Patent Application
20180085723
The present invention relates to a gas/liquid infusion system for providing a beverage.
Theory of operation: The standard beverage water carbonator is a device designed to dissolve carbon dioxide gas (CO2) in water, producing carbonated water. CO2 gas is delivered through a regulator to the carbonator tank gas inlet fitting. Simultaneously, plain water is pumped into the tank from by the vane pump which is fed from a commercial water source. The CO2 gas, under pressure, dissolves in the water and the result is carbonated water. Some systems include chilling the water before, during, and/or after passing through the carbonator. When the liquid level of carbonated water reaches the liquid level sensing device (inside the tank) upper position probe, the switch opens the circuit and the pump motor turns off. As carbonated water is drawn from the tank, the level of carbonated water will drop. At a certain point, the liquid level switch recognizes the drop in the level and closed the circuit to turns on the pump motor which replenishes the amount of carbonated water that has been taken out of the tank. The output carbonation level produced is constant based on the temperature and pressure conditions of the system.
In typical Soda Beverage Carbonation applications, the liquid inlet pressure to the Carbonator is subject to fluctuations in incoming liquid pressure based on water usage variations in the facility that occurs during the day. It is not possible to maintain the set point or adjust the set point due to the unpredictable nature of the incoming water supply pressure and flow characteristics.
By way of example, see Inline Carbonator Devices, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,033,315 B2, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This device, and similar inline devices, enable mixing of liquid and gas in a flow through an inline mixing chamber as contrasted with the accumulator tank in the first example. The principles of operation are similar to the standard carbonator system, but there is no reservoir tank so the Carbonation of the liquid must happen on demand. The differential pressure between the input gas and liquid streams determines the level of gas absorbed into the liquid at a given temperature. There are different models on the market citing different advantages and performance characteristics, but they do not the ability to adjust or maintain the set point target in real-time.
The following is a description of some of the shortcomings of the above mentioned devices:
In typical Soda Beverage Carbonator Systems in the market today, the output water carbonation level produced is constant based on the temperature and pressure conditions of the gas liquid system. It is not possible for the end user to adjust carbonation output level of the system either preset or real-time for achieving various desirable end beverage quality characteristics. Additionally, the present systems in the market place lack that ability for real time compensation for typical expected fluctuations in the incoming liquid and gas pressures. This capability is essential for maintaining target carbonation levels in the presence of unpredictable fluctuations in incoming liquid pressure based on water usage variations throughout the facility that occur during the day.
In the Nitrogen Infusion applications such as Nitrogenized Cold Brewed Coffee or tea, the use of a traditional Tank carbonator system for nitrogen infusion cannot achieve consistent output levels due to the variability in the liquid pressure. The flow and pressure of the liquid to and from the accumulator tank can vary from 20 to 120 PSI when the liquid level in the tank is being replenished; this creates variable flow rate output from the system during dispense and variable nitrogen infusion levels from drink to drink. Furthermore, the accumulator tank does not lend itself to clean in place requirements when used with premixed beverages and can lead to sanitation issues vs. an Inline Infusion Device. These issues and challenges make the use of an inline gas absorption device desirable over existing carbonators with a tank. The challenge with using inline carbonators for this purpose is that the differential pressure required for “inline” nitrogen gas absorption into the liquid is very low; approximately in the range of 0.5 to 3 psi differential between incoming gas and liquid under typical system dispenses conditions. This low differential pressure requirement on an inline device poses a big problem because standard regulators and gauges in use in beverage systems today do not have sufficient resolution to adjust the regulator increments fine enough to properly and reliably adjust the set point value. In addition, minor system fluctuations can throw the device out of range of infusion and create non-infused, or largely over infused final drinks. Minor changes can have a big impact on the end drink quality. This prevents the use of existing inline nitrogenizing without the technology presented in this invention.
Challenges for use in Beer Dispense carbonation and/or nitrogen infusion are also based on the variation in incoming liquid pressure to carbonation device, and the complexity of dispense plumbing systems for which a constant flow must be tuned. The pressure to the carbonation device in beer systems is typically a Keg, Cask, or other pressurized vessel requiring gas pressure setting. The keg (vessel) pressure setting in beer dispense varies based primarily on the following:
The following are shortcomings of available Inline Carbonator Devices
In view of this, there is a need in the industry for a better way to carbonate beverages that overcomes the shortcomings of the known beverage carbonation devices.
