A beverage apparatus and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home brewing of beverages like beer requires significant manual effort and lacks efficient systems for fermentation, conditioning, and dispensing, with existing solutions not adequately addressing the need for consistency and hygiene in the brewing and storage processes.
Innovation Solution
A beverage apparatus featuring a pressure vessel with a flexible bag, a pressure source, temperature adjustment device, and a controller that automates temperature and pressure control across multiple modes for fermentation, conditioning, and dispensing, ensuring consistent beverage quality and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual brewing techniques are used, then cost and flexibility are improved, but labor effort and consistency are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs brewing, conditioning, and dispensing operations automatically without requiring manual intervention. The controller manages temperature, pressure, and timing for fermentation and conditioning processes, while the gas pressurization system automatically dispenses beverages, eliminating the need for manual pouring and reducing labor effort.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical brewing operations are replaced with an automated control system that manages temperature regulation, pressure control, and dispensing timing. The electronic controller substitutes for manual monitoring and adjustment, providing consistent brewing parameters without requiring operator intervention.
2Device complexity
If manual brewing processes are used, then equipment simplicity is improved, but hygiene and consistency are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates temperature sensors and pressure sensors that continuously monitor brewing conditions and provide feedback to the controller. This closed-loop control ensures that temperature and pressure remain within specified ranges throughout fermentation and conditioning, maintaining consistent brewing results and hygiene without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains brewing consistency by precisely controlling critical parameters such as temperature and pressure through automated regulation. The controller adjusts heating/cooling elements and gas pressurization to keep parameters within optimal ranges, ensuring reliable and repeatable brewing results.
3Reliability
If gas pressurization is used, then carbonation maintenance is improved, but equipment complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a gas pressurization system to maintain carbonation in dispensed beverages. Gas is introduced into the storage container to create pressure that forces liquid through the dispensing mechanism, maintaining carbonation levels without requiring complex mechanical pumping or manual pouring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas pressurization system serves multiple functions: it maintains carbonation in stored beverages, provides the driving force for dispensing liquid through the tap, and can be integrated with the brewing process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems while maintaining reliability.
4Manufacturing precision
If automated temperature and pressure control is implemented, then beverage quality consistency is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives continuous feedback from temperature sensors and pressure sensors monitoring the brewing and conditioning processes. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically adjusts heating/cooling elements and gas pressurization to maintain precise temperature and pressure control, ensuring consistent beverage quality without requiring complex manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves manufacturing precision by dynamically adjusting critical parameters such as temperature and pressure during brewing and conditioning. The controller modifies these parameters based on process stage and sensor feedback, maintaining optimal conditions for fermentation and carbonation to ensure consistent beverage quality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus simplifies and automates the brewing process, maintaining desired temperature and pressure conditions for fermentation and conditioning, resulting in consistent beverage quality and improved hygiene, while the gas pressure system helps in maintaining carbonation and reducing sediment disturbance during dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure source connected to the pressure vessel, wherein the pressure source is configured to pressurise the pressure vessel using a gas
Implementation Method 2
a temperature adjustment device configured to adjust temperature within the pressure vessel independently of the pressure source
Implementation Method 3
the controller is configured to control the temperature adjustment device to adjust the temperature within the pressure vessel to be within a first temperature range suitable for fermentation of the beverage
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A beverage apparatus, system and methods for use are provided. The apparatus includes a pressure vessel configured to receive a flexible bag for containing a beverage. A pressure release valve is connected to the bag, and a pressure source connected to the pressure vessel. A temperature adjustment device is also provided to adjust temperature within the pressure vessel. A controller controls the temperature adjustment device and the pressure source to achieve a desired temperature and pressure within the pressure vessel according to a current mode of the apparatus, where the current mode is selected from a plurality of modes.