Thermally Controlled Infusion System for Viscous Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in consistently transferring high viscosity fluids across a temperature-controlled system, leading to inconsistent product quality due to temperature variances and potential alteration of fluid properties.
Innovation Solution
A thermally-controlled concentrate infusion system that maintains consistent fluid temperature throughout the system, using a heated block with a ceramic reservoir and pressurized reservoir to ensure fluid flow, and a rotating revolver system for automated infusion into containers like cigarettes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the temperature of high viscosity fluid is increased to decrease resistance to deformation, then the fluid becomes more readily transferrable, but the molecular properties of the fluid may be altered and product quality becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the high viscosity fluid to decrease its resistance to deformation and improve transferability. By controlling the temperature parameter, the system enables the fluid to flow more easily through the conveyance apparatus while maintaining consistent product quality through precise temperature management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual infusion methods are used, then flexibility is maintained, but human error increases and product quality consistency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated infusion operations where the apparatus performs the infusion process itself with controlled temperature and pressure parameters. This automation eliminates human error while maintaining the ability to adapt to different infusion requirements through programmable control of the self-service system.
3Device complexity
If temperature control is not maintained throughout the system, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature variances occur leading to inconsistent fluid properties
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control system is divided into multiple heating zones or segments along the conveyance path. Each segment independently maintains the fluid at the required temperature, ensuring consistent fluid properties throughout the system without requiring an overly complex centralized control mechanism.
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 enables reliable and consistent infusion of high viscosity fluids, such as distillate and terpene formulations, into industrial hemp-packed cigarettes, ensuring high product quality and reducing human error.
Implementation Method 1
The viscosity of a fluid at a prescribed temperature and pressure is a function primarily of the molecular properties of the fluid. Thus, to change the viscosity of a given fluid, where the molecular properties of the fluid may not be altered, the temperature of the fluid must instead be altered. For a majority of liquids, an increase in temperature will decrease viscosity.
Implementation Method 2
a pressurized reservoir to ensure fluid flow
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods for automatic infusion of concentrate and distillate material into cigarettes or other containers. In one embodiment, a thermally-controlled infusion system is provided. The system can maintain a selected temperature of the concentrate material throughout the infusion process, using a two-stage approach. In a first stage, the concentrate material is pressure-fed to a dosing chamber. In the second stage, the concentrate material is pumped into an insertion canula and into a cigarette or container. A revolver houses the cigarettes or containers and vertically transitions them to an insertion position, where the insertion canula can infuse the cigarettes or containers.