JP2023551079A - FOB system for intelligent flow detection and dispensing control - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for detecting empty barrels is provided. The carbonated beverage from the keg communicates the carbonated alcoholic beverage to a liquid beverage sensor that is in fluid communication with the vat. The liquid beverage sensor includes at least one phase detection sensor (beer foam detector) capable of identifying foam or a gas-liquid interface, at least one pressure sensor, at least one flow sensor, or at least one temperature sensor. include. A controller in operative communication with the TCB is in communication with the control valves, actuation buttons, and in communication with the sensors. Upon detection of a low float level, or low system pressure, or high system temperature for the FOB detector, an alarm and/or tap control override is performed. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates generally to improved operation of beverage dispensing systems, and more particularly to systems and methods for timely detection of empty kegs and preventing excessive foaming and oxidation during the process.

In an automatic beverage dispensing system, bulk alcoholic beverages, such as wine, are successfully dispensed in a faster and more accurate way of metering, tracking, controlling, and continuous dispensing. Such systems prevent oxidation of the beverage contents by allowing for necessary and periodic cleaning of the delivery lines by multiple mechanisms.

Currently, beer foam (FOB) detectors are used in conventional draft beer delivery systems. Such FOB devices generally employ a radially expanded chamber within the beer outlet that is equipped with a float valve. In such a configuration, when the float valve chamber is filled with beer, the float valve floats in the liquid, thereby maintaining the beer valve open and supplying beer to the tap. However, when bubbles or bubbles begin to form within the chamber, the float valve becomes too heavy and will not float above the bubbles. As a result, the float valve sinks into the beer outlet, thereby closing the outlet and preventing foam from entering the supply line.

Although such systems are adaptable and have been adapted for use with carbonated alcoholic beverages, such as beer, sparkling wine, or mixed cocktails, major problems arise before and during replacement of the beverage vat. I know that. If the system pressure is allowed to drop as the keg empties, the carbon dioxide gas will not remain in solution, resulting in a stale beverage. Also, if the system pressure is not maintained throughout the process, the connection of a new full, high pressure barrel will result in excessive foaming of the initial fluid into the system.

One of the recent improvements in FOB technology is described in US Pat. No. 8,631,814, filed in the name of Hartmann. This patent document describes a FOB type float valve opening mechanism in which a plurality of protrusions are provided at the lowest end of the float. At least some of the projections engage the interior of the chamber, thereby positioning the float valve generally along the chamber outlet. In this way, the float valve is introduced into a precise position at the outlet by its own protrusion, so that the flow control device directs the float valve to a precise position at the chamber outlet in order to close off the flow of liquid from the chamber. No additional parts required. This reduces the number of parts in the chamber and the number of associated engaging parts, such as holes, recesses, threads, etc. This also provides improved hygiene within the FOB by reducing the number of areas where bacteria can accumulate and also makes the FOB easier to clean. Additionally, a space is left around the float valve through which the beer can flow.

However, while improvements towards more efficient internal flow profiles are certainly advantageous, they have not been able to prevent undesirable pressure drops when kegs are replaced during replacement. Therefore, there is still a need to maintain system pressure throughout the new full, high pressure keg connection process. Accordingly, a system and method for proactively detecting empty carbonated beverage kegs that actively seals the delivery system upon replacement is needed and would be advantageous.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for detecting empty kegs so as to anticipate replacement of kegs.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for changing carbonated beverage kegs in an automatic dispensing system that prevents excessive foaming after changing within the system.

A feature of the present invention is to improve automatic bulk beverage dispensing systems that prevent loss of system pressure during changeovers.

