Brewing Reservoir Level Sensing for Accurate Pot Volume
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current beverage making apparatuses face challenges in accurately dispensing a preselected volume of liquid, leading to 'short potting' issues, which affect the flavor and characteristics of the beverage, particularly in coffee brewing.
Innovation Solution
A system with a reservoir, inlet and outlet tubes, and two level sensors controlled by a controller to measure the liquid level drop from an upper to a lower level, calculating the flow rate and ensuring the selected volume is dispensed by adjusting the outlet valve's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional beverage making apparatuses are used to dispense liquid, then the beverage making process can be completed, but the volume of liquid dispensed is inaccurate leading to short potting
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs level sensors to continuously monitor the liquid level in the reservoir and provides feedback to the controller. The controller adjusts the outlet valve operation based on this feedback to maintain accurate flow rate and prevent short potting, ensuring consistent beverage volume and quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical flow control mechanisms with an electronically controlled outlet valve system. The controller uses electronic signals to regulate the outlet valve based on real-time level sensor data, achieving more precise volume dispensing accuracy compared to traditional mechanical systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If the outlet valve is controlled to dispense precise volume, then short potting is prevented, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it monitors level sensor signals, calculates flow rate, determines when to open/close the outlet valve, and adjusts valve operation to achieve target volume. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex components into a single integrated control unit, managing system complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors its own liquid level and self-regulates the outlet valve operation without external intervention. The controller continuously adjusts the dispensing process based on real-time feedback, making the system self-correcting and reducing the need for additional complex external control mechanisms.
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 ensures precise dispensing of the intended volume, preventing 'short potting' and maintaining the desired flavor and characteristics of the beverage by accurately controlling the liquid flow rate and volume.
Implementation Method 1
Two level sensors are positioned along the reservoir and are in communication with and controlled by the controller
Implementation Method 2
a reservoir having an inlet tube and outlet tube coupled thereto
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and method of dispensing a selected volume of liquid. The system includes an apparatus that has a reservoir having an inlet tube and outlet tube coupled thereto, and a controller for controlling at least a portion of the apparatus. Two level sensors are positioned along the reservoir and are in communication with and controlled by the controller. The method includes steps for measuring a time a liquid level in the reservoir falls from an upper level to a lower level to calculate a flow rate. The calculation flow rate may then be used to determine and compare a dispensed volume versus the selected volume. Dispensing may then continue until the selected volume has been dispensed.