Device for heating and emulsifying beverages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for heating and emulsifying milk-based beverages fail to ensure correct mixing of air and steam due to stratification in the boiler, leading to suboptimal frothing quality, and require pressurized receptacles that maintain high pressure and temperature for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A device with an instant steam generator and an air and water meeting zone positioned before the pump, ensuring simultaneous heating and mixing of water and air, which are then fed into the steam generator, creating a homogeneous mixture for optimal vaporization and frothing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a steam boiler is used with cold air injected directly inside, then steam production is achieved, but stratification occurs leading to incorrect homogenization of steam/air mixture
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the air and water mixing process from the steam generation process. An air injection device introduces air into the water feed before it enters the vaporization chamber, creating separate mixing and vaporization zones. This prevents stratification by ensuring homogeneous mixing occurs in the water feed line rather than in the steam boiler itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mixing zone in the water feed line where air and water mix before entering the steam generator. This intermediary stage acts as a buffer that homogenizes the mixture before it reaches the high-temperature vaporization chamber, preventing direct contact between cold air and hot steam that would cause stratification.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a steam storage boiler is used, then steam can be stored for later use, but the boiler must maintain high pressure and temperature resistance features even in rest condition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the steam storage function from the system by using a reservoir that stores liquid water instead of storing pressurized steam. This eliminates the need for a pressure-resistant steam storage boiler, as the reservoir only needs to contain liquid water at atmospheric or low pressure, significantly reducing strength requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the state parameter of the stored substance from gaseous steam (requiring high pressure and temperature) to liquid water (stable at atmospheric conditions). This parameter change allows storage without high-pressure resistance features while still enabling continuous steam generation on demand.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cold air is injected at 25°C into a boiler with steam at 2.5 bar, then air is introduced for emulsification, but the different specific volumes cause stratification
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary mixing of air and water in the water feed line before the mixture enters the vaporization chamber. By pre-mixing air bubbles into the water stream, the system ensures homogeneous distribution of air throughout the water before vaporization, preventing stratification that would occur if air were injected directly into the steam boiler.
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
This solution achieves perfect mixing of air and water, allowing for efficient heating and emulsification of beverages, reducing the need for high-pressure equipment and enabling instant and continuous vaporization, while ensuring practicality and time-saving operation.
Implementation Method 1
ensuring simultaneous heating and mixing of water and air
Implementation Method 2
instant and continuous vaporization according to need
Implementation Method 3
heating and emulsifying beverages
Implementation Method 4
perfect emulsification of the beverage
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Device for heating and emulsifying beverages comprising a pump (2), an air and water meeting zone (10), a device for producing steam and a first conduit (5) for steam mixed with air communicating with a steam wand (6) adapted to be immersed into a beverage (7) to be heated and emulsified, said device for producing steam comprising an instant steam generator (4) and said meeting zone (10) being positioned before said instant steam generator.