# US 2014/0150900 A1 · Automatic top-off for deep fat fryers

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- Number: US 2014/0150900 A1
- Document ID: US20140150900A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/136,992
- Filed: 2013-12-20
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2007-03-19
- Assignees: The Frymaster Corporation
- Applicants: Frymaster L.L.C.
- Inventors: Michael Andrew THEODOS; Charles Milton HUTCHINSON
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150900A1

## CPC

- G05D 9/12: characterised by the use of electric means
- A47J 37/1266: {Control devices, e.g. to control temperature, level or quality of the frying liquid}
- Y10T 137/7287: Liquid level responsive or maintaining systems
- G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A system for automatically filling a fryer pot that includes a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor in the fryer pot; and a pump and a valve being actuated by said second temperature sensor. The pump and said valve are actuated when said first temperature sensor senses a first predetermined temperature and said second temperature sensor senses a second predetermined temperature.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for automatically filling a fryer pot comprising:
a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor in the fryer pot; and
a pump and a valve being actuated by said second temperature sensor,
wherein said pump and said valve are actuated when said first temperature sensor senses a first predetermined temperature and said second temperature sensor senses a second predetermined temperature.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system according to claim 1, wherein said pump and said valve are deactivated when said second temperature sensor senses a third predetermined temperature that is greater in value than said second predetermined temperature.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system according to claim 1, wherein said second temperature sensor is not enabled to commence a filling cycle of a fryer pot when said first temperature sensor does not sense a first predetermined temperature.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system according to claim 1, wherein said first temperature sensor is located proximate a heating element at a bottom surface of said fryer pot.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system according to claim 4, wherein said second temperature sensor is located in said fryer pot at a location further from the bottom surface of said fryer pot than said first temperature sensor.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The system according to claim 2, further comprising a third temperature sensor in said fryer pot operatively associated with said second sensor, wherein said third temperature sensor disables said second temperature sensor when said second temperature does not detect said third predetermined temperature.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined temperature ranges from approximately 250° F. to 280° F.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The system according to claim 2, wherein said second predetermined temperature ranges from approximately 260° F. to 290° F.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The system according to claim 6, wherein said third predetermined temperature ranges from approximately 300° F. to 330° F.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system according to claim 1, wherein when said first temperature sensor senses a temperature in a range from approximately 5° F. to 25° F. below said first predetermined temperature, said first temperature sensor does not enable said second temperature sensor.

### Claim 11 (depends on 6)

The system according to claim 6, wherein said first temperature sensor, said second temperature sensor and said third temperature sensor are mechanical thermal switches.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The system according to claim 1, wherein said valve is a solenoid valve.

### Claim 13

A method for filling a fryer post with a volume of cooking oil comprising:
detecting a first predetermined temperature in said fryer pot by a first temperature sensor;
enabling a second temperature sensor to commence a filling cycle of the fryer pot in response to said first temperature sensor sensing a first predetermined temperature.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The system according to claim 13, further comprising actuating a pump and a valve when said second temperature sensor senses a second predetermined temperature.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The system according to claim 13, further comprising deactivating said pump and said valve when said second temperature sensor senses a third predetermined temperature that is greater in value than said second predetermined temperature.