IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0011141
(2011-01-21)
|
등록번호 |
US-8544701
(2013-10-01)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
- Advanced Carbonation Technologies, LLC
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Edell, Shapiro & Finnan, LLC
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
1 인용 특허 :
20 |
초록
▼
A system for storing and monitoring a pressurized fluid includes a pressurized fluid source and a plurality of fluid lines in communication with the supply line of a beverage dispensing system. The fluid lines are configured to selectively permit the passage of the pressurized fluid when the pressur
A system for storing and monitoring a pressurized fluid includes a pressurized fluid source and a plurality of fluid lines in communication with the supply line of a beverage dispensing system. The fluid lines are configured to selectively permit the passage of the pressurized fluid when the pressure of the source (e.g., a tank) reaches a predetermined threshold value. Specifically, the tank includes a high pressure line, an intermediate pressure line, and a low pressure or reserve line.
대표청구항
▼
1. A pressurized fluid system operable to store and selectively direct pressurized fluid toward a supply line in fluid communication with a beverage dispensing system, the pressurized fluid system comprising: a storage tank including a cavity having an operational pressure value, the storage tank ca
1. A pressurized fluid system operable to store and selectively direct pressurized fluid toward a supply line in fluid communication with a beverage dispensing system, the pressurized fluid system comprising: a storage tank including a cavity having an operational pressure value, the storage tank cavity being configured to store fluid under pressure;a first conduit in fluid communication with the storage tank cavity and configured to direct fluid within the cavity downstream toward the supply line, the first conduit including a first inlet disposed at a first vertical position within the cavity and a first highpoint regulator disposed downstream from the first inlet, the first highpoint regulator permitting fluid flowing from the cavity having a pressure value above a first threshold pressure value to flow downstream toward the supply line and preventing fluid having a value below the first threshold pressure value to flow downstream toward the supply line, wherein the first conduit directs the fluid stored within the cavity toward the supply line when the operational pressure value of the cavity falls within a first predetermined pressure range;a second conduit in fluid communication with the storage tank cavity and configured to direct fluid within the cavity downstream toward the supply line, the second conduit including a second inlet disposed at a second vertical position within the cavity that is below the first vertical position and a second highpoint regulator disposed downstream from the second inlet, the second highpoint regulator permitting fluid flowing from the cavity having a pressure value above a second threshold pressure value to flow downstream toward the supply line and preventing fluid having a pressure value below the second threshold pressure value to flow downstream toward the supply line, and wherein the second conduit directs the fluid stored within the cavity toward the supply line when the operational pressure value of the cavity falls within a second predetermined pressure range; anda third conduit in fluid communication with the storage tank cavity, wherein the third conduit directs the fluid stored within the cavity toward the supply line when the operational pressure value of the cavity falls within a third predetermined range,wherein the first predetermined pressure range is greater than each of the second predetermined pressure range and the third predetermined pressure range. 2. The pressurized fluid system of claim 1, wherein the second predetermined pressure range is higher than the third predetermined pressure range. 3. The pressurized fluid system of claim 1, wherein: the first predetermined pressure range is about 160 psi or more;the second predetermined pressure range is about 140 psi to about 160 psi; andthe third predetermined pressure range is about 110 psi to about 140 psi. 4. The pressurized fluid system of claim 1, wherein: the first conduit includes a first inlet disposed at a first height within the cavity;the second conduit includes a second inlet disposed at a second height within the cavity; andthe third conduit includes a third inlet disposed at a third height within the cavity. 5. The pressurized fluid system of claim 4, wherein: the cavity defines a gas space within an upper portion of the cavity; andthe first inlet is positioned within the gas space of the cavity. 6. The pressurized fluid system of claim 5, wherein the second inlet is disposed at an intermediate height between the first inlet height and the second inlet height. 7. The pressurized fluid system of claim 4, wherein: the cavity includes a gas space existing within an uppermost portion of the cavity;the first inlet is positioned at a height effective to draw vaporized fluid from the gas space;the second inlet is positioned at a height effective to draw liquid from the cavity; andthe third inlet is positioned proximate a floor of the cavity. 8. The pressurized fluid system of claim 7, wherein the height of the third inlet is selected to provide a reserve amount of fluid representing 10%-25% of the cavity storage capacity. 9. The pressurized fluid system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is carbon dioxide. 