] FIG. 4 is the flowchart of a controlling action of the
burner controller. As the initial setting has been made at S1, the
setting of either full vat model or split vat model is read at S2.
This is followed by processing data of the FSI signal like the set
point temperature from the fry controller 20 at S3, reading
temperature of the thermistor 6 in the left oil vat 3 at S4
(denoted as "thermistor L temperature" in the flowchart), and
performing at S5 opening and closing actions of the main solenoid
valve 10 in the pulse burner 4 at the left oil vat 3 (denoted as
"on L side" in the flowchart) to burn the gas and extinguish the
combustion for maintaining the temperature of oil in the oil vat 3
to a desired level (generally, 93 .degree. C. to 182 .degree. C.)
determined by the fry controller 20. The description is only made
with the left oil vat 3 because the full vat model is adapted for
controlling the left vat. The same is applied to the fry controller
20.
[0025] It is then examined at S6 whether the setting model is the
split vat or not. When the setting model is the split vat, the
temperature of the thermistor 6 at the right oil vat 3 at S7
(denoted as "thermistor R temperature" in the flowchart) and the
pulse burner 4 at the right oil vat 3 (denoted as "on R side" in
the flowchart) is controlled in the combustion to maintain the oil
temperature to a setting level determined by the fry controller 20.
This is followed by processing data such as the thermistor
temperature for transmission to the fry controller 20 at S9 and
repeating the process of another data from the fry controller 20 at
S3 and after.
[0026] When it is judged at S6 that the setting model is not the
split vat but the full vat, the procedure goes to S10 where the
temperature of the thermistor 6 at the right oil vat 3 is set to an
FFFF.sub.H level. This level is equal to 3609 .degree. C. or an
impossible degree for the right thermistor which is not in use.
Therefore when the burner controller 24 is the full vat model, the
temperature data of said level is transmitted at S9 to the fry
controller 20.
[0027] FIG. 5 is the flowchart of a controlling action of the fry
controller 20. After the initial setting is completed at Sl similar
to that of the burner controller 24, the model setting of either
the full or split vat is read at S2 and the cooking menu for the
left oil vat 3 is determined through operating the operational
display 23 at S3. This is followed by, when it is judged at S4 that
the setting is the split vat model, determining the cooking menu
for the right oil vat 3 at S5, processing data for transmission to
the burner controller 24 at S6, and processing data received from
the burner controller 24 at S7. When it is judged at S8 that the
thermistor temperature at the right oil vat 3 received from the
burner controller 24 is the FFFF.sub.H level, the burner controller
24 is indicated by the full vat model which is different from its
original setting of the split vat model. Hence, an alarm for the
wrong combination is given at S9 by displaying on the operational
display 23. At S10, an instruction for extinction is then
transferred to the burner controller 24. If it is judged at S8 that
the thermistor R temperature is not the FFFF.sub.H level, the
setting of the burner controller 24 which is the split vat model is
in agreement with that of the fry controller 20 and the procedure
is repeated from S3.
[0028] When it is judged at S4 that the setting is not the split
vat model but the full vat model, the procedure goes to S11 for
data processing for transmission, S12 for processing received data,
and S13 for examining whether the temperature of the right
thermistor 6 is the FFFF.sub.H level or not. When not, the burner
controller 24 is the split vat model which is different from the
full vat model of the fry controller 20. Then, an alarm for the
wrong combination is given at S14 by displaying on the operational
display 23. At S15, an instruction for extinction is then
transferred to the burner controller 24. If it is judged at S13
that the thermistor R temperature is the FFFF.sub.H level, the
setting of the burner controller 24 which is the full vat model is
in agreement with that of the fry controller 20 and the procedure
is repeated from S3.
[0029] As set forth above, the fry controller 20 receives data of
the thermistor R temperature as the model setting data from the
burner controller 24 at the start-up of operating the pulse burner
4 and when the setting is different between the fry controller 20
and the burner controller 24, gives an alarm. This permits the
discrepancy in the model setting to be swiftly corrected, thus
improving the convenience of the fryer 1.
[0030] It is also arranged that, upon the discrepancy in the model
setting being detected, the action of the pulse burner 4 is
instantly stopped. Accordingly, no operation of the fryer 1 with
the discrepancy will be permitted.
[0031] As the temperature of the thermistor 6 supplied from the
burner controller 24 is regarded as data of the model setting, its
measurement of the right thermistor of the right oil vat 3 which is
not used in the full vat model is expressed by an impossible level.
The temperature measurement of the thermistor 6enables to be
transferred as the data, thus allowing the model setting to be
examined easily and rationally.
[0032] While the above description is based on the split vat model,
a combination between the model setting of the fry controller and
that of the burner controller can be examined in the full vat
model.
[0033] The model setting of either the full or split vat model is
examined from the data of the thermistor R temperature transferred
from the burner controller to the fry controller, however, it is
not limited to the temperature measurement. Any other type of data
for examining the model setting may be employed with equal success.
The burner controller can examine the model setting from data
received from the fry controller.
[0034] As defined in claim 1 of the present invention, the fryer is
arranged wherein data of the model setting is transferred from one
to the other between the first and second controllers at the
start-up of controlling the heating means and when a discrepancy in
the model setting between the two controllers is found, the other
controller gives an alarm. This allows the discrepancy in the model
setting between the two controllers to be swiftly detected and
corrected, hence contributing to the improvement in use of the
fryer.
[0035] As defined in claim 2, the fryer according to claim 1 is
modified wherein when the discrepancy in the model setting is
found, the action of the heating means is inhibited hence avoiding
any operation with the discrepancy between the two controllers.
[0036] As defined in claim 3. the fryer according to claim 1 or 2
is modified wherein the data of the model setting consists of
temperature measurements of the temperature sensors determined by
the second controller and when one single oil vat is used, the
temperature measurement from the other unused oil vat is set to an
impossible level and transferred from the second controller to the
first controller so that the first controller acknowledges the
model setting of the second controller. Accordingly, the model
setting can be identified simply and rationally by utilizing the
communication of detected temperature data.
* * * * *