EP1909622A1 - Method and apparatus for pump control - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for pump control

Info

Publication number
EP1909622A1
EP1909622A1 EP06785570A EP06785570A EP1909622A1 EP 1909622 A1 EP1909622 A1 EP 1909622A1 EP 06785570 A EP06785570 A EP 06785570A EP 06785570 A EP06785570 A EP 06785570A EP 1909622 A1 EP1909622 A1 EP 1909622A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pump
operation time
controller
during
determining
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06785570A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Finn Brudevold
Robert Pelovitz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Keurig Inc
Original Assignee
Keurig Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Keurig Inc filed Critical Keurig Inc
Publication of EP1909622A1 publication Critical patent/EP1909622A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47JKITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/40Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea
    • A47J31/402Liquid dosing devices
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47JKITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/40Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04BPOSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
    • F04B49/00Control, e.g. of pump delivery, or pump pressure of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B47/00
    • F04B49/06Control using electricity

Definitions

  • This invention relates to methods and apparatus for pump control.
  • Volume control for beverage forming machines can be important to the quality of the formed beverage(s).
  • standard drip coffee makers typically include a water reservoir that is filled with a desired volume of water by a user that is used by the machine to make a volume of coffee.
  • Such reservoirs often include a sight glass or other arrangement that allows the user to define the amount of water in the reservoir.
  • the user may have a certain amount of control over the amount of water used by the machine to make the coffee beverage.
  • beverage forming machines such as single serve coffee brewers
  • require an accurate water volume to form a quality beverage but do not operate in such a way as to allow a user to control the amount of water actually used.
  • some coffee brewers have a water storage tank that holds sufficient water for several beverages.
  • the brewer itself controls the amount of water used to make the beverage, e.g., by automatically drawing a desired amount of water from a storage tank and providing the water for coffee brewing.
  • Some such brewers use a flowmeter to determine the volume of water provided and control the operation of a water pump so that a controlled volume of water is used for brewing purposes.
  • a beverage forming system includes a beverage forming apparatus adapted to form a beverage at least in part from a liquid.
  • the beverage forming apparatus may include a pump adapted to cause liquid to flow from a first location to a second location, e.g., for use in brewing a coffee beverage.
  • a controller associated with the system may be adapted to control the pump to operate based on an operation index to deliver a predetermined volume of liquid from the first location to the second location, e.g., so that a carefully defined volume of water is used to make the beverage.
  • the operation index may represent the pump's ability to provide a volume flow rate for given voltage supplied to the pump.
  • the controller may be adapted to cause the pump to operate during a calibration period, such as when the beverage forming system is first put into use by a user, to determine the operation index.
  • the controller may determine the operation index based on a performance characteristic of the pump during the calibration period, such as a power supply characteristic of power supplied to the pump during the calibration period (such as a voltage provided to the pump) and/or a performance of the pump during the calibration period (such as a time for the pump to deliver a specific volume of liquid given a specific voltage).
  • a beverage forming system in another aspect of the invention, includes a beverage forming apparatus adapted to form a beverage at least in part from a liquid.
  • the beverage forming apparatus may include a pump adapted to cause liquid to flow from a first location to a second location, e.g., for use in brewing a coffee beverage.
  • a controller associated with the system may be adapted to control the pump to operate for an operation time and deliver a predetermined volume of liquid from the first location to the second location.
  • the operation time for the pump may be determined based on an operation index, e.g., that represents an ability of the pump to provide a volume flow rate for a given voltage supplied to the pump, and/or may be determined based on a voltage to be supplied to the pump during the operation time. For example, if the voltage supplied to the pump varies, the controller may adjust the operation time to ensure that the pump provides a suitable volume of liquid.
  • a method for calibrating the operation of a pump used in a beverage forming machine includes providing a beverage forming machine including at least one pump adapted to cause liquid to flow from a first location to a second location.
  • the pump may be operated for calibration purposes, and a performance characteristic of the pump during operation may be measured. For example, it may be determined how long it takes for the pump to provide a defined volume of fluid and/or a voltage supplied to the pump during calibration.
  • An operation index may be assigned to the pump based on the performance characteristic, and the operation index may be used in subsequent operation of the pump to control its operation.
  • the pump may be controlled to provide a desired volume of liquid, whether or not the desired volume is precisely the same as the volume used in calibration.
