Infused Beverage Brewing Flow Control Independent of Back Pressure
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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 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 allows for dynamic modulation of brewing variables without feedback mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If pressure is modified during infusion by modulating resistive media resistance, then infusion pressure changes, but infusion flow rate also changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the control of pressure and flow rate into separate independent systems: a pressure management system that controls brew chamber pressure through a pressure regulator, and a flow rate management system that controls solvent flow through a flow controller. This segmentation allows each parameter to be controlled independently without affecting the other, resolving the contradiction where pressure modification previously caused flow rate changes.
2Stress or pressure
If infusion pressure is modified through variation of solvent pumping force, then infusion pressure increases, but infusion flow rate also changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates pressure control from flow control by using a dedicated pressure regulator in the pressure management system to control brew chamber pressure independently, while the flow controller in the flow rate management system maintains constant flow rate. This eliminates the coupling effect where pumping force variation simultaneously affected both pressure and flow rate.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic pressure and temperature control is implemented, then beverage flavor optimization is enabled, but flow rate regulation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides control functions into three independent management systems: temperature management system for dynamic temperature control, pressure management system for dynamic pressure control, and flow rate management system for constant flow rate regulation. This segmentation enables simultaneous dynamic control of temperature and pressure for flavor optimization while maintaining regulated flow rate through the dedicated flow controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system integrates multiple control functions across the three management systems, allowing a single unified control architecture to handle temperature modulation, pressure regulation, and flow rate control simultaneously. This multi-functionality enables comprehensive beverage optimization without sacrificing flow rate regulation.
4Measurement precision
If feedback mechanism is used to control solvent flow, then flow control accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs an inexpensive flow controller that maintains constant flow rate through simple mechanical or electronic regulation without requiring expensive feedback sensors, complex control algorithms, or continuous monitoring systems. This approach achieves sufficient flow control accuracy for brewing applications while avoiding the complexity and cost of closed-loop feedback mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An infused beverage brewing assembly that includes a solvent flow management system (SFMS) operable to receive a solvent and then at least one of modulate and maintain a flow of the solvent independent of a back pressure within a brewing chamber for housing a solute disposed to receive the solvent to produce an infused beverage, wherein the SFMS is in fluid communication with the brewing chamber through at least one solvent conduit, the assembly including an outlet for discharging the infused beverage and having an electronic control system communicatively coupled to and operable to selectively modulate the SFMS to at least one of modulate and maintain the flow of the solvent upstream of the brewing chamber and downstream of the SFMS independent of the back pressure without the use of a feedback mechanism for monitoring the flow of the solvent.