U.S. patent application number 14/485659 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-01 for multiple flow path recirculating brewing system with removable reservoirs.
The applicant listed for this patent is PicoBrew, LLC. Invention is credited to Avi R. Geiger, James B. Mitchell, William H. Mitchell.
Application Number | 20150000531 14/485659 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52114338 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150000531 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mitchell; William H. ; et
al. |
January 1, 2015 |
Multiple Flow Path Recirculating Brewing System with Removable
Reservoirs
Abstract
A beer making device may have removable reservoirs through which
brewing ingredients may be added. The removable reservoir may
include a grain steeping reservoir and one or more adjunct or hops
steeping reservoirs. A removable tub may contain the various
reservoirs, and some or all of the various ingredient reservoirs
may be removable from the reservoir tub. For example, a set of hops
reservoirs may be manufactured as a single joined unit, and may be
removable from the reservoir tub. The removable reservoirs may
include a check valve which may shut off flow when the reservoir
may be removed or dislodged, thereby minimizing leakage, and a beer
making device may further sense such a situation and cause
operations to cease.
Inventors: |
Mitchell; William H.;
(Medina, WA) ; Mitchell; James B.; (Seattle,
WA) ; Geiger; Avi R.; (Seattle, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PicoBrew, LLC |
Seattle |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52114338 |
Appl. No.: |
14/485659 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13323537 |
Dec 12, 2011 |
|
|
|
14485659 |
|
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|
|
61449023 |
Mar 3, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
99/276 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C12C 11/006 20130101;
C12C 7/06 20130101; C12C 1/02 20130101; C12C 7/205 20130101; C12C
7/20 20130101; C12C 11/003 20130101; C12C 7/04 20130101; C12C 13/10
20130101; C12C 7/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
99/276 |
International
Class: |
C12C 11/00 20060101
C12C011/00 |
Claims
1. A brewing system comprising: a removable grain steeping
compartment; a first removable adjunct steeping compartment; a
recirculating pump connected to a liquid sump; a heating mechanism;
a flow path selecting mechanism connected to said recirculating
pump and adapted to change between at least three liquid flow
paths, said liquid flow paths comprising: a bypass flow path, said
bypass flow path causing a liquid to be recirculated through said
heating mechanism; a steeping flow path, said steeping flow path
causing said liquid to be recirculated through said removable grain
steeping compartment; an adjunct flow path, said adjunct flow path
causing said liquid to be recirculated through said first removable
adjunct steeping compartment; a processor adapted to: receive a
brewing sequence, said brewing sequence defining a sequence for
operating said flow path selecting mechanism, said heat source, and
said recirculating pump; and cause said flow path selecting
mechanism, said heat source, and said recirculating pump according
to said brewing sequence.
2. The brewing system of claim 1, said removable grain steeping
compartment and said removable adjunct compartment being joined
together to be removable as a single unit.
3. The brewing system of claim 1, further comprising: a second
removable adjunct steeping compartment; said flow path selecting
mechanism further adapted to change between at least four liquid
flow paths, said liquid flow paths further comprising: a second
adjunct flow path, said second adjunct flow path causing said
liquid to be recirculated through said second removable adjunct
steeping compartment.
4. The brewing system of claim 3, said second adjunct flow path
further causing said liquid to pass through said first adjunct
steeping compartment.
5. The brewing system of claim 4, said second adjunct flow path
comprising a fluid connection between said second removable adjunct
steeping compartment and said first removable adjunct steeping
compartment.
6. The brewing system of claim 5, said first adjunct steeping
compartment and said second adjunct steeping compartment being
joined in a single removable unit.
7. The brewing system of claim 6, said single removable unit being
separately removable from said removable grain steeping
compartment.
8. The brewing system of claim 6, said single removable unit being
housed in a removable tub.
9. The brewing system of claim 1, said removable grain steeping
compartment and said first adjunct steeping compartment having a
common drain.
10. The brewing system of claim 9 further comprising: a second
recirculating pump connected to said common drain and said liquid
sump.
11. The brewing system of claim 1 further comprising: a check valve
positioned at an exit to said removable grain compartment.
12. The brewing system of claim 11, said processor further adapted
to: sense that said removable grain compartment is removed and
cause said recirculating pump to cease pumping.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/323,537 entitled "Simple, Efficient,
Automated All-Grain Beer Brewing System" filed 12 Dec. 2011, which
claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
61/449,023 entitled "Simple, Efficient, Automated All-Grain Beer
Brewing System" filed 3 Mar. 2011, the entire contents of which are
hereby expressly incorporated by reference for all they disclose
and teach.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Beer making has been practiced for many years. Sugars are
extracted from malted grains through a process called mashing. The
sugars are boiled with hops, and the resultant wort is fermented
with yeast. There are many styles of beers, each of which has is
its particular character.
[0003] The sugars that are extracted from the malted grains can be
changed by varying temperature and time of the extraction. The
temperature and time profile may include raising and lowering the
temperature, including holding the grain and liquid mash at a
specific temperature for a defined period of time. The accuracy of
the mashing process defines how repeatable a beer can be made from
one batch to another.
