WO2018237261A1

WO2018237261A1 - Systems and methods for monitoring fluid in a vessel

Info

Publication number: WO2018237261A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/038986
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nathan Ernst; Kristopher SCHILLING; Michael Gorski; Nathan GOSLEE; Casey ALFORD
Original assignee: Draft Innovations Llc
Priority date: 2017-06-22
Filing date: 2018-06-22
Publication date: 2018-12-27

Abstract

Described herein are systems for automatically adjusting an amount of dissolved gas in a fluid. In some embodiments, a system includes: a gas monitoring device; a sensor for measuring a mass flow of a gas; and a processor and memory. In some embodiments, a method performed by the processor includes: measuring a first receiving vessel pressure with a pressure sensor coupled to the receiving vessel; determining a mass flow rate of gas into the receiving vessel, the mass flow rate being set to achieve a target pressure in the receiving vessel; transferring gas from the input gas vessel to the receiving vessel at the mass flow rate; measuring a second receiving vessel pressure with the pressure sensor coupled to the receiving vessel; and comparing the second receiving vessel pressure to the target pressure, such that transfer of gas is discontinued when the target pressure in the receiving vessel is reached.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING FLUID IN A VESSEL

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/523,311, filed June 22, 2017; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/549,506, filed August 24, 2017, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0002] All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety, as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] This disclosure relates generally to the field of gas thermodynamics, and more specifically to the fields of fluid carbonation, fluid nitrogenation, fluid measurement, and fluid consumption tracking. Described herein are systems and methods for monitoring and controlling a level of one or more dissolved gases in a fluid.

BACKGROUND

[0004] Carbonation is the act of dissolving carbon dioxide under pressure in a liquid, for example beer, water, or soda. Upon depressurization of the liquid, the carbon dioxide escapes from the liquid causing fizzing, bubbling, and/or foaming, collectively known as

effervescence. In some instances, nitrogen is also used in liquids such as beer and wine. However, nitrogen is relatively insoluble so various devices (e.g., widgets, porous stones, etc.) and various processes (e.g., using a high vessel pressure) have been used to increase nitrogen absorption into the liquid.

[0005] Currently available systems and methods for carbonating or nitrogenizing liquids use differential pressure or pressure change over time to determine an appropriate amount of carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen. Further, various agitation devices (e.g., motors, rotating discs, etc.) and methods have been used to increase absorption of carbon dioxide and nitrogen into the liquid. Use of such devices and methods usually requires the liquid to be transferred to a separate device.

[0006] Some shortcomings of currently available systems are that: (1) the process of carbonation and/or nitrogenization is extremely slow and imprecise resulting in too much or too little dissolved gas; (2) it is difficult to track gas inventories over time (i.e., amount of gas used over time); (3) it is difficult to determine the amount of liquid in a vessel containing the liquid; (4) they are not adaptive over time to changing serving conditions, temperatures, and/or mixtures (i.e., carbon dioxide-nitrogen mixtures); (5) it is difficult to measure a carbonation/nitrogenation state of a liquid and alter the carbonation/nitrogenation state to match a specification; and (6) they do not allow for precise user control of carbonation and/or nitrogenization conditions, serving pressures, and alerts.

SUMMARY

[0007] The systems and methods described herein use various processes to estimate an amount of gas and liquid used or consumed and an amount remaining to allow tracking of inventories over time. Further, the systems and methods described herein use mass flow calculations and monitoring of one or more gases dissolved in a liquid to over-pressure the carbonation process to increase the speed and accuracy of the carbonation process. These mass flow monitoring systems and methods are adaptable to specific serving conditions, temperatures, and mixtures, which are pre-programmed into the system or requested by the user. The advantages of such systems and methods will be described in more detail below in connection with various embodiments.

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a system for automatically adjusting an amount of dissolved gas in a fluid. In some embodiments, the system includes: a gas monitoring device. In some embodiments, the gas monitoring device includes: a control valve having a first port connectable to an input gas vessel, and a second port connectable to a receiving vessel, such that the receiving vessel contains a fluid; a sensor configured to measure a mass flow of a gas; and a processor and memory coupled to the control valve and the sensor, such that the memory has instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method. In some embodiments, the method includes: measuring a first receiving vessel pressure with a pressure sensor coupled to the receiving vessel; determining, using the sensor, a mass flow rate of gas into the receiving vessel, the mass flow rate being set to achieve a target pressure in the receiving vessel; transferring gas from the input gas vessel to the receiving vessel at the mass flow rate;

measuring a second receiving vessel pressure with the pressure sensor coupled to the receiving vessel; and comparing the second receiving vessel pressure to the target pressure, wherein transfer of the gas is discontinued when the target pressure in the receiving vessel is reached.

[0009] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor further includes adjusting the mass flow rate of gas into the receiving vessel.

[0010] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor further includes calculating a receiving vessel pressure rate based on the first and second receiving vessel pressures.

[0011] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor further includes calculating a gaseous volume in the receiving vessel based on the pressure rate and a fixed temperature of the receiving vessel.

[0012] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor further includes calculating a liquid volume in the receiving vessel based on the gaseous volume.

[0013] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor further includes subtracting the liquid volume in the receiving vessel from a starting volume in the receiving vessel to determine an amount of liquid used.

[0014] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor further includes comparing the amount of liquid used to an amount of liquid sold.

[0015] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor further includes comparing the gaseous volume in the receiving vessel to an amount of gas in the input gas vessel to determine a remaining amount of gas in the input gas vessel.

[0016] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor further includes measuring a first temperature of the receiving vessel before the transfer of gas into the receiving vessel and a second temperature of the receiving vessel after the transfer of gas into the receiving vessel.

[0017] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor further includes calculating a receiving vessel temperature rate based on the first and second receiving vessel temperatures.

[0018] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor further includes calculating a gaseous volume in the receiving vessel based on the pressure rate and the temperature rate of the receiving vessel. [0019] Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a system for automatically adjusting an amount of dissolved gas in a fluid. In some embodiments, the system includes: a gas monitoring device. In some embodiments, the gas monitoring device includes: a housing defining an accumulation chamber; a control valve having a first port connectable to the accumulation chamber, a second port connectable to a receiving vessel, and a third port connectable to an input gas vessel, such that the receiving vessel contains a fluid; an accumulation chamber temperature sensor; a receiving vessel temperature sensor; a pressure sensor; and a processor and memory coupled to the control valve, the accumulation chamber temperature sensor, the receiving vessel temperature sensor, and the pressure sensor, such that the memory has instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method. In some embodiments, the method includes: measuring a receiving vessel pressure with the pressure sensor and a receiving vessel temperature with the receiving vessel temperature sensor; calculating the amount of dissolved gas in the receiving vessel from the receiving vessel pressure and the receiving vessel temperature; determining an additional amount of gas needed to achieve a specific dissolved gas level in the receiving vessel; transferring gas from the input gas vessel to the accumulation chamber; and transferring the gas from the accumulation chamber to the receiving vessel until the specific dissolved gas level is reached. In some embodiments, transfer of the gas is discontinued when the specific dissolved gas level is reached. In some embodiments, a total mass of the transferred gas is monitored to determine when the specific dissolved gas level is reached, the total mass being monitored via monitoring of an accumulation chamber pressure with the pressure sensor and an accumulation chamber temperature with the accumulation chamber temperature sensor.

[0020] In some embodiments, the amount of gas is one of: a volume of gas, a percent of gas, a concentration of gas, and a mass of gas.

[0021] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor includes receiving a user input indicative of the specific dissolved gas level.

[0022] In some embodiments, the user input is received via a graphical user interface on a computing device communicatively coupled to the processor.

[0023] In some embodiments, the specific gas level is pre-programmed into the gas monitoring device.

[0024] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor includes receiving a user input indicative of a volume of the receiving vessel. [0025] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor includes calculating a volume of the fluid in the receiving vessel based on the amount of the undissolved gas in the receiving vessel and the volume of the receiving vessel.

[0026] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor includes calculating a consumed volume of the fluid over time.

[0027] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor includes comparing the consumed volume of the fluid with a sold volume of the fluid.

[0028] In some embodiments, the system further includes a communication module communicatively coupled to the gas monitoring device and a computing device, such that the communication module transmits an alert from the gas monitoring device to the computing device.

[0029] In some embodiments, the alert includes one or more of: a change in the receiving vessel temperature, a change in the receiving vessel pressure, a change in the accumulator chamber temperature, a change in the accumulator chamber pressure, a change in the amount of gas in the receiving vessel, a change in the specific gas level, a detection of a leak, a volume of the fluid is below a threshold, a recommendation for cleaning the system, an empty status of the input gas vessel, the gas monitoring device is disconnected from the receiving vessel, the gas monitoring device is connected to the receiving vessel, the gas monitoring device is disconnected from the input gas vessel, and the gas monitoring device is connected to the input gas vessel.

[0030] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor includes calculating a total amount of gas used by the system.

[0031] In some embodiments, the gas is one or more of: carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and a combination thereof.

[0032] In some embodiments, the pressure sensor is positioned in the housing such that the pressure sensor measures a first combined pressure of the accumulation chamber and the receiving vessel when the control valve is not actuated and measures a combined pressure of the input gas vessel and the accumulation chamber when the control valve is actuated.

[0033] In some embodiments, the third port is connectable to a second control valve, the second control valve having a first gas port connectable to the input gas vessel and a second gas port connectable to a second input gas vessel [0034] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor includes switching between the first gas port and the second gas port to create a mix of the gas from the input gas vessel and a second gas from the second input gas vessel.

[0035] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor includes altering an amount of the second gas to achieve a desired serving pressure while maintaining the specific dissolved gas level of the gas.

[0036] In some embodiments, the gas is carbon dioxide and the second gas is nitrogen.

[0037] In some embodiments, the system further includes the receiving vessel, such that the receiving vessel is configured to hold a beverage.

[0038] In some embodiments, the beverage is one of: a beer, a wine, a coffee, water, a tea, a sports drink, and saltwater.

[0039] In some embodiments, the system further includes the receiving vessel, such that the receiving vessel is one of: a keg, a coffee serving vessel, an aquarium, and a greenhouse.

[0040] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor includes increasing the receiving vessel pressure to increase a rate at which the gas is dissolved into the fluid.

[0041] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor includes receiving an input indicating a desire to stop the gas from being transferred from the input gas vessel to the gas monitoring device.

[0042] In some embodiments, the method performed by the processor includes calculating an amount of remaining gas in the input gas vessel based on the total mass of the transferred gas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The foregoing is a summary, and thus, necessarily limited in detail. The above- mentioned aspects, as well as other aspects, features, and advantages of the present technology are described below in connection with various embodiments, with reference made to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] FIG. 1A shows one embodiment of a system for transferring gas from an input gas vessel to a beverage vessel and dissolving the gas in a beverage in the beverage vessel.

