A beverage dispensing apparatus comprising a magnetic pump and method for controlling the magnetic pump

摘要

A beverage dispensing apparatus (100) is disclosed, comprising a solenoid pump (106) coupled between a fluid inlet (102) and a fluid outlet (104) for pumping the fluid from said inlet to said outlet, said pump comprising a spring-loaded linear pumping member (206) axially displaceable between a spring-loaded position (240) and a spring-released end position (230) and a controller (108) for the solenoid pump (106), said controller being arranged to energize the pumping member (206) into an intermediate position (235) between the spring-released end position (230) and the spring-loaded position (240). Consequently, the solenoid pump (106) has improved noise characteristics and can be used to control the flow rate of the fluid whilst still being energized in substantially every cycle of an alternating current.