System and method for determining drain pan fluid level

Details System and method for determining drain pan fluid level System and method for determining drain pan fluid level

1997-12-05

1999-07-27

Chilcot, Richard

Measuring and testing

Liquid level or depth gauge

Weighing type

99403, G01F 2320

Patent

active

059271426

ABSTRACT:
A fryer drain pan fluid level sensing system includes a fryer frame and a fryer vessel mounted on the fryer frame. A drain pan carrying frame is pivotally affixed at a first carrying frame end to the fryer frame, and a drain pan mounted on the drain pan carrying frame for receiving a fluid, which has a fluid density, from a fryer vessel, such that the fluid in the drain pan has a fluid level and a surface area, together defining a fluid volume. A load sensor supports a second carrying frame end opposite the first carrying frame end and generates a force signal proportionate to a weight of the fluid in the drain pan and the drain pan. A processor receives the force signal from the load sensor and determines the fluid level. The processor may determine the fluid level by calculating a fluid level factor by comparing a first difference between the force signal and an empty drain pan signal to a second difference between a full drain pan signal and the empty drain pan signal and then multiplying the fluid level factor by a predetermined full level. Alternatively, the processor may determine the fluid level by scaling the force signal to determine a weight of the fluid in the drain pan, by dividing the weight by the fluid density to determine the fluid volume, and by dividing the fluid volume by the surface area to determine the fluid level.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4050447 (1977-09-01), Terracciano
patent: 4420006 (1983-12-01), Moore et al.
patent: 4478140 (1984-10-01), Bullock
patent: 4599990 (1986-07-01), Fritzsche et al.
patent: 4646793 (1987-03-01), Sherratt
patent: 4677964 (1987-07-01), Lohmeyer et al.
patent: 4890548 (1990-01-01), Grob et al.
patent: 4899649 (1990-02-01), Grob et al.
patent: 4930408 (1990-06-01), King et al.
patent: 4974501 (1990-12-01), Grob et al.
patent: 5033368 (1991-07-01), Brewer
patent: 5056364 (1991-10-01), Kahler et al.
patent: 5722289 (1998-03-01), Carr
patent: 5776530 (1998-07-01), Davis et al.
patent: 5812060 (1998-09-01), DeSpain et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

System and method for determining drain pan fluid level does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with System and method for determining drain pan fluid level, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System and method for determining drain pan fluid level will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-866480