Method and Apparatus for Optimizing Variable Liquid Temperatures

Abstract

A method apparatus ( 100 ), 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 ( 100 ) includes a heating unit ( 160 ), electronic controller ( 140 ), and sensing devices ( 150, 180 ). A water tank ( 110 ) supplies the heating unit ( 160 ) via a water pump ( 120 ) controlled by the controller ( 140 ) that also controls the heating unit. Feedback control loops provide control data to the controller ( 140 ) to optimize liquid temperatures for a given beverage type in accordance with predetermined profiles.

1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a heating unit for heating a liquid flowing therethrough;    a power supply for activating the heating unit;    an electronic controller for variably controlling an input power supplied to the heating unit by the power supply;    feedback means for providing sensed data to the electronic controller; and    the input power is varied by the electronic controller in response to the sensed data in accordance with a profile that represents a predetermined heating level.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the profile is selected from a group of differing profiles where each differing profile relates to a beverage type.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the beverage type is chosen by a user of the beverage machine to thereby determine the profile used by the electronic controller.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the beverage type is determined by the beverage machine to thereby determine the profile used by the electronic controller.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the sensed data includes time of day.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the sensed data further includes time from last brewing  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the sensed data includes fluctuations in supply voltage of the power supply.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the electronic controller also variably controls a flow rate of the liquid through the heating unit wherein the flow rate is also varied by the electronic controller in response to the sensed data in accordance with the profile that represents the predetermined heating level at a predetermined flow rate.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the feedback means includes 
 a flow meter for providing flow feedback data related to a flow rate of the liquid through the heating unit, and    a temperature sensor for providing temperature feedback data related to a heated temperature of the liquid flowing from the heating unit.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the feedback means includes a temperature sensor for providing temperature feedback data related to a heated temperature of the liquid flowing from the heating unit.  
   
   
       11 . A method for optimizing variable liquid temperatures within a beverage machine comprising: 
 initiating a profile related to a predetermined beverage type, the profile including a series of target temperatures;    obtaining a temperature of a heated liquid heated by a heating unit; and    modifying the temperature over a period of time in accordance with the profile.    
   
   
       12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the initiating step is accomplished by a user of the beverage machine and the profile is stored by an electronic controller.  
   
   
       13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the electronic controller performs the modifying step.  
   
   
       14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the modifying step further includes a step of optimizing the temperature in response to fluctuations in supply voltage to the heating unit.  
   
   
       15 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the modifying step further includes a step of optimizing the temperature in response to a determination of time of day and time from last brewing.  
   
   
       16 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the modifying step further includes a step of optimizing the temperature in response to a determination of time of day and time from last brewing  
   
   
       17 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the modifying step further includes a step of optimizing the temperature in response to a determination of type of brewing machine.  
   
   
       18 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the profile further includes a series of target flow rates comprising: 
 obtaining a flow rate of the heated liquid, and    the modifying step includes modifying the flow rate over a period of time in accordance with the profile.    
   
   
       19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said the modifying step further includes a step of optimizing the temperature and the flow rate in response to fluctuations in supply voltage to the heating unit.  
   
   
       20 . The method as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the modifying step further includes a step of optimizing the temperature and the flow rate in response to a determination of time of day and time from last brewing  
   
   
       21 . The method as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the modifying step further includes a step of optimizing the temperature and the flow rate in response to a determination of time of day and time from last brewing  
   
   
       22 . The method as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the modifying step further includes a step of optimizing the temperature and the flow rate in response to a determination of type of brewing machine.  
   
   
       23 . A profile embodied in an electronic memory comprising: 
 a first temperature for increasing dissolution of the soluble component to form a beverage product;    a second temperature for brewing the beverage product via the soluble component, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature;    a third temperature for increasing desirable characteristics of the beverage product, the third temperature being higher than the second temperature; and    a fourth temperature for evacuating substantially all residuals of the soluble component, the fourth temperature being higher than the third temperature.    
   
   
       24 . The profile as claimed in  claim 23  wherein the first, second, and third temperatures each occur during a predetermined liquid flow rate.  
   
   
       25 . The profile as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the first temperature is 90° C., the second temperature is 75° C., third temperature is temperature is 85° C., and the predetermined liquid flow rate is 50 ml per temperature occurrence.  
   
   
       26 . The profile as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the beverage product is a cappuccino beverage and the desirable characteristics are foam generation of the cappuccino beverage.  
   
   
       27 . The profile as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the first temperature is 85° C., the second temperature is 70° C., the third temperature is temperature is 80° C., and the predetermined liquid flow rate is 25 ml per temperature occurrence.  
   
   
       28 . The profile as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the beverage product is an espresso beverage and the desirable characteristics are crema generation of said espresso beverage.  
   
   
       29 . A profile embodied in an electronic memory comprising: 
 a first temperature for increasing dissolution of the soluble component to form a beverage product; and    a second temperature for brewing the beverage product via the soluble component, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature.    
   
   
       30 . The profile as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the first temperature is 95° C., the second temperature is 90° C., and each first and second temperature occur during a predetermined liquid flow rate of 75 ml per temperature occurrence.  
   
   
       31 . The profile as claimed in  claim 30  wherein the beverage product is a leaf tea beverage.  
   
   
       32 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a heating unit for heating a liquid flowing therethrough;    a power supply;    an electronic controller for variably controlling an input power supplied to the heating unit by the power supply;    a feedback providing sensed data to the electronic controller; and    the input power being varied by the electronic controller in response to the sensed data and a profile that represents a predetermined heating level.