Briefly described in accordance with the present invention, detection of an empty keg is identified during pouring of a carbonated beverage. A system for dispensing a carbonated beverage from a keg containing a carbonated alcoholic beverage pressurized by a pressurized gas tank includes a first delivery line for communicating the carbonated alcoholic beverage to a foam on beer (FOB) detector. . The FOB forms a reservoir or chamber containing the float into which liquid is poured. A liquid level detector in operative communication with the float identifies the liquid level of the float. As the float within the FOB moves downward, empty barrels are identified. An upward movement of the float indicates when a new barrel is given. A second delivery line communicates the carbonated alcoholic beverage to the touchless tap. A touchless tap includes a control valve, a tap control board (TCB) to actuate the control valve, and an activation button to initiate single-dose dispensing. A controller, in operative communication with the TCB via a controller area network (CAN bus), is in communication with control valves, actuation buttons, and is in communication with a liquid level sensor.

The tap may further provide an integral pneumatic actuator case forming a dispensing shaft that opens and closes via a pneumatic valve, the shaft and pneumatic valve having a connected or continuous form factor. The tap shaft is further adapted to facilitate dispensing beer from the spout regardless of its orientation.

An advantage of the present system and method is that it allows for early detection of empty kegs when dispensing carbonated beverages, so that the system tap can be closed instantly. Timely detection of an empty keg will cause the automatic touchless tap to close and prevent foam formation in the line between the FOB and the tap. Maintaining system pressure eliminates waste and reduces poor customer experience (due to excessive foaming of the beverage). Additionally, additional automatic operations may be implemented, such as, for example, triggering an empty keg alert, to notify staff that a new keg should be connected.

Additionally, the present invention is not only adapted to control the dispensing of beverages based on empty keg conditions, but also allows the FOB float to lower or rise when air/gas is present in the line, allowing the dispensing Adapted to be able to be detected and used to control the tap by allowing gas to enter the production line, locking the tap to maintain pressure in the line, and/or preventing gas from entering the production line. obtain.

Further objects, features, elements, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

The advantages and features of the invention will be best understood by reference to the detailed description and claims set forth below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified by like symbols.

1 is a schematic flow diagram of an improved beverage dispensing system with automatic touchless tap according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a beer tap system for use with a beverage dispensing system; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a touchless tap for use with a beer tap system; FIG. It is a side view of a touchless tap. It is a top view of a touchless tap. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 5. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beer foam controller 4 for use with an improved beverage dispensing system having an automatic touchless tap in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the beer foam controller 4. FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing the internal operation of the beer foam controller 4. FIG.

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented herein with reference to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It should be understood that the legal scope of this description is defined by the language of the claims at the end of this application, and this detailed description is not to be construed as exemplary only. Therefore, not all possible embodiments will be described, as it would be impractical, if not impossible, to describe all possible embodiments. Numerous alternative embodiments may be implemented using current technology or new technology developed after the filing date of this application and would still fall within the scope of the claims.

It should also be understood that, unless a term is specifically defined in this application, no limitation is intended, expressly or implicitly, to the meaning of the term beyond its plain or ordinary meaning; Such terms should not be construed as limiting the scope on the basis of references made elsewhere in this application (other than in the language of the claims). When any term recited in the claims at the end of this application is referred to in this application to have a single meaning, it is done for the sake of clarity so as not to confuse the reader. , it is not intended that any such claim term be limited, by implication or otherwise, to a single meaning thereof. Finally, unless the claim element is defined by a statement of function without the word "means" and any description of the structure, the scope of any claim element is limited by 35U. S. C. It is not intended to be construed in accordance with the application of Section 112(f).

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented herein in terms of preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings.
1. Detailed description of the drawing

Before describing the invention in detail, it should be noted that current systems for dispensing vat beverages are such that the beer is routed from the cooler to the dispensing point via a beer conduit, such as an insulated tube bundle connecting the beer line and the coolant line. exemplified by the current system that sends up to In such systems, beer is forced by gas pressure applied to the beer within the keg. When the level of liquid beer drops below the spout in the keg, the keg is considered to "bounce" due to emptying. This causes a foamy mixture of propellant gas and remaining beer to be ejected through the beer line or hose. When this happens, at best, a cupful of unusual, unsatisfactory gaseous residue is created that is difficult or impossible to control at the tap. To resume full dispensing of liquid beer, the line must be refilled, filled with beer again, and vented.

