Flywheel Metering Pump for Low-Foam Beer Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional draft beer dispensing systems using kegs are cumbersome, expensive, and require significant space and energy for refrigeration, and existing soda fountain machines are not ideal for dispensing beer as they can cause foaming and fail to maintain consistent flavor ratios.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispensing system that uses a mechanical metering control pump with a flywheel assembly to synchronize two pistons within cylinders, allowing for precise mixing of beer concentrate and carbonated water without electrical connections, and can be powered by the pressure of carbonated water, enabling easy operation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional draft beer systems using kegs are used, then beer can be dispensed, but the system becomes cumbersome, expensive, and requires significant space and energy for refrigeration
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the beer serving function into separate components: a reusable dispensing mechanism and disposable pre-mixed beer containers. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex refrigeration infrastructure and glycol chilling lines, as each disposable unit is self-contained and ready-to-use, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable pre-mixed beer containers that are discarded after use, replacing expensive, heavy, and space-consuming reusable kegs. These disposable units eliminate the need for refrigeration rooms and complex cleaning systems, thereby simplifying the overall system while improving ease of operation
2Reliability
If kegs are used for storing and dispensing beer, then beer can be dispensed, but heavy weight and expensive cleaning are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces heavy, reusable kegs with lightweight disposable pre-mixed beer containers. Each disposable unit is designed for single use, eliminating the need for expensive and time-consuming cleaning processes while maintaining reliable beer dispensing, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and weight
3Reliability
If kegs are used, then beer can be dispensed, but refrigeration rooms and glycol chilling lines are required, consuming large space and energy
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable pre-mixed beer containers are designed to be stored at room temperature and used immediately, eliminating the need for energy-consuming refrigeration rooms and glycol chilling systems. This approach maintains reliable beer dispensing without the high energy costs associated with continuous refrigeration, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy consumption
4Productivity
If soda fountain machines are used to dispense beer concentrate, then mixing can be achieved, but high pressure causes excessive foaming and inconsistent flavor ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the pressure parameter from high (soda fountain) to low or atmospheric pressure for beer concentrate dispensing. This parameter change prevents excessive foaming while the precise metering pump maintains accurate concentrate-to-carbonated-water ratios, resolving the contradiction between productivity and manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical high-pressure mixing system of soda fountains with a low-pressure metering pump system that uses precise volumetric measurement and gentle mixing. This substitution eliminates foam generation while maintaining consistent flavor ratios, addressing the contradiction between productivity and manufacturing precision
5Productivity
If soda fountain machines operate at high pressure, then mixing of concentrate and carbonated water can be achieved, but beer becomes overly foamy
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the pressure parameter from high to low, preventing the formation of excessive foam while maintaining efficient mixing through the metering pump mechanism. This parameter change eliminates the harmful foaming effect without sacrificing productivity
6Ease of operation
If traditional draft beer systems are used, then beer can be dispensed, but diligent care is required to maintain carbonation levels and clean dispensing lines
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable pre-mixed beer containers eliminate the need for maintaining and cleaning complex dispensing lines, as each unit is sealed and discarded after use. This approach dramatically improves ease of operation and reduces maintenance requirements, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and ease of repair
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 system provides a consistent and efficient dispensing of beer concentrate and carbonated water at a predetermined ratio, eliminating the need for refrigeration and electrical connections, while maintaining the traditional draft beer tap experience.
Implementation Method 1
A flywheel assembly is operatively coupled to the first piston. The flywheel assembly can control a predetermined ratio of a volume of carbonated water from the first cylinder to a volume of beverage concentrate from the second cylinder
Implementation Method 2
when a force is exerted on the piston by a flow of carbonated water through the first cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatus and methods are described herein for dispensing a carbonated beverage. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first cylinder that defines an interior region that can contain a volume of carbonated water and a first piston separating the interior region. A second cylinder is coupled to the first cylinder and defines an interior region and a second piston separating the interior region and operatively coupled to the first piston. The interior region of the second cylinder can contain a volume of beverage concentrate. A flywheel assembly is operatively coupled to the first cylinder and to the first piston and can control a predetermined ratio of a volume of carbonated water from the first cylinder and a volume of beverage concentrate from the second cylinder to be dispensed when a force is exerted on the piston by a flow of carbonated water through the first cylinder.