Infused Beverage Brewing Assembly With Independent Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beverage brewing systems lack independent control over pressure, temperature, and flow rate during the infusion process, leading to inconsistent beverage output due to dependencies between these variables, which affects the chemical composition and flavor of the brewed beverage.
Innovation Solution
A brewing system comprising a Solvent Flow Management System (SFMS) for independent control of flow rate, a Solvent Temperature Management System (STMS) for dynamic temperature modulation, and a Solution Pressure Management System (SPMS) for pressure regulation, all connected through an electronic control system that monitors and adjusts solvent characteristics to maintain consistent brewing parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If pressure is modified during infusion by modulating the resistance of solute media while holding pumping energy constant, then infusion pressure changes, but infusion flow rate also changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the control of brewing parameters into separate independent modules: a pump control system that independently controls flow rate, a temperature control system that independently controls temperature, and a pressure control system that independently controls pressure. This segmentation allows each parameter to be modified without affecting the others, resolving the contradiction between pressure control and flow rate stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms with sensors that continuously monitor flow rate, temperature, and pressure, and automatically adjust the respective control systems to maintain desired parameter levels. This feedback control enables independent modification of pressure while compensating for any flow rate changes, thus resolving the coupling between these variables.
2Stress or pressure
If pressure is modified during infusion by variation of solvent pumping force while keeping resistance of resistive media constant, then infusion pressure changes, but infusion flow rate also changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the control functions into independent modules, with the pump control system managing flow rate and the pressure control system managing pressure. This allows pressure to be modified through pressure regulation mechanisms rather than pump force variation, thereby maintaining independent control over both pressure and flow rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediary pressure regulation mechanisms (such as pressure regulators or variable resistance elements) that act as mediators between the pump and the brewing chamber. These intermediaries allow pressure to be adjusted independently of flow rate by providing an additional control point in the fluid path.
3Temperature
If dynamic pressure and temperature control is implemented using a pressure sensor and proportional mixing valve, then temperature and pressure can be modulated, but flow rate regulation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides control into separate independent systems: a temperature control system using proportional mixing valves, a pressure control system using pressure sensors and regulators, and a flow rate control system using pump control. This segmentation allows each parameter to be controlled independently without compromising the others, resolving the contradiction between temperature/pressure control and flow rate regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control with sensors for temperature, pressure, and flow rate that continuously monitor each parameter and automatically adjust the respective control systems. This multi-parameter feedback control enables simultaneous independent regulation of temperature, pressure, and flow rate, resolving the contradiction.
4Stability of the object's composition
If brewing systems use boilers and brewing chambers with large thermal masses to provide consistent brewing temperature, then temperature stability is improved, but dynamic temperature modulation is prohibited
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces static thermal mass-based temperature control with dynamic control mechanisms including proportional mixing valves and heating elements that can rapidly adjust temperature in real-time. This dynamic control system allows temperature to be modulated during the brewing process while maintaining stability through feedback control, resolving the contradiction between temperature stability and dynamic modulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control with temperature sensors that continuously monitor brewing temperature and automatically adjust heating power or mixing ratios to maintain the desired temperature profile. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic temperature modulation while maintaining temperature stability, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
An infused beverage brewing assembly (100) that includes a solvent flow management system (110) operable to receive and convey a solvent, a solvent temperature management system (120) in fluid communication with the solvent flow management system and operable to modulate the temperature of the solvent, a brewing chamber (130) for housing a solute disposed to receive the solvent to produce an infused beverage resulting from an infusion process, an infusion pressure regulation system (140) with at least one pressure regulation component located downstream of the brewing chamber, operable to selectively and dynamically modify an infusion process pressure greater than a pressure created upstream in the brewing chamber caused by a flow of the solvent through the solute, and operable such that the flow of the solvent through the solute is not singularly contingent on a pressure differential across the at least one pressure regulation component, and an outlet for discharging the infused beverage.