Abstract: An automatic fryer apparatus and method of frying food products includes a cooking chamber, a heating mechanism disposed in the cooking chamber, and a pump disposed at an end of the cooking chamber to circulate cooking medium within the cooking chamber. Food product is added to the cooking chamber and flows along with the cooking medium in a flow direction. A controller controls a plurality of gates by individually actuating each gate. The controller stores data regarding predetermined time periods, which regulate when to raise and lower each gate. Food product moves downstream of each gate along a flow direction when each respective gate is raised. Food product is automatically transferred to a holding station when it reaches an outlet end of the cooking chamber.

Abstract: A gas fryer and associated methods of cooking food products are disclosed. The gas fryer includes an infrared burner and a fry pot including an interior casing defining a cooking chamber, with the interior casing including a bottom wall and opposing sidewalls that extend upwardly from the bottom wall. The opposing sidewalls include lower, central, and upper sidewall panels that are angled from one another to define a tapered profile that narrows towards the bottom wall. The tapering of a well defined at a lower chamber portions of the cooking chamber allows for a shallow depth at this portion of the fry pot and easy visibility and access for cleaning. Furthermore, the opposing sidewalls and a rear end wall of the interior casing include heat exchange fins on an external surface.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for controlling a fryer having a high limit module. The high limit module selectively decouples a heater of the fryer from an energy source in response to a signal received from a high limit temperature probe indicating a maximum allowable temperature has been exceeded at a hard trip condition. A controller monitors signals received from an operational temperature probe and the high limit temperature probe. Based on these signals, the controller determines if the high limit module is approaching the hard trip condition. If the controller determines the high limit module is approaching the hard trip condition, it preemptively adjusts the output of the heater to avoid the hard trip condition. The controller may thereby prevent the fryer from being completely deactivated by the high limit module.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a cooking medium in a cooking apparatus are disclosed. A delivery system includes a rotary valve having a rotary inlet and a plurality of rotary outlets. The rotary inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a source of cooking medium and the plurality of rotary outlets are configured to be in fluid communication with a corresponding plurality of receptacles. A rotary position sensor generates a signal, having continuous angular position resolution, based on an angular position of the rotary valve. A controller receives the signal generated by the rotary position sensor and selectively places the rotary inlet in fluid communication with one of the plurality of rotary outlets based on the signal generated by the rotary position sensor. The rotary position sensor may include a Hall-effect sensor that functions at elevated operating temperatures associated with the cooking medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a cooking medium in a cooking apparatus are disclosed. A delivery system includes a rotary valve having a rotary inlet and a plurality of rotary outlets. The rotary inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a source of cooking medium and the plurality of rotary outlets are configured to be in fluid communication with a corresponding plurality of receptacles. A rotary position sensor generates a signal, having continuous angular position resolution, based on an angular position of the rotary valve. A controller receives the signal generated by the rotary position sensor and selectively places the rotary inlet in fluid communication with one of the plurality of rotary outlets based on the signal generated by the rotary position sensor. The rotary position sensor may include a Hall-effect sensor that functions at elevated operating temperatures associated with the cooking medium.

Abstract: A holder block for retaining a temperature sensor includes a base portion configured to operatively engage a portion of the temperature sensor and a portion of a heating element. The holder block also includes a cap portion removably attachable to the base portion, the cap portion being configured to operatively engage a portion of the temperature sensor and a portion of the heating element. The base portion and cap portion are moveable relative to each other such that movement of the base portion and cap portion toward each other provides a first clamping action on the heating element and a second clamping action on the temperature sensor to define a clamped position of the holder block. When in the clamped position, the base portion and cap portion provide conductive thermal paths and define apertures providing convective thermal paths between the heating element and the temperature sensor.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for controlling a fryer having a high limit module. The high limit module selectively decouples a heater of the fryer from an energy source in response to a signal received from a high limit temperature probe indicating a maximum allowable temperature has been exceeded at a hard trip condition. A controller monitors signals received from an operational temperature probe and the high limit temperature probe. Based on these signals, the controller determines if the high limit module is approaching the hard trip condition. If the controller determines the high limit module is approaching the hard trip condition, it preemptively adjusts the output of the heater to avoid the hard trip condition. The controller may thereby prevent the fryer from being completely deactivated by the high limit module.

