Controlled system and method for brewing infused beverages
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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 an infusion algorithm stored on a memory communicatively coupled to a processor, allowing for independent modulation of solvent flow rate, pressure, and temperature through a solvent flow management system, pump, and electronic control system, enabling precise control over brewing parameters.
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 separates pressure control and flow rate control into independent subsystems. Pressure is controlled by modulating the resistive media resistance, while flow rate is controlled by adjusting pump speed. This segmentation allows each parameter to be adjusted independently without affecting the other, resolving the contradiction where pressure modification previously caused flow rate changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control mechanisms with sensors that monitor both infusion pressure and flow rate in real-time. The controller adjusts pump speed and resistive media resistance based on feedback signals to maintain desired pressure and flow rate setpoints, enabling independent control of both parameters despite their inherent coupling in conventional systems.
2Stress or pressure
If infusion pressure is modified by varying solvent pumping force, then infusion pressure changes, but infusion flow rate also changes
Solution Approach 1:
The control architecture segments pressure regulation and flow rate regulation into separate control loops. Instead of using pump force for both pressure and flow control, the system uses pump speed primarily for flow control and resistive media resistance for pressure control, allowing independent adjustment of both parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameters by decoupling the traditional single-parameter pump control into multi-parameter control involving pump speed, resistive media resistance, and their coordinated adjustment. This allows the system to modify infusion pressure through resistive media while maintaining constant flow rate through appropriate pump speed adjustment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic pressure and temperature control is implemented, then brewing variable modulation capability improves, but flow rate control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the control functions into distinct modules: temperature control through proportional mixing valves, pressure control through resistive media modulation, and flow rate control through pump speed regulation. This segmentation enables all three parameters to be controlled independently simultaneously, resolving the contradiction where dynamic pressure and temperature control previously compromised flow rate control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system achieves multi-functionality by integrating multiple control capabilities into a single unified system. The controller simultaneously manages temperature, pressure, and flow rate control, allowing the system to adapt to different brewing requirements while maintaining precise flow rate control throughout the infusion process.
4Stress or pressure
If flow rate varies during brewing, then pressure control is achieved, but beverage output consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback control with flow rate sensors that continuously monitor the actual flow rate and provide feedback to the controller. The controller adjusts pump speed to maintain the desired flow rate profile, ensuring consistent beverage output while achieving the required pressure control through resistive media modulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control approach by maintaining flow rate as a controlled parameter rather than allowing it to vary freely. Through coordinated adjustment of pump speed and resistive media resistance, the system achieves both pressure control and flow rate stability, ensuring consistent beverage composition and taste across multiple brewing cycles.
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 generation, control, and repetition of infused beverage brewing cycles with precise control over brewing parameters, reducing the impact of external factors like solute particle size variations, resulting in consistent flavor and chemical composition.
Implementation Method 1
a pump operably configured to induce a flow of a solvent, through a solute housed in a brewing chamber
Implementation Method 2
the pump and the brewing chamber are fluidly coupled through a solvent-flow conduit
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.