In an attempt to minimize 'keg bounce', various designs ('foam traps', 'beer foam') are currently being used to prevent excess foam from entering the distribution line when the keg is emptied. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Foam traps (also known as detectors or "FOBs") are in commercial use. Many FOB devices use a float to seal the outlet of the reservoir, to which a beer line is attached when the liquid level in the reservoir is low. While such systems may minimize "bouncing" when a keg is empty, they do not address the problem caused by the first fill from a replacement keg due to dropped system pressure.

Although the present invention addresses issues inherent in the cost, operation, hygiene, reliability, or maintenance of such systems, the present invention addresses problems inherent in the cost, operation, hygiene, reliability, or maintenance of such systems; It is important to understand that the application is not limited to the details. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. It is to be understood that the expressions and terminology used herein are by way of description and not of limitation.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the figures, empty barrel detection for carbonated beverages, generally designated 100, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. system is shown. As best shown with respect to FIG. 1, the system 100 uses a vat 1 containing a carbonated alcoholic beverage 2 pressurized by a pressurized gas tank 12. A first delivery line 3 communicates the beverage 2 to a foam trap or FOB 4 forming a reservoir or chamber from which the liquid is dispensed. The chamber includes a float 5 and further communicates the beverage via a second delivery line 11 to a touchless tap 7 which dispenses directly into a serving container 13.

Tap 7 may include a control valve. System controller 6 may communicate with and control valve 8 via first communication cable 10 . The system controller 6 may also communicate with a level sensor 14 located along the FOB 4 via a second communication cable 9 .

As an improvement of the present disclosure, the empty barrel condition may be detected not only by the FOB 4, but also by the use of any of a variety of sensors. According to a first aspect of the invention, the sensitive pressure sensor 21 is capable of detecting even small drops in line pressure during single-serve dispensing. The pressure drop can be explained by an increase in the amount of air within the barrel as the air displaces the liquid within the barrel. Alternatively, no pressure drop may indicate that no beverage has been dispensed, i.e. the keg is empty. Specially designed algorithms may identify or filter out air pressure perturbations that may occur when the compressor begins pumping during pouring.

According to a second aspect of the invention, an infrared or ultrasonic sensor 27 may be attached to the beverage delivery line 11 and may identify movement relative to stationary liquid within the line. If no beverage movement is detected during pouring, it can be used as an empty keg indication.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a pressure sensor 25 (similar or identical to 21) may further be attached to the air chamber, for example formed by a closed tube part 23 cut into the beverage line 11. Such an air chamber may form an appendage that is only partially filled with beverage and the remaining part (i.e. the upper part) of the tube is filled with air. Sensor 25 may measure the air pressure within this chamber 23. Based on the difference in readings, it is possible to identify a normal pour into an empty keg, an unacceptable beverage temperature condition, or a situation where no beverage is flowing through the line 11.

According to a final aspect of the invention, a temperature sensor 33 may be used for operational control. If the temperature within the refrigerator in which the beverage keg is stored exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller 6 may send a command to close the valve. This can be useful with certain beverages such as beer, which are best served in a warm place but can spoil if not kept cold.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in view of the present teachings, the improvements of the present invention can be used not only to identify and control empty keg conditions, but also to control the flow of air or gas to beverage lines. It turns out that it is also suitable for changing the control on the basis of injection. Gas injection may be determined when the FOB is lowered by injecting gas into the line. Also, the determination of the position of the FOB float during lowering or raising allows (or prevents) control of direct locking or unlocking of the tap to enable dispensing alternately, or It may be used to maintain pressure within the line and/or to prevent gas from entering the product line. The controller 6 analyzes the readings from the sensors 21, 25, 27, and 33, identifies the empty barrel condition based on predetermined criteria, and sends a "close valve" command to the TCB 19. , close valve 8.

