Disclosed is a system and method of dispensing a selected volume of liquid. The system includes an apparatus that has a reservoir having an inlet tube and outlet tube coupled thereto, and a controller for controlling at least a portion of the apparatus. Two level sensors are positioned along the res
Disclosed is a system and method of dispensing a selected volume of liquid. The system includes an apparatus that has a reservoir having an inlet tube and outlet tube coupled thereto, and a controller for controlling at least a portion of the apparatus. Two level sensors are positioned along the reservoir and are in communication with and controlled by the controller. The method includes steps for measuring a time a liquid level in the reservoir falls from an upper level to a lower level to calculate a flow rate. The calculation flow rate may then be used to determine and compare a dispensed volume versus the selected volume. Dispensing may then continue until the selected volume has been dispensed.
대표청구항▼
1. An apparatus for controlled beverage dispensing in a beverage maker, the apparatus comprising: a controller for controlling at least a portion of the apparatus;a reservoir;an inlet tube in communication with the reservoir for directing liquid into the reservoir;an outlet tube positioned along the
1. An apparatus for controlled beverage dispensing in a beverage maker, the apparatus comprising: a controller for controlling at least a portion of the apparatus;a reservoir;an inlet tube in communication with the reservoir for directing liquid into the reservoir;an outlet tube positioned along the reservoir;an outlet valve positioned along the outlet tube, the outlet valve being in communication with and controlled by the controller;a first level sensor positioned along the reservoir at a first level, the first level sensor being coupled to the controller;a second level sensor positioned along the reservoir at a second level below the first level, the second level sensor being coupled to the controller;the controller including means to measure a time T for a liquid level in the reservoir to fall from the first level to the second level;the controller being operative to calculate a flow rate by dividing a volume inside the reservoir between the first level and the second level by T; andthe controller being operative to compare a subsequently determined flow rate to a previously determined flow rate, and allowing the outlet valve to one of remain open a longer total dispensing time when the subsequent flow rate is less than the previously determine flow rate by more than a predetermined tolerance and close sooner than a total dispensing time when the subsequent flow rate is greater than the previously determine flow rate by more than a predetermined tolerance. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an inlet valve positioned along the inlet tube, the inlet valve being in communication with and controlled by the controller. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a spray head positioned at an end of the outlet tube. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the controller being operative to only use a flow rate in calculation of the total dispensing time when the flow rate is a stable flow rate, the stable flow rate being determined by comparison to one or more previously determined flow rates. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising the flow rate being a stable flow rate when the flow rate is within about two percent of a one or more previously determined flow rates. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first level sensor and the second level sensor are one of a capacitive level sensor, a sonic level sensor, an optical level sensor, and a weight driven level sensor. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distance between the first level and second level is about 0.2 inches. 8. An apparatus for controlled beverage dispensing in a beverage maker, the apparatus comprising: a controller for controlling at least a portion of the apparatus;a reservoir;an inlet tube in communication with the reservoir for directing liquid into the reservoir;an inlet valve positioned along the inlet tube, the inlet valve being coupled to and controlled by the controller;an outlet tube positioned along the reservoir;a first level sensor positioned along the reservoir at a first level, the first level sensor being coupled to the controller;a second level sensor positioned along the reservoir at a second level below the first level, the second level sensor being coupled to the controller;the controller including means to measure a time T for a liquid level in the reservoir to fall from the first level to the second level;the controller being operative to calculate a flow rate by dividing a volume inside the reservoir between the first level and the second level by T; andthe controller being operative to compare a subsequently determined flow rate to a previously determined flow rate, and allowing the inlet valve to one of remain open a longer total dispensing time when the subsequent flow rate is less than the previously determine flow rate by more than a predetermined tolerance and close sooner than a total dispensing time when the subsequent flow rate is greater than the previously determine flow rate by more than a predetermined tolerance. 