CA2516849A1 - Method and apparatus for creating condensation on beverage dispense towers - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for creating condensation on beverage dispense towers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2516849A1 CA2516849A1 CA 2516849 CA2516849A CA2516849A1 CA 2516849 A1 CA2516849 A1 CA 2516849A1 CA 2516849 CA2516849 CA 2516849 CA 2516849 A CA2516849 A CA 2516849A CA 2516849 A1 CA2516849 A1 CA 2516849A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- display
- beverage
- assembly
- condensation
- cold
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B21/00—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
- F25B21/02—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/0872—Aesthetics, advertising
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F19/00—Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
- Marketing (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
- Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
The invention provides for a means to create ice or condensation on towers used to dispense draught beer. The invention is comprised of at least one Peltier plate assembly connected to a voltage supply whereby a cold side and a hot side are generated. The Peltier assembly is attached to a beer-dispensing tower so that the cold side of the Peltier assembly creates a cold region on the tower to create condensation. The condensation will create a perception that the beverage being dispensed from that tower is cold and therefore more desirable than beverages served from other towers that do not create condensate.
The energy from the hot side of the Peltier assembly is dispelled by air-cooling or liquid cooling means.
The energy from the hot side of the Peltier assembly is dispelled by air-cooling or liquid cooling means.
Description
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING CONDENSATION ON
BEVERAGE DISPENSE TOWERS
Field of the Invention This invention relates in general to the creation of condensation on display media and in particular to a device that creates condensation on display media intended to impart a perception of cold to the consumer.
Description of Prior Art Draught beverages in restaurants, bars, stadiums and other facilities are dispensed using systems that consist of a storage container that is kept cool in a 1o remote refrigerator, a supply line that takes the beverage to the dispensing tower, and a dispensing tower situated on the bar. Generally the beverages are stored in containers that are kept in remote walk-in refrigerators. Drinks may be dispensed at a location several hundred feet away from the storage container. The beverage trunk line used to transport the beverage to the dispensing tap is generally made up of a 15 mufti-line insulated construction that contains two central cooling liquid lines that will bring a cold glycol/water mixture, refrigerant or ice water to the tap and back to maintain the beverage's temperature. The beverage dispense tower contains a dispensing faucet and, at times, a condensation tube. Cold glycol/water or ice water from the trunk line flows through this tube and makes it cold. Humidity from the air 2o will condense onto the condensation tube and impart a perception to the public that the beverage being dispensed from the beverage dispense tower is cold. If the condensation tube becomes cold enough, the condensate will freeze and further enhance the image of cold.
The temperatures inside walk-in coolers fluctuate widely or are not regulated 25 to the ideal serving temperature. The beverage trunk line will travel through areas of varying ambient temperatures and will often expose the beverage to hot spots that will raise the beverage temperature. To solve this problem heat exchangers have been added to the trunk line or at the tap to give the beer a final chill. The final chilling of the beer with these heat exchangers, the existence of hot spots and the thermal load of the condensation tube warms the glycol/water mixture or cold water and overburdens the refrigerating device that is used to chill the glycol/water or cold water.
Therefore, there is a need to diminish the thermal load on the coolants in beverage dispense systems.
Further, condensation tubes must be configured in such a manner that they allow for the passage of pressurized coolant without imparting pressure losses on the cooling system. This requirement limits condensation tubes to being quite simple structures and precludes more intricate, artistic or expressive displays that would better deliver a cold perception because of expense and feasibility.
Therefore there is a need to be able to create more intricate condensing or icing displays.
Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of this invention, a beverage dispense tower is provided. The tower includes an inlet for beverage from a beverage source, a dispense faucet, a Peltier thermoelectric cooling assembly and a condensing surface.
The Pettier assembly has a cold side that is attached to the condensation surface and a hot side that is attached to an active heat sink. A fan directs air across fins of the heat sink to dissipate energy form the assembly. Humidity from the air condenses onto the condensing surface once it reaches a temperature below the ambient dew point.
2o According to a second aspect of the invention, a beverage dispense tower is provided. The tower includes an inlet for beverage from a beverage source, a dispense faucet, a Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly and a condensing surface.
The Pettier assembly has a cold side that is attached to the condensation surface and a hot side that is attached to an active heat sink. The heat sink is attached in thermal contact with the glycol/ water mixture or ice water from the beverage trunk line.
Humidity from the air condenses onto the condensing surface once it reaches a temperature below the ambient dew point.
BEVERAGE DISPENSE TOWERS
Field of the Invention This invention relates in general to the creation of condensation on display media and in particular to a device that creates condensation on display media intended to impart a perception of cold to the consumer.
Description of Prior Art Draught beverages in restaurants, bars, stadiums and other facilities are dispensed using systems that consist of a storage container that is kept cool in a 1o remote refrigerator, a supply line that takes the beverage to the dispensing tower, and a dispensing tower situated on the bar. Generally the beverages are stored in containers that are kept in remote walk-in refrigerators. Drinks may be dispensed at a location several hundred feet away from the storage container. The beverage trunk line used to transport the beverage to the dispensing tap is generally made up of a 15 mufti-line insulated construction that contains two central cooling liquid lines that will bring a cold glycol/water mixture, refrigerant or ice water to the tap and back to maintain the beverage's temperature. The beverage dispense tower contains a dispensing faucet and, at times, a condensation tube. Cold glycol/water or ice water from the trunk line flows through this tube and makes it cold. Humidity from the air 2o will condense onto the condensation tube and impart a perception to the public that the beverage being dispensed from the beverage dispense tower is cold. If the condensation tube becomes cold enough, the condensate will freeze and further enhance the image of cold.
The temperatures inside walk-in coolers fluctuate widely or are not regulated 25 to the ideal serving temperature. The beverage trunk line will travel through areas of varying ambient temperatures and will often expose the beverage to hot spots that will raise the beverage temperature. To solve this problem heat exchangers have been added to the trunk line or at the tap to give the beer a final chill. The final chilling of the beer with these heat exchangers, the existence of hot spots and the thermal load of the condensation tube warms the glycol/water mixture or cold water and overburdens the refrigerating device that is used to chill the glycol/water or cold water.
Therefore, there is a need to diminish the thermal load on the coolants in beverage dispense systems.
Further, condensation tubes must be configured in such a manner that they allow for the passage of pressurized coolant without imparting pressure losses on the cooling system. This requirement limits condensation tubes to being quite simple structures and precludes more intricate, artistic or expressive displays that would better deliver a cold perception because of expense and feasibility.
Therefore there is a need to be able to create more intricate condensing or icing displays.
Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of this invention, a beverage dispense tower is provided. The tower includes an inlet for beverage from a beverage source, a dispense faucet, a Peltier thermoelectric cooling assembly and a condensing surface.
The Pettier assembly has a cold side that is attached to the condensation surface and a hot side that is attached to an active heat sink. A fan directs air across fins of the heat sink to dissipate energy form the assembly. Humidity from the air condenses onto the condensing surface once it reaches a temperature below the ambient dew point.
2o According to a second aspect of the invention, a beverage dispense tower is provided. The tower includes an inlet for beverage from a beverage source, a dispense faucet, a Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly and a condensing surface.
The Pettier assembly has a cold side that is attached to the condensation surface and a hot side that is attached to an active heat sink. The heat sink is attached in thermal contact with the glycol/ water mixture or ice water from the beverage trunk line.
Humidity from the air condenses onto the condensing surface once it reaches a temperature below the ambient dew point.
According to a third aspect of this invention, a display is provided. The display includes a Peltier thermoelectric cooling assembly and a condensing surface.
The cold side of the Peltier thermoelectric cooling assembly is in thermal contact with the condensing surface of the display while the hot side is in thermal contact with an active heat sink. A fan directs air across fins of the heat sink to dissipate energy form the assembly. Humidity from the air condenses onto the condensing surface once it reaches a temperature below the ambient dew point.
According to a fourth aspect of this invention, a display is provided. The display includes a Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly and a condensing surface.
l0 The cold side of the Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly is in thermal contact with the condensing surface of the display while the hot side is in thermal contact with an active heat sink. A fan directs air across fins of the heat sink to dissipate energy form the assembly. Humidity from the air condenses onto the condensing surface once it reaches a temperature below the ambient dew point.
15 Brief Description of the Drawings In drawings which illustrate by way of example only a preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a beverage-dispensing tower constructed in accordance with this invention.
2o Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a beverage-dispensing tower constructed in accordance with a second aspect of this invention.
Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a beverage dispensing tower constructed in accordance with a third aspect of this invention.
Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a beverage-dispensing tower constructed 25 in accordance with this invention.
., Detailed Description of the Invention Figure 1 shows a beverage dispensing tower 38 onto which is attached a dispense faucet 37 connected to a beverage supply 36, a condensing sign 33.
The condensing display 33 is attached to the cold side 39 of a Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly 34. The hot side 40 of the Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly is attached to a heat sink 32. A fan 35 blows air across the heat sink 32 to dissipate heat. The condensing display 33, Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly 34, fan 35 and heat sink 32 are held in place by support 31. The supply voltage to the Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly is not shown.
1o Figure 2 shows a beverage dispensing tower 38 onto which is attached a dispense faucet 37 connected to a beverage supply 36, a condensing sign 33.
The condensing display 33 is attached to the cold side 39 of a Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly 34. The hot side 40 of the Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly is attached to a heat sink 32. The heat sink is enclosed within a vessel 35.
Liquid 15 coolant enters the vessel 35 through conduit 42 and exits through conduit 41. The supply voltage to the Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly is not shown.
Figure 3 shows a condensing display 33 mounted to a support post 71. The condensing display 33 is attached to the cold side 39 of a Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly 34. The hot side 40 of the Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly 2o is attached to a heat sink 32. A fan 35 blows air across the heat sink 32 to dissipate heat. The condensing display 33, Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly 34, fan 35 and heat sink 32 are held in place by support 31. The supply voltage to the Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly is not shown.
Figure 4 shows a condensing display 33 mounted to a support post 71. The 25 condensing display 33 is attached to the cold side 39 of a Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly 34. The hot side 40 of the Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly is attached to a heat sink 32. The heat sink is enclosed within a vessel 35.
