Method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling the amount o

Details Method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling the amount o Method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling the amount o

1996-12-26

1998-09-15

Wayner, William E.

Fluid handling

Processes

With control of flow by a condition or characteristic of a...

62171, 261134, F02M 2308, F17D 100

Patent

active

058065504

ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving the consistency and quality of a frozen carbonated beverage product. The invention utilizes a method of monitoring the level of liquid in the mixing chamber of a frozen carbonated beverage machine to accomplish this result. The method involves measuring the pressure spikes that occur in the mixing chamber. The magnitude of a pressure spike is indicative of the amount of liquid in the mixing chamber. If a pressure spike is too high or too low, that is indicative that there is too much or too little liquid in the mixing chamber. By regulating the amount of liquid in the chamber, the consistency and quality of the beverage product can be maintained. The present invention uses a microprocessor to determine when the spikes are outside of an acceptable predetermined range. If the pressure spikes are outside of the acceptable range, the microprocessor readjusts set point pressure values, which are used to determine when to turn on and off the supply of ingredients into the chamber, thereby regulating the gas to liquid ratio, and thus the amount of liquid in the chamber. This in turn allows for accurate control over the consistency and quality of the beverage product.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4187262 (1980-02-01), Fessler et al.
patent: 4747272 (1988-05-01), Howell et al.
patent: 4827965 (1989-05-01), Wates
patent: 4972883 (1990-11-01), Hassell et al.
patent: 5425461 (1995-06-01), Larson
patent: 5518666 (1996-05-01), Plester et al.

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