Device and system for brewing infused beverages
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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) that allows for dynamic, independent modulation of flow rate, temperature, and pressure, ensuring consistent beverage production by maintaining desired flow rates and temperatures 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, 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 controller that independently manages pump motor speed to control flow rate, and a pressure regulator that independently manages back pressure. This segmentation allows each parameter to be controlled without affecting the other, resolving the contradiction where pressure modification previously caused flow rate changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary controller that receives user inputs for desired flow rate and pressure independently, then coordinates the pump motor speed and pressure regulator settings separately. This intermediary control layer decouples the previously dependent relationship between pressure and flow rate, allowing independent modification of each parameter during infusion.
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 segments pressure control and flow rate control into separate functional modules: the pressure regulator handles back pressure independently, while the pump controller handles flow rate independently through motor speed control. This eliminates the direct coupling where pumping force changes affected both pressure and flow rate simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts pump motor speed based on user-specified flow rate requirements, rather than relying on static pressure-based flow control. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain desired flow rates even when pressure conditions change, resolving the contradiction between pressure and flow rate control.
3Stress or pressure
If dynamic pressure control is implemented using a pressure sensor and pump modulation, then infusion pressure is controlled, but flow rate regulation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the control functions by assigning pressure control to the pressure regulator and flow rate control to the pump controller with motor speed adjustment. This segmentation restores flow rate regulation capability that was previously lost when pressure control was implemented through pump modulation alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that receives independent user inputs for both pressure and flow rate, then translates these into coordinated adjustments of the pressure regulator and pump motor speed. This intermediary control restores the ability to regulate flow rate independently while maintaining dynamic pressure control.
4Adaptability or versatility
If variable infusion temperatures are implemented, then beverage flavor optimization is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing pump controller and heating element are extended to provide multi-functionality: the pump controller now manages both flow rate and temperature coordination, and the heating element provides variable temperature control. This universal use of existing components enables temperature variation capability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables temperature variation by changing the thermal parameter of the infusion process through controlled heating. This parameter change capability allows optimization of beverage flavor extraction by adjusting temperature during infusion, while the control is integrated into the existing system architecture to minimize complexity increases.
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, optimizing beverage flavor and chemical composition, and mitigates the impact of solute particle size and compaction variations, resulting in consistent and customizable beverage production.
Implementation Method 1
a pump operably configured to induce the flow of the solvent through the solute
Implementation Method 2
at least one thermal modulator operably configured to thermally modulate the solvent disposed within the first solvent conduit to a raised temperature
Data Source
AI summary
An infused beverage brewing assembly having a solvent flow management system (SFMS) operably configured to receive a solvent and induce a flow of the solvent through a first solvent conduit and a second solvent conduit, a solvent temperature modulation system (STMS) operably configured to thermally modulate a solvent within the first solvent conduit to join with a solvent in the second solvent conduit to form a resulting solvent conduit with a resulting solvent. The assembly has a brewing chamber in fluid communication with the resulting solvent conduit and for housing a solute disposed to receive the resulting solvent to produce an infused beverage, an outlet for discharging the infused beverage based on the desired resulting solvent flow and temperature desired within the brewing chamber.