초록 ▼

An automatic, ultrasonic system for controlling the filling of different sizes of beverage containers which may or may not contain various quantities of ice. The system includes a transducer assembly and a control module, both preferably connected to a beverage dispenser valve assembly. The transduc

An automatic, ultrasonic system for controlling the filling of different sizes of beverage containers which may or may not contain various quantities of ice. The system includes a transducer assembly and a control module, both preferably connected to a beverage dispenser valve assembly. The transducer assembly includes a pair of piezo-electric crystals for separately transmitting and receiving ultrasonic wave energy from the grate, the cup lip, the top of any ice in the cup, and the rising liquid level. The control module includes a microcomputer and associated circuitry.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for automatically filling a container with a beverage comprising: (a) an ultrasonic energy transmitter for transmitting ultrasonic energy down toward a container supporting surface located below a beverage dispensing nozzle; (b) an ultrasonic energy receiver, separate from and spaced ap

An apparatus for automatically filling a container with a beverage comprising: (a) an ultrasonic energy transmitter for transmitting ultrasonic energy down toward a container supporting surface located below a beverage dispensing nozzle; (b) an ultrasonic energy receiver, separate from and spaced apart from said transmitter and positioned for receiving ultrasonic energy reflected back up from the direction of said surface and for generating corresponding signals; (c) control circuit means for automatically using said generated signals for detecting the presence of a container placed on said surface and below said nozzle; (d) said control circuit means including means for controlling the filling of said container with beverage from said nozzle; (e) said control circuit means including means for detecting said surface, a lip of a container placed on said surface, and one of a bottom of said container or the level of any ice in said container; (f) said control circuit means including means for detecting a container lip and a second surface located at least 0.1 inch above said surface and also located at least 0.25 inch below said lip, prior to initiating the filling of a container located on said surface; (g) said control circuit means including logic circuit means for generating a container lip signal indicative of the presence of a lip of a container only when two signals are received and are within 0.1 inch out of a set of five pulses; (h) said logic circuit means also including means for generating a stable lip distance signal only when five consecutive container lip signals, separated by approximately sixteen milliseconds and that correspond to within 0.2 inch, have been detected; and (i) said logic circuit means including means, after said stable lip distance signal has been received, for generating an ice level signal if an additional surface is detected that is more than 0.1 inch above said surface and that is also more than 0.25 inch below said lip.