A flow sensor includes a fluid chamber configured to receive a fluid. A diaphragm assembly is configured to be displaced whenever the fluid within the fluid chamber is displaced. A transducer assembly is configured to monitor the displacement of the diaphragm assembly and generate a signal based, at least in part, upon the quantity of fluid displaced within the fluid chamber.

Product dispensing system

A beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage into a container is provided. The dispenser includes a housing having a dispensing area. A pump or a control valve is in communication with a source of diluent which is to be dispensed into the dispensing area. A cartridge receiving area and a dispensing actuator are located in the housing. A concentrate/extract cartridge is removably insertable into the cartridge receiving area in a position to be actuated by the dispensing actuator, the concentrate/extract cartridge being adapted to hold a beverage concentrate/extract and including a dispensing aperture for dispensing a beverage concentrate/extract into the dispensing area upon placement of the concentrate/extract cartridge in the cartridge receiving area. A controller is located in the housing to control the actuator to discharge concentrate/extract into the dispensing area. A method of dispensing a selected beverage made from concentrate/extract and a diluent is also provided.

Liquid concentrate/extract beverage dispenser with replaceable concentrate/extract cartridge

Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for facilitating consumer-dispenser interactions. In one embodiment, a product dispenser is provided. The product dispenser can include a reader configured to read machine readable item. In addition, the product dispenser can include a controller in communication with the reader, and operable to execute a set of instructions to receive information from the machine readable item associated with a consumer via the reader. Moreover, the controller can be further operable to execute a set of instructions to configure at least one characteristic based at least part on the information from the machine readable item, and dispense a product.

Systems and Methods for Facilitating Consumer-Dispenser Interactions

Dispensers for dispensing liquid from a concentrate/extract cartridge for a number of applications are also provided. The dispensers each include an actuating coil into which a dispensing tube is inserted. The concentrate/extract cartridge allows for dispensing a liquid in an accurate and repeatable manner. The cartridge includes an electromagnetically actuated piston connected to a valve. The piston includes an exterior ring supported by a hollow interior web that is configured to permit a flow of fluid into the dispensing tube when the valve body is in contact with the valve seat. A membrane is located below the web and is in sealing contact with the internal ring when the piston is activated. This allows a precise and repeatable amount of the liquid to be dispensed with each stroke. A controller is connected to the coil for controlling the actuation of the piston/valve assembly for dispensing the fluid in the cartridge.

Liquid dispensing system

The present invention generally relates to a water treatment system and a sanitization system and method. A sanitization fluid, typically water at a pharmaceutically acceptable temperature, is intermittently provided to the water treatment system for minimal periods of time.

Water treatment system and process

A beverage dispensing system includes separate valves for controlling the flow rate of a diluent and a concentrate. Various concentrates of different viscosities can be used and the selected concentrate is identified. The flow rate of the concentrate is determined based on temperature and pressure and on information related to the identified concentrate. The valves are controlled so that the concentrate and diluent reach target flow rates. The target flow rates satisfy a target ratio of diluent to concentrate. If the actual flow rates cannot reach the target flow rates, then the target flow rates are modified to satisfy the target ratio. The structure of the concentrate valve is designed to accommodate proportional metering of any one of the various concentrates.

Beverage forming and dispensing system

A pulsed waveform welding operation is implemented by reference to a commanded wire feed speed set by an operator The wire feed speed is set on a wire feeder (12), and a signal representative of the commanded wire feed speed is applied to a power supply (10) The power supply control circuitry (22) references a look-up table in which pulsed waveform parameters are provided based upon wire feed speed The parameters may include multiple parameters such as pulse frequency, peak current, background current, and current ramp rates The control circuitry (22) commands power conversion circuitry to generate the commanded waveform as a function of the commanded wire feed speed

Wire feed speed referenced variable frequency pulse welding system

A beverage dispensing system includes a beverage dispenser (20) which forms and dispenses a beverage and a processor for monitoring the beverage dispenser. The beverage dispenser operates under various parameters including a first parameter that is indicative of the quality of the beverage to be dispensed and a second parameter that is indicative as to when routine maintenance is to be scheduled.

Beverage quality and communications control for a beverage forming and dispensing system

Various welding systems that provide communication over auxiliary or weld power lines are provided. The disclosed embodiments may include a multi-process welding power supply that is communicatively coupled to a pendant via an auxiliary conduit that facilitates the exchange of data and power between components of the welding system. In some embodiments, the pendant may also include auxiliary outlets that allow an operator to power auxiliary devices at the weld location. The disclosed embodiments further include a pendant with a wire spool and wire feeder drive circuitry that is configured to activate spooling during MIG welding. Embodiments are provided that also allow for bidirectional data communication over a power line in networked welding systems.

Welding system with power line communication

Various welding systems that provide communication over auxiliary (50) or weld power lines (42, 36) are provided. The disclosed embodiments may include a multi-process welding power supply (10) that is communicatively coupled to a pendant (48) via an auxiliary conduit (50) that facilitates the exchange of data and power between components of the welding system (10). In some embodiments, the pendant (48) may also include auxiliary outlets (64, 62) that allow an operator to power auxiliary devices (58, 60) at the weld location. The disclosed embodiments further include a pendant with a wire spool and wire feeder drive circuitry that is configured to activate spooling during MIG welding. Embodiments are provided that also allow for bidirectional data communication over a power line in networked welding systems.

Andrew D. Nelson

Papers

Beverage forming and dispensing system

Wire feed speed referenced variable frequency pulse welding system

Beverage quality and communications control for a beverage forming and dispensing system

Welding system with power line communication

Welding systems with auxiliary powered conduit used for powering and exchanging data