[0045] FIG. IB shows one embodiment of a system for dissolving a gas in a beverage vessel.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a system for transferring gas from an input gas vessel to an aquarium or greenhouse. [0047] FIG. 3 shows schematically one embodiment of a system for dissolving gas in a fluid.

[0048] FIG. 4 shows schematically another embodiment of a system for dissolving gas in a fluid.

[0049] FIG. 5 shows schematically another embodiment of a system for dissolving gas in one or more fluids.

[0050] FIG. 6 shows schematically one embodiment of a gas monitoring device, communications module, server, or computing device of a system for monitoring fluid in a vessel.

[0051] FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of the exterior of one embodiment of a gas monitoring device.

[0052] FIG. 7B shows a perspective view of the internal components of one embodiment of a gas monitoring device.

[0053] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the exterior of another embodiment of a gas monitoring device.

[0054] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a gas monitoring device.

[0055] FIG. 10 shows schematically one embodiment of a gas monitoring device for monitoring mass flow of a gas.

[0056] FIG. 11A shows schematically one embodiment of a control valve in an unactuated state.

[0057] FIG. 11B shows schematically one embodiment of a control valve in an actuated state.

[0058] FIG. 12 shows schematically one embodiment of a system for dissolving gas in one or more fluids.

[0059] FIG. 13 shows schematically another embodiment of a gas monitoring device for monitoring mass flow of a gas.

[0060] FIG. 14 shows schematically another embodiment of a gas monitoring device for monitoring mass flow of a gas.

[0061] FIG. 15 shows schematically another embodiment of a gas monitoring device for monitoring mass flow of a gas.

[0062] FIG. 16 shows schematically another embodiment of a gas monitoring device for monitoring mass flow of a first gas, a second gas, or a mixture thereof. [0063] FIG. 17A shows one embodiment of a graphical user interface of a computing device of a system for dissolving gas in a fluid.

[0064] FIG. 17B shows another embodiment of a graphical user interface of a computing device of a system for dissolving gas in a fluid.

[0065] FIG. 17C shows another embodiment of a graphical user interface of a computing device of a system for dissolving gas in a fluid.

[0066] FIG. 17D shows another embodiment of a graphical user interface of a computing device of a system for dissolving gas in a fluid.

[0067] FIG. 17E shows another embodiment of a graphical user interface of a computing device of a system for dissolving gas in a fluid.

[0068] FIG. 17F shows another embodiment of a graphical user interface of a computing device of a system for dissolving gas in a fluid.

[0069] FIG. 18 shows a flow chart of a carbonation method performed by a system for dissolving carbon dioxide in a fluid.

[0070] FIG. 19 shows a flow chart of a nitrogenation method performed by a system for dissolving a nitrogen gas in a fluid.

[0071] FIG. 20 shows a flow chart of a method of calculating an amount of gas consumed in a system for dissolving a gas in a fluid.

[0072] FIG. 21 shows a flow chart of a method of mixing a first gas with a second gas in a system for dissolving a gas in a fluid.

[0073] FIG. 22 shows a flow chart of a method of dissolving one or more gases in a fluid using mass flow.

[0074] FIG. 23 shows graphically a functioning of a system for dissolving a gas in a fluid.

[0075] The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the disclosure. The schematics are drawn to illustrate features and concepts and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0076] The foregoing is a summary, and thus, necessarily limited in detail. The above- mentioned aspects, as well as other aspects, features, and advantages of the present technology will now be described in connection with various embodiments. The inclusion of the following embodiments is not intended to limit the disclosure to these embodiments, but rather to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the contemplated invention(s). Other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. Aspects of the disclosure, as described and illustrated herein, can be arranged, combined, modified, and designed in a variety of different formulations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and form part of this disclosure.

[0077] Described herein are systems and methods for dissolving a gas in a fluid. Such systems and methods are used to introduce gas into a beverage, a marine or water environment (e.g., an aquarium), a greenhouse or plant growing facility, or any other liquid, gas, or fluid. Further, described herein are systems and methods for maintaining an amount of dissolved gas in a fluid, and in some embodiments, monitoring an amount of fluid remaining in a vessel, fluid dispensed from the vessel, and gas consumed.

[0078] The systems and methods described herein may be used by a user in a beverage- related industry. Non-limiting examples of users include: a commercial bar operator, a commercial brewery or winery operator, a home brewery or winery operator, a home kegerator operator, a barista, a coffee bar operator, a bar tender, a waitress, a waiter, a server, a hostess, a host, a home owner, a beer enthusiast, a wine enthusiast, a coffee enthusiast, a beverage consumer, or any other individual interested in or capable of consuming, serving, or creating or brewing beverages. In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein may be used by a user in a marine or water-related industry or a plant-related industry. Non-limiting examples of users include: a marine biologist, an operator of an establishment that includes aquariums, an aquarium or fish enthusiast, a horticulturist, a cannabis grower, a gardener, a farmer, an arborist, a botanist, a caretaker, or any other individual involved with plants, aquariums, or fish.

[0079] As used herein, a "fluid" refers to a single gas, liquid, beverage, or solution or a mixture of gases, liquids, beverages, or solutions.

[0080] As used herein, a "gas" refers to a fluid substance which expands freely to fill any space available, irrespective of its quantity. Examples of gases include but are not limited to carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, ammonia, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, nitrogen trifluoride, sulfur dioxide, sulfur hexafluoride, or any other type of fluid substance.

[0081] As used herein, a "beverage" refers to a liquid that is consumed. Non-limiting examples of beverages include beer, wine, coffee, water, juice, sports drink, hard liquor, energy drink, cocktail, or any other type of consumed liquid. [0082] Previous systems seeking to control dissolving of a gas in a fluid, for example those described in U.S. Patent No. 9,107,449 to Njaastad et al., have relied on atomization of the liquid via agitation to increase absorption of the carbon dioxide into the liquid. In such systems, carbon dioxide is introduced into the vessel at a slow flow rate to maintain a constant pressure of carbon dioxide in the vessel. In contrast, various systems and methods described herein introduce mass flow bursts of gas into the beverage vessel such that the pressure of the gas (e.g., carbon dioxide) in the beverage vessel cycles over time until a specified amount of carbonation is achieved. The system monitors mass flow of the gas into the beverage vessel to determine when the specified amount of carbonation is achieved.

[0083] Other systems, for example those described by U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 13/091,294 to Koslow et al., describe using a mass transfer apparatus containing gas in a state of equilibrium and introducing the liquid into the mass transfer apparatus by spinning the liquid to create a fine dispersion, which subsequently coalesces with the equilibrated gas in the mass transfer apparatus. Various systems and methods described herein do not require dispersion of the liquid to dissolve the gas into the liquid. In contrast, various embodiments of the systems and methods described herein monitor a mass of gas transferred from an input gas vessel into a beverage vessel to determine when a specified amount of dissolved gas in the liquid has been achieved.

[0084] Described herein are systems and methods for measuring a volume of a fluid, a gas, or a liquid in a vessel. Such systems and methods are used to measure a volume or mass of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, atmosphere, beer, wine, coffee, water, or any other fluid in a vessel.

[0085] Previous systems seeking to measure a volume of a liquid, for example those described in U.S. Patent No. 8,925,382 to Beal and Apostolakis, have used pressure differentials of the liquid and/or flow meters to measure a volume of liquid in a vessel (e.g., a keg). Certain embodiments of the systems and methods described herein use mass flow of a gas, either directly or indirectly, to monitor and/or control a level of one or more dissolved gases in a liquid.

[0086] Described herein are systems and methods for active control of a carbonation and/or nitrogenation level of a fluid in a vessel based on monitoring a total mass of carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen delivered to the vessel. The systems and methods described herein are used to vary a carbonation level of a fluid to match a recommended carbonation level, a palate of a consumer of the fluid, or a serving pressure threshold. The systems and methods described herein are further used to adjust a nitrogenation level of a fluid to match a recommended nitrogenation level, a palate of a consumer of the fluid, or to exceed a serving pressure threshold set by carbonation pressure alone. A ratio of carbonation to nitrogenation of a fluid is adjustable using the systems and methods described herein, for example so that carbonation is independently adjusted, nitrogenation is independently adjusted, and/or carbonation and nitrogenation are adjusted relative to one another.

[0087] The systems and methods described herein are used to monitor consumption of one or more fluids, for examples gases, beverages, and liquids used in the system. Further, the systems and methods described herein may measure a temperature and a pressure of an incoming fluid, a fluid transmitted through a gas monitoring device, and/or one or more fluids stored in a fluid vessel, for example a vessel containing a gas and a liquid.

[0088] The systems and methods described herein are used to measure an amount of consumption of a fluid per vessel, for example consumption of wine or beer from a keg. In some embodiments, consumption of a fluid per vessel is compared to a point of sale or a number of ounces or a volume or a mass of fluid sold from the system.

[0089] The systems and methods described herein are equipped with one or more alarms that indicate a change in the receiving vessel temperature, a change in the receiving vessel pressure, a change in the accumulator chamber temperature, a change in the accumulator chamber pressure, a change in the amount of gas in the receiving vessel, a change in the specific gas level, a detection of a leak, a volume of the fluid is below a threshold, a recommendation for cleaning the system, an empty status of the input gas vessel, a change in temperature of a fluid, a change in pressure of a fluid, a leak state of the system, an amount of fluid remaining in one or more vessels in the system, an amount of fluid consumed from one or more vessels in the system, a timeline of access of one or more system components (e.g., fluid was removed from the vessel after 10PM), a carbonation status of a fluid, a

nitrogenation status of a fluid, a serving pressure of the system, a connectivity status of one or more system components (e.g., beverage vessel is disconnected from the gas monitoring device), a maintenance status (e.g., system is due for cleaning or system is not maintaining pressure and/or temperature), a number of vessels emptied (e.g., for a vendor to track sales), or any other alert relevant to the systems and methods described herein.

