Gas liquid absorption device (GLAD) with replaceable gas orifice fittings and sensors

Abstract

A gas liquid absorption device (GLAD), featuring a gas inlet manifold, a liquid inlet manifold and a gas/liquid mixing foamer. The gas inlet manifold has a gas inlet configured to receive and provide an inlet gas, and also has a gas foamer cavity formed therein and coupled fluidically to the gas inlet to receive the inlet gas. The liquid inlet manifold has a liquid inlet configured to receive and provide a non-infused liquid, and also has a liquid foamer cavity formed therein and coupled fluidically to the liquid inlet to receive the non-infused liquid. The gas/liquid mixing foamer is configured between the gas inlet manifold and the liquid inlet manifold and arranged in the gas foamer cavity and the liquid foamer cavity. The gas/liquid mixing foamer has a gas foamer wall configured to form a gas receiving foamer chamber that is fluidically coupled to the gas foamer cavity. The gas foamer wall has gas provisioning holes formed therein to provide dispersed inlet gas from the gas receiving foamer chamber. The gas/liquid mixing foamer has a liquid foamer wall configured to form a liquid receiving foamer chamber that is fluidically coupled to the liquid foamer cavity. The liquid foamer wall having liquid provisioning holes formed therein to provide dispersed non-infused liquid from the liquid receiving foamer chamber. The mixing chamber is configured to receive the dispersed inlet gas and the dispersed non-infused liquid, infuse the dispersed inlet gas and the dispersed non-infused liquid, and provide a foamed gas/liquid mixture from the mixing chamber.

Claims

1. A gas liquid absorption device (GLAD), comprising: a gas inlet manifold having a gas inlet cavity formed therein and configured to receive a gas inlet fitting to and provide an inlet gas into a gas inlet, having a gas pressure sensor cavity formed therein and configured to receive a gas pressure sensor to sense the pressure of the inlet gas received in the gas inlet, and also having a gas foamer cavity formed therein and coupled fluidically to the gas inlet to receive the inlet gas; a liquid inlet manifold having a liquid inlet cavity formed therein and configured to receive a liquid inlet fitting to provide a non-infused liquid into a liquid inlet, having a liquid pressure sensor cavity formed therein and configured to receive a liquid pressure sensor to sense the pressure of the non-infused liquid received in the liquid inlet, and also having a liquid foamer cavity formed therein and coupled fluidically to the liquid inlet to receive the non-infused liquid; a gas/liquid mixing foamer configured between the gas inlet manifold and the liquid inlet manifold and arranged in the gas foamer cavity and the liquid foamer cavity, the gas/liquid mixing foamer having a gas foamer wall configured to form a gas receiving foamer chamber that is fluidically coupled to the gas foamer cavity, the gas foamer wall having one or more gas provisioning holes formed therein to provide dispersed inlet gas from the gas receiving foamer chamber, the gas/liquid mixing foamer having a liquid foamer wall configured to form a liquid receiving foamer chamber that is fluidically coupled to the liquid foamer cavity, the liquid foamer wall having one or more liquid provisioning holes formed therein to provide dispersed non-infused liquid from the liquid receiving foamer chamber; and a mixing chamber formed in at least part of the gas inlet manifold and configured to receive the dispersed inlet gas and the dispersed non-infused liquid, infuse the dispersed inlet gas and the dispersed non-infused liquid, and provide a foamed gas/liquid mixture from the mixing chamber.

2. A gas liquid absorption device (GLAD) according to claim 1, wherein the mixing chamber is configured between at least part of the gas inlet manifold and at least part of the liquid foamer wall.

3. A gas liquid absorption device (GLAD) according to claim 1, wherein the gas inlet manifold includes a gas manifold wall configured to form the mixing chamber.

4. A gas liquid absorption device (GLAD) according to claim 1, wherein the foamer includes a center wall configured to separate fluidically the gas receiving foamer chamber and the liquid receiving foamer chamber.

5. A gas liquid absorption device (GLAD) according to claim 1, wherein the GLAD comprises a gas O-ring configured between the gas foamer wall and the gas foamer cavity.

6. A gas liquid absorption device (GLAD) according to claim 1, wherein the GLAD comprises a liquid O-ring configured between the liquid foamer wall and the liquid foamer cavity.

