System for automated brew cycles and machine controls and interfaces

A system comprising:

• a brew assembly comprising:
• a water reservoir configured to store a first volume of water;
• and
• a brew chamber extending from the water reservoir;
• a portafilter configured to transiently couple to the brew chamber;
• a piston:
• configured to run in the brew chamber;
• and
• defining a fill port extending between the water reservoir and the brew chamber;
• a valve coupled to the fill port and operable in:
• a closed position during advancement of the piston within the brew chamber;
• and
• an open position during retraction of the piston within the brew chamber;
• an actuator:
• coupled to the piston;
• a heating element:
• coupled to the brew assembly;
• and
• configured to heat the first volume of water occupying the brew assembly;
• a first temperature sensor configured to output a first temperature signal representing a first temperature of the first volume of water occupying the water reservoir;
• a second temperature sensor configured to output a second temperature signal representing a second temperature of liquid occupying the brew chamber;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• access a target bloom temperature;
• activate the heating element to heat the volume of water occupying the water reservoir;
• access the first temperature signal from the first temperature sensor;
• in response to the first temperature of the first volume of water approaching the target bloom temperature, trigger the actuator to retract the piston to draw water from the water reservoir into the brew chamber via the fill port;
• access the second temperature signal from the second temperature sensor;
• during a bloom period, activate the heating element to maintain liquid occupying the brew chamber proximal the target bloom temperature based on the second temperature signal;
• and
• in response to completion of the bloom period, trigger the actuator to advance the piston to displace liquid from the brew chamber via the portafilter.

A system comprising:

• a brew assembly comprising:
• a water reservoir configured to store a first volume of water;
• and
• a brew chamber contiguous with the water reservoir;
• a portafilter configured to transiently couple to the brew chamber;
• a piston:
• configured to run in the brew chamber;
• and
• defining a fill port extending between the water reservoir and the brew chamber;
• a valve coupled to the fill port and operable in:
• a closed position during advancement of the piston within the brew chamber;
• and
• an open position during retraction of the piston within the brew chamber;
• an actuator:
• a heating element configured to heat the first volume of water occupying the brew assembly;
• a temperature sensor configured to output a temperature signal representing a temperature of the first volume of water occupying the brew assembly;
• a pressure sensor configured to output a pressure signal representing a pressure within the brew chamber between the piston and the portafilter;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• access a target brew pressure;
• activate the heating element;
• in response to the temperature of the first volume of water reaching a target temperature, trigger the actuator to retract the piston to transfer water from the water reservoir through the fill port and into the brew chamber;
• trigger the actuator to advance the piston, at an initial speed, to displace liquid from the brew chamber via the portafilter;
• detect a first pressure in the brew chamber at a first time based on the pressure signal received from the pressure sensor;
• in response to the first pressure exceeding the target brew pressure, trigger the actuator to advance the piston at a first speed less than the initial speed;
• detect a second pressure in the brew chamber at a second time based on the pressure signal received from the pressure sensor;
• and
• in response to the second pressure falling below the target brew pressure, trigger the actuator to advance the piston at a second speed greater than the initial speed.