Plurality of particles made of a detectable magnetic implant and a carrier in combination with a plurality of magnetic field sensors
US6536947B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F1/708
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of generating a residence time measurement of a particulate-containing food product while passing the product as a continuous stream through a thermal processing apparatus is described. The method includes the steps of inserting at least one detectable particle, and preferably many detectable particles, tagged with at least one magnetic implant into the stream at pre-selected intervals; detecting the at least one implant using at least one sensor located at a detection point downstream from a location of the inserting of the at least one detectable particle; determining a time of passage of the at least one detectable particle in the stream using output from the at least one sensor; and generating a residence time measurement for the stream using the time of passage for the at least one detectable particle. The method also includes the use of multiple sensors for detecting the implants. A suitable system and detectable particle for carrying the method are also described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.