Carbonation chamber
A mixing chamber for use in a beverage carbonation system is provided. In one embodiment, the mixing chamber includes a housing, an agitator, a motor assembly and a rigid plate. A housing of the agitator and a housing of the motor assembly can each include a set of magnetics disposed therein and magnetically coupled so as to provide magnetic coupling between the motor assembly and the agitator. The mixing chamber is configured to receive a gas, such as carbon dioxide, and a liquid, such as water, to form a carbonated fluid. The carbonated fluid can be dispensed from the beverage carbonation system as a beverage.
1 . A method for mixing fluid and gas, comprising:
activating a motor to rotate an outer magnetic drive housing and thereby cause corresponding rotation of an inner magnetic drive housing disposed within a mixing chamber and positioned on an opposite side of a separation plate from the outer magnetic drive housing, the mixing chamber being fluidically sealed and having a fluid and a gas disposed therein, and rotation of the inner magnetic drive housing rotating an agitator coupled thereto to thereby mix the fluid and gas, wherein rotation of the agitator causes the gas to flow from a location above the liquid within the mixing chamber into an upper opening in an elongate shaft of the agitator and out of a lower opening of the elongate shaft of the agitator.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the agitator includes a plurality of arms extending radially outward from a central shaft, a terminal end of the central shaft being freely movably positioned within a divot formed in the separation plate.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mixing chamber is disposed within a beverage dispensing system, and the method further comprises dispensing the mixed fluid and gas into a container.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the flow of the gas within the internal chamber increases an internal pressure within the inner chamber.
5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising causing, via an increase in the internal pressure within the inner chamber, a burst disk valve in fluid communication with the inner chamber to rupture.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to activating the motor, actuating a first valve to cause the gas to flow into the inner chamber.
7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising, prior to activating the motor, actuating a second valve to cause the gas to flow into the inner chamber.
8 . A method, comprising:
receiving, within an inner chamber, a fluid from a fluid source and a gas from a gas source, the inner chamber comprising an agitator coupled to an inner magnetic drive; and
driving, via a motor, an outer magnetic drive disposed outside the inner chamber and magnetically coupled to the inner magnetic drive to cause the agitator to rotate, thereby causing gas to flow from an upper region of the inner chamber and through the agitator to a lower region of the inner chamber.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein driving the outer magnetic drive causes the gas and the liquid to form a combined treated fluid.
10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising dispensing, via a dispense outlet in the inner chamber, the treated fluid.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein driving the outer magnetic drive increases an internal pressure within the inner chamber.
12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising causing, via an increase in the internal pressure within the inner chamber, a burst disk valve in fluid communication with the inner chamber to rupture.