SYSTEMS

[0090] As shown in FIGS. 1A-2, the system 100 of various embodiments includes a gas monitoring device 20 coupled to a receiving vessel 10, 12 and an input gas vessel 30, 32. The gas monitoring 20 device functions to intake a gas from the input gas vessel 30, 32 and measure various parameters of the gas, for example pressure, temperature, and/or mass. The gas monitoring device 20 further functions to transfer the gas from the input gas vessel 30, 32 to the receiving vessel 10, 12 and measure various parameters, for example pressure, temperature, and/or mass, of one or more fluids in the receiving vessel 10, 12. The gas monitoring device 20 may further function to calculate various volumes, masses, and equilibriums of one or more gases passing through the system. In some embodiments, the gas monitoring device 20 is coupled to an input gas vessel 30, for example an input gas vessel containing carbon dioxide or nitrogen, and to a beverage vessel 10, for example a keg or receptacle containing beer, wine, or coffee, as shown in FIG. 1A. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. IB, the system 110 may further be coupled to a serving station 6. The serving station 6 may dispense liquid at a pre-determined serving pressure, as described in further detail elsewhere herein. In some embodiments, as shown in the system 120 of FIG. 2, the gas monitoring device 20 is coupled to a gas tank 32, for example a gas tank containing carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or oxygen, and a receiving vessel 12, for example a fluid vessel containing one or more plants, aquatic life, or an aquarium. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the systems as shown and described in FIGS. 1A-2 are adapted to transfer any gas from an input gas vessel to a receiving vessel containing any fluid therein, monitor one or more parameters (e.g., temperature, pressure, mass) of the gas at various time points and/or locations, and calculate various characteristics (e.g., volume and mass) of the gas at various time points and/or locations.

[0091] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the gas monitoring device 20 further includes a processor 62 and memory 64 including one or more applications 66 stored thereon, and optionally, a power source 68, a display 72, and an antenna 74, each of which will now be described in turn.

[0092] The processor 62 functions to read information from and write information to memory 64 to execute one or more methods described elsewhere herein. The processor may be a general purpose microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other programmable logic device, or other discrete computer-executable components designed to perform the functions and methods described herein. The processor 62 may also be formed of a combination of computing devices, for example, a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suitable configuration. The memory 64 may be any suitable computer-readable medium that stores computer-readable instructions for execution by computer-executable components. In some embodiments, the computer-readable instructions include software stored in a non- transitory format, some such software having been downloaded as an application 66 onto the memory 64 of the gas monitoring device 20. The processor 62, in conjunction with the software stored in the memory 64, executes an operating system and one or more applications 66. Some methods described elsewhere herein are programmed as software instructions contained within the one or more applications 66 stored in the memory 64 and executable by the processor 62.

[0093] The power source 68 functions to provide a source of electrical power to the gas monitoring device 20. The power source 68 may be alternating current from a wall outlet such that the gas monitoring device 20 includes an alternating current to direct current converter (e.g., rectifier, AC/DC Converter). In other embodiments, the power source 68 may be a battery, for example a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion battery. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 4-5, power is supplied to the gas monitoring device 20 by a communication module 60 functioning as a power station. The communication module 60 may be connected to the gas monitoring device 20 and to a wall outlet and/or may include a battery, such that the communication module 60 acts as a power source 68 for the gas monitoring device 20. In some embodiments, the communication module 60 charges a power source, for example a rechargeable battery, in the gas monitoring device 20 when the gas monitoring device 20 is connected to the communication module 60. In some such embodiments, the gas monitoring device 20 transfers data to the communication module 60 when connected to the communication module 60, and the communication module 60 wirelessly transmits the data to a computing device 40 or server 50 via an antenna 74 present within the communication module 60. The gas monitoring device 20 may be removably connected (i.e., temporarily) to the communication module 60 or fixedly connected (i.e., permanently) to the communication module 60.

[0094] The display 72 functions to display relevant information (e.g., alerts, measurements, calculations, sensor readings, etc.) about the system 100 and/or to receive one or more inputs to affect a functioning of the system 100. In some embodiments, the gas monitoring device 20 does not include a display 72. Rather, a communication module 60 and/or computing device 40 that includes a display 72 may be communicatively coupled to the gas monitoring device 20 so that information entered into the graphical user interface of the display 72 may affect functioning of the gas monitoring device 20 and functioning of the gas monitoring device 20 may affect the information displayed on the display 72.

[0095] FIGS. 17A-17F show various graphical user interfaces that are displayed on a display 72 of the gas monitoring device 20, communication module 60, and/or computing device 40. For example, as shown in FIG. 17 A, a graphical user interface may display a name 42 of a beverage in a receiving vessel 10, an amount 44 of the beverage (e.g., pints, ounces, liters, gallons, etc.) remaining in the receiving vessel 10, and a carbonation (or amount of gas dissolved) status and/or temperature status 46 of the beverage. Further for example, a graphical user interface may display a graphical representation or schematic illustrating consumption or use of the beverage overtime (FIG. 17B) and/or an amount (e.g., volume, percent, mass, etc.) of gas used overtime (FIG. 17C). A graphical user interface may also be configured to receive user inputs, for example a selection of a size and/or type of receiving vessel (FIG. 17D), a type of beverage (FIG. 17E), a carbonation level, a nitrogenation level, a degree of mixture of two or more gases (e.g., ratio, percent, etc.), a batch name, a receiving vessel ID, a number of receiving vessels connected to the gas monitoring device, or any other parameters required by the system or desired by the user. A graphical user interface may also be configured to display a summary of one or more user inputs or system parameters, for example as shown in FIG. 17F.

[0096] In some embodiments, a graphical user interface may include a user input element, for example a button, toggle button, switch, radio button, etc. that, when selected, functions to turn off all gas being transferred into the system from one or more input gas vessels or all system components communicatively coupled to the computing device 40 and/or communication module 60.

[0097] The antenna 72 of gas monitoring device 20 functions to transmit data to and/or receive data from a computing device 40 and/or a server 50, each of which are directly or indirectly communicatively coupled to the gas monitoring device 20, as shown in FIG. 3. In some such embodiments, the gas monitoring device 20 has its own power source 68 or the gas monitoring device 20 receives power from a computing device 40 or communication module 60 (e.g., via recharging of a power source in the gas monitoring device 20). The antenna 72 is a receiver, transmitter, or transceiver. In some embodiments, the gas monitoring device 20 does not include an antenna 72, but rather transmits data to and receives data from a communication module 60, computing device 40, and/or server 50 via a wired connection. [0098] Turning to FIGS. 3-5, in some embodiments, the system 130, 140, 150 may further include the computing device 40, the communications module 60, and/or the server 50. In some embodiments, there is unidirectional or bi-directional communication between the gas monitoring device 20 and the communication module 60, the gas monitoring device 20 and the computing device 40, the communications module 60 and the server 50, and/or the server 50 and the computing device 40. The communication may be via a wired (e.g., IEEE 1394, Thunderbolt, Lightning, DVI, HDMI, Serial, Universal Serial Bus, Parallel, Ethernet, Coaxial, VGA, PS/2) or wireless connection (e.g., via Bluetooth, low energy Bluetooth, near- field communication, Infrared, WLAN, or other RF technology).

[0099] The computing device 40 functions to receive one or more data outputs directly, as shown in FIG. 3, or indirectly, as shown in FIGS. 4-5, from the gas monitoring device 20. The data may be in the form of alerts, pressure measurements, temperature measurements, mass measurements, a calculated amount of a gas or a liquid, a calculated mass flow of a gas, a consumed amount of a gas or a liquid, or any other relevant data. In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 40 functions to receive one or more inputs, for example through interaction of a user with a graphical user interface of the mobile computing device 40, about a parameter of the system 130, 140, 150, for example a desired carbonation level, a desired nitrogenation level, a desired serving pressure, an input gas vessel size, a type of fluid or beverage in the beverage receiving vessel, or any other parameter, as will be described in more detail elsewhere herein. In other embodiments, the system 130, 140, 150 is

preprogrammed with one or more parameters.

[00100] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, the computing device 40 further functions to transmit the user inputs or various predetermined or preprogrammed

configurations to a server 50 (FIG. 3), communication module 60 (FIGS. 4-5), and/or gas monitoring device 20 (FIGS. 3-5). The computing device 40 further functions to display various parameters and alerts about the functioning of the system 130, 140, 150 to a user. The computing device 40 may be a stationary computing device, for example a workstation or desktop, or a mobile or portable computing device, for example a netbook, notebook, tablet, personal digital assistant, laptop, or mobile phone. The computing device 40 is a

computational device, wrapped in a chassis that includes or is connected to a display 72 (visual with or without touch responsive capabilities), a central processing unit (e.g., processor or microprocessor), internal storage (e.g., flash drive), n number of specialized chips and/or sensors (e.g., accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, barometer, proximity, etc.), a power source 68, and n number of radios (e.g, WLAN, BlueTooth, GPS, etc.).

[00101] As shown in FIGS. 4-5, the communication module 60 functions as a power and/or communications hub or base station for the gas monitoring device 20. For example, the communication module 60 may function to supply power to the gas monitoring device 20. In such embodiments, the communication module 60 is directly connected to the gas monitoring device 20 and includes a power source 68, for example alternating current from a wall outlet such that the communication module is directly connected to the wall outlet and includes an alternating current to direct current converter (e.g., rectifier, AC/DC Converter) and/or a battery, for example a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion battery. The communication module 60 of some embodiments may charge a rechargeable battery in the gas monitoring device 20. Further for example, the communication module 60 may receive data from the gas monitoring device 20 and transmit the data to the server 50 and/or computing device 40. In such embodiments, the communication module 60 is communicatively coupled to the gas monitoring device 20 to receive data from the gas monitoring device 20. The communication module 60 may be directly connected to the gas monitoring device 20 or the communication module 60 and gas monitoring device 20 may each include an antenna 74 to transmit data between one another.

[00102] In some embodiments, the server 50 functions to transmit or share data between the computing device 40 and gas monitoring device 20, as shown in FIG. 3, or between the computing device 40 and the communication module 60, as shown in FIGS. 4-5. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the gas monitoring device 20 transmits data to and/or receives data from the computing device 40, for example, wirelessly via Bluetooth or via a cable. The computing device 40 may then transmit some or all the data received from the gas monitoring device 20 to the server 50 for additional processing and/or storage and may receive analyzed results, other information, instructions, and/or software updates from the server for transmission to the gas monitoring device 20. The server 50 may be a local server on the computing device 40 or a remote server. In some embodiments, the server is a virtual server.

[00103] As shown in FIG. 3, there may be bidirectional communication between a gas monitoring device 20 and a computing device 40. In such embodiments, the gas monitoring device 20 may include a power source 68 or the gas monitoring device 20 may be connected to the computing device 40 via a wired connection, such that the computing device 40 provides power to the gas monitoring device 20. Further in such embodiments, the gas monitoring device 20 may include an antenna 72. The antenna 72 may wirelessly transmit sensor readings, calculated parameters, mass flow measurements, etc. from the gas monitoring device 20 to the computing device 40 and receive pre-determined inputs or user inputs from the computing device 40 to alter the functioning of the gas monitoring device 20. Alternatively, the gas monitoring device 20 may be connected to the computing device 40 via a wired connection such that sensor readings, calculated parameters, mass flow

measurements, user inputs, pre-determined inputs, etc. are transmitted between the gas monitoring device 20 and the computing device 40 over the wired connection. One or more user inputs (e.g., vessel size, vessel volume, desired carbonation amount, etc.) are entered into a graphical user interface of the computing device 40 and/or one or more sensor readings, calculated parameters, mass flow measurements, etc. are displayed to a user on a display 72 on the computing device 40.

