Remote Pressure Regulator Adjustment for Precise Beer Pour Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beer dispensing systems lack an efficient method to adjust and maintain optimal pour pressure for different beer types and conditions, leading to inconsistent beer quality.
Innovation Solution
A remote pressure regulator adjustment tool with a movable piston and adjustment knob system, integrated with a pressure gauge and relief assembly, allows for precise adjustment of pour pressure by compressing or elongating an adjustment spring, enabling fine-tuned pressure control for various beer types and conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a source regulator is used to reduce source pressure to line pressure for multiple kegs, then a single high pressure source can supply multiple beer kegs, but the pour pressure cannot be individually adjusted for each keg or beer type
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the pressure regulation function into separate modular units - a source regulator for high-pressure reduction and multiple remote regulators for individual keg pressure control. Each remote regulator can be independently adjusted via the adjustment tool, allowing different pour pressures for different beer types while maintaining a single high-pressure source.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote regulator acts as an intermediary device between the source regulator and the keg. It receives high-pressure gas from the source regulator and provides individually adjustable lower pressures to each keg, enabling precise pour pressure control without requiring multiple high-pressure sources or complex centralized control.
2Reliability
If pour pressure is not precisely adjusted, then the dispensing system is simpler to operate, but beer quality becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment tool replaces complex manual mechanical adjustment with a simplified threaded knob mechanism. Rotating the knob moves the piston incrementally, providing precise and repeatable pressure adjustments without requiring operators to understand complex mechanical spring compression, thereby maintaining beer quality consistency while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes a pressure gauge that allows operators to self-monitor and self-adjust the pour pressure to the correct level. The visual feedback from the gauge enables operators to independently achieve and maintain consistent beer quality without requiring specialized training or assistance.
3Measurement precision
If manual pressure adjustment methods are used, then the device structure is simpler, but adjustment precision and control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment tool uses a dynamic piston mechanism that moves within a bore in response to knob rotation. This provides incremental, controlled adjustment of the spring compression, enabling precise pressure control. The movable piston translates small rotational movements into precise linear displacement, achieving high measurement precision with a relatively simple mechanical structure.
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 precise and incremental adjustment of pour pressure, ensuring consistent beer quality across different beer types and conditions, improving the overall dispensing process.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring moveably disposed within said first housing... When that adjustment spring is compressed, the output pressure of an attached regulator increases. When the spring is elongated, the output pressure of an attached regulator decreases.
Implementation Method 2
an adjustor piston movably disposed within the first bore... When the adjustment knob is rotated in a first direction, the adjustor piston moves downwardly in the first bore. When the adjustment knob is rotated in a second, and opposite direction, the adjustor piston moves upwardly in the first bore.
Implementation Method 3
the remote regulator adjustment tool comprises a pressure gauge. The pressure gauge is in fluid communication with the first bore. Therefore, the pressure gauge can measure the dispense pressure of a remote regulator.
Implementation Method 4
the adjustment knob is attached to a threaded shaft extending outwardly from the adjustor piston, wherein the threading on the threaded shaft mates with the threading form in the threaded aperture.
Implementation Method 5
This pressure release assembly maintains pressure within the adjustment tool when the button is disposed in a first position, and releases pressure from the adjustment tool when the button is disposed in a second position.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A pressure regulator 200 with a spring 414 moveably disposed therein, an adjuster cap 500 disposed in said first housing and in physical contact with an end of said spring 414; a pressure regulator adjustment tool 100 for adjusting an output pressure of the pressure regulator 200, comprising: an adjuster piston 114 moveably disposed within the bore 142a of a first housing 110, wherein said adjuster piston 114 comprises a plurality of alignment keys 160 disposed on a distal end thereof and includes a threaded aperture 115 extending inwardly from a proximal end thereof; a rotatable adjustment knob 120 comprising a threaded shaft 122 extending outwardly therefrom; wherein rotating said knob 120 in a first direction causes said adjuster piston 114 to move downwardly in said bore 142a; and rotating said knob 120 in an opposite direction causes said adjuster piston 114 to move upwardly in said bore 142a.