7. A gas liquid absorption device (GLAD) according to claim 1, wherein the GLAD comprises the gas inlet fitting configured in the gas inlet cavity to provide the inlet gas to the gas inlet, including where the gas inlet fitting is a quick-connect gas inlet fitting with an integrated orifice.

8. A gas liquid absorption device (GLAD) according to claim 1, wherein the GLAD comprises a check valve assembly having an inlet check valve configured in the gas inlet, or having a foamer check valve configured in the gas receiving foamer chamber, or having both the inlet check valve configured in the gas inlet and the foamer check valve configured in the gas receiving foamer chamber.

9. A gas liquid absorption device (GLAD) according to claim 1, wherein the GLAD comprises the gas pressure sensor configured in the gas pressure sensor cavity to sense gas pressure of the inlet gas provided to the gas/liquid foamer.

10. A gas liquid absorption device (GLAD) according to claim 1, wherein the GLAD comprises the liquid outlet fitting configured in liquid outlet cavity of the gas inlet manifold and configured to provide the foamed gas/liquid mixture from the mixing chamber, including where the liquid outlet fitting is a liquid outlet quick-fitting.

11. A gas liquid absorption device (GLAD) according to claim 1, wherein the GLAD comprises the pressure relief valve configured in the pressure relief valve cavity of the gas inlet manifold.

12. A gas liquid absorption device (GLAD) according to claim 1, wherein the GLAD comprises the liquid inlet fitting configured in the liquid inlet fitting cavity of the liquid inlet manifold to provide the inlet liquid to the liquid inlet, including where the liquid inlet fitting is a liquid inlet quick-fitting.

13. A gas liquid absorption device (GLAD) according to claim 1, wherein the GLAD comprises the liquid pressure sensor configured in the liquid pressure sensor cavity of the liquid inlet manifold to sense liquid pressure of the inlet liquid provided to the gas/liquid foamer.

14. A gas liquid absorption device (GLAD) according to claim 1, wherein the one or more gas provisioning holes include more than two gas provisioning holes.

15. A gas liquid absorption device (GLAD) according to claim 14, wherein the more than two gas provisioning holes are configured in an equi-distant and symmetrical arrangement around the gas foamer wall.

16. A gas liquid absorption device (GLAD) according to claim 1, wherein the one or more liquid provisioning holes include more than two liquid provisioning holes.

17. A gas liquid absorption device (GLAD) according to claim 16, wherein the more than two liquid provisioning holes are configured in an equi-distant and symmetrical arrangement around the liquid foamer wall.

18. A gas liquid absorption device (GLAD) according to claim 1, wherein the GLAD forms part of a gas infused beverage system or an industrial system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) The drawing, which is not necessarily drawn to scale, includes the following Figures:

(2) FIG. 1A shows a first isometric view of a GLAD, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 1B shows a second isometric view of the GLAD shown in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 1C shows a back view of the GLAD shown in FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 1D shows a front view of the GLAD shown in FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 1E shows a right view of the GLAD shown in FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 1F shows a left view of the GLAD shown in FIG. 1.

(8) FIG. 1G shows a bottom view of the GLAD shown in FIG. 1.

(9) FIG. 1H shows a top view of the GLAD shown in FIG. 1.

(10) FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the GLAD shown in FIG. 1.

(11) FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the GLAD shown in FIG. 1.

(12) FIG. 4 shows an exploded cross-section view of the gas/liquid mixing foamer shown in FIG. 2.

(13) FIG. 5 shows a diagram of a Gas Infused Beverage System having the GLAD shown in FIG. 1A, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

(14) Similar parts or components in Figures are labeled with similar reference numerals and labels for consistency. Every lead line and associated reference label for every element is not included in every Figure of the drawing to reduce clutter in the drawing as a whole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(15) By way of example, and according to some embodiments, the present invention may include, or take the form of, a gas liquid absorption device (GLAD) generally indicated as 10, featuring a gas inlet manifold 20, a liquid inlet manifold 30, a gas/liquid mixing foamer 40 and a mixing chamber 50, e.g., consistent with that shown in FIGS. 1A thru 1H, as well as FIGS. 2-5.

