Carbon dioxide supply device

Abstract

To provide a carbon dioxide supply device having a structure advantageous for preventing a pressure regulator from being tightly fixed due to beverage components.SOLUTION: A carbon dioxide supply device 100 comprises: a pressure regulator 10 that regulates pressure of carbon dioxide supplied from a carbon dioxide supply source 3 to a primary-side port P1 and then feeds the carbon dioxide through a secondary-side port P2; a relief valve 20 connected to a first flow path PH1 through which the secondary-side port P2 is connected to a beverage barrel 1; and a controller 20 that controls the pressure regulator 10 and the relief valve 20. The controller 30 controls the relief valve 20 so that the first flow path PT1 is depressurized, in accordance with output of a temperature sensor 81 that detects a temperature of beverage fed from the beverage barrel 1 to a beverage server 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to a carbon dioxide gas supply device. [[Background Art]]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a mechanical pressure regulator that supplies carbon dioxide gas to a beer keg. This pressure regulator senses the temperature of beer passing through a beer passage from the beer keg via a dispenser using a thermowax pellet, and expands and contracts a plunger to open and close a valve, thereby automatically adjusting the pressure of carbon dioxide gas in accordance with the beer temperature. Mechanical pressure regulators have room for improvement in that their response to temperature changes is delayed. Patent Document 2 discloses an electrically controlled carbon dioxide gas regulator that controls a pressurizing valve and a pressure reducing valve based on the output of a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of a sparkling beverage.

[0003] However, in an electric carbon dioxide gas regulator as described in Patent Document 2, when reducing the pressure in a beer keg, carbon dioxide gas containing beer mist (beverage components) is discharged from the beer keg through the pressure reducing valve of the carbon dioxide gas regulator. Such beer mist can cause the movable part of the pressure reducing valve to stick. [[Prior Art Documents]] [[Patent Documents]]

[0004] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-143265 [[Patent Document 2]] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-280223 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a carbon dioxide gas supply device having a configuration that is advantageous for preventing sticking of a pressure regulator caused by beverage components. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to a carbon dioxide supply device, the carbon dioxide supply device having a primary port and a secondary port, a pressure regulator that adjusts the pressure of carbon dioxide supplied from a carbon dioxide supply source to the primary port and sends it out from the secondary port, a relief valve connected to a first flow path connecting the secondary port and a beverage barrel, and a controller that controls the pressure regulator and the relief valve. The pressure regulator includes a pressure boosting valve for increasing the pressure in the first flow path and a pressure reducing valve for reducing the pressure in the first flow path, and the pressure boosting valve and the pressure reducing valve are controlled by the controller. The controller controls the relief valve so that the first flow path is depressurized in accordance with the output of a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the beverage being delivered from the beverage keg to the beverage server. death , When the controller reduces the pressure in the first channel to reduce the pressure in the beverage barrel, it controls the pressure reducing valve to be closed and opens the relief valve according to the target pressure. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a carbon dioxide supply device is provided that has a configuration advantageous in preventing the pressure regulator from sticking due to beverage components. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing the configuration of the carbon dioxide supply device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Enlarged view of the relief valve in the example shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the carbon dioxide supply device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] A magnified view of section A in Figure 3. [Figure 5] A magnified view of section B in Figure 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more features from the multiple features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. Furthermore, identical or similar configurations will be given the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0010] Figure 1 schematically shows the configuration of the carbon dioxide supply device 100 of the embodiment. The carbon dioxide supply device 100 is configured to supply carbon dioxide supplied from a carbon dioxide supply source (e.g., a carbon dioxide cylinder) 3 to a beverage keg 1, adjusting it to a target pressure. The carbon dioxide supply device 100 can also be understood as a beverage dispensing system. The carbon dioxide supplied to the beverage keg 1 pushes down the liquid level of the effervescent beverage in the beverage keg 1 due to its pressure, thereby pushing the effervescent beverage out of the beverage keg 1 and supplying it to the beverage server 2. The effervescent beverage may be, for example, beer, sparkling wine, beer-like beverage, sour, or highball.

[0011] The carbon dioxide supply device 100 may include a pressure regulator 10, a relief valve 20, and a controller 30. The pressure regulator 10 may have a primary port P1 and a secondary port P2. The pressure regulator 10 may be configured to regulate the pressure of the carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide supply source 3 to the primary port P1 and discharge it from the secondary port P2. The secondary port P2 of the pressure regulator 10 is connected to the beverage barrel 1 through a first flow path PH1. The relief valve 20 may be connected to the first flow path PH1.

