Carbonation device for beverages and related carbonation sensor

Abstract

A carbonation device for beverages includes a carbonation tank to receive a beverage to be carbonated and carbon dioxide so as to generate a carbonated beverage, carbonated with the carbon dioxide, and a dispensing device in fluid communication with the carbonation tank to dispense, through a duct, the carbonated beverage to a container for carbonated beverages, the carbonated beverage flowing along the duct in a flow direction. The carbonation device further includes a carbonation sensor associated with the duct and having a radiation source to generate a radiation which strikes the duct along an irradiation direction incident to the flow direction. The carbonation sensor also includes a first photodiode placed on the irradiation direction from a side opposite to the radiation source with respect to the duct, or as an alternative, a second photodiode placed along a diffusion direction substantially orthogonal to the irradiation direction.