Anti-microbial application equipment with controls
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Publication Number
US-9491953-B2
Publication Date
2016-11-15
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 relates to a control system for monitoring antimicrobial treatment equipment of antimicrobial application systems of multiple plants. The system includes a multi-plant controller that executes a multi-plant monitoring program and receives real-time operation data from a plurality of plant antimicrobial application systems via a multi-plant interface unit. Each plant antimicrobial application system is associated with antimicrobial application equipment operatively coupled to the multi-plant controller and controllable by the multi-plant controller.
The antimicrobial application equipment includes components for conveying and treating work pieces, including a rotary screen filter, a plurality of spray nozzles, a dip tank with a conveyer, and a suction box with a sensor for sensing a level of antimicrobial treatment solution. The antimicrobial application equipment further includes a capture unit configured to filter antimicrobial component from an antimicrobial treatment solution using a series of activated carbon filters. The activated carbon filters include a header having a plurality of arms defining fluid ports for distributing antimicrobial treatment solution over the activated carbon.
The multi-plant operations unit includes a multi-plant analysis module that analyzes the real-time operation data and initiates a specified response when the analysis indicates occurrence of a trigger event. The specified response comprises at least one of issuing a notification to one or more notification devices or initiating a control operation at one or more antimicrobial application equipment of the antimicrobial application system associated with the trigger event to modify an operation thereof. The monitoring program is based on analysis of real-time operating conditions against predefined set points, which can be static or dynamic.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers four inventive features: multi-plant monitoring and control, antimicrobial equipment architecture, activated-carbon capture, and trigger-event response.
Multi-plant controller for monitoring antimicrobial application equipment
A multi-plant controller configured to execute a multi-plant monitoring program, including a multi-plant interface unit to receive real-time operation data from a plurality of plant antimicrobial application systems associated with an antimicrobial application plant and having antimicrobial application equipment operatively coupled to the multi-plant controller and controllable by the multi-plant controller.
Antimicrobial equipment architecture with rotary screen filtration, spray cabinet, dip tank conveyance, and suction-box level sensing
A rotary screen filter, a plurality of spray nozzles positioned to direct antimicrobial treatment solution onto work pieces as 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 dip tank, and a suction box fluidically coupled to the dip tank and including a sensor for sensing a level of antimicrobial treatment solution in the dip tank.
Activated-carbon capture unit with header arms defining fluid ports
A capture unit comprising a series of activated carbon filters to filter antimicrobial component from an antimicrobial treatment solution, wherein the activated carbon filters each include a header having a plurality of arms defining fluid ports for distributing antimicrobial treatment solution over the activated carbon.
Analysis module triggering notifications or control operations based on trigger events
A multi-plant operations unit comprising a multi-plant analysis module configured to analyze the real-time operation data and initiate a specified response when the analysis indicates occurrence of a trigger event, where the response comprises at least one of issuing a notification to one or more notification devices or initiating a control operation at one or more antimicrobial application equipment of the antimicrobial application system associated with the trigger event to modify an operation thereof.
Overall, the independent claim combines a multi-plant controller that analyzes real-time plant operation data for trigger events with antimicrobial equipment components for filtration, spraying, dip-tank conveying, suction-box level sensing, and activated-carbon capture distribution via headers and fluid ports. Upon trigger event occurrence, the system either issues notifications and/or initiates control operations to modify equipment operation at the associated plant.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Monitoring and controlling antimicrobial treatment equipment for antimicrobial application systems of multiple plants, including analyzing real-time operation data, issuing notifications to notification devices, and/or initiating control operations at antimicrobial application equipment associated with a trigger event.
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