Centrifugal Pump Priming Vent for Quiet Beverage Brewers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solenoid-operated pumps in beverage forming machines can be noisy and are not self-priming, which can lead to air binding issues when the water storage tank is removed and reconnected, rendering the brewer useless, as non-self-priming pumps fail to pump water effectively.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a centrifugal pump with a priming vent that remains open to allow water to flow and vent air, connected to the storage tank below the full water level, and using a check valve or backflow preventer downstream to ensure one-way flow, along with a vent in the conduit to prevent backflow and siphon formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solenoid-operated pump is used, then the pump is self-priming, but the pump generates excessive noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the solenoid-operated pump with a centrifugal pump driven by a motor. The centrifugal pump uses rotational mechanical energy from the motor to create centrifugal force that moves water, eliminating the noisy solenoid valve mechanism while maintaining self-priming capability through the priming vent design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the pump system by introducing a priming vent that controls the pressure and flow characteristics. The vent allows the pump to prime itself by equalizing pressure differences, enabling the quieter centrifugal pump to achieve self-priming functionality without requiring the noisy solenoid mechanism.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a non-self-priming pump is used, then the pump operates quietly, but the pump becomes air-bound when the storage tank is removed and reconnected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a priming vent as an intermediary component between the pump and the storage tank. This vent serves as a mediator that allows air to escape and water to enter the pump during the priming process, enabling the non-self-priming centrifugal pump to become air-free and operational after the storage tank is reconnected, without requiring complex valve mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the pump system into distinct functional components: the centrifugal pump, the priming vent, and the check valve. The priming vent is positioned at a specific location in the water supply circuit to handle the air-removal function separately, allowing the main pump to focus on water delivery while the vent handles priming independently.
3Reliability
If a check valve is installed to prevent backflow, then backflow is prevented, but the pump cannot be primed by gravity flow from the storage tank
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing a dedicated priming vent that enables the pump to be primed before normal operation begins. The vent allows gravity-driven water flow to fill the pump chamber and remove air pockets in advance, so that when the check valve closes to prevent backflow, the pump is already primed and ready for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the priming function from the main water delivery path by introducing a separate priming vent. This allows the priming process to occur independently through the vent without interfering with the check valve's backflow prevention function in the main circuit, resolving the conflict between backflow prevention and priming capability.
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 the use of non-self-priming pumps in beverage forming machines with removable storage tanks, ensuring reliable water supply and preventing air binding, while maintaining quiet operation and preventing backflow and siphon issues.
Implementation Method 1
a centrifugal pump having a priming vent and an inlet connected to the storage tank by a supply conduit
Implementation Method 2
The priming vent may be positioned below a full level of the storage tank where a top level of water in the tank is located when the storage tank is full. This may help gravity-fed water to flow into the pump for priming.
Implementation Method 3
a check valve or other backflow preventer downstream of the pump that opens to allow one-way flow when there is a suitable pressure difference across the device
Data Source
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AI summary
A beverage forming apparatus includes a storage tank, and a centrifugal pump having an inlet connected to the storage tank by a supply conduit. The centrifugal pump may include a priming vent located below a full level of the storage tank and permit air to vent as liquid primes the pump. A metering tank may have an inlet connected to the centrifugal pump by a pump conduit, and an outlet connected to a brew chamber that forms a beverage using liquid received from the metering tank. In one embodiment, a flow control valve, such as a check valve, may be provided in the pump conduit to allow flow from the pump to the metering tank, but resist flow in reverse. In another embodiment, a vent valve in the pump conduit may be arranged to vent at least a portion of the pump conduit, e.g., to ambient air pressure.