In addition to closing the touchless tap valve when an empty keg condition is detected, the valve must be closed after each dispense and opened when a new dispense is started. Closing the valve prevents a drop in pressure within the beverage line that could result in excessive foaming of the carbonated beverage.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-6, a preferred embodiment of touchless tap 7 is shown in detail. The tap 7 may include a valve 8 in the form of an integral pneumatic actuator case 16 . Case 16 may include a shaft 17 that facilitates dispensing beer from spout 18 regardless of orientation. With such improvements, the tap 7 does not need to be installed in a specific location to work properly, which is in contrast to existing systems that require the spout shaft to be oriented in a limited direction to work properly. This is different from the tap dispenser.

The tap 7 may incorporate a universal fit configuration that may be compatible with current mainstream beer tap shanks (e.g. Perlick, Micromatic, etc.).

The integrated pneumatic actuator case 16 may incorporate the pneumatic actuator 8 in an integrated form factor. The pneumatic valve 18 driven by the actuator 8 may be electronically actuated by a tap control board (TCB) 19 operatively controlled by the controller 6 . When the user presses a button to dispense a dose, controller 6 may send a control signal to the TCB. A controller area network (CAN bus) 20 may be used to enable controller 6 to communicate with TCB 19 and with any other host computers. Message-based protocols may be communicated via cables 9, 10, which may include multiple electrical wiring.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, a preferred embodiment of the FOB 4 incorporating the sensor controller assembly 30 is shown in detail. FOB 4 includes a float chamber 22 having a lower inlet 24 for receiving pressurized liquid within an upper outlet 26 for discharging pressurized liquid. Chamber 22 may form a radially expanded housing when compared to a beverage supply or discharge line (not shown), for example, to define a sufficient internal volume to hold a float valve 28. Float valve 28 may include a magnetic target 29 for use with a sensor control assembly 30 as described in more detail below. Float valve 28 has a normal upper position where chamber inlet 24 is open to liquid flow and float 28 is immersed in a low specific gravity liquid/foam mixture relative to both normal liquid flow and float 28 itself. It may include a plurality of guides or vanes 32 that may guide the float so that it is movable to and from a lower bubble detection position. Vanes or guides 32 follow the known path and trajectory of magnetic target 29 by providing alignment and orientation of float 28 within the chamber while allowing fluid to flow through chamber 22. Can be maintained.

Sensor control assembly 30 may include a sensor mounting plate 32 that allows adjustment of the assembly between float chamber 22 and sensor assembly 34. As shown herein, multiple individual sensors 34 may be provided for operational redundancy. Sensor 34 is used to detect the position of float 28 as well as movement of float 28 within chamber 22. Sensor 34 may be a magnetic flux sensor strategically placed in a non-invasive manner on mounting plate 32 to provide non-contact detection of movement and position regardless of liquid translucency and viscosity. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in view of the present teachings, one of the two primary sensor types, Hall effect and magnetoresistive, may be provided with any number of equivalent or similar sensor types or formats in the preferred embodiment. It seems that it can be used. In any equivalent embodiment, sensor 34 is used to obtain a non-binary representation of the precise position of float 28. Two sensors 34 placed across the plane of movement allow a weaker and lighter magnet 29 within the float 28 to be detected. It is contemplated that lightweight magnet 29 may be used to maintain float 28 buoyancy.

The output of sensor 34 may be connected to controller 6 or to an analog-to-digital converter located separately within sensor assembly 34 or sensor control assembly 30. Sensor 34 may therefore obtain discrete values indicative of polarity and magnetic flux strength. With this non-binary information, it is possible to determine the exact position, velocity, and acceleration of float 28 as it moves through FOB 7. Also, any rest position may be similarly determined.
2. Operation of the preferred embodiment

In operation, the system 100 allows the detection of an empty keg 1 when dispensing the carbonated beverage 2. When an empty barrel 1 is detected, the valve 8 of the tap 7 can be closed instantaneously. During normal operation, the high pressure within the keg 1 forces the beverage 2 through line 3 into the FOB 4 and is then dispensed through line 11 into a container 13 by touchless tap 7. Touchless tap 7 includes a built-in pneumatic (or other type) valve 8 that opens and closes the tap in response to commands received from controller 6. The controller communicates with the taps via cable 10.

