초록 ▼

A coffee maker assembly particularly suitable for aircraft use delivers hot coffee into a decanter that can be removed from the assembly to serve the coffee to passengers and crew inside an aircraft cabin. The assembly includes an electronically controlled solenoid valve that controls the delivery o

A coffee maker assembly particularly suitable for aircraft use delivers hot coffee into a decanter that can be removed from the assembly to serve the coffee to passengers and crew inside an aircraft cabin. The assembly includes an electronically controlled solenoid valve that controls the delivery of water from a reservoir into a coil heater. Electronic circuitry in the system controls the assembly's operation and provides various indications to a user of the system. Various automatic valves, couplings, and other features ensure safe and reliable operation with minimal maintenance.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A coffee maker assembly for use in an aircraft having a galley water supply reservoir and a rail, the assembly comprising:a rail water supply connection;means for connecting the rail water supply connection to the galley water supply reservoir;means, comprising a flow control

What is claimed is: 1. A coffee maker assembly for use in an aircraft having a galley water supply reservoir and a rail, the assembly comprising:a rail water supply connection;means for connecting the rail water supply connection to the galley water supply reservoir;means, comprising a flow control valve configured as an electrically controlled solenoid valve, for controlling a flow of water from the galley water supply reservoir;a heater element configured to receive water from the flow control valve and to heat water flowing through either the heater element or a water conducting element extending generally coextensively with the heater element;wherein the flow control valve is located in a conduit between the galley water supply reservoir and the heater element;a conduit configured to receive heated water and to direct the heated water into contact with ground coffee;a receptacle configured to receive and hold liquid coffee produced by the contact of the heated water with the ground coffee;a return conduit distinct from a conduit in which the flow control valve is disposed, wherein water can be drained from the heater element and into the galley water supply reservoir through the return conduit; anda system drain check valve in the return conduit and configured to allow water to flow in a direction from the heater element toward the galley water supply reservoir, and to prevent the flow of water in a direction from the galley water supply reservoir toward the heater element.