Brewing Fermentation Container With Pressure-Controlled Tap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home brewing systems face challenges in maintaining carbonation, preventing yeast settlement, and ensuring a predictable flow rate during beer dispensing, while also being environmentally friendly and convenient for home use.
Innovation Solution
A brewing apparatus with a fermentation container and a detachable collector that maintains pressure during fermentation and carbonation, allowing for seamless transfer between fermentation and carbonation without loss of carbonation, and a tap assembly that controls flow rate to maintain pressure and prevent yeast blockage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the fermentation container is made tall to allow sediment separation, then the separation of yeast and beer is improved, but the container becomes difficult to fit into conventional fridges
Solution Approach 1:
The fermentation container is designed to be tiltable, allowing it to transition between a storage position (fitting in fridges) and a dispensing position (for pouring). This dynamic positioning enables the container to achieve effective height for sediment separation during dispensing while maintaining a compact form factor for storage in conventional fridges.
2Ease of operation
If pressure is manually released through degassing to ensure predictable flow rate, then the flow rate during dispensing is improved, but the beer goes flat more quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual degassing with an automated pressure control mechanism that uses a spring-loaded valve. This mechanical system automatically regulates pressure based on the spring's compression, providing predictable flow rates without requiring manual intervention that would expose the beer to oxygen and cause it to go flat.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring constant of the valve is selected to match the expected pressure range during dispensing. By carefully choosing the spring parameter, the system maintains optimal pressure for predictable flow while minimizing pressure release that would cause carbonation loss or allow oxygen ingress.
3Quantity of substance
If the container is not degassed and pressure remains high, then the beer maintains carbonation longer, but the flow rate during initial tapping becomes unpredictable and fast
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded pressure control valve automatically regulates the high pressure inside the container during dispensing. The spring mechanism provides a controlled resistance that modulates the flow rate, making it predictable despite the high pressure that maintains carbonation. This eliminates the need for manual degassing while maintaining both carbonation and flow predictability.
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 ensures well-carbonated beer with a predictable flow rate, reduces environmental impact, and allows for convenient home brewing without the need for additional carbonation methods or large packaging.
Implementation Method 1
The yeast ferments the sugars in the malt extract to produce ethyl alcohol and release carbon dioxide (CO2)
Implementation Method 2
the first outlet is moveable between: a first position in which the first outlet is configured to form a pressure-tight seal to seal the fermentation container
Implementation Method 3
a tap assembly that controls flow rate to maintain pressure and prevent yeast blockage
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for brewing and dispensing a beverage comprising a fermentation container for containing and fermenting a beverage, the fermentation container comprising a first outlet, and a collector for collecting waste from the fermentation container, the collector being attachable to and detachable from the fermentation container at the first outlet.