MULTIPLE FLUID SPACE DISPENSER AND MONITOR

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for dispensing and monitoring output and consumption of fluids in the microgravity conditions of outer space. The dispenser (10) conveniently dispenses a plurality of fluids from distinct output ports (14, 16, 18) into a suitable receptacle (42). Each consumer is identified at a point of delivery of the fluid and fluid dispensing and/or consumption is monitored and displayed (12) according to predetermined criteria.

Description: " MULTIPLE FLUID SPACE DISPENSER AND MONITOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for dispensing and monitoring consumption of fluids in the microgravity conditions of outer space. It is known that zero or microgravity conditions of outer space prevent consumption of beverages from a conventional pre-mix container directly into a consumer's mouth, and further that refilling of conventional drinking containers presents a serious problem, especially with regard to carbonated beverages. Similarly, with only a limited supply of fluids aboard a spacecraft or space station, control of consumption and fluid use should be monitored for scientific data gathering as well as a means to properly share and allocate fluid consumption. The microgravity dispenser described in U.S. Patent No. 4,848,418 to Rudick et al was particularly designed for dispensing pre-mix beverages in the microgravity conditions of outer space. Further, U.S. Patent No. 4,875,508 to Burke, II et al and U.S. Patent No. 4,785,974 to Rudick et al describe types of drinking containers which may be used in the microgravity conditions of outer space. A problem still exists, however, in adapting these known dispensers and containers to a closed controlled system capable of monitoring consumption of a plurality of fluids according to type of fluid and known consumer thereof which is effectively used with both carbonated and still fluids. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a system and apparatus for dispensing a plurality of different fluids in the microgravity conditions of outer space. It is another object of the present invention to provide a closed system and apparatus for dispensing and monitoring the dispensing of both carbonated and still beverages in the microgravity conditions of outer space, the monitoring including recordation of type, amount, and consumer of each of a plurality of fluids. The objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing a system for selectively dispensing a plurality of fluids in the microgravity conditions of outer space comprising: a plurality of fluid supply containers, at least one of the fluid supply containers being filled with a carbonated pre-mix beverage; means for cooling said plurality of fluid supply containers; means for maintaining said container of carbonated pre-mix beverage in solution; a plurality of fluid dispensing ports, connected to respective ones of said plurality of fluid supply containers, for dispensing fluids from said microgravity dispenser; means, associated with said container carbonated pre-mix beverage, for controlling a dispensi flow rate thereof; and means for monitoring the dispensed fluid according to predetermined criteria. Further scope of applicability of the presen invention will become apparent from the detaile description given hereinafter. However, it should b understood that the detailed description and specifi examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of th present invention, are given by way of illustration only since variouϊ. changes and modification within the spiri and scope of the invention will become apparent to th those skilled in the art from this detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a microgravit dispenser system according to a preferred embodiment o the invention; and Figure 2 is a top view of the microgravit dispenser shown in Figure 1,; Figure 3 is a flow diagram explaining dispensing procedure for the microgravity dispenser of th present invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view in sid elevation of a conventional microgravity drinking cup fo use with the microgravity dispenser of the presen invention; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of anothe conventional microgravity drinking cup for use with th present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to Figure 1, there is generally shown at 10 a perspective view of a microgravity dispenser system for delivering any one of a plurality of fluids in the microgravity conditions of outer space. It should be understood that an absence of gravity in space will render conventional earth based dispensers inoperable. Accordingly, the present dispenser has been designed specifically for operation in space, Further, the confined nature of space shuttles and future space stations requires that fluids be monitored in order to track consumption and maintain an accurate inventory. The dispenser according to the present invention, therefore, is operable for a plurality of different fluids 5 and has the ability to monitor each fluid dispensed. Referring again to Figure 1, any number of fluids may be dispensed as space permits, but for purposes of explanation, three dispensing ports 14, 16, and 18 are shown which dispense one carbonated pre-mix beverage, water, and a biological fluid such as blood plasma, respectively. The same technology described herein may b used for any number of fluids, including carbonated an still fluids. Also shown in Figure 1 is a display monitor 12 5 such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) screen. The monitor 1 may be used to present fluid selection possibilities t the user, and for displaying information to the use including his identity, present selection of fluid, tota fluid consumption over a most recent 24 hour period an the like. A fan or blower 20 is provided to circulate ai in a refrigerator section of the