(16) The gas inlet manifold 20 has a gas inlet 22 configured to receive and provide an inlet gas, and also has a gas foamer cavity 24 formed therein and coupled fluidically to the gas inlet 22 to receive the inlet gas.

(17) The liquid inlet manifold 30 has a liquid inlet 32 configured to receive and provide a non-infused liquid, and also has a liquid foamer cavity 34 formed therein and coupled fluidically to the liquid inlet 32 to receive the non-infused liquid.

(18) The gas inlet manifold 20 and liquid inlet manifold 30 may be coupled together using screws and/or washers, e.g., consistent with that shown in FIG. 3.

(19) The gas/liquid mixing foamer 40 is configured between the gas inlet manifold 20 and the liquid inlet manifold 30 and arranged in the gas foamer cavity 24 and the liquid foamer cavity 34.

(20) The gas/liquid mixing foamer 40 has a gas foamer wall 42 configured to form a gas receiving foamer chamber 44 that is fluidically coupled to the gas foamer cavity 34. The gas foamer wall 42 has gas provisioning holes, one of which in labeled 42a, formed therein to provide dispersed inlet gas from the gas receiving foamer chamber 44.

(21) The gas/liquid mixing foamer 40 has a liquid foamer wall 46 configured to form a liquid receiving foamer chamber 48 that is fluidically coupled to the liquid foamer cavity 34. The liquid foamer wall 46 has liquid provisioning holes, one of which in labeled 46a, formed therein to provide dispersed non-infused liquid from the liquid receiving foamer chamber 48.

(22) The mixing chamber 50 is configured to receive the dispersed inlet gas and the dispersed non-infused liquid, infuse the dispersed inlet gas and the dispersed non-infused liquid, and provide a foamed gas/liquid mixture from the mixing chamber 50 to a liquid outlet quick-fitting 60, e.g., as shown in FIG. 2.

(23) The mixing chamber 50 may be configured in at least part of the gas inlet manifold 20, e.g., consistent with that shown in FIG. 2. Embodiments are envisioned, and the scope of the invention is intended to include, the mixing chamber 50 being configured in the gas inlet manifold 20 as shown in FIG. 2, as well as being configured in at least part of the gas inlet manifold 20 and at least part of the liquid inlet chamber 30. In other words, embodiments are envisioned, and the scope of the invention is intended to include, the mixing chamber 50 being configured in at least part of the liquid inlet manifold 30.

(24) The gas inlet manifold 20 may include a gas manifold wall 26 configured to form the mixing chamber 50, e.g., consistent with that shown in FIG. 2.

(25) The gas/liquid mixing foamer 40 may include a center wall 49 configured to separate fluidically the gas receiving foamer chamber 44 and the liquid receiving foamer chamber 48.

(26) The GLAD 10 may include a gas O-ring 70 configured between the gas foamer wall 42 and the gas foamer cavity 24, e.g., consistent with that shown in FIG. 4 that shows the gas O-ring 70 arranged in a channel formed in the gas foamer wall 42.

(27) The GLAD 10 may include a liquid O-ring 72 configured between the liquid foamer wall 46 and the liquid foamer cavity 34, as well as a corresponding liquid O-ring 74 configured between the gas inlet manifold 20 and the liquid inlet manifold 30, e.g. consistent with that shown in FIG. 2. See also FIG. 4 that shows the gas O-ring 72 arranged in a corresponding channel formed in the liquid foamer wall 46.

(28) The GLAD 10 may include a gas inlet fitting 80 configured in the gas inlet 22 to provide the inlet gas, including where the gas inlet fitting is a quick-connect gas inlet fitting, e.g. consistent with that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

(29) The GLAD 10 may include a check valve assembly having an inlet check valve 90 configured in the gas inlet 22, or include a foamer check valve 92 configured in the gas receiving foamer chamber 44, or include both the inlet check valve 90 configured in the gas inlet 22 and the foamer check valve 92 configured in the gas receiving foamer chamber 44, e.g. consistent with that shown in FIG. 2.

(30) The GLAD 10 may include a gas pressure sensor 100 configured in the gas inlet manifold 20 to sense gas pressure of the inlet gas provided to the gas/liquid foamer 40, e.g. consistent with that shown in FIG. 2.

