Dispensed liquid volume control system

• US 5,431,302 A
• Filed: 12/13/1993
• Issued: 07/11/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Augusta Systems, Inc. (Hexagon AB)
• Original Assignee: Augusta Systems, Inc. (Hexagon AB)
• Inventors: Tulley, Michael K., Paton, Richard D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): DEROSA, KENNETH
• Application Number:
  US08/165,726
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 222/52, 222/59, 222/60, 222/14-16, 222/40, 222/505, 73/861.42, 364/479, 364/144, 364/465, 137/624.11, 137/606, 141/198, 141/210, 141/311 R, 141/317
• US Class Current: 222/14
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1213 combined with a timer
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1234 to determine the total amount
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1466 the valve shutter being opened in a direction opposite to the liquid flow
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/1488 pneumatically operated
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/303 involving digital counting

Abstract

An improved apparatus and method is provided for accurately dispensing a preselected volume of liquid. A flowmeter is provided to generate signals proportional to the flow of liquid through a faucet. A programmed microcomputer receives the flowmeter signals and controls the faucet. The residual volume of liquid (spill), which was dispensed after the faucet was last commanded to close, is stored and averaged with additional, previously stored spill amounts by the microcomputer. The average spill volume is used to anticipate the spill for the forthcoming pour. When the cumulative volume of liquid dispensed is equal to the preselected volume less the anticipated spill volume, the microcomputer signals the faucet to close, resulting in an accurate pour. In a another aspect, an improved beer dispensing head is provided. A spring-loaded conventional tap handle activates a sensor means in the head. A remote microcomputer receives a signal from the sensor and produces a controlling signal to activate a remote electro-pneumatic valve. The valve actuates a double-acting cylinder located in the head, which in turn actuates the faucet, dispensing beer.

Claims

1. A liquid volume control system, for the accurate dispensing of an preselected volume of liquid, comprising:

a pressurized source of liquid;

a faucet means connected to the liquid source, for controlling dispensing of the liquid therethrough;

a flowmeter means, connected between the liquid source and the faucet means, for producing signals proportional to the flow of liquid dispensed from the faucet means;

an actuating means for opening and closing the faucet means;

switch means for producing signals to initiate dispensing of the liquid;

a programmable controller means being connected to the switch means and the flowmeter means for receiving the signals produced therefrom and continuously establishing from said signals first values indicative of the cumulative volume of liquid dispensed and second values substantially indicative of the average spill volume, and for comparing the first and second calculated volume values with the preselected volume, and sending a signal to the actuating means to close the faucet means when the calculated cumulative volume of liquid dispensed is equal to the preselected volume less the average spill volume, whereby the total of the cumulative volume and an actual spill volume dispensed is substantially equal to the preselected volume.

2. The control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the dispensed liquid is beer.

3. In a computerized beer dispensing system for the dispensing of a preselected quantity of beer, having a faucet means connected with a pressurized source of beer, said faucet means having a flowmeter means connected thereto to produce signals indicative of the volume of beer flowing therethrough, the improvement comprising:

a beer tap handle for user activation of the dispensing system;

a electronic switch means for producing signals indicative of the beer tap handle position;

a lever means for activating the switch means, being connected to the beer tap handle, and having spring return and detent means to provide a user-desirable mechanical feedback;

actuating means for opening and closing the faucet means;

a programmed computer means for receiving the handle position signal to produce controlling signals for activating the actuating means to open the faucet means when the lever is pulled forward and to close the faucet means when the handle is returned, and also to receive flowmeter signals to calculate values indicative of the cumulatively dispensed quantity of beer, compare them with stored values indicative of the preselected quantities and to produce signals to activate the actuating means to close the faucet means, causing the faucet means to dispense the preselected quantity of beer.