Concentrate level sensing

摘要

A beverage system includes a pump that draws a set mount of a flavored concentrate into a mixing chamber through a conduit for mixing with water to form a beverage. A sensor detects when the amount of the flavored concentrate in the conduit or in the container is low or out. The sensor includes two wings each including a recessed surface that together defines a circular space. A portion of the conduit is received in the circular space. Each of the wings includes an ultrasonic portion that emits ultrasonic waves that are non-intrusive. When the amount of flavored concentrate in the conduit is low, air bubbles are generated in the flow along the conduit and/or a vacuum is created in the conduit to draw the conduit away from the recessed surface. The ultrasonic waves detect either of these two features, indicating that the amount of the flavored concentrate is low.

主权项

1. A concentrate system comprising:
a fluid conduit, wherein concentrate flows from a concentrate container to a pump along the fluid conduit, wherein the pump includes a piston moveable by a motor to draw the concentrate into a mixing chamber, a pump head including a pump head piston opening that receives the piston and a pump head water port, and an adapter plate including an adapter plate piston opening that receives the piston and a water opening that receives the pump head water port of the pump head; a locking ring that secures the adapter plate to the pump head; and an ultrasonic sensor that generates ultrasonic waves to detect the concentrate in the fluid conduit and to detect when an amount of the concentrate in the fluid conduit is below a threshold value, wherein the ultrasonic sensor is located between the concentrate container and the pump.