[00104] As shown in FIGS. 4-5, there may be bidirectional communication between a gas monitoring device 20 (FIG. 4) or a plurality of gas monitoring devices 20 (FIG. 5), and a communication module 60. In such embodiments, the gas monitoring device 20 may include a power source 68 or the gas monitoring device 20 may be connected to the communication module 60 via a wired connection, such that the communication module 60 provides power to the gas monitoring device 20. Further in such embodiments, the gas monitoring device 20 may include an antenna 72. The antenna 72 may wirelessly transmit sensor readings, calculated parameters, mass flow measurements, etc. from the gas monitoring device 20 to the communication module 60 and receive pre-determined inputs or user inputs from the communication module 60 to alter the functioning of the gas monitoring device 20.

Alternatively, the gas monitoring device 20 may be connected to the communication module 60 via a wired connection such that sensor readings, calculated parameters, mass flow measurements, user inputs, pre-determined inputs, etc. are transmitted between the gas monitoring device 20 and the communication module 60 over the wired connection.

[00105] Further as shown in FIGS. 4-5, the communication module 60 may be further communicatively coupled to a server 50 and a computing device 40. One or more user inputs, sensor readings, calculated parameters, mass flow measurements, alerts, etc. may be shared between the communications module 60, server 50, and/or computing device 40 and/or stored on the computing device 40 or server 50. [00106] Returning to FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the mobile computing device 40, communication module 60, and/or server 50 may each include a processor 62 and memory 64 with one or more applications 66 stored thereon, a power source 68, a display 72, and an antenna 74, as described elsewhere herein.

[00107] Turning now to FIGS. 7A-7B and 9, one embodiment of a gas monitoring device 20 is shown. The gas monitoring device 20 functions to transfer gas from an input gas vessel to a receiving vessel, for example a fluid vessel or a beverage vessel, and to measure and/or calculate one or more parameters of the gas. The gas monitoring device 20 may include a housing 12 defining an accumulation chamber 14, a control valve 16 having a first port connectable to the accumulation chamber 14, a second port 18 connectable to a receiving vessel 10, and a third port 22 connectable to an input gas vessel 30. The gas monitoring device 20 may further include an accumulation chamber temperature sensor 24, a receiving vessel temperature sensor 26, a pressure sensor 28, and a processor 62 and memory 64 coupled to the control valve 16, the accumulation chamber temperature sensor 24, the receiving vessel temperature sensor 26, and the pressure sensor 28. In some embodiments, the gas monitoring device 20 and/or one or more components within the gas monitoring device 20 may include or are formed of stainless steel. Further, in some embodiments, the gas monitoring device 20 and/or one or more components within the gas monitoring device 20 may include a conformal coating to protect against temperature fluctuations and/or moisture, especially in such embodiments in which the gas monitoring device 20 is coupled to a beverage vessel stored at refrigeration temperatures with high humidity.

[00108] The accumulation chamber functions to transiently house or accumulate gas. The accumulation chamber temperature sensor 24 is located in the accumulation chamber and is a thermistor or other sensor configured to sense temperature in the chamber. The receiving vessel temperature sensor 26 functions to measure a combined temperature of one or more fluids in the receiving vessel, for example gas and liquid mixtures (e.g., carbon dioxide and beer). The receiving vessel temperature sensor 26 is positioned on the receiving vessel, for example via a belt or patch, or, in some embodiments, the receiving vessel temperature sensor 26 is integrated into the gas monitoring device 20. Each of the temperature sensors may be a negative temperature coefficient thermistor, a resistance temperature detector, a thermocouple, or a semiconductor-based temperature sensor.

[00109] In some embodiments, a temperature of the accumulation chamber 14 and/or the receiving vessel 10 is determined indirectly based on a temperature of a location of the gas monitoring device 20 or the receiving vessel 10, for example the gas monitoring device 20 may be located in a room and the receiving vessel 10 may be located in a refrigerator.

[00110] The pressure sensor 28 functions to measure a first combined pressure Vo of an incoming gas and a gas in the accumulation chamber when the control valve 16 is actuated, as shown in FIG. 11B, and a second combined pressure Vc of a gas in the accumulation chamber and a gas in the receiving vessel when the control valve 16 is not actuated, as shown in FIG. 11 A. Alternatively, the first combined pressure is measured when the control valve 16 is not actuated and the second combined pressure is measured when the control valve 16 is actuated. In some embodiments, the pressure sensor is an absolute pressure sensor, a gauge pressure sensor, a differential pressure sensor, or a sealed pressure sensor; in one

embodiment, the pressure sensor is an absolute pressure sensor. The control valve may be a three-way solenoid valve, a normally closed valve, a normally open valve, a directional control valve, a proportional valve, or a multi-purpose valve.

[00111] In some embodiments, the gas monitoring device 20 includes one or a plurality of pressure sensors such that a pressure of an incoming gas, a gas in the accumulation chamber, and a gas in the receiving vessel is measured individually or in combination with one or more other regions or locations of the gas in the gas monitoring device 20.

[00112] In other embodiments, the control valve 16 is a three-way valve. In some such embodiments, a first port including a first valve is connected to the input gas vessel, a second port including a second valve is connected to the accumulation chamber, and a third port including a third valve is connected to the receiving vessel. Each of the valves is actuated from a closed state to an open state. In some embodiments, each of these ports is connected to each other via a manifold. In some such embodiments, there is a temperature sensor in the accumulation chamber and a temperature sensor in or on the receiving vessel. Further, there is one pressure sensor in the manifold. When the third valve to the receiving vessel is open and the first and second valves are closed, the pressure in the manifold is identical to the pressure in the receiving vessel, and the receiving vessel pressure is measured. In some embodiments, the receiving vessel pressure and temperature are measured to calculate the gas volume in the receiving vessel in order to determine whether more gas is needed. If more gas is needed, the third valve to the receiving vessel is closed, and the first and second valves to the input gas vessel and accumulation chamber are opened. This allows the accumulation chamber to fill with gas and become pressurized. The first valve to the input gas vessel is then closed. With the second valve to the accumulation chamber being the only one that is open, the pressure in the manifold will equal the pressure in the accumulation chamber, so the pressure sensor can now detect the accumulation chamber pressure. The temperature of the gas in the accumulation chamber is also measured so that the mass of gas in the accumulation chamber can be calculated. The third valve to the receiving vessel is opened, which will cause that mass of gas (or a substantial portion of it) to flow quickly from the pressurized accumulation chamber into the receiving vessel. If needed or desired, the second valve to the accumulation chamber can then be closed and the new volume of gas in the receiving vessel can be determined from new pressure and temperature measurements.

[00113] In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 9-14 and as described in further detail elsewhere herein, a mass flow of gas from the input gas vessel through the gas monitoring device to the receiving vessel is calculated using various configurations and/or types of valves and sensors. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the three-way control valve, the accumulation chamber temperature sensor, and pressure sensor are replaced with a two-way valve (e.g., basic on/off valve or proportional valve) 600 and a mass flow sensor 602. In such embodiments, the receiving vessel includes a receiving vessel pressure sensor 604 and a receiving vessel temperature sensor 606. In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 14, the gas monitoring device 20 may include a two-way valve 608 including a differential pressure sensor 610 and gas temperature sensor 612 and the receiving vessel 10 may include a receiving vessel temperature sensor 606 and a receiving vessel pressure sensor 604. In still other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 15, the gas monitoring device 20 may include a two- way valve 614 including a first pressure sensor 616 on a first side of the valve orifice and a second pressure sensor 618 on a second side of the valve orifice (e.g., to calculate a pressure differential) and a gas temperature sensor 620, and the receiving vessel 10 may include a receiving vessel temperature sensor 606 and a receiving vessel pressure sensor 604.

[00114] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, the gas monitoring device 20 is mountable to a surface (e.g., wall-mounted) and configured to be coupled to one or more receiving vessels 10 and one or more input gas vessels 30. In such embodiments, the receiving vessels 10 coupled to the gas monitoring device 20 may be filled, monitored, or otherwise regulated simultaneously, sequentially, on-demand, or automatically. In some embodiments, fluid is delivered from one or more of the input gas vessels 30 through the gas monitoring device 20 into one or more receiving vessels 10 through a three-way valve or a common rail, allowing for sequential filling and monitoring of the receiving vessels 10. [00115] Further, as shown in FIGS. 9-12B, the gas monitoring device 20 is coupled to an input gas vessel 30 and receiving vessel 10. The gas monitoring device 20 may be coupled to an input gas vessel 30 at port 22 via a fixed gas regulator and at port 18 to a receiving vessel 10 via a gas post on a receiving vessel. In other embodiments, the gas monitoring device 20 may be coupled to an input gas vessel and/or a receiving vessel via a valve, post, port, or disconnect. The gas monitoring device 20 of various embodiments may be adapted to be coupled to receiving vessels, input gas vessels, and beverage vessels of any size and/or shape. For example, the gas monitoring device 20 may be adapted to be coupled to a home brew keg, a sixth barrel, a quarter barrel, a slim quarter, a half barrel, a keg containing beer, a keg containing coffee, a keg containing wine, a vessel containing water or another beverage, an aquarium, a green house, or any other receiving vessel.

[00116] In various embodiments, the gas monitoring device 20 may further include a valve, port, or vent 34 configured to release excess gas over time and/or provide a means for atmospheric air to reach the fluid in the receiving vessel so that excess gas is desorbed from the fluid, as shown in FIG. 8. Such embodiments may be used, for example, when the fluid in the receiving vessel is oversaturated with gas or the fluid has a dissolved gas amount above a certain threshold (e.g., an over-carbonated beverage).

[00117] Further, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the gas monitoring device 20 may include a visual indicator 4, for example an LED or other optics, to indicate a status of the gas monitoring device 20. For example, the visual indicator 4 may blink various colors or at various frequencies and/or show various colors to indicate a status of the gas monitoring device 20. Non-limiting statuses of the gas monitoring device 20 may include: a

configuration of the device (e.g., which receiving vessel it is connected to, which gas it is delivering to the receiving vessel, etc.), a connection status (e.g., connected or unconnected to a input gas vessel and/or a receiving vessel, connected or unconnected to a computing device, etc.), a gas being monitored (e.g., carbon dioxide versus nitrogen), a leak status, an error status, a maintenance status, or any other status. In some embodiments, the visual indicator 4 comprises a strip of visual indicators (e.g., LEDs), each of which represent, for example an amount of remaining gas or liquid in each vessel, such that the visual indicator 4 illuminates when the amount reaches a pre-determined threshold. In some embodiments, each visual indicator indicates that its respective vessel is 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50% full of liquid. In other embodiments, each visual indicator indicates that its respective vessel is 0-5%, 5%-10%, 10%-15%, 15%-20%, 20%-25%, 25%- 30%, 30-35%, 35%-40%, 40%-45%, or 45%-50% full of liquid. In some embodiments, each visual indicator 4 represents a percentage of the total mass or volume remaining in a vessel. For example, in some embodiments, each visual indicator 4 represents 10% of the mass or volume in a vessel such that there are ten visual indicators. In other embodiments, each visual indicator 4 represents 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50% of the mass or volume in a vessel. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the gas monitoring device 20 includes a viewing panel, for example a screen (e.g., LCD), for displaying a status of the gas monitoring device and/or an amount of remaining gas or liquid in each vessel.

[00118] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7A, the gas monitoring device 20 further includes a user input element 36, for example a button, to couple and uncouple the gas monitoring device 20 to and from the receiving vessel, respectively. For example, when the user input element 36 is depressed, the gas monitoring device 20 is positioned over the gas post, and a downward force Fd is applied to the gas monitoring device 20, the user input element 36 may engage a pin in the gas post to secure the gas monitoring device to the receiving vessel, such that when the user input element 36 is released, the gas monitoring device 20 remains connected to the receiving vessel 10. To release the gas monitoring device 20 from the receiving vessel, the user input element 36 is depressed and an upward force Fu is applied to the gas monitoring device 20 to disengage the user input element 36 from the pin in the gas post. In other embodiments, the gas monitoring device 20 is connected to the gas post via a gas line such that a first end of the gas line connects to the gas monitoring device 20 and a second end of the gas line connects to the receiving vessel 10.

[00119] In some embodiments in which the system includes a plurality of receiving vessels, as shown in FIGS. 12, the gas monitoring device 20 may include a plurality of repeatable units, each unit 70 including a control valve 16 coupled to the input gas vessel 30, a receiving vessel 10, and an accumulation chamber 14. Further each unit may include a processor 62, a pressure sensor 28, an accumulation chamber temperature sensor 24, and a receiving vessel temperature sensor 26, such that the characteristics of each receiving vessel are measured separate from other receiving vessels.

[00120] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 15, the gas monitoring device 20 includes a second control valve 8 to control mixing of two gases 30A, 30B in the gas monitoring device 20. For example, the second control valve 8 may be actuated to allow a first gas 30A to enter the gas monitoring device and unactuated to allow a second gas 30B to enter the gas monitoring device 20. More complex valves are also contemplated in which the valve may be actuated to a first position to allow a first gas to enter the gas monitoring device 20, actuated to a second position to allow a second gas to enter the gas monitoring device 20, and returned to unactuated position to prevent the first gas and second gas from entering the gas monitoring device 20. In some embodiments, the first gas 30A is nitrogen and the second gas is carbon dioxide. The first or second gas, depending on the actuation state of the second control valve 8, then flows through the control valve 16 into the accumulation chamber 14 where a pressure, temperature, and/or mass of the gas or gas mixture is measured by pressure sensor 28 and accumulation chamber temperature sensor 24, respectively. In some embodiments, the gas monitoring device 20 shown in FIGS. 16 may be used to switch between exclusively delivering carbon dioxide or nitrogen, such that an establishment may not be required to have serving stations exclusive for carbonated beverages versus nitrogenated beverages.

METHODS

[00121] The systems and methods described herein may be used to measure, monitor, and/or calculate a mass flow of a gas from the input gas vessel 30 through the gas monitoring device 20 to the receiving vessel 10. The various methods described herein may be performed by a processor in the gas monitoring device 20, the computing device 40, the communication module 60, or the server 50. In one embodiment, the methods described herein are performed by a processor in the gas monitoring device 20. As shown in FIGS. 10-16, 18-19, and 21-22, there are various system configurations that may be used to determine the mass flow of a gas. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 18, the mass flow of a gas may be determined using a method 200 including: receiving a carbonation target (i.e., specific dissolved gas level, percent carbon dioxide, etc.) S210; measuring a first accumulation chamber pressure and temperature with the pressure sensor and temperature sensor, respectively S215;

actuating the control valve to transfer gas from the input gas vessel to the accumulation chamber S220; measuring a second or charged accumulation chamber pressure and temperature with the pressure sensor and temperature sensor, respectively S225; returning the control valve to an unactuated state S230; measuring a second receiving vessel pressure with the pressure sensor S235; measuring a receiving vessel temperature with the receiving vessel temperature sensor S240; calculating a volume of gas in the receiving vessel based on the second receiving vessel pressure and the receiving vessel temperature S245 ; calculating a mass of the gas using a difference between the first accumulation chamber pressure and the second accumulation chamber pressure and a difference between the first accumulation chamber temperature and the second accumulation chamber temperature S255; and calculating a volume of liquid in the receiving vessel based on the calculated volume of gas in the receiving vessel and a receiving vessel volume S260. The calculated mass S255 may be verified against the carbonation target S210, and if it is determined that the carbonation target has not been achieved, the method repeats steps S215-S230 and S255 until the carbonation target is achieved.

[00122] As shown in FIG. 18, the method 200 includes block S210, which recites receiving a carbonation target S210. The method 200 as shown in FIG. 18 may be used when a carbonation target and a serving pressure target (e.g., pressure at a serving station) are the same or substantially similar. A carbonation target or specific dissolved gas level may be received from a user input on a graphical user interface presented on a display of a computing device communicatively coupled to the system. Alternatively, the gas monitoring device may be directly or indirectly (via a computing device, server, or communication module) preprogrammed with a carbonation target or specific dissolved gas level. In some

embodiments, upon entering a beverage type (e.g., type of beer, type of wine, water, soda, etc.), the system may automatically determine an appropriate carbonation target or range of carbonation targets appropriate for the beverage type. In some embodiments, the carbonation target is the end carbonation level goal for the fluid in the receiving vessel.

[00123] As shown in FIG. 18, the method 200 includes block S255, which includes calculating a mass of the gas using a difference between the first accumulator chamber pressure and the second accumulation chamber pressure and a difference between the first accumulator chamber temperature and the second accumulation chamber temperature. Block S255 functions to monitor the mass of the gas added to the receiving vessel over time to determine when the specific dissolved gas level (i.e., carbonation target) is achieved. In some embodiments, a pressure of the receiving vessel may be increased to accelerate the dissolving of the gas in the receiving vessel while monitoring a mass flow of gas into the receiving vessel. The receiving vessel pressure may be maintained below a pre-determined threshold. Such pre-determined thresholds may vary from vessel to vessel and/or be based on a location, configuration, composition, or other parameter of the receiving vessel. Since the mass of the gas is monitored over time and checked against the carbonation target, the gas monitoring device may decrease a target pressure of the receiving vessel as the liquid in the receiving vessel nears the carbonation target to not exceed the mass of gas required to achieve the carbonation target. This method allows the system to achieve the carbonation target faster than if the pressure of the gas remained constant or was maintained at a lower level. Such carbonation target progress at a point in time or over time may be displayed graphically or otherwise to a user of the system on a graphical user interface on, for example a computing device of the system, as shown in FIG. 17C and as described in more detail elsewhere herein.

[00124] In some embodiments, the processor may perform a calculation or a series of calculations to determine a mass of the gas. For example, the equation shown below may be used to determine a mass of the gas:

[00125] n = (V/R) (pl/Tl - p2/T2)

[00126] where,

[00127] n is the number of moles of the gas;

[00128] V is the known volume of the accumulation chamber;

[00129] R is the universal gas constant (8.31441 J/K/mol in SI units);

[00130] pi is the first accumulation chamber pressure;

[00131] Tl is the first accumulation chamber temperature;

[00132] p2 is the second accumulation chamber pressure; and

[00133] T2 is the second accumulation chamber temperature.

[00134] In some embodiments, the first accumulation chamber pressure and temperature are the same as an initial receiving vessel pressure and temperature; in other embodiments, the first accumulation chamber pressure and temperature differ from an initial receiving vessel pressure and temperature.

[00135] Alternatively, as described elsewhere herein in connection with FIGS. 12-14, a mass of the gas may be determined using a mass flow sensor or calculated using a differential pressure sensor and temperature sensor or first and second pressure sensors and a temperature sensor.

[00136] In some embodiments, 5-15mg, 15-30 mg, 20-25 mg, 20-40 mg, 25-50 mg, or 5-100 mg of gas are transferred to the receiving vessel per cycle, as shown in FIG. 18. In one embodiment, 15 mg of gas are transferred to the receiving vessel per cycle. In another embodiment, 20-25 mg of gas are transferred to the receiving vessel per cycle. In another embodiment, 23 mg of gas are transferred to the receiving vessel per cycle. In some embodiments, a total of 40 grams, 50 grams, 60 grams, 70 grams, 80 grams, 90 grams, or 100 grams is transferred to the receiving vessel to achieve the carbonation target. In other embodiments, 25-50 grams, 50-75 grams, or 75-100 grams are transferred to the receiving vessel to achieve the carbonation target. In one embodiment, 70 grams are transferred to the receiving vessel to achieve the carbonation target. In some embodiments, a valve cycle may range between 10 milliseconds and 1000 milliseconds. In such embodiments, the valve cycle is determined by the rate of change of the pressure in the receiving vessel 10. The processor 62 monitors the pressure in the receiving vessel 10 and uses its rate to determine when to turn the control valve 16 on and off.

[00137] Further, in some embodiments, the processor may further use the calculations of gas volume and gas mass listed above to determine an amount (e.g., volume or mass) of gas used over time. For example, a user of the system may want to monitor gas use by the system, determine an appropriate time to switch out an existing input gas vessel for a new input gas vessel, determine an appropriate time to buy additional input gas vessels, or determine if there is a leak (e.g., if gas is being used at a faster rate than normal). A vendor may also receive updates of gas use from a user, for example, to determine when to deliver more input gas vessels, determine which types of gas are being used most frequently, determine which types of establishments are using which types of gas and with what frequency, determine distribution of users, or any other parameter. Such calculations and parameters may be stored on the gas monitoring device 20, communication module 60, computing device 40, and/or server 50, so that a user of the system may view a history of the system, gas use by the system over time, liquid use by the system over time, or an instantaneous status of the system.