In summary, the following is description of how the present invention overcomes the above mentioned difficulties:
The amount of absorption of gas into liquid is a function of the temperature and pressure at which the gas and liquid input streams are being combined. For Inline Carbonator devices the differential pressure between the Gas and Liquid input streams is the critical control parameter for controlling the level of Gas Absorbed into the Liquid at various temperatures. The present invention (Inline variable Gas/Liquid Absorption system) is able to provide real time adjustable set point output levels of gas absorption by monitoring the input pressures and adjusting the liquid input pressure with an electronic controller that executes a control algorithm on the pump and/or other system components. The pump in turn manipulates the pressure of the incoming liquid stream in a way that provides a stable and real-time adjustable inlet pressure to the Inline Gas Liquid Absorption device. This is unlike any traditional carbonating (or other gas/liquid absorbing) devices on the market today.
Additionally, the system is also able to maintain a consistent target value of gas absorption into liquid in the presence of “inconsistent or variable” incoming system liquid or gas pressures. This novel capability is essential for achieving preset or real-time adjustable gas infusion levels, and maintaining the target set point in the presence of variability in input pressures which are common in standard applications in the market today:
The present invention overcomes these application challenges/limitations through the use of pressure sensing devices and a controller with a control algorithm capable of making very precise incremental changes to the pump performance, thereby enabling precise micro adjustments to the differential pressure value for the end goal of precisely maintaining the set point value in the presence of system fluctuations, as well as enabling real time set point manipulation for customizing finished drink characteristics such as carbonation level, nitrogen level, acidity, flavor, mouth-feel, creaminess smoothness, etc.).
According to some embodiments, and by way of example, the present invention may include, or take the form of, a new and unique inline gas/liquid infusion system featuring an electronic control logic and subsystem having a signal processor configured to:
By way of example, the system may also include one or more of the following features:
The signal processor may be configured to provide the corresponding signaling as output signals to the pump to adjust the liquid pressure of the incoming liquid provided from the pump to the inline gas liquid absorption device, including by varying characteristics of a voltage signal output to the pump.
The signaling contains information about the liquid pressure sensed and the gas pressure sensed; and the signal processor may be configured to determine the real time adjustable set point output levels of the gas absorption by monitoring the signaling received and adjusting the liquid pressure of the incoming liquid provided from the pump to the inline gas liquid absorption device based upon a differential pressure between the liquid pressure sensed and the gas pressure sensed.
The inline gas/liquid infusion system may include the pump configured to:
The inline gas/liquid infusion system may include the inline gas liquid absorption device configured to:
The signaling may includes liquid pressure input signals, e.g. received from a liquid pressure sensing device configured to sense the liquid pressure of the incoming liquid provided from the pump, and provide the liquid pressure input signals containing information about the liquid pressure of the incoming liquid provided from the pump.
The inline gas/liquid infusion system may include the liquid pressure sensing device.
The signaling may include gas pressure input signals, e.g. received from a gas pressure sensing device configured to sense the gas pressure of the incoming gas provided from a pressurized gas tank to the inline gas liquid absorption device, and provide gas pressure input signals containing information about the gas pressure of the incoming gas provided from the pressurized gas tank to the inline gas liquid absorption device.
The inline gas/liquid infusion system may include the gas pressure sensing device.
The pressurized gas tank may be configured to provide CO2 or nitrogen.
The inline gas liquid absorption device may include, or take the form of, a mixing valve, a carbonator, a nitrogenator or an infuser.
The pump may include, or take the form of, a diaphragm, gear, lobe, flexible impeller, vane or centrifugal pump.
The corresponding signaling may control the pump so as to provide adjusted flow and pressure conditions of the incoming liquid provided to the inline gas liquid absorption device.
The signaling may include at least one feedback signal, e.g., that contains the information about the sensed liquid pressure of the incoming liquid provided from the pump to the inline gas liquid absorption device.
According to some embodiments, the present invention may also take the form of a method, e.g., having steps for
The drawing includes
Not every element or arrow in every Figure is labeled with a lead line and reference numeral/label, so as to reduce clutter in the drawing.
The following is a specific description of the operation of the present invention, mentioning all of the components and functions thereof:
In summary, the present invention provides an Adjustable Inline Gas Infusion System, generally indicated as 10, that operates by infusing gas into a liquid or beverage to a desired amount or end products dispense gasification characteristic level as illustrated in
The adjustable Inline Gas Infusion system 10 consists of the following system elements:
1) Motor Driven Pump 1,
2) Liquid Pressure Sensing Device 2,
3) Gas Pressure Sensing Device 3,
4) Electronic Control Subsystem 4, and
5) Inline Liquid/Gas Absorption Device 5.
