Description:BACKGROUND
Field of the invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a fish treatment and particularly to a device and method for dehydration of fish pieces.
Description of Related Art
[002] Fish dehydration refers to a process of removal of water from fish bodies by mechanical means such as, by providing heat and humid air over fish. Although, the fish dehydration is a cumbersome process due to structure of fish and skin thickness; however, it is essential after salting treatment to keep the fish for long term storage. Traditionally, open air-drying method has been used by humans for dehydrating the fish.
[003] However, the open air-drying method takes several days. Humans were dependent on sun’s heat for drying the salted fish as there were no tools available for helping the humans in reducing dependency on solar heat. Further, a greenhouse dryer has been used for fish drying. Although, it is faster than the open air-drying method; however, small capacity of the greenhouse dryer limits it to small scale applications. Moreover, it depends on open field microclimate condition.
[004] There is thus a need for an advanced and improved device and method that can dehydrate fish pieces in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a device for dehydration of fish pieces. The device comprising: an air blower capable to blow cool air at high velocity into a heating chamber. The heating chamber comprises heating elements adapted to heat up a stream of the air by raising a temperature of the air inside the heating chamber. The device further comprising: a drying chamber configured to receive the hot air through a hot air pipe from the heating chamber to dehydrate the fish pieces with the hot air. The device further comprising: a pneumatic valve configured to direct a flow of the hot air from the heating chamber to the drying chamber. The device further comprising: sensors to sense operational parameters selected from temperature, humidity, flow of air entering in the drying chamber, or a combination thereof. The device further comprising: a control unit connected to the sensors, and configured to: receive the sensed temperature of the hot air in the drying chamber from a temperature sensor of the sensors; compare the sensed temperature of the hot air with a pre-defined temperature; and release excess hot air collected inside the drying chamber through an air outlet of the drying chamber to control a rising temperature of the hot air in the drying chamber when the sensed temperature exceeds the pre-defined temperature.
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for drying fish pieces by using a device. The method comprising steps of: blowing cool air at high velocity into a heating chamber through an air blower; heating up a stream of the air by raising a temperature of the air inside the heating chamber; receiving the hot air by a drying chamber through a hot air pipe from the heating chamber to dehydrate the fish pieces with the hot air; receiving a sensed temperature of the hot air in the drying chamber from a temperature sensor of sensors; comparing the sensed temperature of the hot air with a pre-defined temperature; and releasing excess hot air collected inside the drying chamber through an air outlet of the drying chamber to control a rising temperature of the hot air in the drying chamber when the sensed temperature exceeds the pre-defined temperature.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a device and method for dehydration of fish pieces.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a device that quicky dehydrates highly fibrous and thick-skinned fish pieces within 20 minutes.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a device that is designed with a drying chamber capable to accommodate 1000 grams of fish pieces for drying.
[0010] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0011] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a device for dehydration of fish pieces, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a control unit of the device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0015] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for drying the fish pieces by using the device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0018] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0019] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a device 100 for dehydration of fish pieces, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As used herein, the term “dehydration” refers to a process of removal of water from fish bodies by mechanical means. In an embodiment of the present invention, the device 100 may be a dryer that may be designed to suit a quick dehydration of the fish pieces. In an embodiment of the present invention, the device 100 may be a High Temperature Short Time (HTST) dryer that may be capable to dry the fish pieces in 20 minutes. In an embodiment of the present invention, the fish pieces may be highly fibrous and thick-skinned fish pieces.
[0021] The device 100 may comprise an air blower 102, a heating chamber 104, heating elements 106a-106n (hereinafter referred to as the heating elements 106), a drying chamber 108, a hot air pipe 110, an air outlet 112, a pneumatic valve 114, sensors 116a-116m (hereinafter referred to as the sensors 116), and a control unit 118.
[0022] The air blower 102 may be capable to blow cool air at high velocity into the heating chamber 104, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the air blower 102 may be having a suction capacity of 10 Cubic Meter Per Minute (m3/min). According to embodiments of the present invention, the air blower 102 may be of any type such as, but not limited to, a positive displacement blower, a rotary lobe blower, a helical screw blower, a centrifugal blower, a multistage centrifugal blower, a high-speed blower, a regenerative blower, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the air blower 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the heating chamber 104 may be adapted to heat up a stream of air received from the air blower 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the heating chamber 104 may comprise the heating elements 106 that may heat up the stream of the air by raising a temperature of the air inside the heating chamber 104. In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the heating elements 106 may be of 5 Kilowatt (Kw). The heating chamber 104 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a plastic material, a metallic material, a Bakelite material, a carbon fiber material, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heating chamber 104 may be constructed of a thermally isolated material 120. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material that may be utilized in the construction of the heating chamber 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the hot air from the heating chamber 104 may directly goes into the drying chamber 108.