[0012] The controller 30 may be configured to control the pressure regulator 10 and the relief valve 20. The controller 30 may control the relief valve 20 so that the first flow path PH1 is depressurized (or temporarily opened to the atmosphere) in response to the output of a temperature sensor 81 that detects the temperature of the effervescent beverage being delivered from the beverage keg 1 to the beverage server 2. The controller 30 may control the relief valve 20 by supplying an electrical signal to the relief valve 20, or it may be done indirectly by the controller 30 controlling other components (for example, a three-way valve V4), as described later. Alternatively, such other components may be considered components of the relief valve 20.

[0013] The temperature sensor 81 may be placed in or connected to a flow path connecting the beverage keg 1 and the beverage server 2. The temperature sensor 81 may be understood as a component of the carbon dioxide supply device 100, or as not a component of the carbon dioxide supply device 100. The temperature sensor 81 may be provided in the beverage server 2, or it may be attached to the beverage keg 1.

[0014] The carbon dioxide supply device 100 may further include a second flow path PH2 that supplies carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide supply source 3 to the relief valve 20 in order to supply force to the relief valve 20 to maintain the relief valve 20 in a closed state. The carbon dioxide supply device 100 may further include a regulator 40 that reduces the carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide supply source 3 to a predetermined pressure. The carbon dioxide supply device 100 may further include a third flow path PH3 that supplies the carbon dioxide reduced to a predetermined pressure by the regulator 40 to the pressure regulator 10. The second flow path PH2 may be arranged to supply the carbon dioxide reduced to a predetermined pressure by the regulator 40 to the relief valve 20.

[0015] The configuration of the relief valve 20 is not limited to a specific configuration. Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the relief valve 20 in the example shown in Figure 1. In one example, the relief valve 20 may include a cylinder 21, a piston 22, a valve body 23, and a spring 24. The cylinder 21 may have, for example, a first opening OP1 provided with a seat 29 and a second opening OP2 communicating with the atmosphere. The piston 22 can separate the internal space of the cylinder 21 into a first space S1 and a second space S2. The valve body 23 is disposed in the second space S2 and can be supported by the piston 22 so as to face the seat 29. The spring 24 may be disposed to press the valve body 23 so as to form a gap 28 between the seat 29 and the valve body 23.

[0016] The carbon dioxide gas supplied to the first space S1 through the second flow path PH2 is introduced into the first space S1, and can apply a force to the piston 22 in a direction that presses the valve body 23 against the seat 29. The first opening OP1 communicates with the first flow path PH1. The second opening OP2 allows the second space S2 to communicate with the atmosphere.

[0017] The carbon dioxide gas supply device 100 may further include a three-way valve V4 disposed in the second flow path PH2. The three-way valve V4 can be controlled by the controller 30 to a first state where the second flow path PH2 is connected to the first space S1 of the relief valve 20, or a second state where the first space S1 of the relief valve 20 is communicated with the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide gas supply device 100 may further include a check valve 60 disposed in the second flow path PH2 such that carbon dioxide gas is supplied from the regulator 40 toward the three-way valve V4. The check valve 60 can function to prevent a pressure drop of the carbon dioxide gas supplied to the first space S1 of the three-way valve V4 or the relief valve 20 when the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied from the carbon dioxide gas supply source 3 drops due to a decrease in the amount of carbon dioxide gas in the carbon dioxide gas supply source 3.

[0018] The carbon dioxide gas supply device 100 may further include a safety valve V3 connected at a position between the connection portion of the relief valve 20 and the pressure regulator 10 in the first flow path PH1. The safety valve V3 functions to prevent the pressure of the first flow path PH1 from becoming equal to or higher than a specified pressure.

[0019] The configuration of the pressure regulator 10 is not limited to a specific configuration. In one example, the pressure regulator 10 may include a pressure increasing valve V1 for increasing the pressure of the first flow path PH1 and a pressure reducing valve V2 for reducing the pressure of the first flow path PH1. The internal space of the pressure regulator 10 may have a first space S3, a second space S4, and a third space S5. The first space S3 and the second space S4 may be partitioned by a diaphragm 13. A spring 14 may be connected to the diaphragm 13. Further, a valve body 11 is coupled to the diaphragm 13, and a spring 12 may be connected to the valve body 11. The position of the valve body 11 is determined by the restoring forces of the springs 12, 14 and the diaphragm 13, as well as the pressure difference between the first space S3 and the second space S4, whereby the gap between the valve body 11 and the opposing seat is determined.

