Automatic top-off for deep fat fryers

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.

We 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.   
     
     
         2 . 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. 
     
     
         3 . 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. 
     
     
         4 . 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. 
     
     
         5 . 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. 
     
     
         6 . 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. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said first predetermined temperature ranges from approximately 250° F. to 280° F. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein said second predetermined temperature ranges from approximately 260° F. to 290° F. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein said third predetermined temperature ranges from approximately 300° F. to 330° F. 
     
     
         10 . 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. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein said first temperature sensor, said second temperature sensor and said third temperature sensor are mechanical thermal switches. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said valve is a solenoid valve. 
     
     
         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.   
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 13 , further comprising actuating a pump and a valve when said second temperature sensor senses a second predetermined temperature. 
     
     
         15 . 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.