Heated temperature probe and method of using in a fryer vat

A system for detecting the fluid media level in a fryer vat, said system comprising:

• a heated temperature probe mounted in said fryer vat, wherein said heated temperature probe comprises:
• a first temperature sensor disposed about a tip of said heated temperature probe;
• a base section disposed about the opposite end of said heated temperature probe from said first temperature sensor;
• and a heater disposed in said heated temperature probe between said first temperature sensor and said base, wherein the heater transfers most of the temperature increase generated by said heater to said first temperature sensor and less heat to said base;
• a second temperature sensor mounted within said fryer vat to measure said fluid temperature in said fryer vat, wherein said second temperature sensor probe is mounted in said fryer vat at a lower or equal level as said first temperature sensor;
• and
• a heater controller connected to said first temperature sensor and said second temperature sensor, wherein said heater controller controls the heater based on the difference between T1 temperature measured via said first temperature sensor and T2 temperature measured by second temperature sensor which detects the temperature of said fryer vat and controls said heater.

A heated temperature probe for placement in a fryer vat with fluid media disposed therein, said heated temperature probe comprises:

• a first temperature sensor disposed about a tip of said heated temperature probe;
• a base section disposed about the opposite end of said heated temperature probe from said first temperature sensor;
• a heater disposed in said heated temperature probe between said first temperature sensor and said base;
• and
• a second temperature sensor disposed opposite of said heater to said first temperature sensor and in proximity to said base section, wherein said second temperature sensor determines the temperature of said fluid media in said fryer vat;
• wherein the heater transfers most of the temperature increase generated by said heater to said first temperature sensor and less heat to said second temperature sensor.

A method for detecting the fluid media level in a fryer vat;

• said system comprising:
• determining a first temperature T1 by a heated temperature probe mounted in said fryer vat, wherein said heated temperature probe comprises a first temperature sensor disposed about a tip of said heated temperature probe;
• a base section disposed about the opposite end of said heated temperature probe from said first temperature sensor;
• and a heater disposed in said heated temperature probe between said first temperature sensor and said base, wherein the heater transfers most of the temperature increase generated by said heater to said first temperature sensor and less heat to said base;
• determining a second temperature T2 by a second temperature sensor which is mounted within said fryer vat to measure said fluid temperature in said fryer vat, said second temperature sensor probe is mounted in said fryer vat at a lower or equal level as said first temperature sensor;
• and
• controlling a heater via a heater controller with is connected to said first temperature sensor and said second temperature sensor, wherein said heater controller controls the heater based on the difference between T1 temperature measured via said first temperature sensor and T2 temperature measured by second temperature sensor which detects the temperature of said fryer vat.