(31) The liquid outlet fitting 60 may be coupled to the gas inlet manifold 20 and configured to provide the foamed gas/liquid mixture from the mixing chamber 50, including where the liquid outlet fitting 60 is a liquid outlet quick-fitting, e.g. consistent with that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

(32) The GLAD 10 may include a pressure relief valve 110 coupled to the gas inlet manifold 20 and configured to sense mixing chamber pressure of the foamed gas/liquid mixture in the mixing chamber 50, e.g. consistent with that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

(33) The GLAD 10 may include a liquid inlet fitting 120 configured in the liquid inlet manifold 30 to provide the inlet liquid, including where the liquid inlet fitting 120 is a liquid inlet quick-fitting, e.g. consistent with that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

(34) The GLAD 10 may include a liquid pressure sensor 130 configured in the liquid inlet manifold 30 to sense liquid pressure of the inlet liquid provided to the gas/liquid foamer 40, e.g. consistent with that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

(35) The gas provisioning holes 42a may include four gas provisioning holes, e.g. consistent with that shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. By way of example, the four gas provisioning holes 42a are configured in an equi-distant and symmetrical arrangement around the gas foamer wall. By way of further example, the gas provisioning holes 42a may be dimensioned as 0.020″ holes, although the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular size of the holes.

(36) The liquid provisioning holes 46a may include eight liquid provisioning holes, e.g. consistent with that shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. By way of example, the liquid provisioning holes 46a may be configured in an equi-distant and symmetrical arrangement around the liquid foamer wall. By way of further example, the gas provisioning holes 46a may be dimensioned as 0.040″ holes, although the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular size of the holes.

The Manifolds 20, 30

(37) The manifolds 20, 30 are configured or form as molded units, including plastic injection molded units.

FIG. 5: Gas Infused Beverage System

(38) FIG. 5 shows a typical setup for a gas infused beverage system having a GLAD 10, e.g., consistent with that shown in FIGS. 1A thru 4, and according to the present invention.

(39) In the gas infused beverage system in FIG. 5, the GLAD 10 is configured between a gas solenoid valve and a diaphragm pump and provides the foamed gas/liquid mixture from the mixing chamber 50 (FIG. 2) via a liquid hose to a tap, e.g., including a nitro infused tap.

(40) The gas solenoid receives gas from a gas cylinder via a gas pressure regulator. The gas from the gas cylinder is also provided to a beverage keg via a corresponding gas pressure regulator.

(41) The diaphragm pump has an inlet that receives liquid from the beverage keg via liquid solenoid valve and a filter assembly. The diaphragm has an outlet that provides the pumped liquid to the GLAD 10.

Replaceable Fittings and Sensors

(42) The GLAD 10 also has easily replaceable fittings and sensors, e.g., including a gas orifice fitting, liquid orifice fitting, gas pressure sensor, and liquid pressure sensor.

Liquid and Gas Pressure Sensors and Other Devices

(43) Liquid and gas pressure sensors are known in the art, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof either now known or later developed in the future.

(44) Motor driven pumps, infusion tank/vessels, etc. are also known in the art, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof either now known or later developed in the future.

Possible Applications

(45) Possible applications include the following:

(46) Gas (N2, CO2, N2+CO2) infused beverages such as coffee, tea, milk, beer, soda, juice, water, beer, wine, sprit, industrial fluids, etc.

(47) Infusing CO2 or other gases such as Nitrogen into liquids for beverages water, soda, beer, coffee, tea, milk and yogurt based.

(48) Infusing CO2 or other Gases such as Nitrogen into liquids for increasing the effectiveness of cleaning, sanitizing, etc. for example general surface cleaning, soil extraction, beverage line cleaning, water purification.

The Scope of the Invention

(49) The embodiments shown and described in detail herein are provided by way of example only; and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular configurations, dimensionalities, and/or design details of these parts or elements included herein. In other words, one skilled in the art would appreciate that design changes to these embodiments may be made and such that the resulting embodiments would be different than the embodiments disclosed herein, but would still be within the overall spirit of the present invention.

(50) It should be understood that, unless stated otherwise herein, any of the features, characteristics, alternatives or modifications described regarding a particular embodiment herein may also be applied, used, or incorporated with any other embodiment described herein.

(51) Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, the foregoing and various other additions and omissions may be made therein and thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.