[00138] In some embodiments, the processor may perform additional calculations to determine an amount of gas dissolved in the fluid. For example, the processor may perform a third calculation, as shown below, to determine the amount of gas dissolved in a liquid:

[00140] where,

[00141] Cw is the solubility of the gas at a fixed temperature in a solvent (units in M or ml gas/L);

[00142] K_H is Henry's law constant (units in M/atm); and

[00143] Pi is the partial pressure of the gas (units in Atm).

[00144] For example, the KH of carbon dioxide in water is 29.76 atm/(mol/L) at 25 Degrees Celsius (e.g., using a look-up table of Henry's Law constants) and the receiving vessel pressure is measured by the pressure sensor, so that the solubility (e.g., mol/L) of carbon dioxide in water can be determined. The grams of carbon dioxide dissolved per liter of water can then be calculated by converting the solubility (e.g., mol/L) to grams using the fact that one mol of carbon dioxide equals 44 grams.

[00145] As shown in FIG. 18, the method 200 includes blocks S215, S235, S240, and S245, which include: measuring a first receiving vessel pressure and temperature S215; measuring a second receiving vessel pressure (after gas addition) with the pressure sensor S235;

measuring a receiving vessel temperature with the receiving vessel temperature sensor S240; and calculating a volume of gas (i.e., gaseous head volume) in the receiving vessel based on the first and second receiving vessel pressures and the receiving vessel temperature S245. Blocks S215, S235, S240, and S245 function to calculate over time an amount (e.g., mass, volume, etc.) of gas used by the system and an amount of gaseous head volume in the receiving vessel.

[00146] For example, the processor may use the mass of gas calculated above (which was added to the receiving vessel) to calculate the gaseous head volume (undissolved gas volume) in the receiving vessel. For example, the equation shown below may be used by the processor to determine a gaseous head volume in the receiving vessel:

[00147] V=nR(Tl/pl - T2/p2)

[00148] where,

[00149] V is the head volume of the receiving vessel;

[00150] n is the mass of gas added (calculated above);

[00151] R is the universal gas constant (8.31441 J/K/mol in SI units); and

[00152] pi is the receiving vessel pressure before a mass of gas is added;

[00153] Tl is the receiving vessel temperature before a mass of gas is added;

[00154] p2 is the receiving vessel pressure after the mass of gas is added; and

[00155] T2 is the receiving vessel temperature after the mass of gas is added.

[00156] These calculations of gas volume and gas mass may be used to determine an amount

(e.g., volume or mass) of gas used over time, as described elsewhere herein.

[00157] As shown in FIG. 18, the method 200 may include S260, which includes calculating a volume of liquid in the receiving vessel based on the calculated volume of gas in the receiving vessel and a receiving vessel volume. Block S260 functions to monitor over time use of the liquid or consumption of the beverage. As described elsewhere herein, a user may input a size and/or type of receiving vessel or the system may be preprogramed with a receiving vessel size and/or type or automatically detect a receiving vessel size and/or type.

Therefore, since the gaseous head volume in the receiving vessel can be determined and the receiving vessel volume can be determined, then the volume of liquid or beverage in the receiving vessel may be calculated by the processor based on the difference between the receiving vessel volume and the gaseous head volume.

[00158] For example, a user of the system may want to monitor liquid use or beverage consumption by consumers frequenting the establishment, determine an appropriate time to switch out an existing receiving vessel for a new receiving vessel, determine an appropriate time to buy additional receiving vessels, or determine if there is a discrepancy between volume based on sales versus volume based on calculations (e.g., to determine if bar tenders are over or under pouring drinks, if beverage is being stolen). A vendor may also receive updates of liquid use or consumption from a user, for example, to determine when to deliver more receiving vessels, determine which types of liquids are being consumed most frequently, determine which types of establishments are consuming which types of beverages and with what frequency, determine distribution of users, or any other parameter. The volume of the beverage or liquid in the receiving vessel over time may be displayed graphically or otherwise to a user on a graphical user interface on, for example a computing device of the system, for example as shown in FIG. 17B and as described in more detail elsewhere herein.

[00159] In some embodiments, carbonation is not desired but rather nitrogenation is desired, for example for serving coffee, wine, or pre-carbonated beer or other beverages, or a predetermined serving pressure is desired, for example at a serving station (FIG. IB), a tap, or at a location relatively remote from the location of the input gas vessel and the beverage vessel. In such embodiments, the device functions similarly to that shown and described in FIG. 10 and the method proceeds similar to that shown and described in FIG. 18, except that instead of receiving a carbonation target, the input is a serving pressure target, as shown in block S310 in FIG. 19, and the gas that is being transferred from the input gas vessel through the gas monitoring device to the receiving vessel is nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or a combination of nitrogen and carbon dioxide. In such embodiments, the serving pressure target is the end carbonation/nitrogenation level target for the fluid in the receiving vessel. In such embodiments, the serving pressure target may be received via user input into a graphical user interface or may be pre-programmed into the system based on user preferences, beverage type, history, type of receiving vessel connected to the system, or any other parameter. The mass flow of gas into the receiving vessel may be compared to the serving pressure target over time to determine when the target serving pressure is achieved. If the target serving pressure is not achieved, the method cycle as shown in FIG. 19 repeats until the target serving pressure is achieved. In some embodiments, larger mass additions of gas are added to the receiving vessel to over pressure the receiving vessel to accelerate the dissolving of carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen into the liquid. In such embodiments, as the system approaches the target serving pressure, the mass additions of the gas may reduce so that the target serving pressure is reached but not exceeded.

[00160] In some embodiments, the system may receive a user input in which the user queries whether the system needs gas replenishment, is running low on gas, or has run out of gas. In other embodiments, the system is polled at regular or random intervals or time points to make such determinations. In some such embodiments, the method as shown in FIG. 20 may be used. As shown in FIG. 20, the method 400 includes block S410, which recites gas status update. Block S410 functions to poll the system for a status update on an amount of gas remaining in the input gas vessel. The poll may be user-initiated or may be scheduled or preprogrammed to occur at various intervals, time points, periods, etc. The method 400 proceeds through blocks S215, S220, S225, S230, and S255, as described elsewhere herein in connection with FIG. 18. Since the mass of gas has been calculated in connection with block S255, as described elsewhere herein, the processor subtracts the calculated mass of gas consumed in the system to the original mass or volume of gas in the input gas vessel in block S435 to determine an amount of gas remaining in the input gas vessel in block S440. In embodiments where multiple gas monitoring devices and/or multiple receiving vessels are being used, the processor functions to add together the gas consumption for each receiving vessel or each gas monitoring device and use this total consumption in subsequent calculations and/or present this total consumption to the user on a computing device communicatively coupled to the system.

[00161] In other embodiments, since the mass of gas has been calculated in connection with block S255, as described elsewhere herein, the processor determines a mass of the gas remaining in the input gas vessel. The calculated mass of gas is subtracted from the total input gas vessel mass in block S435, which results in the remaining mass of gas in the input gas vessel being known in block S440, as shown in FIG. 20.

[00162] The total input gas vessel volume is received as a user input via a graphical user interface on, for example a computing device communicatively coupled to the system, or preprogrammed into the system or automatically detected upon coupling the input gas vessel to the gas monitoring device. [00163] In some embodiments, a higher serving pressure (e.g., at a serving station, tap, or at a location distant from the input gas vessel and beverage vessel) than what can be achieved through carbonation alone is desired. Since nitrogen is relatively insoluble in aqueous solutions, a higher pressure is required in the beverage vessel to achieve some dissolving of the nitrogen gas in the beverage. This higher pressure in the beverage vessel results in a higher serving pressure at the location where the beverage is being dispensed, for example at a serving station as shown in FIG. IB. In such embodiments, the method proceeds according to that shown in FIG. 21. As shown in FIGS. 16 and FIG. 21, the gas monitoring device 20 is configured with a second control valve to switch between a first gas (e.g., carbon dioxide) and a second gas (e.g., nitrogen), as described in further detail elsewhere herein.

[00164] As shown in FIG. 21, a method 500 of achieving a pre-determined serving pressure or mixing a first gas with a second gas in a liquid includes: receiving a serving pressure target (i.e., specific dissolved gas level of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, ratio of gases, percent of each gas, etc.) S510; calculating an equilibrium between a first gas and a second gas S515; measuring a first accumulation chamber pressure and temperature S520; actuating a first control valve S525 and a second control valve S530 to transfer the first gas and the second gas from the input gas vessel to the accumulation chamber; measuring a second or charged accumulation chamber pressure and temperature S535; returning the first control valve and/or the second control valve to an unactuated state S540; measuring a second receiving vessel pressure with the pressure sensor S545; measuring a receiving vessel temperature with the receiving vessel temperature sensor S550; calculating a volume of gas in the receiving vessel based on the second receiving vessel pressure and the receiving vessel temperature S555; calculating a mass of the gas using a difference between the first accumulation chamber pressure and the second accumulation chamber pressure and a difference between the first accumulation chamber temperature and the second accumulation chamber temperature S565; and calculating a volume of liquid in the receiving vessel based on the calculated volume of gas in the receiving vessel and a receiving vessel volume S570. The second receiving vessel pressure S545 is verified against the serving pressure target S510, and if it is determined that the serving pressure target has not been achieved, the method repeats steps S520-S540 and S565 until the serving pressure target is achieved. The method 500 functions to use multiple gases to achieve a desired serving pressure and/or taste and texture of the liquid or beverage.

[00165] As shown in FIG. 21, the method 500 includes block S510, which recites receiving a serving pressure target. The serving pressure target is received from a user input into a graphical user interface, for example on a computing device communicatively coupled to the system. Alternatively, the serving pressure target is preprogrammed into the system or automatically detected or determined upon or after connecting the system to a receiving vessel or inputting a type of receiving vessel or beverage into the system. The method 500 performed by the processor proceeds to block S515, which recites calculating an equilibrium of a first gas and a second gas to achieve the serving pressure target. The serving pressure target is achieved by combining or mixing a first gas (e.g., carbon dioxide) and a second gas (e.g., nitrogen). Because gaseous nitrogen is nearly dissolvable in water, only the carbonation target and serving pressure target need to be considered in determining the ratio of mixed gaseous mass additions.

[00166] Using the receiving vessel temperature measured in S550 and the carbonation target received in S210 (FIG. 18), a partial pressure of carbon dioxide is derived using the carbon dioxide equilibrium equation. The remaining required pressure (for mixed gas additions to the receiving vessel) to achieve the serving pressure target S510 may then be calculated to determine the partial pressure of nitrogen. Assuming ideal gas behaviors, the ratio of partial pressures determines the ratio by which the processor switches the gas input between a first gas (e.g., carbon dioxide) and a second gas (e.g., nitrogen), as shown in FIGS. 16. For example, the processor may use the following equation:

[00167] Pcommanded— PNitrogen ~t~ Pcarbon Dioxide

[00168] where,

[00169] Pcommanded is the known serving pressure target;

[00170] PNitrogen is the partial pressure of nitrogen; and

[00171] Pcarbon Dioxide is the partial pressure of carbon dioxide derived from carbon dioxide equilibrium equation.

