Pressure profiling device, particularly for dispensing units of pressurized liquids
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure profiling devices for espresso coffee machines lack accuracy and stability in varying liquid pressure, which affects the quality of espresso coffee.
Innovation Solution
A pressure profiling device that includes a pump, a delivery duct, a three-way hydraulic fitting, a bypass duct with a proportional valve, and a restriction to equalize pressure and flow rate, allowing precise control of liquid pressure through real-time feedback from sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a proportional valve is used to divert liquid flow to vary pressure, then pressure variation capability is achieved, but pressure accuracy and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a pressure sensor continuously monitors the actual pressure in the delivery duct and compares it with the target pressure. The controller adjusts the proportional valve opening based on the pressure difference, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains accurate and stable pressure despite variations in pump output or system conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the proportional valve by precisely controlling its opening degree based on feedback pressure measurements. This allows dynamic adjustment of the bypass flow rate to maintain the desired pressure profile with high accuracy, transforming the valve from a simple on/off or fixed-position component to a dynamically controlled pressure regulation element.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a proportional valve is used to divert liquid flow to vary pressure, then pressure adjustment capability is achieved, but pressure stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous feedback from the pressure sensor to the controller ensures that any pressure deviations are immediately detected and corrected by adjusting the proportional valve position, maintaining stable pressure throughout the dispensing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous pressure monitoring and adjustment throughout operation, ensuring that pressure stability is maintained at all times rather than being intermittent. The feedback control operates continuously to counteract any disturbances in the hydraulic system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pressure profiling is implemented without flow rate equalization, then pressure variation is possible, but pressure accuracy deteriorates due to unequal pressure distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the liquid flow into two separate paths: a main delivery duct to the dispensing unit and a bypass duct with the proportional valve. This segmentation allows independent control of the bypass flow to equalize pressure distribution, ensuring that pressure is uniform throughout the system before being regulated by the proportional valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass duct acts as an intermediary element that allows a portion of the liquid to circulate separately, enabling pressure equalization between different parts of the hydraulic system. This intermediate flow path facilitates balanced pressure distribution that improves the accuracy of the main delivery pressure.
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 device enables accurate and stable pressure variation, ensuring reliable and safe operation, while also being economically competitive and easy to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
a pump (3) adapted to generate a flow of a pressurized liquid in outlet
Implementation Method 2
a proportional valve (13) applied to the bypass duct (11), operable to vary the flow rate of the first part of liquid diverted in the bypass duct (11) as a function of the degree of opening of the proportional valve (13) itself
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a pressure profiling device (1), particularly for dispensing units of pressurized liquids, comprising a pump (3) adapted to generate a flow of a pressurized liquid in outlet, said pump (3) being configured to be connected, by means of at least one delivery duct (5, 5′), to at least one dispensing unit (7, 7′) of said liquid, a three-way hydraulic fitting (9, 9′) being applied to said at least one delivery duct (5, 5′), configured to divert a first part of said liquid leaving said pump (3) into a bypass duct (11, 11′), a remaining second part of said liquid continuing on said at least one delivery duct (5, 5′), a proportional valve (13, 13′) being applied to said bypass duct (11, 11′), which can be operated to vary the flow rate of said first part of said liquid diverted in said bypass duct (11, 11′) as a function of the degree of opening of said proportional valve (13, 13′) so as to vary the pressure of the remaining second part of said liquid,According to the invention, a restriction (15, 15′) is applied to said at least one delivery duct (5, 5′) between said pump (3) and said three-way hydraulic fitting (9, 9′), configured to impose a reduction in the flow rate of said liquid leaving said pump (3).