  • the voltage or other characteristic of power provided to the pump during the calibration may be used to determine the operation index in addition to at least one other performance characteristic for the pump.
  • a method for controlling the operation of a pump used in a beverage forming machine may include providing a beverage forming machine including at least one pump adapted to cause liquid to flow from a first location to a second location.
  • a power supply characteristic of power supplied to the pump to cause the pump to operate to deliver a predetermined volume of liquid may be determined, and an operation time for the pump to deliver a predetermined volume of liquid may be determined based on the power supply characteristic.
  • the pump may then be operated according to the determined operation time.
  • the power supply characteristic may be determined before the pump operates during the operation time, e.g., the voltage may be estimated, or the power supply characteristic may be detected during pump operation, e.g., the voltage supplied to the pump may be integrated, and the integrated voltage used to determine the operation time.
  • Figure 1 shows schematic diagram of a beverage forming system in accordance with an aspect of the invention
  • Figure 2 shows an exemplary lookup table for determining a pump operation index in accordance with an aspect of the invention.
  • Figure 3 shows an exemplary volume flow rate vs. voltage curve for a pump in an illustrative embodiment.
  • aspects of the invention may be practiced using any suitable pump/control arrangement and/or with any associated beverage forming system.
  • Several different embodiments are described herein for purposes of illustration. However, these illustrative embodiments should not be used to narrowly interpret the scope of the invention.
  • a beverage forming apparatus includes a water storage tank and a metering chamber, from which liquid is provided to a brew chamber.
  • aspects of the invention are not limited to this type of arrangement.
  • aspects of the invention may be used in systems including no metering chamber, e.g., water is supplied directly from a storage tank to a brew chamber, and/or in systems having no brew chamber, e.g., systems in which a beverage is formed without brewing.
  • no metering chamber e.g., water is supplied directly from a storage tank to a brew chamber
  • systems having no brew chamber e.g., systems in which a beverage is formed without brewing.
  • various aspects of the invention are described herein, and these various aspects may be used in any suitable combination with each other, or alone.
  • a beverage forming system controller may control a pump, such as a water pump, to operate based on an operation index associated with the pump.
  • the operation index may represent an ability of the pump to deliver a particular volume flow rate, and thus the ability of the pump to deliver a specific volume of liquid over a corresponding pump operation time.
  • an "operation time" may be any suitable measure for a duration of operation for the pump, including a period of time, a number of pump cycles (e.g., shaft revolutions or strokes), a total power delivered to the pump, an integrated voltage applied to the pump, or other measure by which a duration that the pump is operated may be based.
  • the operation index may be adjustable, e.g., to allow the controller to set the operation index for the pump at an initial start up and/or at some time after the pump has been put into service.
  • the operation index may allow the controller to control the operation of the pump so that it delivers a predetermined volume of liquid even if the pump's performance characteristics (such as a nominal volume flow rate or supplied voltage) changes over time.
  • the operation index may allow the controller to accommodate pump-to-pump variation that may exist, e.g., when a pump is replaced in a beverage forming system or as between pumps in two different systems that include a same control arrangement.
  • pump-to-pump variation may exist, e.g., when a pump is replaced in a beverage forming system or as between pumps in two different systems that include a same control arrangement.
  • pumps may have the same design, specifications and be made by the same manufacturer, performance of different pump units of the same model may vary widely, in one case up to a 20% variation.
  • one pump provided in one beverage forming apparatus may operate differently from another pump in another beverage forming apparatus.
  • one pump may provide a volume flow rate that is different from another pump, even though the power supply, water supply and other operation parameters are the same.
  • the controllers in different systems may be otherwise configured in nearly identical ways, yet the controller in one beverage forming system may use a first operation index for the pump in its system, whereas the controller in another system may use a second operation index for the other pump.
  • the controller may operate the pump for a specific operation time so that the pump provides a desired total volume, e.g., for forming a beverage. If the pumps in two different systems perform differently, the pumps will provide different total volumes of liquid if they are both run for a same operation time.
  • volume control can be important in forming beverages, e.g., to provide consistency, quality taste or appearance, or other beverage characteristics.
  • the operation index may take variations in pump performance into account and allow each controller to control its respective pump, e.g., determine an operation time for the pump, so that the pump delivers the same required volume in both systems.
  • a controller may use a power supply characteristic of power supplied to the pump to determine an appropriate operation time for the pump. For example, even if two pumps in two different beverage forming systems otherwise perform identically, if the two pumps are provided with different power voltages during operation, the pumps will typically provide different volume flow rates, in one exemplary case representing up to an 80% variation. Thus, the controller may take a power supply characteristic, such as a voltage of power to be supplied to the pump during operation, into account so that the pump can be controlled to accurately provide the desired volume of liquid.
