Inline Carbonation Apparatus with Atomized Water Orifices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbonation systems for beverages rely on large, bulky carbonator tanks that increase manufacturing costs and footprint, and pose failure risks, necessitating a more efficient and compact solution for carbonating beverages.
Innovation Solution
An inline carbonation apparatus with a fluid tube, water and carbon dioxide orifices, and control modules that atomize water under lower pressure to absorb CO2, forming carbonated water with adjustable carbonation levels, using a spaced relationship between orifices and regulating pressures to achieve specific volumes of carbonation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large carbonator tank is used to carbonate beverages, then carbonation capacity and reliability are improved, but device size, manufacturing cost, and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the carbonation system into multiple small inline carbonation modules distributed throughout the beverage dispensing system, replacing a single large carbonator tank. Each module contains minimal components (tubing, orifices, valves) and processes a small portion of the beverage flow, achieving distributed carbonation that reduces overall system footprint while maintaining reliability through redundancy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the carbonation function from a centralized large tank and distributes it throughout the system via inline modules. The carbonation process is separated from bulk storage, allowing beverages to be carbonated on-demand at multiple points in the dispensing system rather than requiring a large pre-filled carbonated beverage tank
2Productivity
If a large carbonator tank is used to carbonate beverages, then carbonation capacity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into multiple low-cost inline carbonation modules that can be manufactured independently using simple components (tubing, orifices, small valves). This modular approach reduces manufacturing complexity and cost compared to a single large carbonator tank, while the combined capacity of multiple modules achieves the required total carbonation throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The inline carbonation modules use inexpensive, easily replaceable components such as orifices, small valves, and tubing sections. If a module fails or becomes contaminated, only that small module needs replacement rather than replacing an entire large carbonator tank, reducing long-term operational and manufacturing costs
3Quantity of substance
If a large carbonator tank is used to carbonate beverages, then carbonation volume is improved, but device complexity and failure risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The carbonation system is divided into multiple simple inline modules, each handling a fraction of the total beverage flow. This segmentation reduces the complexity of individual components (smaller tubing, smaller orifices, smaller valves) while the modular architecture allows for easier maintenance and replacement, reducing overall system complexity despite serving the same total carbonation volume
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 inline carbonation system effectively produces carbonated beverages with adjustable carbonation levels without the need for large tanks, reducing costs and footprint while providing a reliable and efficient method for carbonation, allowing for flexible carbonation volume control.
Implementation Method 1
The water orifice includes a plurality of holes atomizing water passing therethrough
Implementation Method 2
The atomized water has a pressure less than the carbon dioxide such that carbon dioxide is absorbed into the water forming carbonated water
Data Source
AI summary
An inline carbonation apparatus includes a fluid tube having an inner diameter. A water flow control module is connected to a water source. At least one water orifice is linked to the water flow control module and is attached at one end of the fluid tube. The water orifice includes a plurality of holes atomizing water passing therethrough. A carbon dioxide source is connected to a carbon dioxide valve. The carbon dioxide solenoid valve is connected to a carbon dioxide regulator that is coupled to a carbon dioxide orifice and attached to the fluid tube in a spaced relationship from the water orifice. The atomized water has a pressure less than the carbon dioxide such that carbon dioxide is absorbed into the water forming carbonated water having a specified volume of carbonation. The water control module regulates a water flow rate into the inline carbonation apparatus.