dispenser 10 as will b more fully explained. Figure 2 is a top view of the microgravi dispenser shown in Figure 1. Blower 20 is positioned the front of the dispenser 10 and forward of refrigeration compartment 22 positioned along the rig hand side of the dispenser. Any convenient location m be employed for the refrigeration compartment 22, howeve so long as the fan 20 has access to an unconfined end the dispenser to blow air against the refrigerati compartment 22. Preferrably, thermoelectric cooling utilized to cool the fluids stored within t refrigeration compartment 22. Such thermoelectric cooli is shown, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,738,113 Rudick. In connection with the present invention, the is shown a cold plate 34 upon which one or more cool containers 30, 32 rest. These containers may include pre-mix beverage 30 and/or a blood plasma 32 as previous explained. A thermoelectric generator (not shown) disposed in a separate cabinet connected to one end of t refrigeration compartment 22 and includes thermoelectri elements and a heat sink (not shown) operativel associated with both the cold plate 34 and t refrigeration compartment 22. The fan 20 draws air int and through the heat sink in order to ensure efficien operation of the thermoelectric cooling elements. Also shown in Figure 2 is a water reservoir 2 for supplying fresh water through outlet port hole 16. Carbonated beverages are more difficult to handl in space than are the still fluids such as water and bloo plasma. This is due to primarily to the fact that ga tends to separate from the liquid in carbonate beverages. Since no gas/liquid separation can occur i the microgravity conditions of outer space, the carbonate beverage will become a frothy mixture if released into a uncontrolled environment. The frothing is caused by tw factors. The first factor is a process of desorbing carbon dioxide from the product and the second factor relates to gas being present in the head space of a container having a carbonated beverage therein. In order to prevent desorbtion of carbon dioxide (C0 2 ), the gas must be maintained in solution at all times. It is known that solubility of carbon dioxide gas at a given temperature is determined by a saturation pressure thereof. Maintenance of a liquid phase requires that the product be constantly stored at or above the determined saturation pressure. The following table identifies the saturation pressure at varying carbonation levels and a constant temperature of 75 F. C Caarrbboonnaattiioonn Temperature Pressure 1. .5 75°F 14 psig 2. .0 75°F 24 psig 2. .5 -75°F 32 psig 3. .5 75°F 50 psig Since the cabin temperature or temperature of space station could be as high as 75°F due to its controlled temperature environment, the saturatio pressures were calculated at that temperature. Of course, any known temperature may be used in the same manner. The problem of head space as well as the need to maintain a liquid phase in a storage container of carbonated pre-mix beverage 30 is accomplished by using collapsible bag within the container. A modified fiv gallon (hereinafter FIGAL) container suitable for storin the carbonated beverage is described, for example, in U.S. Patent 4,848,418 to Rudick et al. In particular, container such as beverage pre-mix container 30 is modified to contain the pre-mix in a bag formed within t container. A carbon dioxide source 24 is connected to t container 30 through a regulator 36. The regulator 36 i set so as to maintain the carbonated pre-mix within t container 30 at a predetermined setting according to t table shown above. Preferrably, if the temperature i 75°F and the preferred carbonation is 2.5 volumes, the the pressure regulator should be set to 32 psig. Thus, an annular space between the bag an container wall is pressurized with C0 2 gas at a constan pressure from the carbon dioxide cylinder 24. As th product is dispensed, the carbon dioxide gas squeezes th bag, keeping the product under pressure and eliminatin any head space which might otherwise form therein. Another problem which must be addressed is th pressure drop which will occur when the carbonated pre-mi beverage exits the container. Specifically, if pressure i allowed to drop suddenly from the saturation pressur maintained inside the container to a pressure of one psi at the dispensing port 14, the product will no longer b at or above its saturation pressure. Consequently, carbo dioxide gas will escape from the product resulting i severe foaming. Instead of a refreshing carbonate beverage, the consumer will be confronted with a produc resembling shaving cream, It is known, however, that carbon dioxide ga exhibits a pseudo equilibrium property such that if th pressure of the product is lowered gradually, the C0 gas will remain in the product as a supersaturate solution. The present invention solves this problem b providing a dispensing valve (not shown) in the containe or in-line in a dispensing tube adjacent the container, o further adjacent a port hole outlet 14 associated with th carbonated pre-mix beverage. The dispensing valve member is conical-shaped with a steadily widening annular cross-section in the direction of fluid flow from the container 10 to the dispensing outlet port 14. By increasing the cross-sectional area of product flow, the liquid pressure gradually decreases, thereby maintaining a laminar flow at all times. Further, flow rate may be adjusted by a screw at the top of the container 30 whereby tightening of the screw decreases the cross-sectional area of product flow and thus lowers the rate of flow. Examples of this type of valve may be seen in U.S. Patent No. 4,848,418 to Rudick et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,709,734 to Rudick et al., and U.S. Patent No. 4,752,018 to Rudick et al. which describe a flow control valve having a bullet-shaped piston member therein responsible for delivering the carbonated pre-mix from the FIGAL to a receiving cup at a controlled rate of flow at low pressure. An inlet side of the valve is a narrow end of the "cone" and a bullet member is of a complementary shape to the valve and is disposed within the valve housing. The piston has a first cone portion and a second cylindrical portion whose shape prevents any appreciable variation of flow rate and lowers the pressure of the pre-mix to an ambient pressure without any appreciable carbonation breakout or foaming. For non-carbonated fluids, the conical dispensing valve is not necessary. Flow rates for the water and blood plasma may be adjusted by in-line flow regulating devices such as fixed orifices and the like. Since the product is at a constant pressure, the flow rate through the orifice will also be constant. Dispensing of any of the plurality of liquids must be into a smaller container which is usable for direct consumption or end use in the case of blood plasma fluid. It is of primary importance that fluids being dispensed do not escape into the cabin of the spac shuttle or into the open areas of the space station. Fo this reason, a portable drinking container is utilize such as that shown in attached Figures 4 and 5. Each o these drinking containers are formed of a rigi exostructure 38 with a collapsible bag 40 inside. Th exostructure includes a stem engagable with any one of th plurality of dispensing outlets 14, 16, or 18. By thi arrangement, the fluid product may be dispensed directl into the bag 40 of the cup 42. The stem 44 of the drinkin cup 42 has a check valve 46 formed therein to preven liquid from escaping from the drinking container when i is removed from the dispenser. Preferrably, a duckbil type check valve 46 is utilized as shown in Figure 4, bu a clamp 48 or similar structure as shown in Figure 5 ma be used. Drinking of the carbonated beverage or water ma be accomplished by releasing the valve, and dispensing o the blood plasma is achieved the same way into a suitabl receptacle. Also shown in Figure 2 is a computerize monitoring area 28 for use in determining the identity o the consumer, tabulating a fluid withdrawal, an calculating recent consumption over a predetermined perio of time, usually 24 hours. When an astronaut inserts drinking cup 42 into any one of the plurality of outlet 14, 16, or 18, a pressure switch alerts the computer 2 and a scanner identifies the drinking cup 42 to determin its user. Determination can also be made by binar switches and the like. When the user has been identified, the user's consumption history is recalled and updated. As mentioned, the previous consumption history for predetermined period of time will also be displayed. Referring now to Figure 3, there will described a simplified operation of the microgravit dispenser. When all systems have been turned "ON" within t space shuttle or space station, the microgravity dispens will also be in an "ON" and usable condition until pow supply is terminated. Auxilliary power may be provided i desired so that the thermoelectric cooling device wi continually maintain the refrigeration area 22 at optimum temperature for the pre-mix beverage and blo plasma. Next, at step SI, all outputs 14, 16, and 18 a closed, and various registers and data control areas i the computer 28 are initialized. Instructions a displayed at the viewing monitor 12, and an LED is flash to indicate to the operator that normal operations of t dispenser may proceed. At step S2 it is determined if predetermined period of time (10 seconds) have elapsed. I so, the viewing monitor is updated to provide the operat with additional information. If the predetermined peri of time has not elapsed, it is determined at step S4 the pressure switch has been actuated. If yes, then ste S2 and S3 are repeated or the loop is continued betwe steps S2 and S4 until 10 seconds have elapsed. If the pressure switch has not been actuated step S4, then an appropriate flag is set in step S5 and is again determined in step S6 if the pressure switch h been actuated. If detection of the pressure switch is n detected in step S6, then the system proceeds to step for either waiting 10 seconds or the pressure switch actuated. If the pressure switch is detected in step S then a clear signal is sent at step S8, thereby initiati a switch-on debounce routine in step S9 and anoth determination in step S10 if the pressure switch is sti being activated. If no, the program returns to step above. If yes, then a dispensing timer is initializ commands are transmitted to the viewing monitor, and dispensing solenoid is activated for a predetermi period of time. At step S12 it is again detected if t pressure switch is activated. If no such activation detected, the program returns to step SI. If the pressu switch activation is detected, a determination is made step S13 if a stop-pour flag is set. If the stop-pour fl is set, the dispense solenoid is de-energized at step S to terminate a dispensing operation. Otherwise, t program returns to step S12. For hydroponic studies, the computer will wat and/or fertilize one or more plants at a predetermin time, record the time and amount of water and fertiliz dispensed, then display the data upon request for the sam Similarly, the dispenser will dispense, demand, an aliquot of blood plasma for biological studi and keep a record of time and quality of blood plas dispensed. Finally, the space requirements of t microgravity dispenser are fairly minimal at about 17 inches in width, 20 inches in depth and almost 10 inch in overall height. As long as the fan or blower 20 is the front of the dispenser, it may be placed anywhe within easy reach of the astronauts. Further, pow requirements are minimal since the dispenser will use le than 100 watts. It should be understood that the microgravi dispenser and monitoring system described herein may modified as would occur to one of ordinary skill in t art without departing from the spirit and scope of t present invention.

Claims: IN THE CLAIMS 1. A microgravity dispenser system comprising: a plurality of fluid supply containers, at least one of said plurality of fluid supply containers being filled with a carbonated pre-mix beverage; means for cooling said plurality of fluid supply containers; means for maintaining said container of carbonated pre-mix beverage in solution; a plurality of fluid dispensing ports, connected to respective ones of said plurality of fluid supply containers, for dispensing fluids from said microgravity dispenser; means, associated with said container of carbonated pre-mix beverage, for controlling a dispensing flow rate thereof; and means for monitoring dispensed fluids according to predetermined criteria. 2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of fluid supply containers include blood plasma, water, and said carbonated pre-mix beverage. 3. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said means for cooling includes a circulation fan and a heat exchange means in communication with said plurality of fluid supply containers. 4. The dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said means for cooling includes a cold plate surrounding at least one of said plurality of fluid supply containers. 5. The dispenser according to claim 4, wherein said at least one of said plurality of fluid supply containers is a container of blood plasma. 6. The dispenser according to claim 4, wherei said at least one of said plurality of fluid suppl containers is a container of carbonated pre-mix beverage. 7. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherei said means for maintaining said carbonated pre-mi beverage in solution includes a CO, supply for applyin CO- gas to an interior portion of said carbonate 5 pre-mix beverage container. 8. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherei said means for controlling a dispensing flow rate of sai carbonated beverage pre-mix includes an inverted conica valve member in-line of said carbonated beverag 5 container, whereby an increasing annular cross-section o the valve enables a cross-sectional area of product flo to increase, thereby decreasing an atmospheric pressure o the fluid and maintaining a laminar flow. 9. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherei said means for monitoring includes a computerize tabulation device for determining and storing a pluralit of variables including type and quantity of dispense 5 fluids, recipients of said dispensed fluids, an statistical analysis performed with respect to any of sai plurality of fluids. 10. The dispenser according to claim 1, furthe including a viewing screen for observing data collected b said means for monitoring and identifying fluid selections associated with each of said plurality of fluid dispensing 5 ports. 11. A method of monitoring fluids dispensed fro a plurality of fluid dispensing ports in a microgravity dispenser comprising the steps of: (a) automatically closing each of said c plurality of fluid dispensing ports; (b) initializing all registers associate with said dispenser; (c) detecting insertion of a drinking vesse into one of said plurality of fluid dispensing ports; (d) activating a pressure switch in respons to insertion of said drinking vessel; (e) alerting a computerized monitor i response to activation of said pressure switch; (f) scanning said drinking vessel thereb determining a user thereof; (g) updating consumption data within sai computerized monitor according to determination of th user; and (h) displaying the users consumption habit within a recent predetermined period of time. 12. A multiple fluid microgravity dispenser an monitor comprising: a plurality of fluid supply containers; means for cooling at least one of sai plurality of fluid supply containers; a plurality of fluid dispensing ports connected to respective ones of said plurality of flui supply containers, for selectively dispensing each of sai fluids from said microgravity dispenser; means for initiating a dispensing operation and means for collecting predetermined criteri associated with said dispensing operation. 13. The dispenser and monitor according to clai 12, wherein said plurality of fluid supply container include water, a carbonated premix beverage, and biological fluid. 14. The dispenser and monitor according to clai 12, wherein said means for cooling includes a cold plat in communication with at least one of said plurality o containers and thermoelectric cooling elements connecte -to said cold plate. 15. The dispenser and monitor according to clai 14, wherein said means for cooling further includes a fa for directing circulating air across said cold plate an said at least one container positioned on said cold plate. 16. The dispenser and monitor according to clai 12, wherein said means for initiating a dispensin operation is a pressure switch positioned in each of sai plurality of fluid dispensing ports, said pressure switc actuation further initiating a tabulation routine of sai means for monitoring whereby consumption history i determined for each user. 17. The dispenser and monitors according t claim 12, wherein said means for collecting predetermine criteria includes a scanner for determining a user of sai dispenser, identifying a fluid selection, and calculatin total fluid consumption over a predetermined period o time.

Inventors: ANTAO LEONARD F, GUPTA ASHIS S, ANTAO, LEONARD, F., GUPTA, ASHIS, S.
Applicants: COCA COLA CO, THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
Application year: 1991
Main classification: B65B3
IPC codes: B67D1