GB2128166A

GB2128166A - Improvements in the metering of fluid flow

Info

Publication number: GB2128166A
Application number: GB08228175A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Morgan
Original assignee: PEKTRON Ltd
Current assignee: PEKTRON Ltd
Priority date: 1982-10-01
Filing date: 1982-10-01
Publication date: 1984-04-26
Also published as: GB2128166B

Abstract

In a free flow system for dispensing beer, a switch (32) at the dispense outlet is movable in two directions. In one direction of movement of the switch (32), a valve (22) is opened for dispense and simultaneously a transducer (24) transmits pulses dependent on the flow to a control module (26). When, say 95%, of the desired dispense has been sensed by counting the pulses, the valve (22) is switched off. The remainder of the desired quantity is dispensed by topping up at a slower rate when the switch (32) is moved in the other direction. No pulse counting takes place during topping up and each movement of the switch (32) in said one direction is registered to accurately meter the number of desired quantities dispensed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in the metering of fluid flow This invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to the metering of the flow of a fluid and in particular is concerned with a method of, and apparatus for, metering liquids such as beer when dispensed by a free flow system.

In the present system of dispense in the licensed trade known as the "free flow system", a tap mounted on a bar is connected by a delivery pipe to a cask or barrel of beer in a cellar. The delivery line is pressurised either by an electric pump operated by a line pressure switch or carbon dioxide tap pressure such that when the tap is opened, beer flows from the barrel through the tap into a brim measure glass or lined glass. As the tap may be opened several times during the dispense of one half pint of beer it is difficult to devise a method of metering the number of half pints dispensed.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of metering the flow of a fluid, said method comprising the steps of effecting a first switching operation to automatically control the dispense of a predetermined quantity of the fluid, and effecting a second switching operation to provide manual control of the dispense of a further quantity of the fluid.

Preferably the further quantity of the fluid is dispensed at a slower rate than the predetermined quantity. The predetermined quantity may be for example 95% of one half pint of beer.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for metering the flow of a fluid, said apparatus comprising means for effecting a first switching operation at a dispense head, valve means in the fluid dispense line openable on the occurence of said first switching operation, means for sensing the consequent fluid flow and closing the valve means when a predetermined quantity of the fluid has been automatically dispensed, and means for effecting a second switching operation at the dispense head, whereby to open the valve means to enable manual dispense of a further quantity of the fluid.

Preferably the valve means comprises a solenoid valve. The sensing means may comprise a turbine or flow meter in the fluid line and counting means, the latter being inoperative during the second switching operation.

The sensing means, together with the solenoid valve and the switching means, may be electrically connected in a control circuit. The switching means preferably comprises a switch operable in a first direction to effect said first switching operation and in a second direction to effect said second switching operation and the switch in said second position may control means in the delivery line to reduce the rate of dispense of the fluid.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which is a diagrammatic representation of a beer dispensing apparatus.

Referring to the drawing a beer dispensing apparatus comprises a dispense head 10 adapted to be mounted on a bar 1 2 and locating a beer delivery pipe 14 which is connected through a pump 1 8 to a barrel 20 at a remote location, i.e. in a cellar.

In the dispense head 10 there is provided in the delivery pipe 14, a solenoid valve 22 and, upstream of the latter, a turbine flow transducer 24. The valve 22 and the transducer 24 are in circuit with an electronic control module 26. The circuit further includes a pair of selectively operable microswitches 28, 30, the operation of which is controlled by the manual movement of an operating lever 32. The latter is pivotally mounted on the dispense head 10 and, at an inner end, mounts a plunger 34 which locates in the upper end of the delivery pipe 14 above a dispense outlet 36 for a purpose hereinafter described.

When the lever 32 is operated in a downward direction, the micro-switch 28 is operated to trigger the control module 26 which then opens the solenoid valve 22. The beer can then be dispensed through the outlet 36 into a glass 38. Simultaneously the transducer 24 is operable and, under the influence of the beer being dispensed, transmits pulses to the control module 26. An electronic counter in the control module 26 switches off the valve 22 when a nominal quantity of say 95% of a half pint of beer has been dispensed. Therefore this volume of beer has been dispensed into the glass 38 by a single downward operation of the lever 32. An electro-mechanical counter (not shown) connected with the control module 26 or an additional mechanical counter attached to the operating lever 32, registers each time the lever 32 is operated in the downward direction.

The completion of the dispense, to comply with Weights and Measures legislation, is then achieved by moving the lever 32 in an upwards direction, which operates the microswitch 30 to trigger the control module 26 and open the valve 22. The electronic counter is not operated by this movement of the lever 32. A further quantity of beer can therefore be dispensed so as to top-up the glass 38 to the required level. Movement of the lever 32 in an upwards direction also moves the plunger 34 further into the delivery pipe 14 to the location of the dispense outlet 36 and this restricts the flow of beer through the outlet.

Topping-up can therefore take place at a slower rate of flow resulting in high accuracy.

By using a rapid predetermined dispense of say 95% of the required volume, initiated by a single operation of the operating lever, registering the number of such operations of the lever, and topping-up by means of a separate slow speed non-counted operation of the lever, an accurate metering of the number of half pints is possible. In addition there is an improved presentation of beer by the action of say 95% of the volume being dispensed in a fast unrestricted manner with no fobbing, followed by a 5% topping-up volume which, being restricted to give a slow speed, may be arranged to produce a fobbing action, thereby presenting an acceptable "head" of beer to the customer. Other advantages such as improved accuracy, cleanliness and reduction in spillage are also apparent.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. It will of course be appreciated that the apparatus can be designed to dispense any predetermined quantity of beer or other liquid automatically and is not restricted to the dispensing of half pints.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing Specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature of combination of features hereinbefore referred to whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A method of metering the flow of fluid, said method comprising the steps of effecting a first switching operation to automatically control the dispense of a predetermined quantity of the fluid, and effecting a second switching operation to provide manual control of the dispense of a further quantity of the fluid.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second switching operation controls the dispense at a slower rate than the first switching operation.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first switching operation dispenses substantially 95% of a desired quantity.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the desired quantity is one half pint.

5. Apparatus for metering the flow of a fluid, said apparatus comprising means for effecting a first switching operation at a dispense outlet, valve means in the fluid dispense line openable on the occurrence of said first switching operation, means for sensing the consequent fluid flow and closing the valve means when a predetermined quantity of the fluid has been automatically dispensed, and means for effecting a second switching operation at the dispense head, the valve means being openable by said second switching operation to enable manual dispense of a further quantity of the fluid.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the sensing means comprises a flow transducer in the fluid line and means for registering the quantity of fluid passing the transducer.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the registering means is inoperative during the second switching operation.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the registering means comprises an electronic pulse counter.

9. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the switching means comprises a switch operable in a first direction to effect said first switching operation and in a second direction to effect said second switching operation.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the switch when moved in said second direction controls means in the delivery line to reduce the rate of dispense of the fluid.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the means for reducing the rate of dispense comprises a member movable into the delivery line to restrict the cross-sectional area thereof.

1 2. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 11, wherein the valve means comprises a solenoid valve.

1 3. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 1 2, wherein the valve means, the sensing means and the switching means are electrically connected in a control circuit.

14. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 13, wherein the sensing means is arranged to close the valve means when substantially 95% of a desired quantity of fluid has been dispensed.

1 5. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 14, wherein further means are provided for registering each of the first switching operations.

16. Apparatus for metering the flow of a fluid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

1 7. Any novelty subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.