SUMMARY
[0004] A beer making system may use a detachable vessel to contain
liquid during the mashing and boiling steps, and may also be used
during the fermentation steps of beer making. The beer making
system may recirculate liquid through the vessel, then select
between several flow paths during the beer making process. A
removable reservoir system having a grain reservoir and several
hops or adjunct reservoirs may be selected as a flow path, as well
as a bypass flow path. A programmable controller may cause liquid
to recirculate through a heater and one of the various flow paths,
the sequence, timing, and temperature profile of which are defined
in a recipe for a particular beer.
[0005] A beer making device may have removable reservoirs through
which brewing ingredients may be added. The removable reservoir may
include a grain steeping reservoir and one or more adjunct or hops
steeping reservoirs. A removable tub may contain the various
reservoirs, and some or all of the various ingredient reservoirs
may be removable from the reservoir tub. For example, a set of hops
reservoirs may be manufactured as a single joined unit, and may be
removable from the reservoir tub. The removable reservoirs may
include a check valve which may shut off flow when the reservoir
may be removed or dislodged, thereby minimizing leakage, and a beer
making device may further sense such a situation and cause
operations to cease.
[0006] A cascading hops reservoir may have a series of hops or
adjunct reservoirs, each having a drain and an overflow. The series
of reservoirs may be used by causing flow through a first
reservoir, which may cause liquid to flow through the reservoir and
through the drain, as well as past an overflow. When a second set
of hops or adjuncts may be added, the flow may be introduced to a
second reservoir, which may flow through a drain and also overflow
into the first reservoir. A series of multiple reservoirs may thus
be used to introduce hops or other adjuncts into a brewing cycle in
stages, with each additional stage including previous stages in the
recirculating flow during the brewing cycle.
[0007] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed
subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] In the drawings,
[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustration of an embodiment showing an
automated beer brewing system. FIG. 1 is not to scale.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustration of an embodiment showing a
schematic or functional representation of an automated beer brewing
system.
[0011] FIG. 3A is a diagram illustration of an embodiment showing a
"direct" heating mechanism. FIG. 3A is not to scale.
[0012] FIG. 3B is a diagram illustration of an embodiment showing
an "indirect" heating mechanism. FIG. 3B is not to scale.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustration of an embodiment showing a
cross-section of a grain steeping reservoir. FIG. 4 is not to
scale.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustration of an embodiment showing a
series of adjunct steeping reservoirs. FIG. 5 is not to scale.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment showing
a method for user operations of the brewing device.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment showing
a method for operations of a brewing device.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment showing
a safety loop operation of a brewing device.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment showing
a method for a grain steeping cycle of an automated brewing
device.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment showing
a method for a boiling cycle of an automated brewing device.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment showing
a method for a chilling cycle of an automated brewing device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] A beer brewing system may use a recirculating liquid path
with a heating mechanism and a selectable flow path to manufacture
beer wort. The system may extract sugars from malted grains in a
mashing phase, perform a boil phase, and cool the wort prior to
fermentation. The system may use a single vessel or sump to contain
the liquid through some or all of the wort manufacture phases. In
some cases, the vessel may also be used for fermentation.
[0022] The beer brewing system may have a recirculating flow path
with a flow selecting system. The flow selecting system may cause
the recirculating liquid to pass through several different
reservoirs, each of the reservoirs may contain ingredients for the
wort production, such as grains, hops, or other adjuncts. The
combination of multiple reservoirs plus an automated flow section
mechanism may allow a recirculating beer making system to utilize a
single sump or vessel.
[0023] The sump or vessel may be used as a hot liquor tun as water
is being heated, as a mash tun and lauter tun during mashing and
sugar extraction, as a boiling vessel during a boil phase, and the
same vessel may also be used a fermentation vessel. Because hot
liquid may be passed through the vessel during recirculation, the
vessel may be sterilized through the wort manufacturing process,
and the use of a single vessel may reduce the cost and complexity
of the overall system.
[0024] A flow selecting system may cause liquid to be recirculated
through different reservoirs, each of which may contain a different
ingredient for the wort. The flow selecting mechanism may be
programmatically controlled, and such a system may automatically
control the system to manufacture wort with limited or no user
interaction.
[0025] A programmable controller may control the various components
of the system, including monitoring the various temperatures,
controlling recirculating pump or pumps, and selecting the flow
paths. A recipe may be downloaded to the controller, and the recipe
may include a brewing sequence that may define a sequence of flow
paths, as well as time and temperature profiles for each portion of
the sequence of flow paths.
[0026] The system may have a series of reservoirs that may contain
ingredients for a particular beer recipe. Such ingredients
typically include malted grains, such as malted barley, rice,
wheat, corn, or other grains, as well as one or more adjunct
reservoirs that may contain hops and other adjuncts such as honey
or other flavorings.
