PRODUCT DISPENSING SYSTEM
First Claim
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1. A product dispensing system comprising:
- a flow control device configured to regulate a first ingredient;
a pump module configured to be coupled to a supply of a second ingredient;
a controller configured to provide a first control signal to the flow control device for controlling the supply of a first quantity of the first ingredient based upon, at least in part, a predetermined recipe, and to provide a second control signal to the pump module for controlling the supply of a first quantity of the second ingredient based upon, at least in part, the predetermined recipe.
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Abstract
A product dispensing system includes a flow control device configured to regulate a first ingredient. A pump module is configured to be coupled to a supply of a second ingredient. A controller is configured to provide a first control signal to the flow control device for controlling the supply of a first quantity of the first ingredient based upon, at least in part, a predetermined recipe. The controller is further configured to provide a second control signal to the pump module for controlling the supply of a first quantity of the second ingredient based upon, at least in part, the predetermined recipe.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A product dispensing system comprising:
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a flow control device configured to regulate a first ingredient;
a pump module configured to be coupled to a supply of a second ingredient;
a controller configured to provide a first control signal to the flow control device for controlling the supply of a first quantity of the first ingredient based upon, at least in part, a predetermined recipe, and to provide a second control signal to the pump module for controlling the supply of a first quantity of the second ingredient based upon, at least in part, the predetermined recipe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A fluid delivery system comprising:
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a fluid pathway having an inlet disposed at a first vertical height and an exit disposed at a second vertical height higher than the first vertical height;
a fluid pump disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid exit, the fluid pump further disposed at a third vertical height higher than the first vertical height and lower than the second vertical height; and
a flow sensor disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid pump, the flow sensor configured to detect the flow of fluid through a fluid pathway;
wherein air entering the fluid inlet may travel through the fluid pathway and exit via the fluid exit. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A flow control device comprising:
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a flow measuring device configured to generate a flow feedback signal indicative of a volume of content flowing within a line of a dispensing system;
a feedback controller system, responsive to the flow feedback signal and configured to compare a desired flow volume to the flow feedback signal to generate a flow control signal, wherein the feedback controller system includes a feed forward controller for establishing, at least in part, an initial value for the flow control signal; and
a variable line impedance positioned within the line of the dispensing system and responsive to the flow control signal, the variable line impedance being configured to regulate the volume of content flowing within the line of the dispensing system based, at least in part, upon the flow control signal. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A fluid pumping system comprising:
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a fluid pathway having a fluid inlet and a fluid exit;
a fluid pump configured to pump a fluid through the fluid pathway between the fluid inlet and the fluid exit; and
an air detection sensor disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid exit, the air detection sensor configured to detect the presence of air within the fluid pathway. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification