Apparatus for mixing two fluids has separate supply lines for delivering the fluids to a mixing head. Flow rate of fluid in one supply line is monitored by arranging a pressure transducer to measure a pressure drop across an orifice in an orifice plate arranged in the supply line and a controller is
Apparatus for mixing two fluids has separate supply lines for delivering the fluids to a mixing head. Flow rate of fluid in one supply line is monitored by arranging a pressure transducer to measure a pressure drop across an orifice in an orifice plate arranged in the supply line and a controller is responsive to the detected flow rate to control flow rate of fluid in the other supply line to achieve a desired flow ratio of both fluids at the mixing head for producing a mixed fluid having the correct proportions of both fluids. The fluids may be a concentrate syrup and a plain or carbonated water to produce a beverage.
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1. A dispensing valvesystem for mixing therein and dispensing there from a first fluid and a second fluid at a predefined ratio, comprising: a dispensing valve body having a first inlet and a second inlet for providing connection to pressurized sources of the first fluid and the second fluid respect
1. A dispensing valvesystem for mixing therein and dispensing there from a first fluid and a second fluid at a predefined ratio, comprising: a dispensing valve body having a first inlet and a second inlet for providing connection to pressurized sources of the first fluid and the second fluid respectively, the first inlet delivering the first fluid to a first channel, the first channel having a pressure based flow sensing means, the second inlet delivering the second fluid to a second channel and the second channel having a second fluid flow sensing means therein for sensing the flow rate of the second fluid there through, and the second flow sensing means and the pressure based flow sensing means connected to a microcontroller for determining the flow rates of the second and first fluids respectively,a valve in the first channel and operated by the microcontroller for regulating the flow of the first fluid there thorough in an on/off manner,a linear actuator controlled by the microcontroller for operating a rod extending in the second channel, the rod having a rod end movable to a stop position for stopping the flow of the second fluid and to a full flow position for permitting a maximum flow of the second liquid and movable to a plurality of positions between the stop and full open positions for regulating the flow rate of the second fluid as a function of the size of a flow orifice created between the rod and the second channel relative to the position of the rod end between the stop and full flow positions, and the microcontroller regulating the flow rate of the second fluid as a function of the sensed flow rate of the first fluid so as to maintain the predetermined ratio there between. 2. The dispensing valvesystem as defined in claim 1, and where the first fluid is a syrup concentrate and the second fluid is a water diluent. 3. The dispensing valvesystem as defined in claim 1, and the pressure based flow sensing means including an orifice plate in the first channel and extending therein transverse to the flow of the first fluid there through and the orifice plate having two side surfaces and a central hole there through and the central hole having a chamfered edge around a perimeter thereof formed into a portion of one of the side surfaces. 4. The dispensing valvesystem as defined in claim 2, and the pressure based flow sensing means including an orifice plate in the first channel and extending therein transverse to the flow of the first fluid there through and the orifice plate having two side surfaces and a central hole there through and the central hole having a chamfered edge around a perimeter thereof formed into a portion of one of the side surfaces. 5. An apparatus for providing a mixture of at least two fluids, which comprises 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, and a mixing head into which the two fluids can be supplied through their respective supply lines and mixed therein, the first fluid supply line including an orifice plate, the orifice plate having a chamfered edge leading into its orifice in the direction of flow, and pressure transducer means for measuring the pressure drop in the first fluid as it passes through the orifice plate, the pressure transducer means providing the measured pressure drop to a controller, the controller being pre-programmed with flow rate values determined over a range of pressure drops for the first fluid and to control the rate of flow of the second fluid to the mixing head in response to the flow rate of the first fluid to achieve a desired flow ratio of the two fluids, in which the first fluid supply line contains a multiple position on/off valve controllable to provide a range of flow rates of the first fluid, and in which the controllable on/off valve comprises a substantially rigid housing containing a passageway between an inlet to and an outlet from the valve, a closure member movable in the passageway from a first position in which the valve is fully closed to a second position in which the valve is fully open, the closure member engaging the wall of the passageway to seal the passageway, at least one of the wall of the passageway and the closure member defining at least one groove, the groove having a transverse cross-section that increases in area in one of the downstream and upstream directions, such that movement of the closure member from the first position towards the second position progressively opens a flow channel through the groove. 6. An apparatus according to claim 5, in which the at least one groove is of tapering V-shape. 7. An apparatus for providing a mixture of at least two fluids, which apparatus comprises 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 into which the two fluids can be supplied through their respective supply lines and mixed therein, and pressure based flow sensing means in which a pressure transducer measures fluid pressure on one side of an orifice plate having an orifice while an opposite side of the orifice plate vents to atmosphere, said pressure based flow sensing means comprising an orifice in an orifice plate arranged to vent to atmosphere and through which orifice the first fluid supply line passes, a pressure transducer immediately upstream of the orifice plate to measure the pressure drop in the fluid passing through the plate, the pressure transducer providing the measured pressure drop to a controller that is pre-programmed with flow rate values determined over a range of pressure drops for the first fluid and to control the rate of flow of the second fluid to the mixing head in response to the flow rate of the first fluid to achieve a desired flow ratio of the two fluids, in which the first fluid supply line contains a controllable on/off valve upstream of the orifice plate and pressure transducer, and in which the controllable on/off valve comprises a substantially rigid housing containing a passageway between an inlet to and an outlet from the valve, a closure member movable in the passageway from a first position in which the valve is fully closed to a second position in which the valve is fully open, the closure member engaging the wall of the passageway to seal the passageway, at least one of the wall of the passageway and the closure member defining at least one groove, the groove having a transverse cross-section that increases in area in one of the downstream and upstream directions, whereby movement of the closure member from the first position towards the second position opens a flow channel through the groove. 8. An apparatus according to claim 7, in which the grooves are of tapering V-shape.
Hoover George H. (Marietta GA) Whigham Roger C. (Atlanta GA) Ellis Annie T. (Smyrna GA) Highberger Gary G. (Dunwoody GA), Beverage dispenser control valve and ratio control method therefor.
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