Beverage Dispenser Gas Injection System for Controlled Nitrogenation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mixed beverage dispensing machines often experience uncontrolled separation of nitrogen gas (N2) from the base fluid, leading to undesirable foaming and cascading effects due to N2's inert nature and inability to absorb into Newtonian fluids, which affects the quality and texture of nitrogenated beverages.
Innovation Solution
The beverage dispensing machine incorporates a gas injection system that pulsates nitrogen gas into a concentrate with non-Newtonian fluid properties, using a Venturi fitting to increase velocity and shear stress, thereby enhancing gas entrainment and controlling the foaming and cascading attributes, with a solenoid valve controlled by a controller to manage pulse rate and duty cycle for optimal mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If nitrogen gas is injected into a base fluid (Newtonian fluid), then gas injection is attempted, but the gas separates uncontrolled from the base fluid causing undesirable foaming and cascading effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fluid parameter from Newtonian to non-Newtonian by using concentrate instead of base fluid. This parameter change fundamentally alters the fluid's rheological properties, enabling controlled gas entrapment and stable foam formation while eliminating the uncontrolled separation and cascading effects that occur with Newtonian fluids.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces concentrate as an intermediary substance between the nitrogen gas and the base fluid. The concentrate acts as a mediator that facilitates controlled gas dissolution and foam stabilization, preventing direct uncontrolled interaction between nitrogen and the base fluid that would otherwise cause harmful cascading effects.
2Quantity of substance
If nitrogen gas is injected into concentrate using a Venturi fitting with pulsating injection, then gas entrainment is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulsating gas injection through the Venturi fitting instead of continuous injection. This periodic action enhances gas dissolution and mixing efficiency by creating repeated pressure variations that promote thorough integration of nitrogen into the concentrate, while the simplicity of the pulsating mechanism keeps added complexity minimal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles through the Venturi fitting design, which employs pressure differential created by fluid flow to draw in and mix gas. This pneumatic approach achieves enhanced gas dissolution without requiring complex mechanical mixing devices, maintaining system simplicity while improving mixing effectiveness.
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 approach allows for predictable and desirable foaming and cascading effects, inhibiting bacterial growth, and improves the texture and taste of nitrogenated beverages by effectively integrating nitrogen gas into the concentrate, resulting in a smoother and less acidic beverage experience.
Implementation Method 1
a Venturi fitting (59) with a Venturi opening (68) configured to increase a velocity of the combined mixture of the concentrate and the gas
Implementation Method 2
a gas injection device configured to pulsate the gas into the concentrate... a solenoid valve controlled by a controller to manage pulse rate and duty cycle
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage dispensing machine for dispensing a mixed beverage has a first inlet configured to receive a concentrate; a second inlet configured to receive a base fluid; a gas inlet configured to receive a gas; a gas injection device configured to pulsate the gas into the concentrate such that the gas agitates the concentrate and is injected into the concentrate to form a gas-injected concentrate; and a dispensing valve configured to dispense the base fluid and the gas-injected concentrate.