[00172] If the carbonation target or serving pressure target changes over the consumption or use of the fluid in the receiving vessel, the ratio of PNitrogen to Pcarbon Dioxide will be recalculated and dispensing ratios will be updated.

[00173] If the calculated equilibrium pressure of the first gas and the second gas is below a pre-determined pressure threshold for the receiving vessel (e.g., to ensure receiving vessel integrity and reduce likelihood of damage to the receiving vessel), the method 500 performed by the processor proceeds to block S520, which includes measuring a first accumulation chamber pressure. The first accumulation chamber pressure is the pressure in the uncharged accumulation chamber or, in some embodiments, in the receiving vessel before a first mass addition of gas to the receiving vessel or before a subsequent mass addition of gas to the receiving vessel. If the first gas and/or the second gas is needed to achieve the calculated equilibrium pressure, the second control valve 8, as shown in FIGS. 16, is actuated to allow the first gas and/or the second gas to be transferred from the first input gas vessel 30A and/or the second input gas vessel 30B, respectively, to the gas monitoring device 20. The control valve 16 may then be actuated to allow the first gas and/or second gas to enter the accumulation chamber 14, as shown in FIGS. 16.

[00174] As shown in FIG. 21, the method 500 includes block S535, which recites measuring a second or charged accumulation chamber pressure with the pressure sensor. The pressure measured in the accumulation chamber is a combined pressure of the first gas and the second gas. In some embodiments where only the first gas or the second gas is needed to reach the equilibrium pressure in the receiving vessel, the pressure measured in the accumulation chamber is a pressure of the first gas or the second gas. The first and second control valves return to an unactuated state at block S540 to allow the first and/or second gas transferred into the gas monitoring device to flow into the receiving vessel. The receiving vessel pressure is measured with the pressure sensor at block S545.

[00175] The method 500 proceeds to blocks S550 and S555, which recite measuring a receiving vessel temperature with the receiving vessel temperature sensor; and calculating a gaseous volume in the receiving vessel. Such calculations for gaseous volume in the receiving vessel are described in more detail in connection with FIG. 18 and elsewhere herein.

[00176] In some embodiments, method 500 allows a user to control a ratio of a first gas to a second gas. For example, a user may alter a carbonation target (i.e., amount of dissolved carbon dioxide) while maintaining a constant serving pressure (i.e., maintaining constant amount of dissolved nitrogen). Alternatively, a user may alter a serving pressure target (i.e., amount of dissolved nitrogen) while maintaining a constant carbonation target (i.e., maintaining constant amount of dissolved carbon dioxide). A ratio of a first gas to a second gas is controlled manually by a user or automatically based on varying system parameters (e.g., fluctuating temperature) and/or a type of beverage or liquid in the system.

[00177] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 22, a method 600 of dissolving one or more gases in a fluid uses mass flow using, for example a mass flow sensor or additional sensor configurations as shown and described elsewhere herein. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving a pressure target for a receiving vessel S610; measuring a first receiving vessel pressure (and, optionally, temperature) using a receiving vessel pressure sensor S620; setting a mass flow rate of gas into the receiving vessel S630; optionally, controlling a mass flow of the gas into the receiving vessel S640; measuring a second receiving vessel pressure (and, optionally, temperature) S650; and comparing the second receiving vessel pressure to the pressure target S660. In some embodiments, method 600 further includes calculating a receiving vessel pressure (and, optionally, temperature) rate S710; calculating a gaseous volume in the receiving vessel S720; and calculating a liquid volume in the receiving vessel S570. The method 600 functions to provide a continuous method of dissolving a gas in a fluid as opposed to pulsed methods, as described elsewhere herein.

[00178] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 22, a method 600 of dissolving one or more gases in a fluid using mass flow includes block S610, which recites receiving a pressure target for a receiving vessel. Block S610 functions to achieve a target pressure in the receiving vessel, for example a target pressure that leads to a target serving pressure (e.g., at a tap), a target carbonation level, a target nitrogenation level, or a target gas level. In some embodiments, the pressure target is derived from a carbonation set point and/or a tap pressure set point. The target pressure is pre-programmed into the system, detected upon a receiving vessel being coupled to the system, entered by a user (e.g., via user interface), or via another means. In some embodiments, the target pressure is based on a current pressure in the receiving vessel, for example as measured by a receiving vessel pressure sensor. In some embodiments, the fluid in the receiving vessel already includes dissolved gas, such that the method 600 functions to increase an amount of dissolved gas in the receiving vessel or achieve a target pressure or serving pressure in the receiving vessel.

[00179] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 22, a method 600 of dissolving one or more gases in a fluid using mass flow includes block S620, which recites measuring a receiving vessel pressure using a receiving vessel pressure sensor (and, optionally, a receiving vessel temperature using a receiving vessel temperature sensor). Block S620 functions to determine a baseline or on-going pressure (and, optionally, temperature) of the receiving vessel during method 600. Such pressure (and, optionally, temperature) measurements will be acquired over time and used to determine a rate of change of pressure (or temperature) in the receiving vessel, as shown in block S650. The receiving vessel pressure determined in block S620 is used to determine whether the receiving vessel requires gas to reach its pressure target, as shown in block S610. If it is determined that the receiving vessel requires gas to reach its pressure target, the method 600 proceeds to block S630. In some embodiments, block S620 functions to monitor the receiving vessel pressure to determine when the receiving vessel pressure falls below the pressure target, for example a set amount or threshold below the pressure target. When the receiving vessel pressure falls below the pressure target, the system initiates a mass flow of gas into the receiving vessel to bring the receiving vessel pressure substantially to the pressure target, within range of the pressure target, or within a threshold amount of the receiving vessel pressure.

[00180] In some embodiments, the threshold below the pressure target that causes the gas to start flowing is low enough that the system will need to move enough mass of gas to accurately measure the gas volume in the vessel. This lower pressure is maintained by varying the flow rate of gas during a pour event at the tap. When a pour event is completed, the mass flow rate will be reduced by the processor to a minimum set point that will be used to estimate or calculate the gaseous volume in the receiving vessel.

[00181] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 22, a method 600 of dissolving one or more gases in a fluid using mass flow includes block S630, which recites setting a mass flow rate of gas into the receiving vessel. As described elsewhere herein, determining the appropriate mass flow rate to achieve the receiving vessel pressure target is dependent on a molar mass of the gas, a rate of change of pressure in the receiving vessel, and, optionally, a rate of change of temperature in the receiving vessel. Such pressure and temperature parameters are either fixed (e.g., molar mass, temperature) or measured over time (e.g., pressure, temperature). In some embodiments, where temperature is variable, the method further includes measuring a first temperature of the receiving vessel before the transfer of gas into the receiving vessel and a second temperature of the receiving vessel after the transfer of gas into the receiving vessel; and calculating a receiving vessel temperature rate. In such embodiments, the receiving vessel temperature rate is used in one or more calculations to determine a gaseous volume in the receiving vessel, as shown in S710 and as described elsewhere herein. In some embodiments, the mass flow rate is 0 to 15 liters per minute; in other embodiments, the mass flow rate is 0 to 5, 5 to 10, or 10 to 15 liters per minute, or any range or subrange

therebetween. In some embodiments, the mass flow rate is controlled or adjusted (e.g., increased, decreased, or maintained), as shown in optional block S640, to alter a receiving vessel pressure target.

[00182] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 22, a method 600 of dissolving one or more gases in a fluid using mass flow includes blocks S650 and S660, which recite measuring a second receiving vessel pressure (and, optionally, temperature) S650; and comparing the second receiving vessel pressure to the pressure target S660. While masses of gas are being added to the receiving vessel in accordance with blocks S630-S640, the gas monitoring device intermittently or continuously measures the receiving vessel pressure and compares the receiving vessel pressure to the pressure target. When the system determines that the receiving vessel pressure is not at the pressure target, method 600 loops back to block S630 to initiate the mass flow of additional gas, continue the mass flow of gas, or adjust the mass flow into the receiving vessel.

[00183] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 22, a method 600 of dissolving one or more gases in a fluid using mass flow includes blocks S710, S720, and S570, which recite calculating a receiving vessel pressure (and, optionally, temperature) rate; calculating a gaseous volume in the receiving vessel; and calculating a liquid volume in the receiving vessel.

[00184] In some embodiments, the method includes block S710, which recites calculating a rate of change of receiving vessel pressure (e.g., pl-p2). Such rate of change of the receiving vessel pressure, in conjunction with the rate of change of receiving vessel temperature (Tl- T2) (optionally, e.g., depending on how much the temperature fluctuates) measured over time, is used to calculate a gaseous volume in the receiving vessel, as shown in block S720. In some embodiments, the following equation is used:

[00185]

[00186] where,

[00187] V is the volume of gas in the receiving vessel;

[00188] rh is the mass flow rate of gas into the receiving vessel;

[00189] T is the rate of change of temperature;

[00190] P is the rate of change of pressure;

[00191] R is the universal gas constant; and

[00192] M is the molar mass of gas.

[00193] If the calculated gaseous volume in the receiving vessel indicates that the pressure target in the receiving vessel has not been reached, the method returns to block S630 and repeats, as shown in FIG. 22. In some embodiments, the calculated gaseous volume in the receiving vessel in block S720 is used to calculate a liquid volume in the receiving vessel, as shown in block S570 and as described elsewhere herein.

[00194] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the system receives a carbonation set point, as opposed to a pressure target, from the user or a carbonation set point is preprogrammed into the system. The carbonation set point may be an absolute carbonation level or a beverage type set. In such embodiments, if the carbonation level is below the carbonation set point, the system will start a mass flow of gas. In some embodiments, if a maximum pressure is achieved, the system stops the mass flow of gas until the pressure relaxes to lower carbonation set point.

[00195] In some embodiments, once the system adds the required gas, it will alert the user that the vessel is ready or has reached its carbonation set point. Alternatively or additionally, the system may include a check point to determine when the pressure and/or temperature is stable and then verify a carbonation level or an amount of carbonation in the receiving vessel.

[00196] In some embodiments, a method includes detecting a leak in the system. In some such embodiments, the processor will continuously compare the carbonation target to the receiving vessel pressure and the receiving vessel temperature. Using equilibrium equations, the processor may determine the absorption or desorption rate of gasses. The processor may then compare the rate of mass addition to the receiving vessel versus the gas absorption or desorption rate to determine whether gas is leaving the system through a leak.

