Infused Beverage Brewing Control for Decoupled Pressure and Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beverage brewing systems lack independent control over infusion pressure, flow rate, and temperature, leading to inconsistent beverage output due to dependencies between these variables, which affects the chemical composition and flavor of infused beverages.
Innovation Solution
A controlled system that includes a solvent flow management system, temperature management system, and pressure management system, integrated with a processor and user interface, allowing for dynamic and independent modulation of infusion parameters such as flow rate, temperature, and pressure through an infusion algorithm that adjusts solvent flow rate based on desired parameters and real-time conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If pressure is modified during infusion by modulating resistive solute media resistance while holding pumping energy constant, then infusion pressure changes, but infusion flow rate also changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the control of pressure and flow rate into independent components: a pump control system that independently regulates flow rate, and a pressure control system that independently regulates pressure. This segmentation allows each parameter to be controlled without affecting the other, resolving the coupling problem in conventional systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary control mechanism (the pump control system) that acts as a mediator between the user's desired flow rate and the actual infusion process. This intermediary enables independent flow rate control while the pressure control system separately manages pressure, preventing the direct coupling seen in conventional systems where flow rate changes are inevitable when pressure is modified.
2Stress or pressure
If infusion pressure is modified through variation of solvent pumping force while keeping resistive media resistance constant, then infusion pressure increases, but infusion flow rate also changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the control functions into separate independent modules: flow rate control through pump speed regulation and pressure control through pressure regulation mechanisms. This segmentation allows pressure to be increased without necessarily increasing flow rate, as each parameter is controlled by its own dedicated control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameters from coupled pressure-flow control to independent flow rate and pressure control. By using the pump control system to set flow rate as an independent parameter and the pressure control system to set pressure as another independent parameter, the system achieves decoupled control where pressure can be varied without the automatic flow rate changes that occur in conventional systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic pressure and temperature control is implemented using pressure sensors and proportional mixing valves, then temperature and pressure modulation capability is achieved, but flow rate regulation ability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments control into three independent subsystems: temperature control via proportional mixing valves, pressure control via pressure sensors and pressure regulation, and flow rate control via pump control. This segmentation allows all three parameters to be controlled independently simultaneously, resolving the trade-off where adding temperature and pressure control eliminated flow rate regulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump control system serves multiple functions: it controls flow rate directly and also works in conjunction with the pressure control system to maintain both pressure and flow rate independently. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve comprehensive control over temperature, pressure, and flow rate without the limitations of conventional systems that sacrifice flow rate control for temperature and pressure modulation.
4Ease of operation
If flow rate is allowed to vary due to fluctuations in solute particle size, packing density, and filter media resistivity, then brewing process is simpler, but beverage taste and output consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback control where sensors monitor actual flow rate, pressure, and temperature during brewing, and the control systems adjust pump speed, pressure regulation, and temperature mixing to maintain desired setpoints. This feedback mechanism ensures consistent beverage output despite variations in solute properties, while the control systems automatically compensate without requiring complex manual adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The control systems automatically adjust brewing parameters to maintain consistency, making the system self-regulating. The pump control system automatically compensates for flow rate variations, the pressure control system automatically maintains pressure setpoints, and the temperature control system automatically maintains temperature consistency. This self-service capability ensures reliable beverage output while keeping the user interface simple.
Data Source
AI summary
An infused beverage brewing assembly and system operably configured to receive a desired dispensed infused solution mass and a total infusion time utilized in an infusion algorithm to generate an infused solution. The system includes an electronic controller operably configured to initiate a time counter associated with an inducement of the flow of the solvent to generate a running infusion time and a first and second portions separated by a triggering condition, and to generate, in the second portion and dynamically, a remaining infusion time and a remaining dispensed infused solution mass, The electronic controller is also operable to execute the infusion algorithm in the second portion of the running infusion time to generate the solvent flow rate change sufficient to provide the remaining dispensed infused solution mass in the remaining infusion time based on the running infusion time, the desired dispensed infused solution mass, and the total infusion time.