Anti-microbial application equipment with controls
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Publication Number
US-9289001-B1
Publication Date
2016-03-22
Expiration Date
Abstract
A control system for monitoring an antimicrobial application system may include a controller having a monitoring program including an operations unit and an interface unit. The operations unit may include a sensor module operatively coupled to a plurality of sensors positioned to detect operation data associated with the application system in real-time. An adjustment module may adjust the operation of the application system. An analysis module may analyze real-time operation data and initiate a specified response when the analysis indicates that a trigger event has occurred. The response may include issuing a notification to a notification device or initiating the adjustment module to perform a control operation to modify the operation of the antimicrobial application system. A remote monitoring center may control multiple and remote application systems. Mobile devices and a control panel may be operable to interface with operations of the antimicrobial application system via the control system.
Core Innovation
The invention provides antimicrobial application equipment including a rotary screen filter, a spray cabinet with a plurality of spray nozzles, and a dip tank with a conveyer that conveys work pieces through antimicrobial treatment solution. A suction box couples to the dip tank and includes a sensor for sensing a level of antimicrobial treatment solution. The equipment further includes a capture unit comprising a series of activated carbon filters, where the activated carbon filters include a header with a plurality of arms that define fluid ports for distributing antimicrobial treatment solution over the activated carbon.
The invention also provides a controller configured to execute a monitoring program for the antimicrobial application equipment. The controller includes an operations unit with a sensor module coupled to a plurality of sensors positioned to detect real-time operation data associated with operation of the antimicrobial application equipment. The operations unit further includes an adjustment module operatively coupled to the antimicrobial application equipment and configured to adjust the operation of the antimicrobial application equipment, and an analysis module configured to analyze the real-time operation data to initiate a specified response when a trigger event occurs.
The specified response is issued at least by issuing a notification to one or more notification devices or initiating the adjustment module to perform a control operation to modify the operation of the antimicrobial application equipment. An interface unit is provided for interfacing users with the controller, and the described system supports centralized monitoring and control via a multi-plant controller and a multi-plant controller/monitoring program that executes monitoring across multiple plants.
The problem being solved is associated with operation of antimicrobial food-processing plant systems, including managing antimicrobial recycling and associated control and monitoring using real-time operation data, set points, and trigger events. The described invention addresses the need to detect and analyze operation conditions during use and to initiate responses such as notifications and control adjustments based on trigger events, including within centralized and multi-plant monitoring arrangements.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 defines the core inventive combination of antimicrobial application equipment together with a controller executing a monitoring program that analyzes real-time operation data and triggers a specified response. The remaining dependent claims refine the monitoring and interface, and further specify set-point based decisioning and multi-plant remote monitoring.
Antimicrobial application equipment with rotary screen filtration, spraying, dipping, level sensing, and activated-carbon capture
Antimicrobial application equipment comprising a rotary screen filter, a plurality of spray nozzles positioned to direct antimicrobial treatment solution onto work pieces as the work pieces are conveyed through a spray cabinet, a dip tank for containing antimicrobial treatment solution and a conveyer for conveying work pieces through the antimicrobial treatment solution, a suction box configured to fluidically couple to a dip tank and including a sensor for sensing a level of antimicrobial treatment solution in the dip tank, and a capture unit comprising a series of activated carbon filters with a header having a plurality of arms defining fluid ports for distributing antimicrobial treatment solution over the activated carbon.
Controller monitoring program that analyzes real-time operation data and triggers notification or adjustment
A controller configured to execute a monitoring program, the controller comprising an operations unit comprising a sensor module operatively coupled to a plurality of sensors positioned to detect real-time operation data associated with operation of the antimicrobial application equipment, an adjustment module operatively coupled to the antimicrobial application equipment and configured to adjust the operation of the antimicrobial application equipment, and an analysis module configured to analyze the real-time operation data and initiate a specified response when a trigger event occurs, wherein the response comprises issuing a notification to one or more notification devices or initiating the adjustment module to perform a control operation to modify the operation of the antimicrobial application equipment, and an interface unit for interfacing users with the controller.
Interface unit providing remote communication via a wireless communication port to a mobile access device
An interface unit with a wireless communication port that wirelessly communicates with a mobile access device to provide a remote interface to the controller.
Analysis of real-time operation data by comparing to pre-defined set points
The controller analysis mechanism analyzes the real-time operation data by comparing the real-time operation data or an operational condition derived therefrom to a pre-defined set point in a monitoring program.
Set points including dip-tank depth, workpiece depth, treatment duration, and number of work pieces treated
Set points comprise one or more of the depth of an antimicrobial treatment solution in a dip tank, the depth of work pieces submerged in the dip tank, the treatment duration as work pieces pass through the dip tank, and the number of work pieces treated.
Multi-plant controller architecture for remote monitoring and control
A controller architecture includes a plant controller and a multi-plant controller, with remote monitoring and control in which real-time operation data is transmitted for remote analysis of multiple antimicrobial application systems.
The claims center on antimicrobial application equipment that combines rotary screen filtration, spray cabinet nozzle application, dip tank conveying with level sensing, and an activated-carbon capture unit with a header distributing solution over activated carbon. A controller executes a monitoring program that uses sensor module real-time operation data, analyzes for trigger events, and responds by issuing notifications or initiating adjustment module control operations, with additional refinements for remote interface, set-point comparison, specified set-point types, and multi-plant centralized monitoring.
Stated Advantages
Enables initiation of at least one specified response, notification or control operation, when analysis indicates that a trigger event has occurred.
Supports remote interfacing with the controller via a mobile access device.
Enables monitoring program decisioning using comparison of real-time operation data or derived operational conditions to pre-defined set points.
Enables remote monitoring and control across multiple antimicrobial application systems using a multi-plant controller architecture.
Documented Applications
Used in antimicrobial food-processing plant system arrangements that include antimicrobial application equipment with closed-loop antimicrobial recycling and associated monitoring and control.
Centralized monitoring and control of multiple plants via a multi-plant controller and multi-plant monitoring program.
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