[0020] When the pressure increasing valve V1 is opened, carbon dioxide gas is introduced from the third flow path PH3 through the third space S5 into the first space S3, so that the pressure of the first space S3 increases. As a result, the amount of carbon dioxide gas passing through the valve formed by the gap between the valve body 11 and the opposing seal increases, and the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas in the second space S4 increases. The pressure of the first space S3 increases until the restoring forces of the springs 12, 14 and the diaphragm 13 are balanced with the pressure difference between the first space S3 and the second space S4, and the pressure of the second space S4, that is, the pressure of the first flow path PH1 also increases.

[0021] When the pressure reducing valve V2 is opened, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere in the first space S3, and the pressure in the first space S3 decreases. As a result, the amount of carbon dioxide passing through the valve, which is formed by the gap between the valve body 11 and the seal opposite it, decreases, and the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the second space S4 decreases. The pressure in the first space S3 decreases until the restoring force of the springs 12, 14 and the diaphragm 13, as well as the pressure difference between the first space S3 and the second space S4, balance out, and the pressure in the second space S4, i.e., the first flow path PH1, also decreases.

[0022] The controller 30 may be configured to open the relief valve 20 according to the target pressure while keeping the pressure reducing valve V2 closed when reducing the pressure in the first flow path PH1 to reduce the pressure in the beverage keg 1, that is, to connect the first flow path PH1 to the atmosphere through the opening OP2. By configuring the controller 30 to discharge carbon dioxide gas from the beverage keg 1 through the relief valve 20 when reducing the pressure in the beverage keg 1, it is possible to prevent carbon dioxide gas, including beverage mist (e.g., beer mist), from flowing into the pressure regulator 10. This suppresses the adhesion of components of the pressure regulator 10 due to beverage mist.

[0023] The carbon dioxide supply device 100 may further include a pressure sensor 82 for detecting the pressure in the first flow path PH1. The controller 30 can control the pressure boosting valve V1, the pressure reducing valve V2, and the relief valve 20 based on the output of the pressure sensor 82. In one example, the controller 30 controls the relief valve 20 by controlling the three-way valve V4. The carbon dioxide supply device 100 may further include a pressure sensor 83 for detecting the pressure in the third flow path PH3. The controller 30 can detect a shortage of carbon dioxide in the carbon dioxide supply source 3 based on the output of the pressure sensor 83.

[0024] In Figure 1, the pressure boosting valve V1, pressure reducing valve V2, three-way valve V4, temperature sensor 81, pressure sensor 82, and pressure sensor 83 are not connected to the controller 30, but they are connected to the controller 30 by wire or wireless connection.

[0025] Figure 3 schematically shows the operation of the carbon dioxide supply device 100. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of part A in Figure 3, and Figure 5 is an enlarged view of part B in Figure 3. The vertical axis shows the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 82. This pressure may be the output value of the pressure sensor 82 itself, or it may be the output value (e.g., an analog or digital value expressed on a relative scale) converted to a value on another scale (typically temperature). The horizontal axis shows time.

[0026] The example in Figure 3 begins when a beverage barrel 1 is brought from outdoors (e.g., 35°C) to indoors (e.g., 25°C), and a flow path PH1 is connected to the beverage barrel 1, along with a beverage server 2. The pressure in the first flow path PH1 increases due to the pressure of carbon dioxide gas in the beverage barrel 1. At time t1, the beverage server 2 is operated and the beverage is dispensed. This causes a slight decrease in the pressure in the beverage barrel 1 and the first flow path PH1. As the beverage is dispensed, the temperature indicated by the output of the temperature sensor 81 rises.

[0027] The controller 30 responds to the rise in temperature indicated by the output of the temperature sensor 81 by changing the target pressure of the beverage barrel 1 (and the first flow path PH1) to a pressure corresponding to that temperature. Then, in response to the change in target pressure, the controller 30 controls the pressure boosting valve V1, the pressure reducing valve V2, and the relief valve 20 (pressure boosting valve V1, pressure reducing valve V2, and three-way valve V4) according to the changed target pressure. Specifically, in this example, the controller 30 can control the pressure boosting valve V1, the pressure reducing valve V2, and the three-way valve V4 so that the temperature indicated by the output of the pressure sensor 82 matches the target pressure. In one example, the controller 30 can simply open the pressure boosting valve V1, as illustrated in Figure 4.