Abstract: An automatic fryer apparatus and method of frying food products includes a cooking chamber, a heating mechanism disposed in the cooking chamber, and a pump disposed at an end of the cooking chamber to circulate cooking medium within the cooking chamber. Food product is added to the cooking chamber and flows along with the cooking medium in a flow direction. A controller controls a plurality of gates by individually actuating each gate. The controller stores data regarding predetermined time periods, which regulate when to raise and lower each gate. Food product moves downstream of each gate along a flow direction when each respective gate is raised. Food product is automatically transferred to a holding station when it reaches an outlet end of the cooking chamber.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus comprises a heated compartment to warm cooking media that may be packaged in metal containers or the like. The heater system includes at least one heater disposed at a location to heat the bottom of the unused cooking medium container. The heater system may also include at least one heater disposed at a location to heat at least one side of the unused cooking medium container. A cooking apparatus comprises at least one supply reservoir, a fluid motive device, various enclosed cooking medium conductors or lines, a three-way valve that introduces air for purging the lines, and a cooking medium receiving system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a cooking medium in a cooking apparatus are disclosed. A delivery system includes a rotary valve having a rotary inlet and a plurality of rotary outlets. The rotary inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a source of cooking medium and the plurality of rotary outlets are configured to be in fluid communication with a corresponding plurality of receptacles. A rotary position sensor generates a signal, having continuous angular position resolution, based on an angular position of the rotary valve. A controller receives the signal generated by the rotary position sensor and selectively places the rotary inlet in fluid communication with one of the plurality of rotary outlets based on the signal generated by the rotary position sensor. The rotary position sensor may include a Hall-effect sensor that functions at elevated operating temperatures associated with the cooking medium.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus comprises a heated compartment to warm cooking media that may be packaged in metal containers or the like. The heater system includes at least one heater disposed at a location to heat the bottom of the unused cooking medium container. The heater system may also include at least one heater disposed at a location to heat at least one side of the unused cooking medium container. A cooking apparatus comprises at least one supply reservoir, a fluid motive device, various enclosed cooking medium conductors or lines, a three-way valve that introduces air for purging the lines, and a cooking medium receiving system.

Abstract: A system for delivering a cooking medium of a cooking apparatus includes one or more cooking vessels. The system also includes a drain manifold in fluid communication with the cooking vessel, and a fill manifold having input valves, and output valves in fluid communication with a corresponding cooking vessel. A first flow path is connected to the fill manifold. A filter container selectively is in fluid communication with the fill manifold. A filter pump is positioned between the filter container and the fill manifold and conveys a recycled cooking medium. An overflow pump selectively is in fluid communication with the fill manifold via a second flow path and a portion of the first flow path. The overflow pump conveys a new cooking medium to the fill manifold. The first flow path conveys one of the recycled cooking medium and the new cooking medium to the fill manifold.

Abstract: A system for delivering a cooking medium of a cooking apparatus includes one or more cooking vessels. The system also includes a drain manifold in fluid communication with the cooking vessel, and a fill manifold having input valves, and output valves in fluid communication with a corresponding cooking vessel. A first flow path is connected to the fill manifold. A filter container selectively is in fluid communication with the fill manifold. A filter pump is positioned between the filter container and the fill manifold and conveys a recycled cooking medium. An overflow pump selectively is in fluid communication with the fill manifold via a second flow path and a portion of the first flow path. The overflow pump conveys a new cooking medium to the fill manifold. The first flow path conveys one of the recycled cooking medium and the new cooking medium to the fill manifold.

Abstract: A cooking medium heating system includes a cooking vessel for holding a cooking medium, at least one heat transfer tube for transferring heat generated by combustion to the cooking medium, and a combustion gas eductor for venting combustion gas exhausted from a combustion gas exhaust opening. Each heat transfer tube includes a bottom wall, a pair of side walls, a top wall, and a combustion gas entry opening and a combustion gas exhaust opening formed therein at opposite ends thereof. The tubes may include at least one heat transfer fin and a combustion gas flow separator dividing the tube into two spaces between the separator and the pair of side walls. The combustion gas eductor includes a flue including a narrower, exhaust gas receiving end disposed adjacent to the combustion gas exhaust opening, a nozzle including a nozzle inlet and a nozzle outlet, and a blower.

Abstract: A system for delivering a cooking medium of a cooking apparatus includes one or more cooking vessels. The system also includes a drain manifold in fluid communication with the cooking vessel, and a fill manifold having input valves, and output valves in fluid communication with a corresponding cooking vessel. A first flow path is connected to the fill manifold. A filter container selectively is in fluid communication with the fill manifold. A filter pump is positioned between the filter container and the fill manifold and conveys a recycled cooking medium. An overflow pump selectively is in fluid communication with the fill manifold via a second flow path and a portion of the first flow path. The overflow pump conveys a new cooking medium to the fill manifold. The first flow path conveys one of the recycled cooking medium and the new cooking medium to the fill manifold.

Abstract: A sterilizer including a sterilization chamber for receiving articles to be sterilized and a door supported on a horizontal pivot at an access opening of the sterilizer chamber. The door includes a seal plate and a resilient seal member supported on the seal plate wherein the seal member includes an annular lip extending transversely to the plane of the seal plate. The lip extends into the sterilizer chamber wherein pressure within the chamber exerts a force biasing an opposing surface of the lip into engagement with an inner surface of the chamber. The sterilizer door is movable between a fully closed and a fully open position and includes a mechanism for holding the door in a partially open position. In the partially open position, the lip extends into contact with a surface of the sterilizer chamber to thereby form a bridge between the door and chamber and prevent condensation from dripping down away from the chamber and door.