[0027] The reservoirs may be removable from the beer making system.
Removable reservoirs may make loading, unloading, and cleaning of
the reservoirs convenient and easy. The reservoirs may be loaded
ahead of time and even sold or distributed as a pre-loaded unit for
brewing a particular style of beer.
[0028] The reservoirs may contain a collection area and a drain,
which may collect liquid that may have passed through one or more
of the reservoirs. The drain may be routed to return to a sump or
vessel, sometimes with the aid of a return recirculating pump. In
some cases, the collection area and drain may be part of a larger
removable container which may house all of the removable
reservoirs. In one such case, all of the reservoirs may be removed
as a single unit.
[0029] The reservoirs may include a grain reservoir, which may
include hold grains while the grains are steeped in the brewing
liquid as it recirculates. The liquid may begin as water that is
heated to an initial mash temperature, then recirculated through
the grain reservoir. As the grains steep in the recirculating
liquid, the sugars may be extracted. During mashing, the
temperature may be held, raised, or lowered according to a
predefined mash schedule.
[0030] The liquid level in the grain reservoir or any of the other
reservoirs may be controlled using a number of different designs.
In one design, a sensor may be able to detect the amount of liquid
in the reservoir, and an inlet pump may be controlled to increase,
decrease, start, or stop pumping to maintain such a level. In
another design, a sensor may be used as an input to a pump attached
to the output of the reservoir, and the output pump may be
controlled to increase, decrease, start, or stop pumping to
maintain such a level. In both such designs, a sensor may be used
as part of a feedback loop to control the liquid level in a given
reservoir.
[0031] In yet another design, a reservoir may have an outlet that
may be mechanically sized and positioned such that an input pump
may deliver a continuous flow of liquid which may fill the
reservoir and the reservoir may maintain a liquid level above the
grain.
[0032] In one version of such a system, the grain reservoir may
have an overflow path, where the liquid level may be maintained
over a grain bed. In such a version, the grain reservoir may have a
set of drain holes that may be sized to flow less liquid than a
recirculating pump may deliver to the reservoir. In such a system,
a recirculating pump may maintain the reservoir in an overflow
condition such that the grain may remain covered with liquid while
the excess overflows and may be recirculated. A similar overflow
design may be used for the hops or adjunct reservoirs.
[0033] The grain reservoir may be sized to hold all of the liquid
that may be in the system at any time without overflowing. Such a
system may be sized to prevent leaking or overflow if a return pump
fails, a blockage occurs in a return line, or some other failure
occurs.
[0034] A bypass flow path may allow liquid to be recirculated from
a sump or vessel, through a heating or cooling element, and be
returned to the vessel. A bypass flow path may be used to heat or
cool the liquid without passing the liquid through one of the
various reservoirs. In many situations, a bypass flow path may be
used to change the temperature of the liquid prior to some step in
the brewing process. For example, a heating cycle may be used to
heat the liquid prior to beginning a mashing cycle, or prior to a
boiling cycle.
[0035] The system may have a heating mechanism. The heating
mechanism may add heat to the liquid while the liquid recirculates.
A "direct heat" type of heating mechanism may be one in which a
heating element is attached to a pipe through which the liquid
recirculates or where the heating element is inserted into a pipe
through which the liquid recirculates. The term "direct heat" is
used to differentiate from an "indirect heat" mechanism, which is
one in which a heating element heats a liquid heat exchange medium,
and the heated liquid heat exchange medium may apply heat to the
brewing liquid through a heat exchanger. In general terms, a
"direct heat" type of heating mechanism may be one in which the
liquid may be scorched by possibly overheating the liquid, whereas
an indirect heating system may not have the possibility of
scorching the liquid.
[0036] During a boil phase of wort manufacture, the flow may be
passed through one or more adjunct or hops reservoirs. Several hops
reservoirs may be used to introduce hops or other adjuncts into the
boil phase at predetermined times.
[0037] The construction of adjunct or hops reservoirs may have a
cascading mechanism whereby liquid may be permitted to flow from
one adjunct reservoir to another adjunct reservoir. Such a
construction may allow adjuncts to be introduced to the
recirculating flow in sequence, with the first addition being kept
in the recirculating flow as a second one is added, and so
forth.
[0038] A vessel may serve as a sump during some or all of the
phases of wort manufacture. The vessel may contain an initial
charge of water, which may be recirculated through the various
reservoirs, heating mechanisms, cooling mechanisms, or other
components during the wort manufacturing. In such a system, the
same vessel may be used for holding liquid during mashing, boiling,
cooling, and even fermenting stages of brewing. In some cases, the
same vessel may also be used for conditioning and dispensing beer
after fermentation.
[0039] The vessel may be removable from a brewing system. Such a
configuration may allow the vessel to be used for fermentation
while a second vessel may be attached to the brewing system and
another batch of beer started.
[0040] Some systems may have a cooling system. A cooling system may
be used to lower the temperature of the liquid during various
stages of the wort manufacture, such as the final cooling prior to
beginning fermentation. In some cases, the cooling system may be
employed to actively drop temperature during a mash step.
