Method and apparatus for optimizing variable liquid temperatures
AssigneeNestec S.A.
InventorsRuguo Hu, Megan E. Walters
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Abstract
A method, apparatus, and related beverage profiles for on-demand heating of liquid used for beverage dispensing where such heating is dynamically variable according to the applicable profile. The apparatus includes a heating unit, electronic controller, and sensing devices. A water tank supplies the heating unit via a water pump controlled by the controller that also controls the heating unit. Feedback control loops provide control data to the controller to optimize liquid temperatures for a given beverage type in accordance with predetermined profiles.
Claims7
An apparatus for optimizing variable liquid temperatures within a beverage machine, said apparatus comprising:
- a heating unit for heating a liquid flowing therethrough;
- a power supply for activating said heating unit;
- an electronic controller for variably controlling an input power supplied to said heating unit by said power supply;
- feedback means for providing sensed data representing time of day, time since last brewing and fluctuations in power supply voltage to said electronic controller;
- and
- wherein said input power is varied by said electronic controller in response to said sensed data in accordance with a profile that represents a predetermined heating level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.