9. A method for controlled beverage dispensing in a beverage maker, the method comprising: providing a controller for controlling at least a portion of the beverage maker, a reservoir, an outlet tube positioned along the reservoir, a first level sensor positioned along the reservoir at a first level, the first level sensor being coupled to the controller, a second level sensor positioned along the reservoir at a second level below the first level, the second level sensor being in coupled to the controller, an inlet tube and an outlet tube positioned along the reservoir, an inlet valve along the inlet tube, and an outlet valve along the outlet tube, the inlet valve and outlet valve each in communication with and controlled by the controller;filling the reservoir by opening the inlet valve with liquid at a level at or above the first level;opening the outlet valve to dispense liquid from the outlet tube;using the controller to measure a time T for the liquid level to fall from the first level to the second level;using the controller to calculate a flow rate by dividing a volume inside the reservoir between the first level and the second level by T;refilling the reservoir to a level at or above the first level by controllably operating the inlet valve;using the controller to compare a subsequently determined flow rate to a previously determined flow rate, and allowing the outlet valve to one of remain open a longer total dispensing time when the subsequent flow rate is less than the previously determine flow rate by more than a predetermined tolerance and close sooner than a total dispensing time when the subsequent flow rate is greater than the previously determine flow rate by more than a predetermined tolerance; andcontinuing the dispensing and refilling steps until a selected volume has been dispensed. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining when the selected volume has been dispensed by calculating a flow rate by dividing a volume of liquid between the first level and second level by time T, measuring a total time the outlet valve remains open during the dispensing cycle and multiplying the total time by the flow rate. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising detecting discrepancies in the flow rate to identify a stable flow rate, and using the stable flow rate in determining when the selected volume has been dispensed. 12. The method of claim 11, the step of detecting discrepancies comprising comparing a current flow rate to a previously determined flow rate, and designating the current flow rate as the stable flow rate when the current flow rate is within a selected tolerance of the previously determined flow rate. 13. The method of claim 12, the selected tolerance being about 2%. 14. The method of claim 12, the step of detecting discrepancies further comprising comparing a current flow rate to two or more previously determined flow rates, and designating the current flow rate as the stable flow rate when the current flow rate is within a selected tolerance of any of the previously determined flow rates. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising extending a dispensing period where the stable flow rate is less than a previously determined stable flow rate. 16. The method of claim 9, further comprising performing an initial calibration operation, the calibration operation comprising: starting a beverage dispensing cycle; filling the reservoir with liquid above the first level; opening the outlet valve to allow liquid to exit while measuring a time the liquid level falls from first level to the second level;cyclically refilling the reservoir above the first level by operating the inlet valve, and allowing the liquid level to fall from the first level to the second level by operating the outlet valve to define a sub-cycle, measuring the total number of sub-cycles N to dispense the selected volume; and calculating an initial flow rate based on N−1 sub-cycles; and setting an initial dispensing time based on the initial flow rate. 17. The method of claim 9, further comprising heating the liquid during one of refilling liquid and storing liquid in the reservoir, and controllably deactivating heating during sensing of at least one of the first level and second level. 18. A method for controlled beverage dispensing in a beverage maker, the method comprising: providing a controller for controlling at least a portion of the beverage maker, a reservoir, an outlet tube positioned along the reservoir, a first level sensor positioned along the reservoir at a first level, the first level sensor being coupled to the controller, a second level sensor positioned along the reservoir at a second level below the first level, the second level sensor being coupled to the controller, an inlet tube and an outlet tube positioned along the reservoir, an inlet valve along the inlet tube and coupled with and controlled by the controller;filling the reservoir by opening the inlet valve with liquid at a level at or above the first level;using the controller to measure a time T for the liquid level to fall from the first level to the second level;using the controller to calculate a flow rate by dividing a volume inside the reservoir between the first level and the second level by T;refilling the reservoir to a level at or above the first level by controllably operating the inlet valve;using the controller to compare a subsequently determined flow rate to a previously determined flow rate, and allowing the inlet valve to one of remain open a longer total dispensing time when the subsequent flow rate is less than the previously determine flow rate by more than a predetermined tolerance and close sooner than a total dispensing time when the subsequent flow rate is greater than the previously determine flow rate by more than a predetermined tolerance; andcontinuing the dispensing and refilling steps until a selected volume has been dispensed.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (8)
Hayes Cecil (Hastings GBX), Boilers or tanks for hot water.
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