In
The incoming liquid stream pressure and flow that is provided to the inline gas infusion system 10 varies by application as is illustrated in
The Motor Driven Pump 1: The incoming liquid may be provided to the motor driven pump 1 in
The Liquid Pressure Sensing Device 2: The liquid pressure sensing device 2 functions to provide liquid pressure feedback in the form of an input signal to the Electronic Control Logic Subsystem 4. The liquid pressure sensing device 2 can be a separate device in line, or can be a device that is incorporated as an integral part of the motor driven pump 1, the gas pressure sensing device 3, the electronic control logic subsystem 4, and the carbjet 5 or other external system component. The liquid pressure sensing device 2 may be directly or indirectly sensing the pressure and communicating the feedback through various types of process signal communication values and methods. The fluid is then introduced into the Inline Liquid/Gas Absorption device 5.
The Inline Liquid/Gas Absorption device 5: The inline liquid/gas absorption device 5 in the inline gas infusion system 10 functions to mix the gas and liquid streams for an end result of infusing the gas into the liquid phase. The pressure and flow characteristics of the incoming streams determine the degree of absorption of gas into the liquid at a given temperature, pressure, and flow condition. The gas input is a regulated supply typically provided by Gas storage cylinders and other types of pressurized vessels via properly rated tubing or hose, and fittings, e.g., as shown in
The Gas Pressure Sensing Device 3: The gas pressure sensing device 3 functions to provide gas pressure feedback in the form of the pressure input signals to the Electronic Control Logic Subsystem 4. The Gas Pressure Sensing Device 3 may be a separate device in line, or may be a device that is incorporated as an integral part of the motor driven pump 1, the pressure sensing device 2, the Electronic Control Logic Subsystem 4, the carbjet 5, or other external system component. Item 3 may be directly or indirectly sensing the pressure and communicating the feedback through various types of process signal communication values and methods.
The Electronic Control Logic Subsystem 4: The electronic control logic subsystem 4 functions to receive input communication signaling from the liquid pressure sensing device 2 and the gas pressure sensing device 3, and or other sensors in the system and implement the control logic. The electronic control logic subsystem 4 provides output communication signaling as the output signals to the motor driven pump 1 for purposes of achieving and maintaining the differential pressure between the incoming liquid and gas feed streams for the end intent of maintaining or changing the set point target for Gas Absorption desired in the liquid output. The absorption level set point is achieved by monitoring and maintaining differential pressure between the Gas and Liquid streams at desired levels entering the carbjet 5 by varying the characteristics of the voltage signal output to the motor driven pump 1. The electronic control logic subsystem 4 may receive communication from other sensors of devices in the inline gas infusion system 10, and use the information to implement control action or output communication signaling to the motor driven pump 1, the liquid pressure sensing device 2, the gas pressure sensing device 3, and the carbjet 5, which are internal to the described system, as well as other internal or external components or devices such as valves, switches, relays, displays, lights, etc. as needed to support auxiliary functions and other system operational objectives. As one skilled in the art would appreciate, suitable control signaling may be implemented between the electronic control logic subsystem 4 and the motor driven pump 1, the liquid pressure sensing device 2, the gas pressure sensing device 3, and the carbjet 5 to implement control action or output communication signaling, e.g., via hardwiring control lines, as well as other techniques known in the art, such as wireless communications. The electronic control logic subsystem 4 may include both electronic hardware components and software program(s), parameters, variables, and logic that are needed to execute the control algorithm and support the operation of the system.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
By way of example,
By way of further example, the signal processor may be configured to provide the corresponding signaling as output signals or control signaling to control the pump.
The functionality of the signal processor 12 may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In a typical software implementation, the processor module may include one or more microprocessor-based architectures having a microprocessor, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), input/output devices and control, data and address buses connecting the same, e.g., consistent with that shown in
By way of example, the electronic control logic subsystem 4 may also include, e.g., other signal processor circuits or components 14 that do not form part of the underlying invention, e.g., including input/output modules, one or more memory modules, data, address and control busing architecture, etc. In operation, the signal processor 12 may cooperation and exchange suitable data, address and control signaling with the other signal processor circuits or components 14 in order to implement the signal processing functionality according to the present invention. By way of example, the signaling may be received by such an input module, provided along such a data bus and stored in such a memory module for later processing, e.g., by the signal processor 12. After such later processing, processed signaling resulting from any such determination may be stored in such a memory module, provided from such a memory module along such a data bus to such an output module, then provided from such an output module as the primary control C, e.g., by the at least one signal processor 12.
The possible applications may include the following:
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention.
In addition, may modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention.
This application claims benefit to provisional patent application Ser. Nos. 62/395,566 (911-005.091-1/F-FLJ-X0025US), filed 16 Sep. 2016, which is incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62395566 | Sep 2016 | US |