[0041] Some systems may have an active cooling system, where a heat
exchanger may have liquid pass through one side while chilled
liquid pass through a second side of the heat exchanger. Some such
systems may use tap water as the chilled liquid, while other
systems may have another type of chilled liquid generator. In some
cases, the wort or liquid may pass through a heat exchanger that
may be immersed in ice water or some other lower temperature
medium.
[0042] Some systems may have a passive cooling system that does not
contain a mechanism for removing heat. An example of a passive
cooling system may recirculate liquid through a bypass flow path.
The recirculation may cause the liquid or wort to cool faster than
if the recirculation were not performed.
[0043] Throughout this specification, like reference numbers
signify the same elements throughout the description of the
figures.
[0044] When elements are referred to as being "connected" or
"coupled," the elements can be directly connected or coupled
together or one or more intervening elements may also be present.
In contrast, when elements are referred to as being "directly
connected" or "directly coupled," there are no intervening elements
present.
[0045] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustration of an embodiment 100
showing an automated brewing system. Embodiment 100 is merely one
example of a system that recirculates liquid through multiple
selectable reservoirs and a heating mechanism to manufacture wort.
A programmable controller may automate the heating system and flow
path selection and may be able to automatically manufacture wort
with little to no user interaction.
[0046] A brewing device 102 may have a set of removable steeping
reservoirs 104 that may be inserted into an opening 106 in the
device 102. The removable steeping reservoirs 104 may contain
grains for mashing, as well as hops or other adjunct for use during
a boiling phase.
[0047] The removable reservoirs 104 may be loaded with ingredients,
then inserted into the brewing device 102. A vessel 114 may be
pre-loaded with water at the beginning of the process, and the
water may be recirculated through a heating mechanism in the
brewing device 102, as well as through the various reservoirs.
[0048] The removable steeping reservoirs 104 may contain a grain
reservoir 108, as well as multiple adjunct reservoirs 110. The
grain reservoir 108 may be loaded with various cracked or ground
grains such as malted barley, rice, corn, or other grains. The hops
or adjunct reservoirs 110 may be loaded with hops or other adjuncts
such as honey, flavored extracts, or other ingredients.
[0049] The vessel 114 may be connected to the brewing device 102
with an input 116 and output 118. A recirculating flow path may
pull liquid from the vessel 114, pass the liquid through a heating
mechanism, through one of the reservoirs or a bypass flow path,
then return the liquid to the vessel 114.
[0050] A controller interface 112 may be a user interface
containing input and output mechanisms for a user to interact with
the brewing device 102. Examples of the input mechanisms may
include buttons, switches, touchscreens, pointing devices, or other
input mechanisms. An output mechanism may include lights, buzzers,
display screens, or other output mechanisms.
[0051] In some embodiments, the brewing device 102 may be
controlled by a remote device, such as a cellular telephone, tablet
computer, desktop computer, or other device. In such an embodiment,
the user may interact with the remote device to cause the brewing
device 102 to perform various actions.
[0052] The brewing device 102 may have a network connection that
may enable the brewing device 102 to be programmed from various
sources. For example, a server may operate a website and a user may
be able to select a recipe for execution by the brewing device 102.
The recipe may be downloaded to the brewing device 102, and then a
user may cause the brewing to begin by interacting with the
controller interface 112.
[0053] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment 200 showing a functional
diagram of the brewing device 102 from embodiment 100. Embodiment
200 is merely one example of an automated brewing system, and other
embodiments may have additional or fewer components, or may have
the components arranged in a different manner.
[0054] The diagram of FIG. 2 illustrates functional components of a
system. In some cases, the component may be a hardware component, a
software component, or a combination of hardware and software. In
some cases, the connection of one component to another may be a
close connection where two or more components are operating on a
single hardware platform. In other cases, the connections may be
made over network connections spanning long distances. Each
embodiment may use different hardware, software, and
interconnection architectures to achieve the functions
described.
[0055] Embodiment 200 may illustrate the brewing device 102,
removable steeping reservoirs 104, and vessel 114 as shown in
embodiment 100.
[0056] The recirculating flow of liquid may be pulled from the
vessel 114 through an inlet pump 202 and through a heating
mechanism 204 and an optional chilling mechanism 205. The liquid
may flow through a reservoir selection mechanism 208 and through
one or more flow paths, which may consist of a bypass circulation
path 210, a grain steeping reservoir 212, and one or more hops or
adjunct reservoirs 214. The output of the various flow paths may
pass through a collection area 216 and a check valve 218 before
leaving the removable steeping reservoirs 104. An outlet pump 220
may draw liquid from the reservoirs 104 and back to the vessel
114.
[0057] A programmable controller 222 may control the inlet pump
202, outlet pump 220, as well as the heating mechanism 204,
chilling mechanism 205, and the reservoir selection mechanism 208.
The programmable controller 222 may have a display 224, input
devices 226, and a network interface 228.