During normal operation, the carbonated beverage 2 flowing from the keg 1 forces the float 5 in the FOB 4 to the upper position, causing beer to flow into the tap 7. When keg 1 is empty, float 5 lowers and stops the flow of beverage 2 from keg 1. A sensor 14 attached to the FOB 4 detects the vertical movement of the float 5 and communicates these events to the controller 6 via the cable 9. When barrel 1 is nearly empty, a mixture of gas and beverage enters FOB 4, thereby causing float 5 to move downward to the bottom of FOB 4. When the sensor 14 detects downward movement of the float 5, the controller 6 (in anticipation of an empty keg) sends a command to the tap control board (TCB) 19, which closes the tap valve 8 and opens a new keg 15. Tap 7 is shown as inactive (preventing valve 8 from opening) until installed. It is important to note that the controller 6 begins closing the valve before the FOB float 5 has moved all the way down. Closing valve 8 quickly maintains pressure within line 10 and prevents bubble formation within it.

The controller 6 also controls the system 100 before detecting the empty keg 1 so that when a new keg 15 is installed, the system 100 can resume dispensing the single serving 13 that was interrupted by the empty keg 1. The amount of beverage 2 dispensed may be recorded. The first serving amount from a new keg may be calculated taking into account the last recorded serving amount.

When the sensor 14 detects that the float 5 has moved up (indicating that a new barrel 15 has been installed and the pressure in the line 11 has been restored), the controller 6 reclassifies this tap 7 as active. and allows the dispensing system 100 to initiate the next serving on demand.

Timely detection of empty barrels 1 prevents foam formation in line 11 between FOB 4 and tap 7. This eliminates waste and bad customer experiences. Additionally, by triggering an empty keg alert to notify staff, new kegs are coupled in a timely manner and excessive "downtime" of the system 100 is prevented.

Also, by including a sensor, the FOB 4 can be used in conjunction with an algorithm to detect peaks and troughs, trigger thresholds, and analyze the sinusoidal curve when the magnetic float is within the sensing range of the sensor 34. It is possible to provide sensor output data such as: When using one or more proximity sensors (e.g. Hall sensors), the determination of float position can be done with respect to time, so that float velocity and acceleration calculations are possible. The determination of all such position and movement data allows controlled operations to be performed taking into account the state of the dispensing system. For example, a rapid float descent would indicate an empty keg and require the system to close the remote tap instantly, while a small float fluctuation near the top of the FOB could indicate a keg tap leak, improper beverage temperature and /or may mean pressure. Each float movement pattern, along with additional data from other sensors, can be analyzed to generate informational messages to facilitate users to quickly solve problems and increase productivity.

By sensing changes in the FOB located in the vicinity of the barrel 1, remote control of the flow in the tap 7 may be facilitated. Taps 7 may be tens of feet apart in a long beer system. Even in such remote situations, pressure is maintained throughout the line and waste is reduced due to detectable problems within the system.

The above descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. The Title, Background, Summary of the Invention, Brief Description of the Drawings, and Abstract of the present disclosure are provided as exemplary of the disclosure, and not as a limiting description. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. It will also be appreciated that in the Detailed Description, this description provides exemplary examples, and that various features are grouped together in various embodiments to streamline the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed structure or act. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as separate claimed subject matter.

