Methods and systems for measurement and control of process parameters
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring at least one process condition of a batch or continuous thermal treatment of a flowing liquid stream processed in a heat exchanger, wherein said at least one process condition is temperature, and wherein said system comprises:
- (a) at least one application specific integrated circuit identifiable by radio frequency signal;
(b) said circuit having at least one sensor capable of measuring variation of said temperature at different locations within said flowing liquid stream in cooking or baking processes including temperatures up to 200°
C. or down to −
40°
C.;
(c) at least one transceiver capable of communication with said circuit; and
(d) at least one particle embedded with said circuit, said particle further being within a heterogeneous fluid having a plurality of constituent food particles and flowing within said liquid stream.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for monitoring various process parameters, primarily in connection with processes for the sterilization of particulate foods in a continuous thermal process, make use of application specific integrated circuits (ASIC) that provide process-related data for batch or continuous thermal treatment when the circuit is embedded in a particle subjected to such treatment. The preferred methods are described in connection with process design, and with at least near real-time process control using process data provided by such circuits.
22 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring at least one process condition of a batch or continuous thermal treatment of a flowing liquid stream processed in a heat exchanger, wherein said at least one process condition is temperature, and wherein said system comprises:
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(a) at least one application specific integrated circuit identifiable by radio frequency signal; (b) said circuit having at least one sensor capable of measuring variation of said temperature at different locations within said flowing liquid stream in cooking or baking processes including temperatures up to 200°
C. or down to −
40°
C.;(c) at least one transceiver capable of communication with said circuit; and (d) at least one particle embedded with said circuit, said particle further being within a heterogeneous fluid having a plurality of constituent food particles and flowing within said liquid stream. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 29, 30)
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19. A method of measuring process conditions of a batch or continuous thermal treatment of a flowing liquid stream processed in a heat exchanger, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing at least one application specific integrated circuit identifiable by radio frequency signal having at least one sensor capable of measuring variation of at least one process condition within said flowing liquid stream, wherein said at least one process condition is temperature; (b) providing said circuit within a heterogeneous fluid associated with said batch or continuous thermal treatment within said flowing liquid stream; and (c) measuring variation of said temperature, as determined by said circuit at different locations within said flowing liquid stream, in cooking or baking processes including temperatures up to 200°
C. or down to −
40C. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification