Posted Sun Mar 21, 2010, 3:33pm Subject: Re: The Crossland Espresso Machine Project - potential game changer
Sounds terrific Bill, I hope this machine comes together quickly for you. I can't think of a better guy to put this together.
billc Said:
I have 3 designs currently for controlling this machine and have not yet decided which is the best in terms of price/value/durability. Here is the one method that I have applied for a patent. It involves the use of proportional valves. Proportional valves have the ability to control the flow rate of the water through them by varying the voltage applied to the coil. I use 2 of these valves. One for cold water and one for hot water (hot water is heated via a heat exchanger in the steam boiler). I mix the two streams right before the 3 way valve. Also at that point I measure the temperature. I am able to control the 2 valves via a microprocessor to achieve the proper temperature and pressure.
I see what you mean about the math being a challenge. The water temp coming out of the HX is going to vary quite a bit, so you have to adjust the valves in real time to maintain your temperature profile. At the same time, you have to modulate the total valve open area to maintain your pressure profile. And as the resistance of the puck varies through the course of the shot, you have to adjust for that, too. Not so simple!
I'm sure I"m not telling you anything new, but I hope your patent attorney investigates prior inventions such as the similar devices made by people like Sean Lennon, Lino Verna and John Ermacoff. Sean and Lino showed off their stuff at the Charlotte show in 2006.
Also, PLEASE spend a few bucks providing sound insulation for the dreaded vibe pump! I have had a lot of dental work, and few things are more annoying in the morning than having a vibe pump lock in on the resonant frequency of my #32 molar. :-)
Jmanespresso Senior Member Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 2,108 Location: Westchester NY Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Alex Duetto II Grinder: Compak K10 - Vario Vac Pot: Yama-SY5/SY8/TCA5 Drip: V60, Beehouse, CCD Roaster: Hottop B
Posted Sun Mar 21, 2010, 6:36pm Subject: Re: The Crossland Espresso Machine Project - potential game changer
Wow, this sounds awesome! I am quite excited to hear more, so it's great to have you here on CoffeeGeek Mr. Crossland!
Follow Your Bliss
Coffee makes your constantly overcome your prejudices and re-evaluate your own "received wisdoms" when it comes to judging cup flavors. -Tom Owen, SweetMarias
elwood00 Senior Member Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Posts: 238 Location: US Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Conti Prestina Lever Grinder: Versalab M3, Baratza Vario Vac Pot: no vac, just pot Drip: Post-Nasal
Posted Sun Mar 21, 2010, 7:53pm Subject: Re: The Crossland Espresso Machine Project - potential game changer
just lost out on a used GS/3 on ebay.... so maybe it was for the better LMAO
sounds interesting.... i have been questioning the rational behind the current design for a long time - I personally never understood why Thermoblocks seem to be frowned upon..... especially for steam production.....but then again, what do i know?
stephenmesa Senior Member Joined: 23 Mar 2010 Posts: 7 Location: Vancouver, WA Expertise: I love coffee
Vac Pot: Yama Tabletop 5 Cup
Posted Tue Mar 23, 2010, 11:25am Subject: Re: The Crossland Espresso Machine Project - potential game changer
This looks extremely interesting. Are there any options for following this thread aside from the Email Notifications option when posting here? I want to stay up to date with this!
I'd say I'm more of a coffee nerd rather than coffee geek
SwingT Senior Member Joined: 28 Jul 2009 Posts: 150 Location: GSP Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Tue Mar 23, 2010, 11:56am Subject: Re: The Crossland Espresso Machine Project - potential game changer
andys Said:
Also, PLEASE spend a few bucks providing sound insulation for the dreaded vibe pump!............ and few things are more annoying in the morning than having a vibe pump . :-)
MarkPrince Moderator Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 5,462 Location: Vancouver, BC Expertise: Professional
Espresso: KvdW Speedster Grinder: Compak K10 WBC Vac Pot: A bit too many Drip: Clive Coffee Drip Stand Roaster: Hario Glass Retro Roaster
Posted Tue Mar 23, 2010, 2:16pm Subject: Re: The Crossland Espresso Machine Project - potential game changer
I agree with the vibe pump comments. A major innovation in home espresso, as far as I'm concerned, would be a machine with due attention paid towards making the vibe pump as quiet as possible.
Notably, there is one machine that does a pretty good job at this - the 1992/94 designed Solis SL-70. It is one of the quietest vibe pump machines I've ever used, and gets quieter as the pressure load builds up.
wideasleep1 Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Posts: 1,399 Location: San Francisco,Ca Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: VBMDoubleDomo Grinder: Mahlkoenig K30 Vario Vac Pot: nope Drip: Bodum Press Roaster: IR1 and 2,SC/TO,Behmor
Posted Tue Mar 23, 2010, 8:49pm Subject: Re: The Crossland Espresso Machine Project - potential game changer
My VBM is unusually quiet now, after I resolved the top heating tray rattle. It makes it most noise as it brings up pressure (pre-infusion) but during the pull itself..you hear the pour/drips over the pump. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u6U3qEmmDo Therefore, I know the vibe pump can be quieted when engineered to do so. :)
Posted Wed Mar 24, 2010, 6:24am Subject: Re: The Crossland Espresso Machine Project - potential game changer
SwingT Said:
The rotary in my vivaldi s1 v2 is bad enough - Some mornings I'll fire up the Cremina just for the lack of noise. I don't really care how you get the pressure up, it's just the noise that concerns me.
If the rotary pump in your Vivaldi is noisy check to see if the capacitor bracket is touching the frame support. You should hear nothing more then a quiet hum when the pump is running.
wideasleep1 Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Posts: 1,399 Location: San Francisco,Ca Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: VBMDoubleDomo Grinder: Mahlkoenig K30 Vario Vac Pot: nope Drip: Bodum Press Roaster: IR1 and 2,SC/TO,Behmor
Posted Wed Mar 24, 2010, 11:27am Subject: Re: The Crossland Espresso Machine Project - potential game changer
Hmmm..looks like Bill may want to eventually create a convertible model! :) I think it's fine and normal for first version to be 'proof-of-concept', so I hope the vibe-biased won't be too disappointed.
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