  • a controller in a beverage forming system may use both an operation index and a power supply characteristic to determine an operation time for a pump.
  • the controller may be capable of accurately controlling the pump, even in the case of pump performance and/or power supply variations. For example, the controller may determine an operation time for the pump based on the operation index, and then make adjustments to the time during pump operation based on the voltage supplied to the pump.
  • a controller in a beverage forming system may control the pump to operate during a calibration period, and based on the performance characteristics of the pump determine an operation index for the pump. For example, at the time a beverage forming system is first operated, the controller may cause the pump to operate to provide a specific volume of liquid, e.g., to fill a chamber in the system. The controller may determine a calibration time that corresponds to a time taken for the pump to provide the volume of liquid. Based on the calibration time (which may effectively represent a volume flow rate for the pump during the calibration period), the controller may assign an operation index to the pump. Thus, the operation index may represent the pump's ability to provide a volume flow rate.
  • the operation index may be used by the controller to subsequently control the pump when delivering the specific volume delivered by the pump during the calibration period and/or for other volumes. For example, during subsequent operation of the pump to deliver a predetermined volume, the controller may determine an operation time for the pump to operate to provide the predetermined volume. The pump may then be operated for the operation time, and stopped.
  • the controller may also take a power supply characteristic of power provided to the pump during the calibration period into account when determining the operation index. For example, the controller may determine a voltage for power supplied to the pump during the calibration period and use that voltage, together with the calibration time, to determine the operation index for the pump. Subsequently, the controller may use a voltage supplied to the pump with the operation index to determine an operation time for the pump. Such an approach may be useful in applications where the voltage provided to the pump varies, e.g., because of operation of other parts of the system, such as a water heater, or variations in line voltage provided to the system, such as variations caused by the operation of devices in the electrical grid to which the system is connected.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of various components included in a beverage forming system 1 in an aspect of the invention.
  • Water or other liquid from a tank 2 may be provided by a water pump 52 to a metering tank or chamber 53.
  • Operation of the water pump 52 and other components of the system 1 may be controlled by a controller 51, e.g., including a programmed processor and/or other data processing device along with suitable software or other operating instructions, one or more memories, input/output interfaces, communication buses or other links, a display, switches, relays, triacs, or other components necessary to perform desired input/output or other functions.
  • a controller 51 e.g., including a programmed processor and/or other data processing device along with suitable software or other operating instructions, one or more memories, input/output interfaces, communication buses or other links, a display, switches, relays, triacs, or other components necessary to perform desired input/output or other functions.
  • the chamber 53 may be filled with a desired amount of liquid by any suitable technique, such as running the water pump 52 for a predetermined time, sensing a water level in the chamber 53 using a conductive probe sensor or capacitive sensor, detecting a pressure rise in chamber 53, or using any other viable techniques.
  • the controller 51 may detect that the chamber 53 is completely filled when a pressure sensor 57 detects a rise in pressure indicating that the water has reached the top of the chamber 53.
  • Water in the tank may be heated, if desired, by way of a heating element 61 whose operation is controlled by the controller using input from a temperature sensor 60. Water in the chamber 53 may be dispensed via a tube 54 to a brew chamber 55 or other beverage forming station.
  • the brew chamber 55 may include any beverage making ingredient, such as ground coffee, tea, a flavored drink mix, or other substance. Liquid may be discharged from the chamber 53 by pressurizing the chamber with air provided by an air pump 56 that causes the liquid to be discharged out of the tube 54. Completion of the dispensing from the chamber 53 may be detected in any suitable way, such as by detecting a pressure drop with the pressure sensor 57, by detecting a water level change in the chamber 53, or using any other viable techniques.
  • any beverage making ingredient such as ground coffee, tea, a flavored drink mix, or other substance.
  • Liquid may be discharged from the chamber 53 by pressurizing the chamber with air provided by an air pump 56 that causes the liquid to be discharged out of the tube 54. Completion of the dispensing from the chamber 53 may be detected in any suitable way, such as by detecting a pressure drop with the pressure sensor 57, by detecting a water level change in the chamber 53, or using any other viable techniques.
  • the controller 51 may control the pump 52 to deliver a specific, predetermined volume of water to the chamber 53 for beverage forming purposes such that the chamber 53 is not entirely filled.
  • the controller 51 may control the volume of water delivered by the pump by causing the pump 52 to operate for a specified operation time. For example, operation of the pump 52 for a time period of 5-15 seconds may provide a suitable volume for preparation of a beverage, such as 6 ounces.
  • the controller 51 may determine the operation time for the pump based on one or more factors so as to provide close control of the volume delivered by the pump.
  • the chamber 53 When filling the chamber 53 with water from the tank 2, the chamber 53 may be vented by opening a line including a filter 58 and a valve 59.
  • the filter 58 may prevent undesired items, such as minerals, scale deposits or other, from interfering with the operation of the valve 59.
  • a user may input commands or other information to the controller 51 , and/or the controller 51 may provide information to the user via a user input/display 13.
  • the user input/display 13 may include an LCD or other suitable display, and/or one or more operation buttons, knobs or other devices that may be used to control the system operation.
  • a sensor 32 may also communicate with the controller 51 and provide a low liquid indication to the controller 51 when a float 31 or other device is detected to be at or below a specified level in the tank 2.
  • a low level indication may be provided to a user, e.g., via the user input/display 13, suggesting that the tank 2 be refilled.
  • the controller 51 may control the water pump 52 to operate during a calibration period to assess the performance of the pump. This may be done during a first time that the system 1 is powered up and operated by a user (such as the first time that the user introduces water into the tank 2), and/or at a time after initial start up (such as after every 100 operation cycles, once every 6 months, etc.). The controller 51 may assess the performance of the pump during the calibration period, and then base its subsequent control of the pump on the assessment.
  • the controller 51 may normally control the pump to deliver a specific, predetermined volume of water to the chamber 53 such that the chamber 53 is not entirely filled.
  • control of the volume of water delivered by the pump 52 may be based on an operation time, which may be determined based on the assessment of pump performance during the calibration period.
  • the controller 51 may command to pump 52 to start pumping with the chamber 53 completely empty.
  • the chamber 53 may be known by the controller 51 to be empty at a time when water is first introduced into the system by a user, or the controller 51 may completely drain the chamber, or request that the user do so, by a drain line not shown in Figure 1.
  • the controller 51 may detect an amount of water present in the chamber 53 when the pump 52 starts operation during the calibration period.
  • the controller 51 may stop operation of the pump 52.
  • controller 51 may cause the pump 52 to operate for a set period of time and detect the amount of liquid delivered by the pump 52 to the chamber 53.
  • the controller 51 may determine (or effectively determine) the volume flow rate of the pump 52 during the calibration period based on the time elapsed during the calibration period and the volume delivered.
  • the controller 51 may determine an operation index for the pump that represents the pump's ability to provide a volume flow rate. This operation index may be used to determine operation times for the pump when subsequently controlling the pump to deliver other predetermined volumes of liquid. For example, in a subsequent operation, the controller 51 may control the pump to deliver a volume that is Vz of the volume delivered during the calibration period. The operation index may be used to determine the operation time for the pump for delivering the smaller volume (which may be 1 A of the total time elapsed during the calibration period (a calibration time) where other operating conditions for the pump are the same). (A "calibration time” like an operation time, may be any suitable measure for a duration of operation for the pump, not just actual time, e.g., in seconds, but may be an integrated voltage, for example.)
  • Figure 2 shows one example of a lookup table approach that may be used by the controller to determine the operation index.
  • the lookup table may list a series of calibration times, e.g., 50 different calibration entries.
  • the lookup table in Figure 2 includes "volt-tics" which is a measure of the voltage provided to the pump over time. It will be understood that other measurements may be used, such as seconds, etc.)
  • the controller 51 may compare the calibration value obtained during calibration to the entries in the lookup table, and identify that entry that is closest to the calibration time.
  • the position of the closest time in the list may be assigned to the pump as its operation index, e.g., if the 10* entry in the lookup table is the closest to the calibration time, the pump may be assigned an operation index of 10 for subsequent control of the pump.
  • the controller may determine the operation index for the pump based on a power supply characteristic of power supplied to the pump during the calibration period.
  • the use of the power supply characteristic may be used in lieu of other pump performance characteristics, such as volume flow rate.
  • a linear or other curve 3 may be known for the pump that relates a volume flow rate for the pump to voltage supplied to the pump such as that shown in Figure 3.
  • the controller 51 may determine the voltage applied to the pump during its operation, and use the voltage to determine an operation index (e.g., relating to a volume flow rate that corresponds to the voltage in the curve 3) for subsequent operation of the pump.
  • an operation index e.g., relating to a volume flow rate that corresponds to the voltage in the curve 3
  • a beverage forming system may be sold in two different countries which each have different electrical standards with different line voltages.
  • the controller 51 may determine the voltage supplied to the system, and use this voltage to control pump operation.
  • the controller may use two (or more) pump performance characteristics to determine an operation index for the pump.
  • the controller may use both a volume flow rate provided by the pump and a voltage supplied to the pump to determine an operation index.
  • the slope of the curve 3 may be known to be the same for all pumps, but pump-to-pump variations may cause the curve to be shifted (e.g., up or down as shown) for some pumps relative to others. Additionally, the curve may not be linear across all voltages.
  • the controller 51 may determine the voltage provided to the pump as well as the volume flow rate during the calibration period and determine the "shifted" location of the curve 3 for the pump.
  • the shifted curve may be used to determine the pump's operation index for subsequent operation of the pump.
  • the operation index may relate to the shifted position of the curve 3 (e.g., define the "zero crossing" on the voltage axis where a hypothetical zero volume flow rate is provided) and be used to determine an operation time for the pump in subsequent operation based on a desired volume to be delivered and an expected voltage to be supplied to the pump during the operation time.
  • the controller 51 may use a lookup table such as that in Figure 2 to determine an operation index based on a volume flow rate and voltage provided to the pump.
  • the lookup table in Figure 2 includes calibration times in "volt-tics" which is a measure of integrated voltage provided to the pump during the calibration period.
  • the controller 51 may measure a current voltage being applied to the pump at regular time intervals (such as every "zero crossing" of a 60Hz power supply, or every 8.3 milliseconds), and sum the voltage measurements until the desired volume has been delivered to conclude the calibration period.
  • the "volt- tic" measurement may provide a composite indication of time and voltage applied to the pump.
  • the controller 51 may use the "volt-tic" measurement and compare it to the volt-tic values in the lookup table to determine the operation index, e.g., a position of a volt-tic value in the lookup table nearest that of the calibration period may be assigned as an operation index for the pump.
  • the pump may be assigned an operation index from 0 to 49, but larger or smaller index ranges may be used.
  • the number of entries in the lookup table and the range of those entries can be widened or narrowed depending upon the amount of variation in pump rates, across pumps and/or voltages.
  • the controller may determine an operation time for the pump to deliver a predetermined volume of liquid based on an operation index that represents an ability of the pump to provide a volume flow rate for a given voltage supplied to the pump and/or based on voltage supplied to the pump during the operation time.
  • the source of the operation index need not be from a calibration operation performed under the control of the controller, but instead the operation index may be supplied to the controller in any suitable way, such as by programming the controller with the operation index at the time of manufacture of the system.
  • the controller may use the operation index and/or voltage supplied to access a lookup table to identify a suitable operation time for the pump to deliver a desired predetermined volume, or may use the operation index and one or more algorithms to calculate the operation time.
  • a lookup table may include a two dimensional data set in which the controller may identify a suitable operation time (e.g., a volt-tic value) as one that corresponds to the pump's operation index and a voltage to be supplied to the pump during the operation time.
  • the controller may monitor the voltage provided to the pump during operation and adjust or set the operation time as necessary depending on the voltage. For example, the controller may integrate the voltage provided to the pump, and based on the integrated voltage determine a total volume provided by the pump. (Voltage provided to some pumps is directly proportional to the volume flow rate of the pump, and thus an integrated voltage over time may be indicative of a total volume provided by the pump.)
  • One or more correction factors may be used in the calculation, including the operation index.
  • the controller may access a lookup table and based on the operation index, select a "volt-tic" value or other operation time value. For example, the controller may access the lookup table in Figure 2 and select the volt-tic value that corresponds to the pump's operation index. The volt-tic value in the lookup table may correspond to a different volume than that desired for the pump to provide.
  • the controller may multiply the volt-tic value from the lookup table by a factor to determine a volt-tic value that corresponds to a different volume (e.g., if the pump is to provide a volume of 6 ounces to the chamber 53, the controller may multiply the volt-tic value obtained from the lookup table by 6/24).
  • the controller may maintain another lookup table that is specific to the volume to be delivered by the pump, such that the controller may access and use the volt-tic value corresponding to the pump's operation index without using a volume correction factor or other operation.
  • This volt-tic value may then be used to operate the pump, e.g., the controller may sample the voltage provided to the pump during the operation time in much the same way as described above for a calibration operation, and decrement the operation time volt-tic value by the voltage measurement made at each interval. When the volt-tic value is decremented to "0", the pump may be stopped.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)
  • Control Of Positive-Displacement Pumps (AREA)
EP06785570A 2005-06-28 2006-06-26 Method and apparatus for pump control Withdrawn EP1909622A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/168,860 US20060292012A1 (en) 2005-06-28 2005-06-28 Method and apparatus for pump control
PCT/US2006/024775 WO2007002575A1 (en) 2005-06-28 2006-06-26 Method and apparatus for pump control

