Variable carbonation using in-line carbonator

摘要

An inline carbonation apparatus includes a fluid tube having an inner diameter. At least one water orifice is linked to a water source and is attached at one end of the fluid tube. The water orifice atomizes water passing therethrough. A carbon dioxide source is connected to a carbon dioxide solenoid valve. The carbon dioxide solenoid valve is connected to a carbon dioxide regulator that is coupled to a carbon dioxide orifice and attached to the fluid tube in a spaced relationship from the water orifice. The atomized water has a pressure less than the carbon dioxide such that carbon dioxide is absorbed into the water forming carbonated water having a specified volume of carbonation. The carbon dioxide solenoid valve is opened and closed for a predetermined portion of a drink dispense time providing a volume of carbonated and non-carbonated fluid which upon mixing achieves a desired carbonation level.

主权项

1. An inline carbonation apparatus comprising:
a fluid conduit having an upstream end, a downstream end, and an inner diameter; a water source configured to supply a steam of water to the upstream end; wherein the fluid conduit has a water orifice through which the stream of water passes, the water orifice defining a plurality of holes that are configured to atomize the stream of water; and a carbon dioxide source that is configured to introduce a specified volume of carbon dioxide into the atomized stream of water via a carbon dioxide orifice that is located downstream of the water orifice; a carbon dioxide regulator that is configured to regulate the introduction of the specified volume of carbon dioxide into the atomized stream of water; wherein the water orifice is configured to cause the atomized stream of water to have a pressure that is less than a pressure of the carbon dioxide so that the carbon dioxide is adsorbed into the atomized stream of water and thereby produces a carbonated stream of water having a predetermined volume of carbonation; a solenoid valve connected to the carbon dioxide source and to the carbon dioxide regulator, wherein the solenoid valve is configured to open and close for a predetermined portion of a drink dispense time to thereby provide the specified volume of carbon dioxide, which upon adsorption in the atomized stream of water produces the carbonated stream of water having the predetermined volume of carbonation, wherein non-carbonated water is produced when the solenoid valve is closed and wherein carbonated water is produced when the solenoid valve is open; and a flow controller that controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valve based upon a drink dispense flow rate.