System and method for generating a drive signal

• US 8,839,989 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2012
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Beavis, Russell Herbert, Dattolo, James Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicolas, Frederick C
• Application Number:
  US13/346,288
• Publication Number:
  US 20120109370A1
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 222/52, 222/129.1, 222/129.2, 222/129.3, 222/129.4, 222/130, 222/132, 222/136, 222/385, 700/231, 700/19
• US Class Current: 222/129.1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0034 for controlling the amount of each component
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0036 based on the timed opening of valves
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/10 Pump mechanism in general F04
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/104 by the liquid to be dispensed
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/122 modulating a pumping rate
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0097 using a pump
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 13/02 of two or more fluids at the same time
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/065 and making use of computers
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 51/00 Testing machines, pumps, or pumping installations
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0027 Varying behaviour or the very pump F04D15/0055 and F04D29/46 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric

Abstract

A method and computer program product for defining a PWM drive signal having a defined voltage potential. The PWM drive signal has a plurality of “on” portions and a plurality of “off” portions that define a first duty cycle for regulating, at least in part, a flow rate of a pump assembly. At least a portion of the “on” portions of the PWM drive signal are pulse width modulated to define a second duty cycle for the at least a portion of the “on” portions of the PWM drive signal. The second duty cycle regulates, at least in part, the percentage of the defined voltage potential applied to the pump assembly.

Claims

1. A fluid dispensing system comprising:

at least one microprocessor;

a micro-ingredient subsystem comprising;

at least one product container configured to hold a micro-ingredient;

at least one product module assembly configured to releasably engage the at least one product container; and

at least one pump assembly configured to attach to the at least one product container;

a control logic subsystem for converting control signals provided by the at least one microprocessor into a form usable by the micro-ingredient subsystem, wherein the control logic subsystem configured to;

define a PWM drive signal having a defined voltage potential, wherein the PWM drive signal has a plurality of “

on”

portions and a plurality of “

off”

portions that define a first duty cycle for regulating, at least in part, a first flow rate of the at least one pump assembly; and

pulse width modulate at least a portion of the “

on”

portions of the PWM drive signal to define a second duty cycle for the at least a portion of the “

on”

portions of the PWM drive signal, wherein the second duty cycle regulates, at least in part, a percentage of the defined voltage potential applied to the at least one pump assembly; and

a plumbing/control subsystem, wherein the control logic subsystem further configured to measure a second flow generated by the plumbing/control subsystem using a flow measuring device.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one pump assembly is a solenoid piston pump.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a feedback controller system, wherein the control logic subsystem further configured to supply a flow feedback signal to the feedback controller system, wherein the feedback controller system compares the flow feedback signal to a desired flow volume.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the control signals define a volume of micro-ingredients to be pumped.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one pump assembly is configured for use within a beverage dispensing system.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one pump assembly is rigidly attached to the at least one product module assembly.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the defined voltage potential is 28 VDC.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the “

on”

portions of the PWM drive signal has a duration of approximately 15 milliseconds.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the “

off”

portions of the PWM drive signal has a duration within a range of 15-185 milliseconds.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the second duty cycle is within a range of 50-100%.

11. A fluid dispensing system comprising:

a microprocessor;

a micro-ingredient subsystem comprising;

a product container configured to hold a micro-ingredient;

a product module assembly configured to releasably engage the product container; and

a pump assembly configured to attach to the product container;

a control logic subsystem for converting control signals provided by the microprocessor into a form usable by the micro-ingredient subsystem,

wherein the control signals define a volume of micro-ingredients to be pumped, and

wherein the control logic subsystem configured to;

define a PWM drive signal having a defined voltage potential, wherein the PWM drive signal has a plurality of “

on”

portions and a plurality of “

off”

portions that define a first duty cycle for regulating, at least in part, a first flow rate of the pump assembly; and

pulse width modulate at least a portion of the “

on”

portions of the PWM drive signal to define a second duty cycle for the at least a portion of the “

on”

portions of the PWM drive signal, wherein the second duty cycle regulates, at least in part, a percentage of the defined voltage potential applied to the pump assembly; and

a plumbing/control subsystem, wherein the control logic subsystem further configured to measure a second flow generated by the plumbing/control subsystem using a flow measuring device.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the pump assembly is a solenoid piston pump.

13. The system of claim 11 further comprising a feedback controller system, wherein the control logic subsystem further configured to supply a flow feedback signal to the feedback controller system, wherein the feedback controller system compares the flow feedback signal to a desired flow volume.

14. A fluid dispensing system comprising:

at least one microprocessor;

a micro-ingredient subsystem comprising;

at least one product module assembly configured to releasably engage at least one product container; and

at least one pump assembly configured to attach to the at least one product container;

a control logic subsystem for converting control signals provided by the at least one microprocessor into a form usable by the micro-ingredient subsystem, wherein the control logic subsystem configured to;

define a PWM drive signal having a defined voltage potential, wherein the PWM drive signal has a plurality of “

on”

portions and a plurality of “

off”

portions that define a first duty cycle for regulating, at least in part, a first flow rate of the at least one pump assembly; and

pulse width modulate at least a portion of the “

on”

portions of the PWM drive signal to define a second duty cycle for the at least a portion of the “

on”

portions of the PWM drive signal, wherein the second duty cycle regulates, at least in part, a percentage of the defined voltage potential applied to the at least one pump assembly; and

a plumbing/control subsystem, wherein the control logic subsystem further configured to measure a second flow generated by the plumbing/control subsystem using a flow measuring device.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the pump assembly is a solenoid piston pump.

16. The system of claim 14 further comprising a feedback controller system, wherein the control logic subsystem further configured to supply a flow feedback signal to the feedback controller system, wherein the feedback controller system compares the flow feedback signal to a desired flow volume.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein the control signals define a volume of micro-ingredients to be pumped.