Automatic Tapping Valve with Shape Memory Alloy Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tapping systems for draught beer rely heavily on manual operation, which can lead to inconsistencies in beverage quality due to operator skill and dexterity, making it difficult to maintain consistent dispensing of different beer types and techniques.
Innovation Solution
An automatic tapping valve equipped with proportional actuators made from shape memory alloy and an electronic control board that can control the dispensing process, including flow regulation and compensation, allowing for automated operation based on preset programs or manual input, and featuring remote wireless communication for programming and data retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operation is used for tapping valves, then operator flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but consistency and reliability of beverage dispensing deteriorate due to operator skill variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated control system comprising a processor, memory storing dispensing profiles, and communication interfaces. The system automatically retrieves and executes stored dispensing profiles without manual intervention, ensuring consistent and reliable beverage dispensing while eliminating variability introduced by operator skill differences.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapping valve system performs self-regulation by automatically retrieving and executing pre-stored dispensing profiles from memory based on beverage type and dispensing technique. The system autonomously adjusts flow rates, timing, and other parameters without requiring manual operation, thereby maintaining reliability and consistency while reducing operational complexity.
2Reliability
If automated control is implemented in tapping valves, then consistency and reliability of dispensing are improved, but device complexity increases due to electronic control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The processor serves multiple functions: it stores dispensing profiles in memory, retrieves appropriate profiles based on beverage type, executes the dispensing sequences, and communicates with external devices. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single integrated control unit, improving reliability while managing device complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
Dispensing profiles are pre-configured and stored in memory before actual dispensing operations. These profiles contain all necessary parameters for different beverage types and techniques. During operation, the system simply retrieves and executes these pre-prepared profiles, which simplifies the real-time control complexity while ensuring consistent and reliable dispensing results.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dispensing profiles are stored for different beer types and techniques, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but memory requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential dispensing parameters and sequences needed for different beverage types and techniques into structured profiles. By identifying and storing only the critical control parameters rather than complete operational procedures, the system achieves high adaptability and versatility while minimizing memory requirements.
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
Ensures consistent quality of dispensed beverages by automating the dispensing process, reducing variability associated with manual operation, and allowing for storage and reproduction of ideal dispensing profiles, thus stabilizing the dispensing of various beer types and techniques.
Implementation Method 1
at least one proportional actuator (20) provided with a respective actuator element (28) manufactured with a shape memory alloy
Data Source
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AI summary
A tapping valve (10) comprising an inlet duct (12) for a beverage to be dispensed and an outlet duct (14) for such a beverage. Between the inlet duct (12) and the outlet duct (14) for the beverage there is a dispensing group (16) that comprises a control lever (8), configured to start and stop the dispensing of the beverage through the tapping valve (10), and one or more movable sealing elements (18), operatively connected to the control lever (8) for putting the inlet duct i(12) n fluid communication with the outlet duct (14) for the beverage and thus determining the opening and closing of the dispensing group (16). The control lever is operatively connected to the movable sealing elements (18) by means of at least one proportional actuator (20) electronically controlled by an electronic control board (22). The electronic control board is thus configured to manage, in a proportional manner, the dispensing modes of the beverage.