IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0041804
(2005-01-24)
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등록번호 |
US-7290680
(2007-11-06)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Henry,Paul
- Czeck,Steve
- Simmons,Philip Andrew
- Heyes,Keith James
- Johnson,Martin
- Atkinson,Jamie
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출원인 / 주소 |
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대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
9 인용 특허 :
4 |
초록
▼
A post-mix beverage valve provides for automatic, accurate beverage ratioing. A valve body can be assembled, and includes a water flow hard body, syrup body and common nozzle body. The water and syrup flow bodies define flow channels and include one end for connection to water and syrup respectively
A post-mix beverage valve provides for automatic, accurate beverage ratioing. A valve body can be assembled, and includes a water flow hard body, syrup body and common nozzle body. The water and syrup flow bodies define flow channels and include one end for connection to water and syrup respectively, and opposite ends for fluid connection to the nozzle body. The water flow channel includes a turbine flow sensor connected to a micro-controller determining the water flow rate. The syrup flow channel includes a flow sensor, two MEMS pressure sensors, monitoring the syrup. The sensors are connected to the micro-controller and positioned about an orifice and senses sense a differential pressure indicative of syrup flow rate solenoid regulates flow of syrup through the syrup body. A stepper motor on the water body controls a rod in the flow channel in conjunction with a V-groove.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. A dispensing valve for mixing and dispensing first and second fluids at a predefined ratio, comprising: a dispensing valve body having first and second channels for connection to respective sources of the first fluid and second fluids; first and second fluid flow sensing mean
What is claimed is: 1. A dispensing valve for mixing and dispensing first and second fluids at a predefined ratio, comprising: a dispensing valve body having first and second channels for connection to respective sources of the first fluid and second fluids; first and second fluid flow sensing means for sensing respective flows of the first and second fluids through said first and second channels; a controller coupled to said first and second fluid flow sensing means for receiving indications of the flows of the first and second fluids through said first and second channels; a first valve coupled to said first channel, said controller being coupled to said valve for operating said valve to control a flow of the first fluid through said first channel; and a second valve coupled to said second channel, said second valve including a valve member movable between a first position fully closing and a second position opening said second channel for controlling flow of the second fluid through said second channel, and an actuator coupled to said valve member and to said controller for being operated by said controller to move said valve member between said first and second positions and to all positions therebetween to control the flow of the second fluid through said second channel, said controller regulating the flow of the second fluid through said second channel as a function of the sensed flow of the first fluid to maintain the predefined ratio therebetween. 2. A dispensing valve as in claim 1, wherein the first fluid is a syrup concentrate and the second fluid is a diluent. 3. A dispensing valve as in claim 1, said first fluid flow sensing means comprising a pressure based flow sensing means including an orifice plate in and extending across said first channel and having a hole therethrough, and means for sensing the pressure of fluid in said first channel on at least one side of said plate. 4. A dispensing valve as in claim 3, wherein said orifice plate is chamfered on at least one side thereof around said hole. 5. Apparatus for providing a mixture of at least two fluids, comprising: a first fluid supply line connectable to a source of the first fluid; a second fluid supply line connectable to a source of the second fluid; a mixing head fluid coupled to said first and second fluid supply lines for receiving and mixing the first and second fluids; means for controlling flow of the second fluid through said second fluid supply line to said mixing head; an orifice plate having an orifice arranged to vent to atmosphere, said first fluid supply line passing through said orifice; a controller; and a pressure transducer coupled to the first fluid in said first fluid supply line upstream from said orifice plate for measuring the pressure in the first fluid thereat and for providing indications of the measured pressure to said controller, said controller being programmed with flow values determined for a range of pressures of the first fluid and to control the flow of the second fluid to said mixing head in response to the flow of the first fluid in a manner to provide a desired flow ratio of the two fluids. 6. Apparatus as in claim 5, including a flow turbine in said second fluid supply line for sensing flow of the second fluid. 7. An apparatus as in claim 5, including an on/off valve in said first fluid supply line upstream from said orifice plate and pressure transducer. 8. An apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said on/off valve, when on, provides a particular nominal flow of the first fluid and said pressure transducer measures any fluctuations above and below said nominal flow. 9. An apparatus as in claim 8, wherein said on/off valve has a manual adjuster to set said nominal flow of the first fluid. 10. An apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said means for controlling flow of the second fluid through said second fluid supply line to said mixing head includes a valve coupled to said controller for being operated by said controller between a valve closed position and a valve open position and to all positions therebetween to provide desired fluid flows of the second fluid through said second fluid supply line. 11. An apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said orifice plate is immediately upstream of an outlet from said first fluid supply line to said mixing head. 12. An apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said controller provides a profiled dispense of the first and second fluids to said mixing head. 13. An apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said controller provides for dispensing to said mixing head an initial portion of the first and second fluids at a relatively low flow rate, a succeeding portion of the fluids at a higher flow rate and a final portion of the fluids at a lower flow rate. 14. An apparatus as in claim 5, including a temperature sensor in at least said first fluid supply line and coupled to said controller, said controller determining flow valves for a range of pressures of the first fluid as adjusted by viscosity changes of the first fluid as indicated by the sensed temperature of the first fluid. 