Apparatuses, systems, and methods for inline injection of gases into liquids
First Claim
1. A system for injecting nitrogen gas into a liquid to form a beverage solution, the system comprising:
- a flow channel that conveys the liquid from upstream to downstream;
a sparger located in the flow channel, the sparger having a porous surface through which the nitrogen gas is injected into the liquid to thereby form the beverage solution;
a liquid valve configured to regulate flow of the liquid into the flow channel;
a gas valve configured to regulate flow of the nitrogen gas into the sparger;
a backpressure device located downstream of the sparger, the backpressure device causing a backpressure on the beverage solution;
a solution pressure detection device configured to sense a pressure of the solution downstream of the sparger;
a gas pressure detection device configured to sense pressure of the nitrogen gas dispensed via the sparger; and
a controller having a processor and a memory, wherein the controller is configured to control the liquid valve and the gas valve based upon the pressure of the beverage solution sensed by the solution pressure detection device and based upon the pressure of the nitrogen gas sensed by the gas pressure detection device;
wherein the controller is configured to control the gas valve so as to maintain the pressure of the nitrogen gas at a level above the pressure of the liquid as the liquid flows past the porous surface such that the nitrogen gas continuously injects into the liquid via the porous surface; and
wherein the controller is configured to determine an amount of the backpressure acting on the sparger based on the pressure of the solution sensed by the solution pressure detection device and then control the gas valve and liquid valve to maintain the predetermined pressure of the beverage solution.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gas injection system for injecting a gas into a liquid to form a solution includes a flow channel that conveys a liquid from an upstream inlet configured to receive the liquid and a downstream outlet configured to dispense the solution, sparger positioned in the flow channel, a solution pressure detection device configured to sense a pressure of the solution in the flow channel, and a liquid valve configured to regulate flow of the liquid in the flow channel based on the pressure sensed by the solution pressure detection device. The sparger is configured to inject the gas into the liquid through the porous surface as the liquid flows across the surface.
228 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for injecting nitrogen gas into a liquid to form a beverage solution, the system comprising:
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a flow channel that conveys the liquid from upstream to downstream; a sparger located in the flow channel, the sparger having a porous surface through which the nitrogen gas is injected into the liquid to thereby form the beverage solution; a liquid valve configured to regulate flow of the liquid into the flow channel; a gas valve configured to regulate flow of the nitrogen gas into the sparger; a backpressure device located downstream of the sparger, the backpressure device causing a backpressure on the beverage solution; a solution pressure detection device configured to sense a pressure of the solution downstream of the sparger; a gas pressure detection device configured to sense pressure of the nitrogen gas dispensed via the sparger; and a controller having a processor and a memory, wherein the controller is configured to control the liquid valve and the gas valve based upon the pressure of the beverage solution sensed by the solution pressure detection device and based upon the pressure of the nitrogen gas sensed by the gas pressure detection device; wherein the controller is configured to control the gas valve so as to maintain the pressure of the nitrogen gas at a level above the pressure of the liquid as the liquid flows past the porous surface such that the nitrogen gas continuously injects into the liquid via the porous surface; and wherein the controller is configured to determine an amount of the backpressure acting on the sparger based on the pressure of the solution sensed by the solution pressure detection device and then control the gas valve and liquid valve to maintain the predetermined pressure of the beverage solution. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for injecting nitrogen gas into a liquid to form a beverage solution, the system comprising:
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a flow channel that conveys the liquid from upstream to downstream; a sparger located in the flow channel, the sparger having a porous surface through which the nitrogen gas is injected into the liquid to thereby form the beverage solution; a liquid valve configured to regulate flow of the liquid into the flow channel; a gas valve configured to regulate flow of the nitrogen gas into the sparger; a tap that receives and controls dispense of the beverage solution from the flow channel to a dispensing nozzle, wherein the tap is operable by a user of the system so as to dispense the beverage solution from the system, and more particularly wherein the tap is configured to allow the user to open and close the tap, wherein opening the tap causes the beverage solution to be dispensed from the system via the dispensing nozzle, and wherein closing the tap prevents the beverage solution from being dispensed from the system; and a backpressure device disposed between the tap and the dispensing nozzle, the backpressure device applying a backpressure on the beverage solution downstream of the sparger, the backpressure causing the nitrogen gas to remain in the beverage solution from the sparger to the backpressure device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification