Dynamic calibration compensation for flow meter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage brewing systems face accuracy issues due to variations in operating conditions such as voltage, temperature, and flow rate, which affect the performance of the flow meter and compromise the consistency of brewed beverages.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic calibration method for the flow meter is implemented, which identifies a relationship between calibration variance and pulse rate to apply advanced logic calibration. This method adjusts the calibration coefficient based on operational parameters like voltage and temperature, ensuring accurate volume measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a flow meter is used to monitor water volume in a beverage brewing system, then the system can track fluid delivery, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates when operating conditions (voltage, temperature, flow rate) vary from calibration conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow meter accuracyVSAvoidoperating condition variability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flow meter calibration is made dynamic by continuously adjusting the calibration coefficient based on real-time operating conditions. The system monitors voltage, temperature, and flow rate parameters, and automatically updates the calibration coefficient to compensate for deviations from nominal conditions, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy across varying operating environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the calibration parameter (coefficient) based on operating conditions. When voltage, temperature, or flow rate deviates from calibration conditions, the system calculates a corrected calibration coefficient and applies it to the flow meter readings, effectively adapting the measurement system to current operating parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the flow rate is allowed to vary based on operating conditions, then the system can adapt to different brewing scenarios, but the flow meter performance and measurement accuracy shift away from the nominal target rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate variabilityVSAvoidflow meter accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring operating conditions (voltage, temperature, flow rate) and using this information to adjust the calibration coefficient. The corrected coefficient is applied to flow meter readings in real-time, creating a closed-loop system that maintains measurement accuracy despite variations in flow rate and operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If a pump is used to control flow rate, then the system can control brewing parameters, but the flow rate may still shift due to variations in wall voltage, boiler power, and boiler efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate controlVSAvoidflow rate consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system compensates for pump performance variations by dynamically adjusting the calibration coefficient based on monitored operating conditions. When voltage, temperature, or flow rate deviates from expected values, the system calculates a corrected coefficient that accounts for these variations, thereby maintaining reliable and consistent flow measurements despite changes in pump performance or operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The dynamic calibration of the flow meter significantly improves accuracy by adjusting for variations in operating conditions, resulting in a more consistent delivery of the target volume of fluid, thereby enhancing the quality of brewed beverages.

Implementation Method 1

The rotor is configured to spin about a central axis as water flows there through. As the flow meter rotates, these magnets pass a Hall Effect sensor, functioning as a switch that it activated and deactivated by the magnetic fields of the magnets.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall Effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3364824B1Dynamic calibration compensation for flow meter
Publication Date: 2025.03.12 SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
  • EP3364824B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3364824B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3364824B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A beverage brewing apparatus is provided including a reservoir, a brew basket configured to container a flavorant for preparing a brewed beverage, and a heating mechanism fluidly coupled to the reservoir and the brew basket. A flow meter is configured to measure a volume of fluid supplied from the reservoir to the brew bask. The flow meter is configured to calibrate dynamically in response to at least one operating parameter of the beverage brewing apparatus.