[0024] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the drying chamber 108 may be configured to receive the fish pieces to be dried. In an embodiment of the present invention, the drying chamber 108 may be having a capacity to accommodate 1 Kilogram (Kg) fish pieces. In an embodiment of the present invention, the drying chamber 108 may be capable to dehydrate the fish pieces with the hot air received from the heating chamber 104. According to embodiments of the present invention, the drying chamber 108 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, the plastic material, the metallic material, the Bakelite material, the carbon fiber material, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the drying chamber 108 may be constructed of the thermally insulated material 120. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material that may be utilized in the construction of the drying chamber 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] According to embodiments of the present invention, the drying chamber 108 may be of any shape such as, but not limited to, a cubical shape, a cuboidal shape, a pyramidical shape, a frustum shape, a cylindrical shape, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any shape of the drying chamber 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the hot air pipe 110 may be arranged between the heating chamber 104 and the drying chamber 108. An air pass-through connectivity may be provided by the hot air pipe 110 from the heating chamber 104 to the drying chamber 108, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the air heated and captured inside the heating chamber 104 may be transmitted through the hot air pipe 110 to the drying chamber 108 for drying the fish pieces.
[0027] According to embodiments of the present invention, the hot air pipe 110 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, the plastic material, the metallic material, the Bakelite material, the carbon fiber material, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hot air pipe 110 may be constructed of the thermally isolated material 120. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material that may be utilized in the construction of the hot air pipe 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the air outlet 112 may be arranged with the drying chamber 108 to release the hot air collected inside the drying chamber 108. Collecting excess hot air inside the drying chamber 108 may lead to an uncontrolled rise in temperature, leading to roasting/burning of the fish pieces, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the excess hot air inside the drying chamber 108 may further lead to an increase in internal pressure leading to an explosion of the drying chamber 108. The air outlet 112 may further be provided with a valve to actuate a unidirectional flow of air (from in to out), and prevents opposite direction (from out to in) airflow, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the pneumatic valve 114 may be a valve that operates inside a pneumatic system to direct a flow of the hot air from the heating chamber 104 to the drying chamber 108. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pneumatic valve 114 may be a pneumatic baffle valve. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the pneumatic valve 114, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sensors 116 may be arranged inside the device 100, to sense operational parameters such as, but not limited to, temperature, humidity, air flow, drying time, and so forth. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sensors 116 may be, but not limited to, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an air flow sensor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the sensors 116, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] The temperature sensor may be configured to sense a temperature of the hot air entering inside the drying chamber 108, in an embodiment of the present invention. The temperature sensor may be, but not limited to, a Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) type temperature sensor, a thermistor type temperature sensor, a semiconductor-based integrated circuit type temperature sensor, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the temperature sensor may be a thermocouple type temperature sensor. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the temperature sensor, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] The humidity sensor may be configured to measure a humidity level in the drying chamber 108, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the humidity sensor may be, but not limited to, a capacitive type humidity sensor, a resistive type humidity sensor, a thermal humidity sensor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any humidity sensor, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. The air flow sensor may be configured to determine a flow rate of the hot air entering into the drying chamber 108, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 118 may be communicatively connected to the sensors 116. The control unit 118 may be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to generate an output relating to the device 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the control unit 118 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 118 may be an Arduino Uno Board to control the operational parameters and energy consumption. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the control unit 118 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, components of the control unit 118 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the device 100 may comprise a power supply unit (not shown) configured to supply an electrical energy to components of the device 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the power supply unit may be a battery that may be, but not limited to, a dry battery, a rechargeable battery, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the battery, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0035] In another embodiment of the present invention, the power supply unit may be an external power supply unit that may be, but not limited to, an Alternating Current (AC) power supply unit, a Direct Current (DC) power supply unit, and so forth. In such embodiment of the present invention, the device 100 may be provided with a power cord that may be used to supply power to the components of the device 100. The power cord may be having a plug at a first end and a connector at a second end provided on the device 100. The plug may be inserted into a wall socket to receive the power and the connector may be inserted into a socket of the device 100 to supply the power to the components of the device 100. The plug of the power cord may be of any type such as, but not limited to, a type A, a type B, a type C, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the plug, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the control unit 118 of the device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 118 may comprise programming instructions in form of programming modules such as a data receiving module 200, a data comparison module 202, and a temperature control module 204.
[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 200 may be configured to receive the sensed temperature of the hot air from the temperature sensor of the sensors 116. The data receiving module 200 may further be configured to transmit the sensed temperature of the hot air to the data comparison module 202, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data comparison module 202 may be configured to compare the sensed temperature with a pre-defined temperature. In an embodiment of the present invention, the data comparison module 202 may be configured to generate a temperature control signal when the sensed temperature exceeds the pre-defined temperature. The data comparison module 202 may be configured to transmit the generated temperature control signal to the temperature control module 204.
