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US 8,544,701 B1Granted
Pressurized fluid distribution system for beverage dispensing
AssigneeAdvanced Carbonation Technologies, LLC
InventorMichael Alan Scott
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for storing and monitoring a pressurized fluid includes a pressurized fluid source and a plurality of fluid lines in communication with the supply line of a beverage dispensing system. The fluid lines are configured to selectively permit the passage of the pressurized fluid when the pressure of the source (e.g., a tank) reaches a predetermined threshold value. Specifically, the tank includes a high pressure line, an intermediate pressure line, and a low pressure or reserve line.
Claims20
A pressurized fluid system operable to store and selectively direct pressurized fluid toward a supply line in fluid communication with a beverage dispensing system, the pressurized fluid system comprising:
- a storage tank including a cavity having an operational pressure value, the storage tank cavity being configured to store fluid under pressure;
- a first conduit in fluid communication with the storage tank cavity and configured to direct fluid within the cavity downstream toward the supply line, the first conduit including a first inlet disposed at a first vertical position within the cavity and a first highpoint regulator disposed downstream from the first inlet, the first highpoint regulator permitting fluid flowing from the cavity having a pressure value above a first threshold pressure value to flow downstream toward the supply line and preventing fluid having a value below the first threshold pressure value to flow downstream toward the supply line, wherein the first conduit directs the fluid stored within the cavity toward the supply line when the operational pressure value of the cavity falls within a first predetermined pressure range;
- a second conduit in fluid communication with the storage tank cavity and configured to direct fluid within the cavity downstream toward the supply line, the second conduit including a second inlet disposed at a second vertical position within the cavity that is below the first vertical position and a second highpoint regulator disposed downstream from the second inlet, the second highpoint regulator permitting fluid flowing from the cavity having a pressure value above a second threshold pressure value to flow downstream toward the supply line and preventing fluid having a pressure value below the second threshold pressure value to flow downstream toward the supply line, and wherein the second conduit directs the fluid stored within the cavity toward the supply line when the operational pressure value of the cavity falls within a second predetermined pressure range;
- and
- a third conduit in fluid communication with the storage tank cavity, wherein the third conduit directs the fluid stored within the cavity toward the supply line when the operational pressure value of the cavity falls within a third predetermined range,
- wherein the first predetermined pressure range is greater than each of the second predetermined pressure range and the third predetermined pressure range.
3 more elements
A pressurized fluid system operable to store and selectively direct pressurized fluid toward a supply line in fluid communication with a beverage dispensing system, the pressurized fluid system comprising:
- a storage tank including a cavity configured to store fluid under pressure, wherein the storage tank cavity has an operational pressure value;
- a first conduit in fluid communication with the storage tank cavity, the first conduit including a first inlet disposed at a first height within the cavity and a first conduit valve disposed downstream from the first inlet and operable to selectively permit flow of fluid downstream, the first conduit valve being configurable in a closed position and in an opened position;
- a second conduit in fluid communication with the storage tank cavity, the second conduit including a second inlet disposed at a second height within the cavity and a second conduit valve disposed downstream from the second inlet and operable to selectively permit flow of fluid downstream, the second conduit valve being configurable in a closed position and in an opened position;
- and
- a third conduit in fluid communication with the storage tank cavity, the third conduit including a third inlet disposed at a third height within the cavity,
- wherein each conduit selectively directs fluid from the cavity depending on the operational pressure value of the cavity, and wherein both the first and second conduit valves are opened to simultaneously permit flow of fluid toward the supply line.
3 more elements
A beverage dispensing system comprising:
- a beverage source in fluid communication with a beverage dispenser;
- and
- a system for directing pressurized fluid toward the beverage source, the system including:
- a storage tank including a cavity for containing pressurized fluid, the cavity having an operational pressure value,
- a supply conduit to direct fluid from the storage tank cavity to the beverage source,
- a first conduit in fluid communication with the storage tank cavity, wherein the first conduit directs the pressurized fluid stored within the cavity toward the supply conduit when the operational pressure value of the cavity falls within a first predetermined pressure range,
- a second conduit in fluid communication with the storage tank cavity, wherein the second conduit directs the pressurized fluid stored within the cavity toward the supply conduit when the operational pressure value of the cavity falls within a second predetermined pressure range, and
- a third conduit in fluid communication with the storage tank cavity, wherein the third conduit directs the pressurized fluid stored within the cavity toward the supply conduit when the operational pressure value of the cavity falls within a third predetermined pressure range,
- wherein the first predetermined pressure range is greater than each of the second and third predetermined pressure ranges.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.