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1909622A1 true EP1909622A1 (en) 2008-04-16

Family

ID=37244506

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06785570A Withdrawn EP1909622A1 (en) 2005-06-28 2006-06-26 Method and apparatus for pump control

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US20060292012A1 (ja)
EP (1) EP1909622A1 (ja)
JP (1) JP2008544810A (ja)
KR (1) KR20080030051A (ja)
CN (1) CN101374443A (ja)
AU (1) AU2006261857A1 (ja)
CA (1) CA2613751A1 (ja)
TW (1) TW200719859A (ja)
WO (1) WO2007002575A1 (ja)

Families Citing this family (68)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7770512B2 (en) 2002-05-01 2010-08-10 Courtesy Products, Llc Disposable brew basket for electric coffee maker
US7081263B2 (en) 2002-05-01 2006-07-25 Courtesy Products, Llc Disposable brew basket for electric coffee maker
US7640845B2 (en) * 2005-09-12 2010-01-05 Keurig, Incorporated Drain for beverage forming machine
US7734430B2 (en) * 2006-01-27 2010-06-08 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Determining power
US11906988B2 (en) 2006-03-06 2024-02-20 Deka Products Limited Partnership Product dispensing system
US7757896B2 (en) 2006-03-06 2010-07-20 The Coca-Cola Company Beverage dispensing system
US8960500B2 (en) 2006-03-06 2015-02-24 The Coca-Cola Company Dispenser for beverages including juices
US11214476B2 (en) 2006-03-06 2022-01-04 Deka Products Limited Partnership System and method for generating a drive signal
US9821992B2 (en) 2006-03-06 2017-11-21 The Coca-Cola Company Juice dispensing system
US7913879B2 (en) 2006-03-06 2011-03-29 The Coca-Cola Company Beverage dispensing system
US9146564B2 (en) 2006-03-06 2015-09-29 Deka Products Limited Partnership Product dispensing system
US7578415B2 (en) 2006-03-06 2009-08-25 The Coca-Cola Company Dispensing nozzle assembly
US10631558B2 (en) 2006-03-06 2020-04-28 The Coca-Cola Company Methods and apparatuses for making compositions comprising an acid and an acid degradable component and/or compositions comprising a plurality of selectable components
US9415992B2 (en) 2006-03-06 2016-08-16 The Coca-Cola Company Dispenser for beverages having a rotary micro-ingredient combination chamber
US10280060B2 (en) 2006-03-06 2019-05-07 The Coca-Cola Company Dispenser for beverages having an ingredient mixing module
US7740152B2 (en) * 2006-03-06 2010-06-22 The Coca-Cola Company Pump system with calibration curve
US8739840B2 (en) 2010-04-26 2014-06-03 The Coca-Cola Company Method for managing orders and dispensing beverages
NZ580058A (en) * 2006-09-07 2010-02-26 Keurig Inc A machine for forming a beverage where the water heater is turned off before the water is emptied out of the reservoir
WO2008124851A1 (en) 2007-04-05 2008-10-16 Carl Santoiemmo Select serving and flavored sparkling beverage maker
US20110020508A1 (en) 2007-04-05 2011-01-27 Rising Phoenix Co. Select Serving and Flavored Sparkling Beverage Maker
US8677888B2 (en) 2007-04-05 2014-03-25 Primo Products, LLC Select serving and flavored sparkling beverage maker
US9038530B2 (en) * 2007-05-17 2015-05-26 Ene Holdings Ltd Beverage brewing apparatus with pump dispensing system
GB2449421B (en) 2007-05-18 2009-09-09 Kraft Foods R & D Inc Improvements in or relating to beverage preparation machines
US7866509B2 (en) 2007-07-25 2011-01-11 The Coca-Cola Company Dispensing nozzle assembly
US8162176B2 (en) 2007-09-06 2012-04-24 The Coca-Cola Company Method and apparatuses for providing a selectable beverage
RU2500611C2 (ru) 2007-09-06 2013-12-10 Дзе Кока-Кола Компани Система и способ выбора и розлива продуктов
RU2015140837A (ru) 2009-06-17 2018-12-26 Конинклейке Дауве Егбертс Б.В. Система, способ и капсула для приготовления заданного количества напитка
PL2442695T3 (pl) 2009-06-17 2015-08-31 Douwe Egberts Bv Kapsuła i układ do sporządzania napoju zawierającego substancję rozpuszczalną
CA3131397C (en) 2009-06-17 2023-06-20 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule, system and method for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption
EP2442696B1 (en) 2009-06-17 2014-05-21 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. System and method for preparing a beverage