[0058] The reservoir selection mechanism 208 may direct the
recirculating flow through one or more of the various reservoirs or
the bypass flow path. The reservoir selection mechanism 208 may be
implemented as a moving tube that may be positioned over one of the
flow paths to select the flow path. The recirculating liquid may be
dispensed into the flow path.
[0059] The reservoir selection mechanism 208 may be implemented in
many different manners. In one design, a moving arm may be
positioned over a selected reservoir using a stepper or servo
motor. A sensor or sensors may be used to detect when the moving
arm may be in one or more known positions, and a feedback loop may
be used to control the position of the moving arm.
[0060] In another design, the flow output may be positioned over a
selected reservoir using an X-Y stage. In one such design, an
output tube may be positioned over a selected flow path using
independently controlled X and Y actuators. Such a design may be
useful to dispense liquid over a large reservoir by moving back and
forth during recirculation, thereby spreading the recirculating
liquid more evenly across a reservoir than when a dispensing tube
is positioned in a single location. Other designs may also include
a mechanism to move a dispensing tube over a reservoir during
recirculation.
[0061] In still another design, the flow may pass through a
manifold that may have outlets over each of the various reservoirs
and individually controlled valves for each reservoir. In such a
design, a programmable controller may select one or more reservoirs
for flow, and select the corresponding valves to be open and other
valves to be closed. Such a design may allow multiple flow paths to
be open at any given time.
[0062] The output of the various reservoirs or bypass recirculation
path may collect in a collection area 216. The collection area 216
may be a portion of the removable steeping reservoirs 104 where the
outflow of the reservoirs may gather. A check valve 218 may be
located at an exit to the reservoirs 104 so that any liquid in the
reservoirs 104 may not spill when the reservoirs 104 are removed
from the brewing device 102.
[0063] A safety mechanism may detect when the reservoirs 104 are
removed or dislodged from the device 102. The detection may be made
with a sensor, switch, or other mechanism by which the programmable
controller 222 may detect that the reservoirs 104 are not
positioned properly. When a detection is made that the reservoirs
104 are not positioned properly, the programmable controller 222
may shut down the inlet pump 202 to prevent further liquid from
being dispensed from the reservoir selection mechanism 208 and, due
to the incorrectly positioned reservoirs 104, may spill from the
device 102.
[0064] The check valve 218 may be constructed to close when the
reservoirs 104 are removed from the device 102 and may be open when
the reservoirs 104 are fully seated in the device 102. In one such
design, a check valve may be spring loaded to open when the
reservoirs 104 are fully seated but remain closed when not fully
seated.
[0065] The inlet pump 202 and outlet pump 220 may be controlled in
different manners. In one manner, both the inlet pump 202 and
outlet pump 220 may be controlled to be either on or off. In
another manner, one or both of the pumps may be variable
controlled, such that the programmable controller 222 may be able
to increase or decrease the flow.
[0066] The outlet pump 220 may be configured to flow more liquid
than the inlet pump 204. Such a design may be useful to prevent
liquid from collecting in the reservoirs 104. In one version of
such a design, the inlet pump 202 may be run less frequently than
the outlet pump 220, thereby minimizing the opportunity for excess
liquid to collect in the reservoirs 104.
[0067] Embodiment 200 illustrates a system with two pumps, one on
the inlet size and one on the outlet side. In some embodiments, one
of the pumps may not be present and gravity may be used. For
example, the vessel 114 may be placed above the brewing device 102
and the inlet flow path may be gravity fed. In another example, the
vessel 114 may be placed below the brewing device 102 and the
outlet flow path may be gravity fed.
[0068] Embodiment 200 illustrates a system where the heating
mechanism 204 and chilling mechanism 205 are located upstream from
the reservoirs. Other embodiments may have one or both of the
heating mechanism 204 and chilling mechanism 205 after the
reservoirs 104 and prior to returning flow to the vessel 114.
[0069] The chilling mechanism 205 is illustrated as a separate
device from the heating mechanism 204. Some embodiments may have a
single mechanism that may be capable of actively heating and
chilling the recirculating liquid.
[0070] FIG. 3A is an example embodiment 300 showing a "direct"
heating mechanism. FIG. 3A is not to scale.
[0071] Embodiment 300 may illustrate a tube 302 and a heating
element 304. The liquid flow path 306 may cause liquid to flow
through the tube 302, and the heating element 304 may apply
"direct" heat to the tube 302. The heating element 304 may be an
electrical element, gas flame, or other heat source.
[0072] FIG. 3B is an example embodiment 308 showing an "indirect"
heating mechanism. FIG. 3B is not to scale.
[0073] Embodiment 308 may illustrate a heating element 310 and a
heat exchanger 312. A pump 314 may cause a heat transfer liquid to
flow along a recirculation path 316. A liquid flow path 318 may
pass through the heat exchanger 312 and through an exit 320.