15. A method of dispensing a mixture of at least two fluids, comprising the steps of: coupling a first fluid source to a mixing head through a first fluid supply line; coupling a second fluid source to the mixing head through a second fluid supply line; flowing fluid in the first fluid supply line to the mixing head through an orifice in an orifice plate; sensing the pressure of the fluid in the first fluid supply line on the upstream side of the orifice plate; determining the flow of the first fluid through the first fluid supply line as a function of the sensed pressure of the first fluid; and controlling the flow of the second fluid through the second fluid line to the mixing head in response to and in accordance with the determined flow of the first fluid to provide a desired flow ratio of the first and second fluids to the mixing head. 16. A method as in claim 15, including the step of venting to atmosphere the first fluid supply line on the downstream side of the orifice plate. 17. A method as in claim 15, including the step of sensing the temperature of at least the first fluid, wherein the sensed temperature is representative of the viscosity of the first fluid, and controlling said determining step as a function of the sensed temperature of the first fluid, so that the flow of the first fluid through the first fluid supply line is represented by both the sensed pressure and temperature of the first fluid. 18. A method as in claim 15, wherein the first fluid source is a source of concentrated syrup and the second fluid source is a source of water. 19. A method as in claim 15, including the step of controlling the flow of the first fluid over a range of flows. 20. A method as in claim 15, including the step of measuring the flow of the second fluid through the second fluid supply line. 21. A method of dispensing a mixture of at least two fluids, comprising the steps of: coupling a first fluid source to a mixing head through a first fluid supply line; coupling a second fluid source to the mixing head through a second fluid supply line; flowing fluid in the first fluid supply line to the mixing head through an orifice in an orifice plate; measuring a pressure drop in the first fluid passing through the orifice; determining the flow of the first fluid through the first fluid supply line in accordance with and over a range of measured pressure drops; and controlling flow of the second fluid through the second fluid supply line to the mixing head in accordance with said determining step to obtain a desired flow ratio of the two fluids to the mixing head. 22. A method as in claim 21, including the step of venting the first fluid supply line to atmosphere downstream of the orifice plate, wherein said measuring step measures the pressure of the first fluid substantially immediately upstream and downstream from the orifice plate. 23. A method as in claim 21, including the step of sensing the temperature of at least the first fluid, wherein said determining step comprises determining the flow rate of the first fluid through the first fluid supply line both in accordance with and over a range of measured pressure drops and in accordance with the viscosity of the first fluid as represented by the sensed temperature of the first fluid. 24. A method as in claim 21, wherein the first fluid is one of a plurality of concentrated syrups and the second fluid is water. 25. A method as in claim 21, including the step of controlling the flow of the first fluid to be within a range of flows. 26. A method as in claim 21, including the step of monitoring the flow of the second fluid. 27. A dispensing valve for dispensing first and second liquids therefrom at a desired ratio, comprising: a nozzle body assembly having first and second liquid flow passages having respective first and second inlets and first and second outlets for respective flow therethrough of the first and second liquids; a first liquid flow body assembly of the nozzle body assembly, said first liquid flow body assembly having a first liquid flow cavity fluid coupled at an outlet end thereof with said inlet to said nozzle body first liquid flow passage, said first liquid flow body assembly further including a valve member and an actuator for moving said valve member continuously between a first position where a liquid flow path through said first liquid flow cavity is fully closed and flow of the first liquid through said first liquid flow cavity is stopped, a second position where said liquid flow path is open for flow of the first liquid through said first liquid flow cavity and all positions between said first and second positions for regulating flow of the first liquid through said first liquid flow cavity as a function of the position of said valve member between said first and second positions; a first flow sensor for sensing flow of the first liquid through said first liquid flow cavity of said first liquid flow body assembly; a second liquid flow body assembly having a second liquid flow cavity fluid coupled at an outlet end thereof with said inlet to said nozzle body second liquid flow passage, said second liquid flow body assembly further including valve means in said second liquid flow cavity for interrupting or establishing liquid flow therethrough; a second flow sensor for sensing flow of the second liquid through said second liquid flow cavity of said second liquid flow body assembly; and control means for receiving inputs from said first and second flow sensors and connected to said first liquid flow body assembly actuator for operating said actuator to move said valve member relative to said first and second positions to regulate flow of the first liquid through said first liquid flow cavity in accordance with the sensed flow of the second liquid through said second liquid flow cavity. 28. A dispensing valve as in claim 27, wherein said first liquid flow body assembly actuator comprises proportional motor means for moving said valve member and said second liquid flow body assembly valve means comprises valve means. 