US 6,186,241 B1 · Method and apparatus for automatic extinguishment of fires in deep fryers

Abstract

A deep fryer with an automatic fire extinguishing system. The oil storage tank is attached to the oil reservoir of the deep fat fryer. A drain valve controls drainage of oil in the deep fryer oil reservoir to the oil storage tank. A fire sensing device is attached to, and controls, the drain valve and opens the drain valve when a fire is detected. The oil storage tank smothers any fire from oil inside it by preventing sufficient air flow to keep the fire burning. Any remaining oil which has not drained the into the oil storage tank quickly burns out and the fire is extinguished. A drain valve in the oil storage tank allows the oil to be recovered and placed back into the oil reservoir of the deep fat fryer for reuse. An air valve in the oil storage tank allows air to evacuate the tank as it is being filled with oil.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A deep fryer with an automatic oil drainage system, further comprising:

an oil reservoir for holding oil:
a heating unit having a heating element for heating the oil reservoir;
an oil storage tank;
a drain conduit connecting the oil reservoir with the oil storage tank;
a drain conduit control valve attached to the drain conduit, the drain conduit control valve having an open position to allow oil flow through the drain conduit from the oil reservoir to the oil storage tank, and a closed position to prevent oil from flowing through the drain conduit from the oil reservoir to the oil storage tank;
a fire detector operatively connected to the drain conduit control valve such that when a fire is detected, the drain conduit control valve is moved from the closed position to the open position;
whereby oil in the oil reservoir is automatically moved to the storage tank when a fire is detected.

4 more elements

A method of extinguishing fires in a deep fryer with an automatic oil drainage system, further comprising:

using an oil reservoir to hold oil:
heating the oil reservoir with a heating unit having a heating element;
connecting an oil storage tank to the oil reservoir with a drain conduit;
controlling the transfer of oil via the drain conduit between the oil reservoir and the storage tank with a drain conduit control valve, the drain conduit control valve having an open position to allow oil flow through the drain conduit from the oil reservoir to the oil storage tank, and a closed position to prevent oil from flowing through the drain conduit from the oil reservoir to the oil storage tank;
using a fire detector to detect a fire in the oil reservoir and activating the drain conduit control valve when a fire is detected such that the drain conduit control valve is moved from the closed position to the open position;
whereby oil in the oil reservoir is automatically moved to the storage tank when a fire is detected.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for automatic extinguishment of fires in deep fryers

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for automatic extinguishment of fires in deep fryers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20