BRPI0925098B1 (pt) 2009-06-17 2019-05-28 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Sistema e método para preparar uma quantidade predeterminada de bebida adequada para consumo usando um produto
ES2477885T5 (es) 2009-06-17 2017-07-11 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Membrana Rhea no tejida
US9108794B2 (en) 2009-09-29 2015-08-18 Lbp Manufacturing, Inc. Disposable single use beverage package
US9527661B2 (en) 2009-09-29 2016-12-27 Lbp Manufacturing Llc Disposable single use beverage package
CN101776920B (zh) * 2009-12-04 2011-12-28 中国核电工程有限公司 压力规律变化的容器内液位控制用时间参数确定方法
DE102010002170A1 (de) 2010-02-22 2011-08-25 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH, 81739 Verfahren zur Berücksichtigung von Spannungsschwankungen bei Haushaltsgeräten und Vorrichtung dafür
US8757222B2 (en) 2010-04-26 2014-06-24 The Coca-Cola Company Vessel activated beverage dispenser
USD649390S1 (en) 2010-09-02 2011-11-29 Primo Products, LLC Beverage maker
US8927037B2 (en) 2011-02-08 2015-01-06 Kevin B. Kihnke Disposable cartridge for brewed beverages
GB2488799A (en) 2011-03-08 2012-09-12 Kraft Foods R & D Inc Drinks Pod without Piercing of Outer Shell
USD694620S1 (en) 2011-03-08 2013-12-03 Kraft Foods R&D, Inc. Beverage cartridge
US20120244362A1 (en) 2011-03-22 2012-09-27 Pramanik Pranabes K Multi-layer sheet structure
GB2489409B (en) 2011-03-23 2013-05-15 Kraft Foods R & D Inc A capsule and a system for, and a method of, preparing a beverage
US8727457B2 (en) 2011-05-04 2014-05-20 Aaron Daniel Marshall Coffee-cartridge storage system
USD675091S1 (en) 2011-05-25 2013-01-29 Lbp Manufacturing, Inc. Disposable cup with wave rib
USD675090S1 (en) 2011-05-25 2013-01-29 Lbp Manufacturing, Inc. Disposable cup with straight rib
USD675089S1 (en) 2011-05-25 2013-01-29 Lbp Manufacturing, Inc. Disposable cup with curved rib
US9452879B2 (en) 2011-07-26 2016-09-27 Lbp Manufacturing Llc Sealed beverage basket and method of making
US9938970B2 (en) 2011-12-16 2018-04-10 Fluid Handling Llc Best-fit affinity sensorless conversion means or technique for pump differential pressure and flow monitoring
US9161654B2 (en) 2012-03-09 2015-10-20 Primo Products Llc Select serving and flavored sparkling beverage maker system
US20130340626A1 (en) 2012-06-22 2013-12-26 Touch Coffee and Beverages, LLC. Beverage brewing system
USD697797S1 (en) 2012-09-12 2014-01-21 Kraft Foods R&D, Inc. Beverage cartridge
RU2632980C2 (ru) * 2013-07-05 2017-10-11 Роквул Интернэшнл А/С Система выращивания растений
EP3025064B1 (en) 2013-07-25 2021-09-08 Fluid Handling LLC. Sensorless adaptive pump control with self-calibration apparatus for hydronic pumping system
US20150129039A1 (en) * 2013-11-12 2015-05-14 Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. Beverage Maker with Capacitance Fluid Level Sensor
MX357724B (es) * 2014-04-08 2018-07-19 Fluid Handling Llc Medio o técnica de conversión sin detectores de afinidad de mejor ajuste para monitoreo de flujo y presión diferencial de bomba.
US10028615B2 (en) 2014-06-17 2018-07-24 Sharkninja Operating Llc Method of brewing coffee
US11051649B2 (en) 2014-06-17 2021-07-06 Sharkninja Operating Llc Automatic coffee maker and method of preparing a brewed beverage
PL3180595T3 (pl) 2014-08-15 2023-01-30 Flow Control Llc. Technika automatycznego sterowania napełnianiem
KR102292861B1 (ko) * 2014-09-12 2021-08-25 코웨이 주식회사 커피 추출 장치 및 이의 제어 방법
WO2016054213A1 (en) 2014-10-01 2016-04-07 Kraft Foods Group Brands Llc Coffee pod
EP3203882A4 (en) * 2014-10-06 2018-06-27 Remington Designs LLC Beverage brewing systems and methods for using the same
CN104643934A (zh) * 2015-02-05 2015-05-27 广东新宝电器股份有限公司 一种冲泡饮料的方法及装置
US10716430B2 (en) * 2015-02-05 2020-07-21 Coffee Solutions, Llc Devices and methods for beverage brewer regulation
DE102015209990A1 (de) * 2015-05-29 2016-12-01 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Heißgetränkezubereitungsvorrichtung, insbesondere Kaffeevollautomat, und Verfahren zu ihrem Betrieb
GB201622102D0 (en) * 2016-12-23 2017-02-08 Mars Inc Beverage preparation machine
DE102019206400A1 (de) * 2019-05-03 2020-11-05 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Verfahren zur Herstellung von volumengenauen Heißgetränken
CN114047789B (zh) * 2021-11-10 2023-08-18 深圳安吉尔饮水产业集团有限公司 一种水箱补水控制方法

