A carbonation machine includes a pneumatic chamber with a movable wall. The wall moves outward to depress a pin of a gas release valve of a gas canister that is held in a canister holder of the machine when air pressure in the chamber is increased. An air release valve is closable to retain air in the chamber. An air pump is operable to pump air from the ambient atmosphere into the chamber so as to increase air pressure in the chamber. A controller is configured to close the air release valve and to operate the air pump to increase the air pressure in the chamber to move the movable wall outward to open the gas release valve of the canister to cause release of gas from the canister to carbonate a liquid, and to open the air release valve to enable the gas release valve to close.

A method is provided for measuring status parameters of a fluid contained in a container (10). The container (10) is configured for single use and has a wall on which a sensor-carrier plate is fixed in a fluid-tight manner. The plate carries sensors (S1-S5) that are in operative contact with the internal chamber of the container (10) and connected for data exchange (14) with an external control unit (16) that receives and processes the measurement data from the sensors (S1-S5). The sensor plate also carries a temporarily inactive duplicate (D1-D5) of at least one of the sensors (S1-S5) that is activated if measurement data of the sensor (S1-S5) is classified as atypical in the context of an integrity or plausibility test carried out by the external control unit (16).

Embodiments include systems and methods of in-line mixing of hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline. According to an embodiment, a method of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline to provide in-line mixing thereof includes determining a ratio of a second fluid flow to a first fluid flow based on signals received from a tank flow meter in fluid communication with the second fluid flow and a booster flow meter in fluid communication with a blended fluid flow. The blended fluid flow includes a blended flow of the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow. The method further includes comparing the determined ratio to a pre-selected set point ratio thereby to determine a modified flow of the second fluid flow to drive the ratio toward the pre-selected set point ratio. The method further includes controlling a variable speed drive connected to a pump thereby to control the second fluid flow through the pump based on the determined modified flow, the pump being in fluid communication with the second fluid flow.

A mixing system includes a tank assembly and a container positioned within the tank assembly, the container bounding a compartment. A mixer is disposed within the compartment of the container. A shaft has a first end secured to the mixer and an opposing second end disposed outside of the container. An actuation mechanism is coupled with the second end of the shaft outside of the container and reciprocally moves the shaft and the mixer a stroke length, the stroke length being adjusted based on a pre-programmed protocol or signals from a sensor.

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for providing asymmetric oscillations to a container. The container may include a fluid, a particle, and/or a gas. A vibration driver attached to the container provides asymmetric oscillations. A controller connected to the vibration driver controls an amplitude, frequency, and shape of the asymmetric oscillations. An amplifier amplifies the asymmetric oscillations in response to the controller. A sensor disposed on the vibration driver provides feedback to the controller.

Disclosed herein is a carbonated water producing apparatus which guides a replacement of a cylinder using sound generated when carbon dioxide is supplied from the cylinder, and a refrigerator having the same. In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a carbonated water producing apparatus comprising: a carbonated water producing unit including a cylinder configured to store carbon dioxide and configured to supply the carbon dioxide to a container; a microphone configured to obtain sound generated in the carbonated water producing unit; a filter configured to pass a signal having a frequency of a predetermined cutoff frequency or more of signals obtained by the microphone; a user interface unit configured to display information related to carbonated water production; and a controller configured to obtain the sound generated in the carbonated water producing unit by driving the microphone when the carbonated water producing unit operates, and configured to display a message which requests that the cylinder which stores the carbon dioxide be replaced on the user interface unit when an intensity of a signal passing through the filter is less than a predetermined reference value.

In order to provide a feed mixture, a feed mixer is proposed which has a container. The container has a bottom and a wall which is connected to the bottom and delimits a filling opening, the area of which is greater than the area of the bottom. A rotatable auger is provided which can be rotated about an axis, the axis running substantially perpendicularly with respect to the bottom. The feed mixer has a pivoting device which is intended and suitable for pivoting the container during a mixing operation, in particular after a predefined time period or after a predefined number of revolutions of the at least one auger.

No new matter is added.

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for providing asymmetric oscillations to a container. The container may include a fluid, a particle, and/or a gas. A vibration driver attached to the container provides asymmetric oscillations. A controller connected to the vibration driver controls an amplitude, frequency, and shape of the asymmetric oscillations. An amplifier amplifies the asymmetric oscillations in response to the controller. A sensor disposed on the vibration driver provides feedback to the controller.

Embodiments include systems and methods of in-line mixing of hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline. According to an embodiment, a method of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline to provide in-line mixing thereof includes determining a ratio of a second fluid flow to a first fluid flow based on signals received from a tank flow meter in fluid communication with the second fluid flow and a booster flow meter in fluid communication with a blended fluid flow. The blended fluid flow includes a blended flow of the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow. The method further includes comparing the determined ratio to a pre-selected set point ratio thereby to determine a modified flow of the second fluid flow to drive the ratio toward the pre-selected set point ratio. The method further includes controlling a variable speed drive connected to a pump thereby to control the second fluid flow through the pump based on the determined modified flow, the pump being in fluid communication with the second fluid flow.

Provided are a method and apparatus for generating ultrafine bubbles in a liquid. The method involves introducing, in real time, and at a time when dispensation of the liquid with ultrafine bubbles is to occur, the liquid into a liquid chamber. A bubble generator is activated to impart a shearing force on the liquid within the liquid chamber to cause cavitation of the liquid that results in formation of the ultrafine bubbles. The liquid containing the ultrafine bubbles that exits the liquid chamber is dispensed, to be imparted onto a target object.