Beverage Dispensing Cleaning Manifold Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing beverage dispensing systems face challenges in efficiently and effectively cleaning multiple conduits in parallel due to varying flow resistance and backpressure, leading to incomplete cleaning and potential contamination issues.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a pressure equalising feature, such as a pressure actuated valve, is used to balance the flow resistance between different beverage dispensing conduits connected to a common cleaning manifold, ensuring equal pressure across all taps and facilitating efficient parallel cleaning by using drainage hoses with valves configured to open at preset pressures based on the difference in height and length of the conduits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple beverage conduits are cleaned in parallel using a common cleaning manifold, then cleaning efficiency and productivity are improved, but varying flow resistance and backpressure cause unequal cleaning quality across different conduits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing individual pressure equalisation features for each conduit branch connected to the common cleaning manifold. Each branch receives tailored pressure regulation based on its specific flow resistance characteristics, ensuring uniform cleaning quality across all conduits while maintaining parallel cleaning operations for high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter locally in each conduit branch by incorporating pressure equalisation features that adjust and equalise pressure across different branches. This parameter adjustment compensates for varying flow resistance and backpressure, ensuring consistent cleaning quality throughout the parallel cleaning system
2Manufacturing precision
If pressure equalisation features are added to balance flow resistance between conduits, then cleaning quality uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure equalisation features are designed to automatically balance pressure across conduit branches without requiring external control systems or manual intervention. The system self-regulates flow resistance variations through passive pressure equalisation mechanisms integrated into the cleaning manifold, maintaining cleaning quality uniformity while avoiding additional control complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the pressure equalisation function directly into the cleaning manifold structure itself, rather than adding separate external pressure control devices. By integrating pressure equalisation features within the existing manifold architecture, the system achieves cleaning quality uniformity without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If manual intervention is used to adjust cleaning parameters for each conduit, then cleaning quality uniformity is improved, but productivity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically equalises pressure across all conduit branches through integrated pressure equalisation features, eliminating the need for manual adjustment of cleaning parameters for each conduit. This self-regulating mechanism maintains cleaning quality uniformity while enabling parallel cleaning operations, thereby preserving high productivity and ease of operation
4Device complexity
If pressure equalisation features are integrated into the cleaning manifold, then device complexity is minimized, but the ability to handle varying conduit configurations (height and length differences) is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure equalisation features integrated into the cleaning manifold are designed with universal applicability to handle various conduit configurations including different heights and lengths. The manifold structure incorporates adjustable or scalable pressure equalisation mechanisms that can accommodate diverse conduit arrangements while maintaining system simplicity and avoiding complex external control systems
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
This solution allows for efficient and reliable filling and rinsing of beverage conduits with detergent solution, reducing manual intervention and the need for complex control systems, ensuring thorough cleaning and maintaining beverage quality by equalizing flow resistance and preventing backflow.
Implementation Method 1
The valve is configured to open at preset pressure to provide fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet
Implementation Method 2
facilitating efficient parallel cleaning by using drainage hoses with valves configured to open at preset pressures based on the difference in height and length of the conduits
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates generally to a system which provides for cleaning of beverage supply lines and fittings. More particularly, the system provides for equalizing of flows and pressures between parallel beverage lines being cleaned.