Modular Gas Injection Apparatus for Beverage Quality Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas injection systems for beverages lack control over gas pressure, flow channels, orifice diameter, and introduction position, which affects the quality of gas-blended beverages in terms of appearance, aroma, and taste.
Innovation Solution
A modular gas injection apparatus with a pressurized gas supply, a gas module, coupling module, and blending module that controls gas pressure and flow to inject gas into a beverage, using a primary gas chamber, gas reduction chamber, and gas delivery orifice to create fine bubbles, ensuring a pleasing appearance, aroma, and taste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If gas is injected into beverage using conventional methods, then gas is infused into the beverage, but control over gas pressure, flow channels, orifice diameter, and introduction position is lacking, affecting beverage quality
Solution Approach 1:
The injection system is divided into separate functional modules: a gas module containing a primary gas chamber and pressure regulator, a blending module with a secondary gas chamber and orifice array, and a beverage container. This segmentation allows independent control of gas pressure and flow characteristics, enabling precise injection parameters without requiring a completely complex integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
A secondary gas chamber acts as an intermediary between the gas source and the beverage. Gas is first introduced into the primary chamber, then transferred to the secondary chamber where it mixes with additional gas or vapor before being injected through the orifice array into the beverage. This intermediary chamber provides an additional control point for regulating gas flow and pressure.
2Reliability
If gas injection parameters are not controlled, then injection process is simple, but appearance, aroma, and taste of gas-blended beverages are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a pressure regulator in the primary gas chamber that maintains constant gas pressure despite variations in gas consumption rate. This feedback mechanism ensures consistent gas injection parameters and reliable beverage quality. The regulator automatically adjusts to maintain the set pressure point, providing stability without complex manual control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls beverage quality by changing physical parameters of the gas injection process. The pressure regulator maintains constant gas pressure, while the orifice array controls gas flow rate and bubble size. By precisely controlling these physical parameters (pressure, flow rate, orifice diameter), the system achieves reliable appearance, aroma, and taste characteristics in the final beverage product.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple gas chambers and control mechanisms are used, then gas injection control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses segmented modules (gas module, blending module, beverage container) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each module has a specific function: the gas module houses the primary chamber and regulator, the blending module contains the secondary chamber and orifices, and the beverage container holds the liquid. This modular segmentation achieves precise flow control while keeping individual components relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure regulator serves multiple functions: it controls gas pressure in the primary chamber, maintains constant pressure during gas consumption, and ensures stable operation of the entire system. The secondary gas chamber both stores gas and provides a mixing zone before injection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
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 effectively produces gas-blended beverages with improved appearance, aroma, and taste by controlling gas injection parameters, allowing for consistent quality across various beverage types and container configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The gas delivery orifice is configured to receive the pressurized gas from the gas reduction chamber and to inject the pressurized gas into a liquid beverage dispensing stream
Implementation Method 2
injecting the second portion of the volume of pressurized gas through the gas delivery orifice into a liquid beverage dispensing stream to form a gas-injected beverage
Data Source
AI summary
Gas injection apparatuses include a primary gas chamber, a gas reduction chamber, and a fluid dispensing passageway. The primary gas chamber has a first cross sectional size and is fluidly connected to a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The gas reduction chamber has a second cross sectional size and is fluidly connected to the primary gas chamber, the gas inlet, and the gas outlet. The fluid dispensing passageway is fluidly connected to the gas reduction chamber by a gas delivery orifice having a third cross sectional size.