Infused Beverage Brewing Pressure Control for Stable Flow and Flavor
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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), a Solvent Temperature Management System (STMS), and a Solution Pressure Management System (SPMS), connected via an electronic control system, allows for dynamic and independent modulation of flow rate, temperature, and pressure, ensuring consistent beverage production by maintaining desired parameters regardless of pressure variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If pressure is modified during infusion by modulating resistive media resistance while holding pumping energy constant, then infusion pressure changes, but infusion flow rate also changes
Solution Approach 1:
A back pressure valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the brewing chamber and the resistive media. This valve independently controls the back pressure applied to the brewing chamber, allowing pressure modulation without directly altering the resistive media's resistance. The pump maintains constant pumping energy while the back pressure valve adjusts chamber pressure, thereby decoupling pressure control from flow rate changes caused by media resistance variations.
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 segments the pressure control function from the flow control function. The pump's pumping force is dedicated to maintaining infusion pressure, while a separate flow rate control mechanism (through resistive media selection and back pressure valve coordination) manages the flow rate. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of pressure and flow rate, resolving the coupling issue where pressure changes inevitably cause flow rate changes.
3Stress or pressure
If dynamic pressure and temperature control is implemented using a pressure sensor and proportional mixing valve, then temperature and pressure are controlled, but flow rate regulation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a back pressure valve that automatically maintains a predetermined back pressure in the brewing chamber without requiring continuous active control. The valve is configured to self-regulate pressure based on the predetermined setting, eliminating the need for active pressure sensor feedback and proportional mixing valve intervention for pressure control. This self-service pressure maintenance preserves flow rate regulation capability while ensuring stable infusion pressure.
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
Enables precise control over brewing variables, reducing the impact of external factors like solute particle size and compaction, resulting in consistent flavor and chemical composition of the infused beverage, optimizing the brewing process.
Implementation Method 1
A pump is configured to deliver the solvent at a flow rate that corresponds to a selected beverage type
Implementation Method 2
A heat exchanger is configured to heat the solvent to a heat temperature that corresponds to the selected beverage type
Implementation Method 3
A mixing valve is configured to mix hot and cold solvent to provide solvent at a mixed temperature that corresponds to a selected beverage type
Implementation Method 4
passing the solvent through a brewing chamber that houses a filter media and solute, where the solvent creates an infusion process pressure as the solvent passes through the filter media and solute
Data Source
AI summary
An infused beverage brewing assembly that includes a solvent flow management system operable to receive and convey a solvent, a solvent temperature management system in fluid communication with the solvent flow management system and operable to modulate the temperature of the solvent, a brewing chamber for housing a solute disposed to receive the solvent to produce an infused beverage resulting from an infusion process, an infusion pressure regulation system 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.