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH675312A5 (en) * 1988-06-13 1990-09-14 Rueck & Meier Ag Fluid dosing device using timed pump operation - compensates set time for detected variation in pump flow
US5111969A (en) * 1990-09-27 1992-05-12 Bunn-O-Matic Corporation Hot water dispenser with electronic control
US5195422A (en) * 1990-10-09 1993-03-23 Grindmaster Corporation Hot water batch delivery system for a beverage brewing apparatus
US5375508A (en) * 1993-12-29 1994-12-27 Bunn-O-Matic Corporation Digital brewer control
US6845704B2 (en) * 2001-02-20 2005-01-25 Food Equipment Technologies Company, Inc. Beverage making system with flow meter measurement control and method
AU2003283984A1 (en) * 2002-10-08 2004-05-04 Oasis Corporation Coffee brewer
US7523695B2 (en) * 2003-12-12 2009-04-28 Keurig, Incorporated System for dispensing metered volumes of heated water to the brew chamber of a single serve beverage brewer

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2007002575A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2006261857A1 (en) 2007-01-04
TW200719859A (en) 2007-06-01
CA2613751A1 (en) 2007-01-04
CN101374443A (zh) 2009-02-25
KR20080030051A (ko) 2008-04-03
US20060292012A1 (en) 2006-12-28
WO2007002575A1 (en) 2007-01-04
JP2008544810A (ja) 2008-12-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20060292012A1 (en) Method and apparatus for pump control
EP1896807B1 (en) Method and apparatus for sensing liquid level using baseline characteristic
US10687660B2 (en) Espresso coffee machine and method for dispensing an espresso coffee
CA2626484C (en) Lime tolerant brewing system and method
AU2013257695B2 (en) Milk level measurement device and related measurement method
US11986122B2 (en) Process for improving the uniformity of concentration of espresso coffee in an espresso coffee machine and associated espresso coffee machine
JP2024038240A (ja) 吐出圧力を調整可能なエスプレッソコーヒーマシン及びエスプレッソコーヒーマシンの吐出圧力の調整方法
CN113631069A (zh) 饮料制备机及其方法
US20210219773A1 (en) Method of controlling the outflow of the amount of water required to form a given dose of a beverage obtained from ground coffee as it is being dispensed into a cup and apparatus for carrying out such method
US12121175B2 (en) Espresso coffee machine with adjustment of the dispensing pressure and method for adjusting the dispensing pressure of an espresso coffee machine
RU2807056C2 (ru) Кофемашина эспрессо с регулировкой давления дозирования и способ регулировки давления дозирования кофемашины эспрессо
CN111904276B (zh) 配备水箱和测量取水量的压力传感器的饮料制备机
EP3678520B1 (en) Turkish coffee brewing method with capacitive sensor and the machine thereof
WO2024173998A1 (en) Beverage machine and method

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20080109

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20080613

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: HK

Ref legal event code: DE

Ref document number: 1115285

Country of ref document: HK

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20090613