29. A method of controlling a valve for dispensing two liquids at a determined ratio, said method comprising the steps of: providing a valve body having fluidly separate first and second liquid flow passages having respective first and second inlets and first and second outlets; coupling the first and second liquid flow passage inlets to respective supplies of first and second liquids; connecting an actuator to the valve body for moving a valve member in the first liquid flow passage between a first position where the first liquid flow passage is fully closed and flow of the first liquid through the first liquid flow passage is stopped, a second position where the first liquid flow passage is open and flow of the first liquid through the first liquid flow passage is established and to all positions between the first and second positions to regulate flow of the first liquid through the first liquid flow passage; controlling flow of the second liquid through the second liquid flow passage; sensing flow of the first liquid through the first liquid flow passage; sensing flow of the second liquid through the second liquid flow passage; monitoring the sensed flows of the first and second liquids through the first and second liquid flow passages; and in response to said monitoring step and while the first and second liquids are flowing through the first and second liquid flow passages, controlling the valve body actuator to move the valve member to positions relative to said first and second positions to adjust flow of the first liquid in relation to flow of the second liquid to dispense the two liquids at the determined ratio. 30. A method as in claim 29, comprising the further steps, performed prior to said monitoring step, of: initiating flow of the first liquid through the first liquid flow passage by controlling the valve body actuator to move the valve member to a predetermined position and controlling flow of the second liquid through the second liquid flow passage to establish flow of the second liquid, and then sensing the flows of the first and second liquids from the point each begins to flow; determining a total dispense ratio of the first and second liquids as a function of the total volume of each liquid dispensed; and controlling the valve body actuator to move the valve member to either decrease the flow of the first liquid if a first determined dispense ratio is greater than a predetermined total dispense positive ratio error limit and if a ratio determined subsequent to the first determined total dispense ratio is greater than a predetermined positive ratio error limit where the total dispense positive ratio error limit is less than the positive ratio error limit, or to increase the flow of the first liquid if the first total dispense ratio is less than a predetermined total dispensed ratio negative error limit and if a second ratio determined subsequent to the first determined total dispense ratio is less than a predetermined ratio negative error limit. 31. The method as defined in claim 29, comprising the further steps, performed prior to said monitoring step, of: initiating flow of the first liquid through the first liquid flow passage by controlling the actuator to move the valve member away from said first position to a predetermined position, and then after lapse of a predetermined time following performance of said initiating step, controlling flow of the second liquid through the second liquid flow passage to establish a flow of the second liquid. 32. A dispensing valve for dispensing two liquids, comprising: a water body assembly having a water flow channel for connection to a source of water and means for regulating a flow of water through said water flow channel; a syrup body assembly having a syrup flow channel for connection to a source of syrup and means for regulating a flow of syrup through said syrup flow channel; a nozzle body having a water flow channel and a syrup flow channel, said nozzle body releasably securing said water body assembly and said syrup body assembly thereto such that said nozzle body and water body assembly water flow channels are fluid coupled and such that said nozzle body and syrup body assembly syrup flow channels are fluid coupled; and a discharge nozzle, said nozzle body water and syrup flow channels being fluid connected to said discharge nozzle. 33. A dispensing valve for dispensing a desired ratio of two fluids, comprising: a first fluid body assembly having a first fluid flow channel for connection to a source of a first fluid, said first fluid body assembly having means for regulating a flow of the first fluid through said first fluid flow channel, said regulating means including a first valve member, a flow control element in said first fluid flow channel and drive means for moving said valve member from a first position closing said flow control member to a second position opening said flow control member and to all positions between said first and second positions, said drive means moving said valve member to a plurality of positions between said first and second positions corresponding to a plurality of first fluid flows through said first fluid flow channel so that the flow of the first fluid through said first fluid flow channel is regulated as a function of the position of said valve member relative to said flow control element; a second fluid body assembly having a second fluid flow channel for connection to a source of a second fluid, said second fluid body having means for regulating a flow of the second fluid through said second fluid flow channel; a nozzle body having first and second fluid flow channels, said nozzle body releasably securing said first and second fluid body assemblies such that said nozzle body and first fluid body assembly first fluid flow channels are fluid coupled and such that said nozzle body and said second fluid body assembly second fluid flow channels are fluid coupled; a discharge nozzle, said nozzle body first and second fluid flow channels being fluid connected to said discharge nozzle; first and second fluid flow sensing means in said first and second fluid flow channels for sensing flow of the first and second fluids; and control means coupled to said first and second fluid flow sensing means for receiving sensed flow rates of the first and second fluids, said control means controlling operation of at least one of said regulating means of said first and said second fluid body assemblies as a function of the sensed flow rates of the first and second fluids so that the first and second fluids are dispensed out said discharge nozzle in a predetermined ratio. 34. A dispensing valve as in claim 33, said control means controlling operation of said first fluid body assembly regulating means during dispensing of the first and second fluids out of said discharge nozzle. 35. A dispensing valve as defined in claim 33, said drive means comprising linear actuator means. 36. A dispensing valve as defined in claim 33, wherein said first and second fluid body assemblies are releasably securable to said discharge nozzle.
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