Integrated Gas-Liquid Mixing Pump With Fixed-Orifice Ratio Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas-liquid infusion systems for beverages are complex, costly, require frequent adjustments, are single-purpose, and limited to specific container types, lacking portability and precision in mixing ratios.
Innovation Solution
An integrated infusion pump with a gas-liquid mixing valve and chamber, featuring a replaceable mixing orifice, auto shut-off, and compatibility with multiple container types, ensuring consistent mixing ratios without calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple standalone components (tank, manifold, pump, valve) are used for gas-liquid infusion, then the system can perform mixing and dispensing functions, but the device complexity increases and assembly becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple standalone components (mixing valve, infusion pump, mixing chamber, and dispensing mechanism) into a single integrated device. The mixing valve is positioned within close proximity to the pump outlet, and the mixing chamber receives both liquid from the pump and gas through separate inlets, creating a unified system that performs mixing, infusion, and dispensing functions without requiring separate tanks, manifolds, and valves.
2Ease of operation
If ball or needle typed valves are used for mixing control, then the system can adjust mixing ratios, but frequent adjustments and calibrations are required to achieve desired mixing ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from manual valve adjustment to fixed orifice size selection. Instead of using adjustable ball or needle valves that require calibration, the system employs mixing valves with predetermined orifice sizes that provide consistent mixing ratios based on the fixed geometry of the orifices, eliminating the need for frequent adjustments and calibrations.
3Device complexity
If a fixed mixing system is used, then the structure is simple, but the system is limited to single purpose application such as Nitro infused coffee only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the integrated mixing and dispensing system to be application-agnostic, capable of handling various liquid containers (KEG, Bag-in-Box, and bottle) through programmable control. The system can be configured for different beverage types and container formats by modifying control parameters rather than hardware, enabling multi-functionality while maintaining a relatively simple integrated structure.
4Device complexity
If the system is designed for specific container types only, then the design is simplified, but it requires separate systems for different container types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability through programmable control that can adjust operating parameters based on the type of container being used. The system can switch between different control modes (vacuum control for KEG/BIB, float switch for bottles) and adjust pump speed, pressure, and flow rates according to the specific container type, allowing a single system design to handle multiple container formats without requiring separate dedicated systems.
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
Provides simple, portable, and precise gas-liquid mixing with consistent drink quality and process control, reducing assembly time and costs while supporting various container types.
Implementation Method 1
Due to the nature of the fluid behavior flowing through a small orifice, the volumetric flow rate is almost constant within a wider pressure range
Implementation Method 2
a pump and motor combination configured to received the liquid and provide pumped liquid
Implementation Method 3
a gas/liquid mixture chamber configured to receive the pumped liquid and the inlet gas, and mix the liquid and the inlet gas into a gas-infused mixture
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated infuser/mixer pump system features a liquid inlet configured to receive a liquid drawn from a liquid source, a gas inlet configured to receive an inlet gas from a gas source, a pump and motor combination configured to received the liquid and provide pumped liquid, a gas/liquid mixture chamber configured to receive the pumped liquid and the inlet gas, and mix the liquid and the inlet gas into a gas-infused mixture, and a gas-infused mixture outlet configured to provide the gas-infused mixture; the gas inlet having a gas liquid mixing valve with a mixing orifice that has a mixing orifice size dimensioned to provide the inlet gas to the gas/liquid mixture chamber with an inlet gas volumetric flow rate in order to mix the pumped liquid and the inlet gas with a predetermined mixture ratio that depends on the mixing orifice size.