[00197] The systems and methods described herein and variations thereof can be embodied and/or implemented at least in part as a machine configured to receive a computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions. The instructions are preferably executed by computer-executable components integrated with the system, for example, the processor on one or more of the gas monitoring device, communications module, server, and/or computing device. The computer-readable instructions can be stored on any suitable computer-readable media such as RAMs, ROMs, flash memory, EEPROMs, optical devices (e.g., CD or DVD), hard drives, floppy drives, or any other suitable device. In various embodiments, the computer-readable instructions include application software stored in a non-transitory format. The computer-executable component is preferably a general or application-specific processor, but any suitable dedicated hardware or hardware/firmware combination can alternatively or additionally execute the instructions.

[00198] As used in the description and claims, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include both singular and plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a sensor" may include, and is contemplated to include, a plurality of sensors. At times, the claims and disclosure may include terms such as "a plurality," "one or more," or "at least one;" however, the absence of such terms is not intended to mean, and should not be interpreted to mean, that a plurality is not conceived. [00199] The term "about" or "approximately," when used before a numerical designation or range (e.g., to define a length or pressure), indicates approximations which may vary by ( + ) or ( - ) 5%, 1% or 0.1%. All numerical ranges provided herein are inclusive of the stated start and end numbers. The term "substantially" indicates mostly (i.e., greater than 50%) or essentially all of a system, method, gas, fluid, or beverage.

[00200] As used herein, the term "comprising" or "comprises" is intended to mean that the systems and methods include the recited elements, and may additionally include any other elements. "Consisting essentially of shall mean that the systems and methods include the recited elements and exclude other elements of essential significance to the combination for the stated purpose. Thus, a system or method consisting essentially of the elements as defined herein would not exclude other materials, features, or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed disclosure. "Consisting of shall mean that the systems and methods include the recited elements and exclude anything more than a trivial or inconsequential element or step. Embodiments defined by each of these transitional terms are within the scope of this disclosure.

EXAMPLE

[00201] FIG. 23 shows graphically a functioning of a system for dissolving a gas in a fluid. As shown, the left y-axis represents pressure in pounds per square inch (PSI), the right y-axis represents grams of carbon dioxide transferred into the receiving vessel, and the x-axis represents a number of valve cycles of the system. One valve cycle is equal to the control valve being actuated to allow incoming gas to accumulate in the accumulation chamber or the control valve being returned to an unactuated state to allow the gas to transfer from the accumulation chamber to the receiving vessel.

[00202] Further, the key shows the following:

[00203] Keg Sense is the pressure of the receiving vessel per valve cycle;

[00204] In Sense is the incoming gas pressure from the input gas vessel per valve cycle;

[00205] Accum Sense is the gas pressure in the accumulation chamber per valve cycle; and

[00206] Total Mass Addition is the grams of carbon dioxide transferred into the receiving vessel per valve cycle.

[00207] As shown in FIG. 23, the incoming gas pressure (In Sense) remains relatively constant during each valve cycle and across valve cycles. The pressure sensed in the receiving vessel (Keg Sense) increases gradually with each additional cycling of the valve, since mass additions of gas are added to the receiving vessel during each valve cycle. The pressure sensed in the accumulation chamber drastically increases when the control valve is actuated (and incoming gas fills the accumulation chamber) and drastically decreases when the control valve is returned to an unactuated state (and the gas moves from the accumulation chamber to the receiving vessel). Lastly, as shown in FIG. 23, the total mass addition of gas increases steadily across valve cycles which corresponds to an increase in grams of carbon dioxide transferred into the receiving vessel.

[00208] The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term "invention" merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A system for automatically adjusting an amount of dissolved gas in a fluid, the system comprising:

a gas monitoring device comprising:

a control valve having a first port connectable to an input gas vessel, and a second port connectable to a receiving vessel, wherein the receiving vessel contains a fluid;

a sensor configured to measure a mass flow of a gas; and

a processor and memory coupled to the control valve and the sensor, wherein the memory has instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:

measuring a first receiving vessel pressure with a pressure sensor coupled to the receiving vessel;

determining, using the sensor, a mass flow rate of gas into the receiving vessel, the mass flow rate being set to achieve a target pressure in the receiving vessel;

transferring gas from the input gas vessel to the receiving vessel at the mass flow rate;

measuring a second receiving vessel pressure with the pressure sensor coupled to the receiving vessel; and

comparing the second receiving vessel pressure to the target pressure, wherein transfer of the gas is discontinued when the target pressure in the receiving vessel is reached.

2. The system of Claim 1, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises adjusting the mass flow rate of gas into the receiving vessel.

3. The system of Claim 1, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises calculating a receiving vessel pressure rate based on the first and second receiving vessel pressures.

4. The system of Claim 3, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises calculating a gaseous volume in the receiving vessel based on the pressure rate and a fixed temperature of the receiving vessel.

5. The system of Claim 4, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises calculating a liquid volume in the receiving vessel based on the gaseous volume.

6. The system of Claim 5, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises subtracting the liquid volume in the receiving vessel from a starting volume in the receiving vessel to determine an amount of liquid used.

7. The system of Claim 6, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises comparing the amount of liquid used to an amount of liquid sold.

8. The system of Claim 4, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises comparing the gaseous volume in the receiving vessel to an amount of gas in the input gas vessel to determine a remaining amount of gas in the input gas vessel.

9. The system of Claim 3, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises measuring a first temperature of the receiving vessel before the transfer of gas into the receiving vessel and a second temperature of the receiving vessel after the transfer of gas into the receiving vessel.

10. The system of Claim 9, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises calculating a receiving vessel temperature rate based on the first and second receiving vessel temperatures.

11. The system of Claim 10, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises calculating a gaseous volume in the receiving vessel based on the pressure rate and the temperature rate of the receiving vessel.

12. A system for automatically adjusting an amount of dissolved gas in a fluid, the system comprising:

a gas monitoring device comprising:

a housing defining an accumulation chamber;

a control valve having a first port connectable to the accumulation chamber, a second port connectable to a receiving vessel, and a third port connectable to an input gas vessel, wherein the receiving vessel contains a fluid; an accumulation chamber temperature sensor;

a receiving vessel temperature sensor;

a pressure sensor; and

a processor and memory coupled to the control valve, the accumulation chamber temperature sensor, the receiving vessel temperature sensor, and the pressure sensor, wherein the memory has instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:

measuring a receiving vessel pressure with the pressure sensor and a receiving vessel temperature with the receiving vessel temperature sensor; calculating the amount of dissolved gas in the receiving vessel from the receiving vessel pressure and the receiving vessel temperature;

determining an additional amount of gas needed to achieve a specific dissolved gas level in the receiving vessel;

transferring gas from the input gas vessel to the accumulation chamber; and

transferring the gas from the accumulation chamber to the receiving vessel until the specific dissolved gas level is reached,

wherein transfer of the gas is discontinued when the specific dissolved gas level is reached, and

wherein a total mass of the transferred gas is monitored to determine when the specific dissolved gas level is reached, the total mass being monitored via monitoring of an accumulation chamber pressure with the pressure sensor and an accumulation chamber temperature with the accumulation chamber temperature sensor.

13. The system of Claim 12, wherein the amount of gas is one of: a volume of gas, a percent of gas, a concentration of gas, and a mass of gas.

14. The system of Claim 12, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises receiving a user input indicative of the specific dissolved gas level.

15. The system of Claim 14, wherein the user input is received via a graphical user interface on a computing device communicatively coupled to the processor.

16. The system of Claim 12, wherein the specific gas level is pre-programmed into the gas monitoring device.

17. The system of Claim 12, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises receiving a user input indicative of a volume of the receiving vessel.

18. The system of Claim 17, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises calculating a volume of the fluid in the receiving vessel based on the amount of the undissolved gas in the receiving vessel and the volume of the receiving vessel.

19. The system of Claim 18, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises calculating a consumed volume of the fluid over time.

20. The system of Claim 19, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises comparing the consumed volume of the fluid with a sold volume of the fluid.

21. The system of Claim 12, further comprising a communication module communicatively coupled to the gas monitoring device and a computing device, wherein the communication module transmits an alert from the gas monitoring device to the computing device.

22. The system of Claim 21, wherein the alert comprises one or more of: a change in the receiving vessel temperature, a change in the receiving vessel pressure, a change in the accumulator chamber temperature, a change in the accumulator chamber pressure, a change in the amount of gas in the receiving vessel, a change in the specific gas level, a detection of a leak, a volume of the fluid is below a threshold, a recommendation for cleaning the system, an empty status of the input gas vessel, the gas monitoring device is disconnected from the receiving vessel, the gas monitoring device is connected to the receiving vessel, the gas monitoring device is disconnected from the input gas vessel, and the gas monitoring device is connected to the input gas vessel.

23. The system of Claim 12, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises calculating a total amount of gas used by the system.

24. The system of Claim 12, wherein the gas is one or more of: carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and a combination thereof.

25. The system in Claim 12, wherein the pressure sensor is positioned in the housing such that the pressure sensor measures a first combined pressure of the accumulation chamber and the receiving vessel when the control valve is not actuated and measures a combined pressure of the input gas vessel and the accumulation chamber when the control valve is actuated.

26. The system of Claim 12, wherein the third port is connectable to a second control valve, the second control valve having a first gas port connectable to the input gas vessel and a second gas port connectable to a second input gas vessel.

27. The system of Claim 26, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises switching between the first gas port and the second gas port to create a mix of the gas from the input gas vessel and a second gas from the second input gas vessel.

28. The system of Claim 27, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises altering an amount of the second gas to achieve a desired serving pressure while maintaining the specific dissolved gas level of the gas.

29. The system of Claim 28, wherein the gas is carbon dioxide and the second gas is nitrogen.

30. The system of Claim 12, further comprising the receiving vessel, wherein the receiving vessel is configured to hold a beverage.

31. The system of Claim 30, wherein the beverage is one of: a beer, a wine, a coffee, water, a tea, a sports drink, and saltwater.

32. The system of Claim 12, further comprising the receiving vessel, wherein the receiving vessel is one of: a keg, a coffee serving vessel, an aquarium, and a greenhouse.

33. The system of Claim 12, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises increasing the receiving vessel pressure to increase a rate at which the gas is dissolved into the fluid.

34. The system of Claim 12, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises receiving an input indicating a desire to stop the gas from being transferred from the input gas vessel to the gas monitoring device.

35. The system of Claim 12, wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises calculating an amount of remaining gas in the input gas vessel based on the total mass of the transferred gas.