[0074] The term "indirect" heating mechanism is used to describe a
heating mechanism where heat may be transferred to a recirculating
liquid through a heat exchanges and a heat transfer liquid, as
opposed to a "direct" heating mechanism where the heat may be
applied without the intermediate heat transfer liquid.
[0075] FIG. 4 is an example embodiment 400 showing a grain steeping
reservoir. FIG. 4 is not to scale.
[0076] Embodiment 400 illustrates one example design of a grain
steeping reservoir where an overflow may be used to pass
recirculated liquid through a grain bed 404.
[0077] The reservoir tub 402 may be a large container which may
contain smaller containers. The smaller containers may be
individually or collectively removable, or may be molded as one
unit. In some cases, two or more containers may be joined together
into a single unit, which may be removable from the reservoir tub
402.
[0078] A grain container 428 may have a grain bed 404 that may be
supported by a mesh support 406. The mesh support 406 may retain
the grain particles from leaving the container and possibly
clogging downstream piping or equipment. Liquid in the grain bed
404 may pass through drain holes 408 into a collection area
410.
[0079] A reservoir selection mechanism may have an output 414 that
may position an output at a grain steeping position 412. The flow
414 may drop recirculated liquid into the grain container 428.
[0080] The flow 414 may be higher than the amount of liquid that
may pass through the drain holes 408, causing a liquid level 416 to
exceed a wall 418 and causing an overflow 420. The overflow 420 may
bypass the grain bed 404, and the grain bed 404 may remain
wetted.
[0081] In some cases, the inlet pump may be controlled to fill the
grain container 428 and maintain the liquid level 416 above the
grain bed. Such a system may use a sensor to determine the liquid
level 416, and may increase or decrease the flow 414 to maintain a
minimum liquid level 416. Some such systems may or may not use an
overflow system.
[0082] The overflow 420 may pass into an area that may be used for
a bypass flow path. In a bypass flow path, the output of the
reservoir selection mechanism 414 may be positioned over the
overflow area such that the liquid may recirculate without passing
through any of the various reservoirs.
[0083] The output of the drain holes 408 and the overflow 420 may
collect in the bottom of the grain reservoir 402, creating a liquid
level 422. The outlet 424 may draw the liquid out of the grain
reservoir 402 and through a check valve 426.
[0084] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustration of an embodiment 500
showing an example cross-section of a set of adjunct steeping
reservoirs. FIG. 5 is not to scale.
[0085] FIG. 500 is merely one example of a cascading flow reservoir
where multiple hops or adjuncts may be added to a flow path in a
sequence.
[0086] The reservoir tub 502 may have reservoirs for adjuncts 504,
506, 508, and 510. Each of the reservoirs may have openings 540,
542, 544, and 546, respectively.
[0087] The reservoir tub 502 may be a larger container into which
removable containers may be placed. The larger container of the
reservoir tub 502 may be removable from a brewing device as a
single unit, such that a user may load the reservoir tub 502 with
the various ingredients into a brewing device. The reservoir tub
502 may contain multiple ingredient reservoirs, some of which may
be removable from the reservoir tub 502 individually or joined to
other ingredient reservoirs.
[0088] In the example of embodiment 500, the reservoir tub 502 may
be one piece, which the adjunct reservoirs 552 may be a second,
separate piece, which may be removable from the reservoir tub 502.
In such an embodiment, the reservoir tub 502 may form a collection
area 514 which may collect liquid as the liquid passes through one
or more of the various reservoirs that may be in the reservoir tub
502.
[0089] A reservoir selection mechanism may be configured to move an
outlet 518 into multiple positions over the reservoir 502. The
positions may include a bypass position 520, a first adjunct
position 522, a second adjunct position 524, a third adjunct
position 526, and a forth adjunct position 528.
[0090] In the bypass position 520, liquid may flow through a bypass
flow path 512 and through a check valve 550 to an outlet 548.
[0091] In the first adjunct position 522, flow may drop into the
adjunct 510 and through an opening 546. When inlet flow exceeds the
flow through the opening 546, an overflow may occur across the wall
536.
[0092] In the second adjunct position 524, flow may drop into the
adjunct 508 and through an opening 544. The incoming flow may
exceed the flow through the opening 544, causing an overflow across
wall 534 and into the adjunct 510.
[0093] In the third adjunct position 526, flow may drop into the
adjunct 506 and through an opening 542. The incoming flow may
exceed the flow through the opening 544, causing an overflow across
wall 532 and into the adjunct 508. When the incoming flow exceeds
the flow through openings 542 and 544, the flow may overflow wall
534 and into the adjunct 510.
[0094] In the fourth adjunct position 528, flow may drop into the
adjunct 504 and through an opening 540. The incoming flow may
exceed the flow through the opening 540, causing an overflow across
wall 530 and into the adjunct 506. When the incoming flow exceeds
the flow through openings 540 and 542, the flow may overflow wall
532 and into the adjunct 508. When the incoming flow exceeds the
flow through openings 540, 542, and 544, the flow may overflow wall
534 and into the adjunct 510.