[0039] In another embodiment of the present invention, the data comparison module 202 may be configured to enable the data receiving module 200 to continue receiving the sensed temperature of the hot air from the temperature sensor of the sensors 116 when the sensed temperature is less than or equal to the pre-defined temperature.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the temperature control module 204 may be configured to release the excess hot air collected inside the drying chamber 108 through the air outlet 112 of the drying chamber 108 based on the received temperature control signal. The temperature control module 204 may be configured to remove the excess hot air from the drying chamber 108 to control the rising temperature of the hot air in the drying chamber 108.
[0041] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for drying the fish pieces by using the device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] At step 302, the device 100 may blow the cool air at high velocity into the heating chamber 104 through the air blower 102.
[0043] At step 304, the device 100 may heat up the stream of the air by raising the temperature of the air inside the heating chamber 104 by using the heating elements 106.
[0044] At step 306, the device 100 may enable the hot air to flow from the heating chamber 104 to the drying chamber 108 through the hot air pipe 110 to dehydrate the fish pieces.
[0045] At step 308, the device 100 may receive the sensed temperature of the hot air in the drying chamber 108 from the temperature sensor of the sensors 116.
[0046] At step 310, the device 100 may compare the sensed temperature of the hot air with the predefined temperature. The method 300 may proceed to a step 312, when the sensed temperature exceeds the pre-defined temperature. Otherwise, the method 300 may return to the step 308.
[0047] At the step 312, the device 100 may release the excess hot air collected inside the drying chamber 108 through the air outlet 112 from the drying chamber 108 to control the rising temperature of the hot air in the drying chamber 108.
[0048] Embodiments of the invention are described above with reference to block diagrams and schematic illustrations of methods and systems according to embodiments of the invention. While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0049] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , C , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A device (100) for dehydration of fish pieces, the device (100) comprising:
an air blower (102) capable to blow cool air at high velocity into a heating chamber (104), wherein the heating chamber (104) comprises heating elements (106a-106n) adapted to heat up a stream of the air by raising a temperature of the air inside the heating chamber (104);
a drying chamber (108) configured to receive the hot air through a hot air pipe (110) from the heating chamber (104) to dehydrate the fish pieces with the hot air;
a pneumatic valve (114) configured to direct a flow of the hot air from the heating chamber (104) to the drying chamber (108);
sensors (116a-116m) to sense operational parameters selected from temperature, humidity, and flow of air entering in the drying chamber (108), or a combination thereof; and
a control unit (118) connected to the sensors (116a-116m), and configured to:
receive the sensed temperature of the hot air in the drying chamber (108) from a temperature sensor of the sensors (116a-116m);
compare the sensed temperature of the hot air with a pre-defined temperature; and
release excess hot air collected inside the drying chamber (108) through an air outlet (112) of the drying chamber (108) to control a rising temperature of the hot air in the drying chamber (108) when the sensed temperature exceeds the pre-defined temperature.
2. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air blower (102) is having a suction capacity of 10 Cubic Meter Per Minute (m3/min).
3. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drying chamber (108) is having a capacity to accommodate 1 Kilogram (Kg) fish pieces.
4. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hot air pipe (110) is arranged between the heating chamber (104) and the drying chamber (108).
5. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pneumatic valve (114) is a pneumatic baffle valve.
6. A method for drying fish pieces by using a device (100), the method comprising steps of:
blowing cool air at high velocity into a heating chamber (104) through an air blower (102);
heating up a stream of the air by raising a temperature of the air inside the heating chamber (104);
receiving the hot air by a drying chamber (108) through a hot air pipe (110) from the heating chamber (104) to dehydrate the fish pieces with the hot air;
receiving a sensed temperature of the hot air in the drying chamber (108) from a temperature sensor of sensors (116a-116m);
comparing the sensed temperature of the hot air with a pre-defined temperature; and
releasing excess hot air collected inside the drying chamber (108) through an air outlet (112) of the drying chamber (108) to control a rising temperature of the hot air in the drying chamber (108) when the sensed temperature exceeds the pre-defined temperature.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the air blower (102) is having a suction capacity of 10 Cubic Meter Per Minute (m3/min).
8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the drying chamber (108) is having a capacity to accommodate 1 Kilogram (Kg) fish pieces.
9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the hot air pipe (110) is arranged between the heating chamber (104) and the drying chamber (108).
10. The method as claimed in claim 6, comprising a step of directing a flow of the hot air from the heating chamber (104) to the drying chamber (108) by a pneumatic valve (114).
Date: May 02, 2023
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant