Electronic Ratio Valve ERV Leopard Valve Electronic Ratio Valve ERV

Leopard valve

ERV - Dimensions:

ERV - Functionality The ERV is a post-mix valve that uses a combination of sensors, stepper motors and a PC board to control flow rate and ratio. When the valve is actuated, a signal is sent to the PC board to start flow. The syrup and water modules open allowing soda (or water) and syrup to enter the mixing body. The PC board monitors water flow rate based on information sent by a small flow turbine. Syrup flow is monitored by two transducers (pressure sensors) located on the syrup module. The PC board calculates actual ratio and compares that to the programmed ratio. The PCB then adjusts the stepper motor positions as needed to regulate the flow rate and ratio. When the activation signal is released, the stepper motors close on both the syrup and water sides, completing the drink cycle.

ERV - Functionality The valve is programmed using a PDA or TomCat device to set flow rate, and ratio. In addition, the PDA ( only ) can be used to obtain the following Diagnostic information Valve Serial Number Current Flavor Finished Drink Ratio Flow Rate Total, syrup and water dispense volumes Since the valve is opened and closed using stepper motors, it has a backup power supply system that will not activate the valve until it is fully charged. This can take several (3-4) minutes upon initial dispenser power up. If there is a power failure, the back up system provides power for the valve to close.

ERV - Features IMPROVED QUALITY: Electronically adjusts to provide correct water/syrup ratio on every dispense Ratio not affected by syrup temperature or system pressure changes Detects, indicates, & stops dispense when syrup or water are depleted to limit waste and poor served drink Excellent casual drink temperature performance

ERV - Features OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS Ratio re-adjustments are not necessary Re-adjustments of volume portions are not necessary True volume controlled portions resulting in less crew intervention System information stored within valve memory Improved drink customer perception due to visual pouring without pulsating water and then syrup, continuous, quiet flow stream

ERV - Technical specifications: Power requirements 24V, 50 or 60 Hz, 1A Flow range 1.5 oz/sec to 6.0 oz/sec 45 ml/sec to 180 ml/sec Flow Control Constant volume feedback loop for water and syrup. Ratio Range 3.5:1 to 10:1 Ratio Control Ratio priority feedback loop for water and syrup. Supply Sold-Out Indicator LED on front panel for water and syrup depletion automatic return to normal operation on replenishment of supply

ERV - Literature Brochure Installation Manual Service Manual Operator Manual Crew Training Manual Trouble Shooting Guide Illustrated Parts List TomCat Manual Presentations: Commercial introduction Technical training

ERV - Approvals TCCC Authorization since June 2007 McDonald’s Global release since April 2008 Agency listings

ERV - Issues Initial ERV Set-up device: Windows Pocket PC – HP iPAQ Serial Communication Port 2008 – coming obsolete US Investigates: New Software based on Windows XP - Laptop New Software based on Windows Mobile - Handheld Enhance TomCat device with diagnostics Coca-Cola “Red Brick” device (?) Technician device: IMI-Cornelius development “TomCat” Cheap and very easy to use No Diagnostics feature

ERV - Issues Open issue: Cleaning Syrup lines Solution: New development of Cleaning Plug Timeline: Field-test device available June 2008 Production release July 2008

What is a STEPPER MOTOR ? Stepper Motor Flow Turbine Measures and controls water flow through the valve

Case contains rotor and bearings Stepper Motor Case contains rotor and bearings Shaft moves up and down to regulate flow through the V-Groove Linear Stepper Motor

Patented V-Groove V – Groove Technology Stepper Motor Shaft Flow Rate Position Needle Valve Patented V-Groove V-Groove gives linear flow control Cornelius Patent V - Groove

IR beam is interrupted by the rotor Flow Turbine Water Guide Vane Optical Transmitter IR beam is interrupted by the rotor Optical Digital Device 6 pulses / ml Water Flow Optical Receiver Rotor

Pressure Transducer Syrup Differential pressure measured across an orifice plate Syrup Orifice Plate

Valve Setup Syrup Settings Differential Signal from pressure transducer Flow None Sugar Sugar Syrup Type Differential Signal from pressure transducer Flow Curve offset sets flavor + offset - offset

RTD Flow Rate ONZ / sec ML / sec 1.50 44 1.75 52 2.00 59 2.25 67 2.50 74 2.75 81 3.00 89