[0095] The series of adjunct reservoirs and overflow walls may
enable a process where adjuncts may be added to a cycle in
sequence. For example, a first adjunct may be added into a boil
sequence at the beginning. At a second point in the boil sequence,
the outlet 518 may be moved to the second adjunct position 524.
During this period, the second adjunct 508 may begin to be
introduced to the liquid, yet the first adjunct 510 may continue to
be steeped by the overflowing liquid.
[0096] Such a sequence may replicate a traditional boiling schedule
where hops or other adjuncts may be added in sequence to a boil
vessel. As the sequence continues, two additional charges of
adjuncts may be added at later times.
[0097] Embodiment 500 illustrates an embodiment where four charges
of adjuncts may be added to a recirculating system in sequence.
Other systems may have more or fewer number of adjunct reservoirs
that may be similarly configured.
[0098] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment 600
showing a method performed by a user for operating an automated
brewing device. Embodiment 600 may illustrate one method that may
be performed with the device 102 of embodiment 100.
[0099] Other embodiments may use different sequencing, additional
or fewer steps, and different nomenclature or terminology to
accomplish similar functions. In some embodiments, various
operations or set of operations may be performed in parallel with
other operations, either in a synchronous or asynchronous manner.
The steps selected here were chosen to illustrate some principles
of operations in a simplified form.
[0100] Embodiment 600 may illustrate the basic steps that a user
may perform when using an automated brewing system similar to that
described in embodiments 100 or 200. The user may start by
configuring the device with a recipe, load the brewing device, and
start the device. The result of the device's operation may be wort
that may be ready for fermentation, and after fermentation, the
beer may be prepared for enjoyment.
[0101] A user may select a recipe and download the recipe to a
controller on the brewing device in block 602. In some cases, the
recipe may be downloaded from a server to the device over a network
connection. In other cases, the user may manually program the
device to perform a specific recipe.
[0102] The recipe may define the brewing sequence, which may
include a mashing schedule and boiling schedule. The mashing
schedule may define a time and temperature profile that may cause
sugars to be extracted from grains that are being steeped. The
boiling schedule may define a sequence of hops or other adjuncts
and boiling times for which the adjuncts may be steeped.
[0103] The dry ingredients may be measured in block 604. The dry
ingredients may include grains, such as malted barley, rice, corn,
oats, or other grains and cereals that may be processed during a
mashing phase, as well as different charges of hops or other
adjuncts that may be added during a boil phase.
[0104] The ingredients may be added to various reservoirs in block
606 and inserted into the device in block 608.
[0105] Water may be measured and added to a vessel in block 610,
and the vessel may be connected to the device in block 612.
[0106] The brewing device may be started in block 614, and the
device may execute a brewing sequence in block 616. When the
brewing sequence is complete, the user may receive a signal in
block 618.
[0107] The user may detach the vessel in block 620, pitch yeast for
fermentation in block 622, and configure the vessel for
fermentation in block 624. The configuration may include adding an
airlock to the vessel. The fermentation may occur in block 626.
[0108] Once fermentation is complete, the beer may be racked from
one vessel to another in block 628. Racking may be performed to
remove the beer from the yeast in many cases. The beer may be
prepared for serving in block 630, which may involve bottling the
beer or pressurizing a serving vessel with carbon dioxide or other
gas for carbonation. Lastly, the beer may be enjoyed in block
632.
[0109] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment 700
showing a high level method performed by a brewing device. The
overall sequence may be presented in embodiment 700, and subsequent
figures may describe these sequences in more detail.
[0110] The sequence of operations of a brewing device may follow a
traditional wort manufacturing process. A start signal may be
received in bloc 702. A grain steeping cycle or mashing cycle may
be performed in block 704, followed by a boiling cycle in block
706, a cooling cycle in block 708, and the device may alert the
user to the completion in block 710.
[0111] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment 800
showing a safety loop that may be performed by a brewing device
throughout the operational stages of brewing. Embodiment 800 may be
a simplified version of a loop that may check safety settings and,
if an error is detected, may halt operations.
[0112] Operations may begin in block 802.
[0113] All of the safety settings may be checked in block 804. If
the safety settings are OK in block 806, the operations of the
brewing system may continue in block 816.
[0114] The safety settings may vary from one embodiment to another.
In general, the safety settings may be selected to reduce the risk
of damage to users, the equipment, or to the wort being produced.
Some systems may have inherent designs that may minimize scalding
injuries, damage to the equipment, or other problems. In many
cases, safety settings may be determined by sensors, switches, or
other inputs.
[0115] When safety settings are not OK in block 806, all pumps may
be stopped in block 808 and heating mechanisms may be powered off
in block 810. Such operations may prevent scalding if hot liquids
are present, or may prevent damage to the equipment.
[0116] A fault may be determined in block 812 and the fault may be
displayed on an interface in block 814 to alert a user. The fault
detection and display may be a fault that may be rectified by the
user, such as repositioning a removable reservoir. In some cases,
the fault may be a fault that may cause a brewing batch to be
discarded, such as a fault in a heating mechanism.
