Controlled system for brewing infused beverages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beverage brewing systems lack independent control over infusion pressure and flow rate, leading to inconsistent beverage output due to dependencies between these variables, and are unable to mitigate the impact of solute particle size variations and compaction on flavor.
Innovation Solution
A controlled brewing system that includes a solvent flow management system, an electronic control system, and a user interface to independently modulate solvent flow rate, pressure, and temperature during the brewing process, using algorithms to generate precise solvent flow rate changes based on user inputs 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, 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 a pressure sensor and pressure regulator, while flow rate is controlled by a flow sensor and pump speed modulation, allowing each parameter to be adjusted without affecting the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from pressure sensors and flow sensors to continuously monitor actual pressure and flow rate, then adjusts pump speed and pressure regulator settings in real-time to maintain both parameters at their target values independently.
2Stress or pressure
If pressure is modified during infusion by varying solvent pumping force, then infusion pressure changes, but infusion flow rate also changes
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into independent pressure control and flow rate control modules. The pressure module uses a pressure sensor and pressure regulator, while the flow rate module uses a flow sensor and pump speed control, enabling independent adjustment of each parameter.
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time feedback from pressure and flow sensors allows the system to independently adjust pump speed and pressure regulator settings to maintain both infusion pressure and flow rate at desired levels without mutual interference.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic pressure and temperature control is implemented, then brewing variable modulation is improved, but flow rate regulation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments control functions into four independent subsystems: temperature control (heater), pressure control (pressure regulator), flow rate control (pump speed), and monitoring (sensors). This modular architecture allows any combination of parameters to be controlled simultaneously without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sensors (pressure, flow, temperature) provide continuous feedback to the control system, which independently adjusts each parameter in real-time, maintaining both adaptability in brewing variable modulation and precise flow rate regulation.
4Stress or pressure
If flow rate is allowed to vary during brewing, then pressure control is improved, but beverage output consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flow sensor provides continuous feedback on actual flow rate, allowing the control system to make real-time adjustments to pump speed to maintain consistent flow rate throughout the brewing process, ensuring beverage output consistency while still allowing pressure to be optimized.
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 consistent and customizable beverage production by allowing independent control of brewing variables, reducing the impact of solute particle size and compaction variations, and ensuring repeatable flavor profiles.
Implementation Method 1
a pump to induce a flow of a solvent, through a solute housed in a brewing chamber to generate, through an infusion process, an actual infusion pressure and an infused solution
Data Source
AI summary
A controlled system for brewing infused beverages that includes an infused beverage brewing assembly operably configured to receive infusion beverage parameters that include a dispensed solvent volume and a total infusion time utilized in an infusion algorithm generating a solvent flow rate change that is a function of the dispensed solvent volume and the total infusion time. The system also includes a solvent flow management system having a pump operably configured, based on the infusion algorithm, to generate an infused solution and includes an electronic control system communicatively coupled to the solvent flow management system and operably configured to initiate a counter associated with the inducement of the flow of the solvent to generate a running infusion time and execute the infusion algorithm to generate a solvent flow rate change sufficient to provide a remaining infusion volume in a remaining infusion time based on the input parameters.