10. A pressurized fluid system operable to store and selectively direct pressurized fluid toward a supply line in fluid communication with a beverage dispensing system, the pressurized fluid system comprising: a storage tank including a cavity configured to store fluid under pressure, wherein the storage tank cavity has an operational pressure value;a first conduit in fluid communication with the storage tank cavity, the first conduit including a first inlet disposed at a first height within the cavity and a first conduit valve disposed downstream from the first inlet and operable to selectively permit flow of fluid downstream, the first conduit valve being configurable in a closed position and in an opened position;a second conduit in fluid communication with the storage tank cavity, the second conduit including a second inlet disposed at a second height within the cavity and a second conduit valve disposed downstream from the second inlet and operable to selectively permit flow of fluid downstream, the second conduit valve being configurable in a closed position and in an opened position; anda third conduit in fluid communication with the storage tank cavity, the third conduit including a third inlet disposed at a third height within the cavity,wherein each conduit selectively directs fluid from the cavity depending on the operational pressure value of the cavity, and wherein both the first and second conduit valves are opened to simultaneously permit flow of fluid toward the supply line. 11. The pressurized fluid system of claim 10, wherein the second inlet is disposed at an intermediate height between the first inlet height and the second inlet height. 12. The pressurized fluid system of claim 10, wherein: the first inlet height is selected to direct fluid toward the supply line when the operational pressure value of the cavity falls within a first range;the second inlet height is selected to direct fluid toward the supply line when the operational pressure value of the cavity falls within a second range; andthe third inlet height is selected to direct fluid toward the supply line when the operational pressure value of the cavity falls within a third range. 13. The pressurized fluid system of claim 12, wherein: the first pressure range is about 160 psi or more;the second pressure range is about 140 psi to about 160 psi; andthe third pressure range is about 110 psi to about 140 psi. 14. The pressurized fluid system of claim 10, wherein: the cavity includes a gas space within an uppermost portion of the cavity;the first inlet is positioned at a height effective to draw vaporized fluid from the gas space;the second inlet is positioned at a height effective to draw liquid from the cavity; andthe third inlet is positioned proximate a floor of the cavity. 15. A beverage dispensing system comprising: a beverage source in fluid communication with a beverage dispenser; anda system for directing pressurized fluid toward the beverage source, the system including: a storage tank including a cavity for containing pressurized fluid, the cavity having an operational pressure value,a supply conduit to direct fluid from the storage tank cavity to the beverage source,a first conduit in fluid communication with the storage tank cavity, wherein the first conduit directs the pressurized fluid stored within the cavity toward the supply conduit when the operational pressure value of the cavity falls within a first predetermined pressure range,a second conduit in fluid communication with the storage tank cavity, wherein the second conduit directs the pressurized fluid stored within the cavity toward the supply conduit when the operational pressure value of the cavity falls within a second predetermined pressure range, anda third conduit in fluid communication with the storage tank cavity, wherein the third conduit directs the pressurized fluid stored within the cavity toward the supply conduit when the operational pressure value of the cavity falls within a third predetermined pressure range,wherein the first predetermined pressure range is greater than each of the second and third predetermined pressure ranges. 16. The beverage dispensing system of claim 15, wherein: the first predetermined pressure range is about 160 psi or more;the second predetermined pressure range is about 140 psi to about 160 psi; andthe third predetermined pressure range is about 110 psi to about 140 psi. 17. The beverage dispensing system of claim 16 further comprising: a first highpoint regulator disposed along the first conduit, the first highpoint regulator configured to permit fluid having a first threshold pressure value to flow downstream toward the supply conduit; anda second highpoint regulator disposed along the first conduit, the second highpoint regulator configured to permit fluid having a second threshold pressure value to flow downstream toward the supply conduit. 18. The beverage dispensing system of claim 17 further comprising: a first conduit valve disposed on the first conduit upstream from the first highpoint regulator, the first conduit valve configurable in a closed position and in an opened position to selectively permit fluid to flow to the first highpoint regulator; anda second conduit valve disposed on the second conduit upstream from the second highpoint regulator, the second conduit valve configurable in a closed position and in an opened position to selectively permit fluid to flow to the first highpoint regulator. 19. The beverage dispensing system of claim 18 further comprising a third conduit valve disposed downstream from the third inlet and operable to selectively permit the flow of fluid downstream, the third conduit valve configurable in a closed position and in an opened position, wherein the system operates in a first mode, in which the first and second valves are opened while the third valve is closed, and in a second operational mode, in which each of the first, second, and third valves are opened. 20. The pressurized fluid system of claim 10, wherein: the third conduit comprises a third conduit valve disposed downstream from the third inlet and operable to selectively permit flow of fluid downstream, the third conduit valve being configurable in a closed position and in an opened position; andthe system operates in a first mode, in which the first and second valves are opened and the third valve is closed, and in a second mode, in which each of the first, second, and third valves are opened.
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