[0117] The safety loop of embodiment 800 may be performed while the
brewing device is in operation, including while the mashing cycle
and boiling cycle are being performed.
[0118] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment 900
showing a grain steeping cycle or mashing cycle. The mashing cycle
may cause sugars to be extracted from a grain bed.
[0119] The mashing cycle may be defined by a time and temperature
profile. A single-step infusion mash profile may have a first
temperature set point which may be held for a period of time. In a
typical sequence, the temperature may be in the range of 165 deg F
and hold for 90 minutes. A more complex mashing sequence may start
at one temperature, hold for a predetermined amount of time, move
to a second temperature, hold for a second amount of time, and
continue for several additional temperatures and time.
[0120] The mashing profile may be defined differently for different
types of beers. Each mashing profile may cause different types of
sugars to be extracted from the grains, and those sugars may affect
the flavor profile of the finished beer.
[0121] The mashing profile may be part of the recipe that may be
downloaded to a programmable controller in a brewing device. The
programmable controller may turn on and off a heating mechanism to
raise, lower, or maintain a temperature of the liquid, as well as
control the various pumps and select bypass flow paths or one of
the various reservoir flow paths during operations.
[0122] The grain steeping cycle may begin in block 902.
[0123] The bypass flow path may be selected in block 904.
Recirculating pumps may be started in block 906 and a first
temperature start point may be selected in block 908.
[0124] As the recirculating and heating may continue, if the
temperature is not at a set point in block 910, heat may be added
in block 912. Once the temperature reaches the set point in block
910, the grain steeping flow path may be selected in block 914. At
this point, the mashing may begin as the grains become wetted.
[0125] A time and temperature may be determined from the mashing
profile in block 914.
[0126] If the temperature is below the set point in block 918, heat
is added in block 920. If the time has not expired in block 922,
the process may return to block 918.
[0127] When the time has expired for the step in the mashing
profile and another step remains in the profile in block 924, the
process may return to block 916 to select the next time and
temperature setting from the profile.
[0128] When all of the steps have been completed in block 924, the
input pump may be turned off in block 926 and the outlet pump may
continue to run in block 928 until the grain reservoir empties.
[0129] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment 1000
showing a boiling cycle. The boiling cycle may be performed at or
near the boiling temperature and may further change the extracted
sugars into fermentable sugars. During the boil cycle, hops and
other adjuncts may be added in sequence.
[0130] The boiling cycle may be defined by a boiling profile, which
may include definitions for an adjunct flow path, as well as time
and temperature settings for each step in the boiling cycle.
[0131] The boiling cycle may begin in block 1002.
[0132] The bypass flow path may be selected in block 1004. The
recirculating pumps may be turned on in block 1006 and a
temperature set point may be determined in block 1008. In a typical
boiling cycle, the first set point may be close to boiling, and may
vary depending on altitude or atmospheric pressure. As the liquid
recirculates, if the temperature is not at the set point in block
1010, heat may be added in block 1012.
[0133] Once the temperature reaches the set point in block 1010,
the adjunct flow path, time, and temperature may be selected from
the profile in block 1014.
[0134] The adjunct flow path may be set in block 1016. While liquid
recirculates through the set adjunct flow path, if the temperature
is lower than the set point in block 1018, heat may be added in
block 1020. If time has not expired for the profile step, the
process may return to block 1018.
[0135] Once time has expired on the boiling step and another step
exists in the profile in block 1024, the process may return to
block 1014 to determine and execute the next step in the
profile.
[0136] If all the steps have been completed in block 1024, the
input pump may be turned off in block 1026. The outlet pump may
continue to run in block 1028 until the reservoirs empty. The
boiling cycle may end in block 1030.
[0137] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment 1100
showing a chilling cycle. In embodiment 1100, the chilling cycle
may use an external chiller that may be manually attached to the
system.
[0138] Other systems may have internal chillers that may not have a
user install the chiller.
[0139] The cooling cycle may begin in block 1102.
[0140] A user may be alerted in block 1104 to install a heat
exchanger or other chilling mechanism. The user may send an input
in block 1106 to the controller to continue once the chilling
mechanism may be installed.
[0141] The bypass flow path may be set in block 1108. The
recirculating pumps may be turned on in block 1110. A temperature
set point may be selected in block 1112.
[0142] The recirculation may continue through the cooling
mechanism. If the temperature is above the set point in block 1114,
the recirculation may continue in block 1114.
[0143] Once the set point has been reached in block 1114, the input
pump may be turned off in block 1116. The outlet pump may be run in
block 1118 until the collection area empties. The chilling cycle
ends in block 1120.
[0144] The foregoing description of the subject matter has been
presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the subject matter to the
precise form disclosed, and other modifications and variations may
be possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was
chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the
invention and its practical application to thereby enable others
skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various
embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the
particular use contemplated. It is intended that the appended
claims be construed to include other alternative embodiments except
insofar as limited by the prior art.
* * * * *