Liquid coolant enters the vessel 35 through conduit 42 and exits through conduit 41.
The supply voltage to the Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly is not shown Various embodiments of the present invention having been thus described in detail by way of example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the invention. The invention includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.
The cold side of the Peltier thermoelectric cooling assembly is in thermal contact with the condensing surface of the display while the hot side is in thermal contact with an active heat sink. A fan directs air across fins of the heat sink to dissipate energy form the assembly. Humidity from the air condenses onto the condensing surface once it reaches a temperature below the ambient dew point.
According to a fourth aspect of this invention, a display is provided. The display includes a Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly and a condensing surface.
l0 The cold side of the Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly is in thermal contact with the condensing surface of the display while the hot side is in thermal contact with an active heat sink. A fan directs air across fins of the heat sink to dissipate energy form the assembly. Humidity from the air condenses onto the condensing surface once it reaches a temperature below the ambient dew point.
15 Brief Description of the Drawings In drawings which illustrate by way of example only a preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a beverage-dispensing tower constructed in accordance with this invention.
2o Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a beverage-dispensing tower constructed in accordance with a second aspect of this invention.
Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a beverage dispensing tower constructed in accordance with a third aspect of this invention.
Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a beverage-dispensing tower constructed 25 in accordance with this invention.
., Detailed Description of the Invention Figure 1 shows a beverage dispensing tower 38 onto which is attached a dispense faucet 37 connected to a beverage supply 36, a condensing sign 33.
The condensing display 33 is attached to the cold side 39 of a Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly 34. The hot side 40 of the Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly is attached to a heat sink 32. A fan 35 blows air across the heat sink 32 to dissipate heat. The condensing display 33, Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly 34, fan 35 and heat sink 32 are held in place by support 31. The supply voltage to the Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly is not shown.
1o Figure 2 shows a beverage dispensing tower 38 onto which is attached a dispense faucet 37 connected to a beverage supply 36, a condensing sign 33.
The condensing display 33 is attached to the cold side 39 of a Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly 34. The hot side 40 of the Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly is attached to a heat sink 32. The heat sink is enclosed within a vessel 35.
Liquid 15 coolant enters the vessel 35 through conduit 42 and exits through conduit 41. The supply voltage to the Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly is not shown.
Figure 3 shows a condensing display 33 mounted to a support post 71. The condensing display 33 is attached to the cold side 39 of a Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly 34. The hot side 40 of the Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly 2o is attached to a heat sink 32. A fan 35 blows air across the heat sink 32 to dissipate heat. The condensing display 33, Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly 34, fan 35 and heat sink 32 are held in place by support 31. The supply voltage to the Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly is not shown.
Figure 4 shows a condensing display 33 mounted to a support post 71. The 25 condensing display 33 is attached to the cold side 39 of a Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly 34. The hot side 40 of the Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly is attached to a heat sink 32. The heat sink is enclosed within a vessel 35.
Liquid coolant enters the vessel 35 through conduit 42 and exits through conduit 41.
The supply voltage to the Pettier thermoelectric cooling assembly is not shown Various embodiments of the present invention having been thus described in detail by way of example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the invention. The invention includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (8)
1. A method to create condensation on a display comprising a. A Peltier thermo electric assembly b. A display that is thermally connected to the cold side of the Peltier thermoelectric assembly c. A heat sink that is thermally connected to the hot side of the Peltier thermoelectric assembly d. A fan to create convection over the heat sinks and dissipates heat.
2. The method of claim 1 where the fan is replace with a supply of coolant that flows over the heat sink and dissipates heat.
3. The method of Claim 1 where the display is attached to a beverage dispensing tower.
4. The method of claim 2 where the display is attached to a beverage dispensing tower.
5. The method of claim 1 to 4 where a plurality of Peltier thermoelectric cooling assemblies are used.
6. The method of claim 1 to 5 where the temperature of the cooling side of the Peltier thermoelectric cooling assemblies are controlled to a predetermined temperature.
7. The method of claim 1 to 6 where the hot side of the Peltier thermoelectric cooling assembly is cooled by natural convection.
8. The methods of claim 1 to 7 where the ice is created on the condensing display.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2516849 CA2516849A1 (en) | 2005-08-22 | 2005-08-22 | Method and apparatus for creating condensation on beverage dispense towers |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2516849 CA2516849A1 (en) | 2005-08-22 | 2005-08-22 | Method and apparatus for creating condensation on beverage dispense towers |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2516849A1 true CA2516849A1 (en) | 2007-02-22 |
Family
ID=37770743
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2516849 Abandoned CA2516849A1 (en) | 2005-08-22 | 2005-08-22 | Method and apparatus for creating condensation on beverage dispense towers |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2516849A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2468858B (en) * | 2009-03-24 | 2013-07-24 | Imi Cornelius Uk Ltd | Apparatus for dispensing beverages |
-
2005
- 2005-08-22 CA CA 2516849 patent/CA2516849A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2468858B (en) * | 2009-03-24 | 2013-07-24 | Imi Cornelius Uk Ltd | Apparatus for dispensing beverages |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |