Inline Carbonation Chamber with Adjustable Gas Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional carbonating devices in the beverage industry require high pressure pumps, electricity, and extensive plumbing, leading to frequent breakdowns and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An inline, on-demand carbonation mixing chamber that integrates a mixing and metering member with a gas adjustment member, allowing for adjustable carbonation levels without the need for extra plumbing, using a metering orifice with multiple gas provisioning holes to control gas injection into the mixing chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional high pressure pump units with accumulator tanks are used for carbonation, then carbonation capability is achieved, but device complexity and plumbing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the accumulator tank and high pressure pump from the carbonation system, extracting only the essential mixing chamber component. This simplifies the overall system by eliminating unnecessary complexity while maintaining carbonation functionality through a more streamlined design.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing chamber is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the carbonation chamber and the mixing vessel, eliminating the need for separate accumulator tanks. The gas injection system integrates directly into the mixing chamber, allowing a single component to handle both gas storage and carbonation mixing operations.
2Measurement precision
If high pressure pumps and electronic switching are used, then carbonation control is achieved, but maintenance requirements and breakdown frequency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical high pressure pumps with a gas injection system that uses gas pressure directly for carbonation. This eliminates mechanical moving parts that require maintenance, substituting a simpler gas-driven mechanism that reduces breakdown frequency while maintaining control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the carbonation process itself to generate the necessary pressure and mixing action, eliminating the need for external high pressure pumps and electronic control systems. The gas injection automatically creates the required conditions for carbonation without additional mechanical assistance.
3Reliability
If extra plumbing is installed for pump connections, then carbonation function is achieved, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the carbonation chamber with the mixing chamber into a single integrated component. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate pump connections and extensive plumbing, as the gas injection system connects directly to the mixing chamber without requiring intermediate piping or additional mounting infrastructure.
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 efficient and adjustable carbonation of beverages without the need for additional plumbing, reducing mechanical failures and operational complexity, while maintaining precise control over carbonation levels.
Implementation Method 1
a gas injection system in communication with the mixing chamber and configured to inject the gas into the mixing chamber at a controlled rate in response to a pressure gradient across a metering orifice
Implementation Method 2
a mixing chamber configured to receive the fluid and an adjustable amount of the gas, and to provide a mixture of the fluid and the gas
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
Apparatus, including a carbonation chamber, is provided that includes a mixing and metering member and a gas adjustment member. The mixing and metering member is configured to respond to a fluid, including water, and an adjustable amount of gas, including CO2, and may be configured to provide a mixture of the fluid and the gas. The gas adjustment member is configured to receive the gas, including from a gas inlet, and to provide the adjustable amount of gas to the mixing and metering member, based at least partly on an adjustable axial relationship between the mixing and metering member and the gas adjustment member in order to control a desired carbonation level of the mixture.