[0028] In the example shown in Figure 3, the beverage server 2 is operated again at time t3 to dispense a carbonated beverage, and again at time t4 to dispense another carbonated beverage. Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 3, after more time has passed and the temperature of the carbonated beverage in the beverage barrel 1 has approached room temperature, the beverage server 2 is operated again at time t5 to dispense another beverage. As the carbonated beverage is dispensed, the temperature indicated by the output of the temperature sensor 81 decreases.

[0029] The controller 30 responds to the decrease in temperature indicated by the output of the temperature sensor 81 by changing the target pressure of the beverage barrel 1 (and the first flow path PH1) to a pressure corresponding to that temperature. Then, in response to the change in target pressure, the controller 30 controls the boosting valve V1, the depressurizing valve V2, and the relief valve 20 (boosting valve V1, depressurizing valve V2, and three-way valve V4) according to the changed target pressure. Specifically, in this example, the controller 30 can control the boosting valve V1, the depressurizing valve V2, and the three-way valve V4 so that the temperature indicated by the output of the pressure sensor 82 matches the target pressure. In one example, the controller 30 can briefly open the three-way valve V4 while keeping the depressurizing valve V2 continuously open, as illustrated in Figure 5.

[0030] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0031] 1: Beverage keg, 2: Beverage dispenser, 3: Carbon dioxide gas supply source, 10: Pressure regulator, 11: Valve body, 12: Spring, 13: Diaphragm, 14: Spring, S3: First space, S4: Second space, S5: Third space, 20: Relief valve, 21: Cylinder, 22: Piston, 23: Valve body, 24: Spring, OP1: First opening, OP2: Second opening, 29: Seat, S1: First space, S2: Second space, 30: Controller, 40: Regulator, 60: Check valve, 81: Temperature sensor, 82: Pressure sensor, 83: Pressure sensor, V1: Pressure boosting valve, V2: Pressure reducing valve, V4: Three-way valve, PH1: First flow path, PH2: Second flow path, PH3: Third flow path, 100: Carbon dioxide gas supply device

Claims

1. A pressure regulator having a primary port and a secondary port, which adjusts the pressure of carbon dioxide supplied from a carbon dioxide supply source to the primary port and discharges it from the secondary port, A relief valve connected to a first flow path that connects the secondary port and the beverage barrel, The system includes a controller that controls the pressure regulator and the relief valve, The pressure regulator includes a pressure boosting valve for increasing the pressure in the first flow path and a pressure reducing valve for reducing the pressure in the first flow path, and the pressure boosting valve and the pressure reducing valve are controlled by the controller. The controller controls the relief valve so that the first flow path is depressurized in accordance with the output of a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the beverage being delivered from the beverage keg to the beverage server. When the controller reduces the pressure in the first flow path to reduce the pressure in the beverage barrel, it controls the pressure reducing valve to be in a closed state and opens the relief valve according to the target pressure. A carbon dioxide supply device characterized by the following features.

2. The system further includes a second flow path that supplies carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide supply source to the relief valve in order to supply force to the relief valve to maintain the relief valve in a closed state. The carbon dioxide supply device according to feature 1.

3. A regulator that reduces the carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide supply source to a predetermined pressure, The system further comprises a third flow path that supplies carbon dioxide gas, reduced to the predetermined pressure by the regulator, to the pressure regulator, The second flow path supplies carbon dioxide gas, which has been reduced to the predetermined pressure by the regulator, to the relief valve. The carbon dioxide supply device according to claim 2, further comprising the following:

4. The aforementioned relief valve is A cylinder having a first opening with a seat and a second opening that communicates with the atmosphere, A piston that separates the internal space of the cylinder into a first space and a second space, A valve body is positioned in the second space and supported by the piston so as to face the seat, The system includes a spring that presses the valve body to form a gap between the seat and the valve body, The carbon dioxide supplied to the relief valve through the second flow path is introduced into the first space, and applies a force to the piston in a direction that presses the valve body against the seat. The first opening communicates with the first flow path, The second opening connects the second space to the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide supply device according to feature 3.

5. The second flow path is further equipped with a three-way valve, The three-way valve is controlled by the controller to either a first state in which the second flow path is connected to the first space of the relief valve, or a second state in which the first space of the relief valve is connected to the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide supply device according to feature 4.

6. The system further includes a check valve positioned in the second flow path so that carbon dioxide gas is supplied from the regulator to the three-way valve. The carbon dioxide supply device according to feature 5.

7. The first flow path further includes a safety valve connected to a position between the relief valve connection and the pressure regulator. A carbon dioxide supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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