Claims (14)

A system for pouring carbonated drinks from a large barrel,
A barrel containing a carbonated beverage pressurized by a pressurized gas tank,
at least one in fluid communication with the vat, wherein the lack of pressure drop is used to indicate an empty condition of the keg by being adapted to detect line pressure during dispensing of a single serving of the carbonated beverage; a first delivery line for fluid communication with one pressure sensor;
a second line for communicating with a tap for directly pouring one cup of the carbonated beverage into a serving container;
The tap further includes a control valve;
The at least one pressure sensor is in operative communication with the control valve to facilitate closing the control valve during the empty condition. a controller in operative communication with the control valve;
at least one phase detection sensor comprising the beer foam (FOB) detector, the FOB detector comprising:
the first delivery line communicating the carbonated alcoholic beverage to the beer foam (FOB) detector;
the FOB into which the liquid is poured forming a reservoir or chamber containing a float;
a liquid level detector in operative communication with the float and adapted to identify a liquid level in the float, the position or movement of the liquid level detector providing a control input to the controller. , A system for dispensing carbonated beverages from a large barrel according to claim 1. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein determining the float position and movement data is used for predictively controlled operation of a tap isolation valve. The tap is
3. The method of claim 2, comprising an integral pneumatic actuator case forming a dispensing shaft that opens and closes via said control valve comprising a pneumatic valve, said shaft and said pneumatic valve having a connected or continuous form factor. system. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the shaft is adapted to facilitate dispensing beer from the spout regardless of orientation of the spout. a tap control board (TCB) that actuates the control valve and is operatively controlled by the controller;
an activation button for starting the dispensing of one cup;
3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a controller in operative communication with the TCB via a controller area network (CAN bus). The beer foam sensor further includes:
a float chamber having an upper outlet and an opposing lower inlet forming a housing and an interior volume sufficient to retain a float valve;
the float valve having a magnetic target and adapted for guided movement in the internal volume in response to the presence of bubbles within the housing;
2. Forming a controller assembly further comprising a sensor control assembly supporting one or more sensors in conjunction with the magnetic target to detect the position of the float and movement of the float within the chamber. system described in. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the sensor comprises a magnetic flux sensor strategically placed in a non-invasive manner to obtain a non-binary representation of the float's position. further comprising an analog-to-digital converter for obtaining discrete values indicative of the polarity and magnetic flux strength and providing non-binary information for determining position, velocity, and acceleration of the float moving through the canister; The system according to claim 8. further comprising an analog-to-digital converter for obtaining discrete values indicative of the polarity and magnetic flux strength and providing non-binary information for determining position, velocity, and acceleration of the float moving through the canister; The system according to claim 9. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a control system for identifying or filtering air pressure perturbations caused by operational vibrations of the system for dispensing the carbonated beverage. A system for pouring carbonated drinks from a large barrel,
a barrel containing a carbonated alcoholic beverage pressurized by a pressurized gas tank;
at least one flow sensor operatively coupled to a beverage delivery line and comprising an infrared or ultrasonic sensor adapted to identify movement relative to a stationary liquid in the beverage delivery line, the flow sensor comprising: an infrared or ultrasonic sensor; at least one flow sensor, the lack of movement of beverage detected within the keg being used to indicate an empty condition of the keg;
a tap communicating with the beverage delivery line for dispensing single servings of the carbonated beverage directly into serving containers;
A system comprising a controller in operative communication with the at least one flow sensor and the tap to close the tab during the empty state. 5. The at least one pressure sensor is operatively coupled to an air chamber in fluid communication with the beverage line, and wherein the pressure difference is used to distinguish normal dispensing versus empty keg conditions. A system for pouring carbonated beverages from the large barrel described in 1. A system for pouring carbonated drinks from a large barrel,
A barrel containing a carbonated beverage pressurized by a pressurized gas tank,
a tap communicating with the beverage delivery line for dispensing single servings of the carbonated beverage directly into serving containers;
at least one temperature sensor in operative communication with the environment surrounding the vat, wherein a high temperature limit is used to alert or prevent operational control of the tap.

Images