EP1704110A2 - Distributeur de boissons refrigerees de comptoir - Google Patents

Distributeur de boissons refrigerees de comptoir

Info

Publication number
EP1704110A2
EP1704110A2 EP04810644A EP04810644A EP1704110A2 EP 1704110 A2 EP1704110 A2 EP 1704110A2 EP 04810644 A EP04810644 A EP 04810644A EP 04810644 A EP04810644 A EP 04810644A EP 1704110 A2 EP1704110 A2 EP 1704110A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
refrigerant
beverage
cold plate
cooling system
compressor
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04810644A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1704110A4 (fr
Inventor
James M. Cleland
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cleland Sales Corp
Original Assignee
Cleland Sales Corp
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US10/705,774 external-priority patent/US20050097909A1/en
Application filed by Cleland Sales Corp filed Critical Cleland Sales Corp
Publication of EP1704110A2 publication Critical patent/EP1704110A2/fr
Publication of EP1704110A4 publication Critical patent/EP1704110A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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
    • F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F25B49/02—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for compression type machines, plants or systems
    • 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
    • B67D1/0857—Cooling arrangements
    • B67D1/0858—Cooling arrangements using compression systems
    • B67D1/0861—Cooling arrangements using compression systems the evaporator acting through an intermediate heat transfer means
    • 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
    • F25B41/00—Fluid-circulation arrangements
    • F25B41/20—Disposition of valves, e.g. of on-off valves or flow control valves
    • 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
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D31/00—Other cooling or freezing apparatus
    • F25D31/002—Liquid coolers, e.g. beverage cooler
    • 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
    • F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
    • F25B2400/05—Compression system with heat exchange between particular parts of the system
    • F25B2400/052—Compression system with heat exchange between particular parts of the system between the capillary tube and another part of the refrigeration cycle
    • 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
    • F25B2600/00—Control issues
    • F25B2600/02—Compressor control
    • F25B2600/025—Compressor control by controlling speed
    • F25B2600/0251—Compressor control by controlling speed with on-off operation
    • 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
    • F25B2600/00—Control issues
    • F25B2600/25—Control of valves
    • F25B2600/2501—Bypass valves
    • 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
    • F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25B2700/19—Pressures
    • F25B2700/193—Pressures of the compressor
    • F25B2700/1933—Suction pressures
    • 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
    • F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25B2700/19—Pressures
    • F25B2700/197—Pressures of the evaporator
    • 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
    • F25B40/00—Subcoolers, desuperheaters or superheaters
    • 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
    • F25B47/00—Arrangements for preventing or removing deposits or corrosion, not provided for in another subclass
    • F25B47/02—Defrosting cycles
    • F25B47/022—Defrosting cycles hot gas defrosting

Definitions

  • the present invention is related generally to beverage dispensing systems employing a cooling subsystem, and more particularly to a self-contained, table top beverage dispenser incorporating a refrigerant-chilled cold plate for cooling the beverage.
  • beer kegs are stored in a cold room where they can be maintained at a reduced temperature along with other perishable food items and beverages. These cold rooms are typically maintained at a temperature of approximately 40° F.
  • the beer is conducted from the cold rooms to serving towers at the bar through plastic tubes or beer lines that extend within a thermally insulated jacket, or trunk line.
  • the distance between the cold room and the tower can be as little as fifteen feet and as great as two hundred feet, depending on the layout of the particular establishment.
  • the pressurization subsystem introduces a gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide into the beverage, pressurizing the beverage to enable it to be pumped through the beer lines.
  • the beer dispensing system will traditionally include one or more refrigerated glycol chillers that incorporate glycol re-circulating lines of plastic tubing that extend within the thernially insulated trunk line carrying the beer lines.
  • the presence of the glycol recirculation lines can reduce the warming of the beer by five to six degrees, resulting in an end temperature as low as 42° F, or a two degree rise from cold room to the end of the trunk line.
  • the tnin lines may lead to a counter top supporting cabinetry such that their downstream ends terminate below the counter tops, where they comiect with balance lines that extend from the down stream end of the trunk line to the delivery tubes adjacent the respective dispensing valve.
  • balance lines that extend from the down stream end of the trunk line to the delivery tubes adjacent the respective dispensing valve.
  • the beer flowing from the beer lines, through the balance lines and stainless steel tubes can be expected to further warm from 2° F to 4°F. Accordingly, in the example above beer initially at 40° F in the cold room is warmed to 42° F at the downstream end of the trunlc line, and further warmthed to approximately 45° F by the time it reaches the dispensing valve.
  • the gas When beer is charged with a gas such as carbon dioxide to move the beer through the various lines, the gas is entrained or dissolved in the fluid and resides in a stable state for temperatures below or at approximately 30° F. That is, the gas does not bubble out of the fluid but is carried by the fluid and gives the beverage its distinctive effervescence when consumed.
  • the gas gradually becomes increasingly unstable and begins to bubble or foam out of the flowing beer. Further warmthing of the beer increases the foaming effect as the gas bubbles coalesce and propagate downstream, and foaming is further exacerbated by disturbances in the beer such as the turbulence generated when the beer is dispensed from the dispensing valve.
  • the heat exchangers are thermally insulated cast aluminum or aluminum alloy cold plates that incorporate stainless steel tubular beer conducting coils for communicating beer from the downstream end of the trunlc lines to the upstream end of the balance lines.
  • the cold plates next to the beer conducting coils are a series of coolant re-circulating coils used to remove heat from the beer in a heat exchanger relationship.
  • the coolant used in such systems has been glycol.
  • the chilled glycol carries heat away from the cold plate and the beer lines within the cold plate in a continuous manner to lower the temperature of the beer entering the balance lines. If the glycol is chilled to, for example, 28° or 29° F where it enters the cold plate it can be expected that the beer flowing through the cold plate will be chilled to about 29° F. In such case, the beer as it leaves the cold plate will be conducted to the dispensing valve via the balance lines and will be dispensed at about 29° F. At this temperature, the generation of foam can be minimal if attention and care is applied when the delivery is carried out through the dispensing valve and profits can be preserved.
  • a system such as that described above is disclosed in United States Patent No. 5,694,787, entitled “Counter Top Beer Chilling Dispensing Tower,” issued December 9, 1997 and which the present inventor was a co-inventor.
  • the '787 patent described a glycol recirculating coil unit or basket including elongate tubular glycol inlet and outlet tube sections having upstream ends connected to an upstream manifold and downstream ends connected to a downstream manifold.
  • the present invention is directed to a beverage dispensing system for dispensing chilled beverages comprising a housing with one or more beverage inlet connections extending from said housing and one or more beverage dispensers extending from said housing.
  • a beverage cooling system is positioned within said housing, said cooling system comprising a reservoir containing a supply of refrigerant, a cold plate in fluid communication with said refrigerant reservoir wherein the refrigerant lines extend through said cold plate.
  • the cooling system further includes an accumulator, a compressor, a refrigerant condenser and a thermal expansion valve positioned between said refrigerant reservoir and said cold plate to adjust the flow of refrigerant depending upon the temperature of the cold plate, wherein beverage lines extend between said beverage inlet comiections and beverage dispensing outlets, said beverage lines passing tlirough said cold plate in a heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant lines.
  • An electronic control system is provided for controlling the operation of the beverage cooling system.
  • the electronic control system includes an on/off switch controlling the operation of the beverage dispenser, and a pressure switch controlling the operation of the compressor.
  • a second pressure switch is provided for controlling trie beverage evaporator coil, a liquid line coil and a time delay relay.
  • a manual defrost switch is provided for operating a defrost line in the event the cold plate becomes frozen.
  • Alternate embodiments of the present invention may utilize a differing beverage cooling system wherein the system is controlled or monitored by a thermostatic control which monitors the temperature of the cold plate.
  • flow of refrigerant to the cold plate may be controlled by means of a hot gas valve which divers the flow of refrigerant from the cold plate or a pressure switch connected to the suction side of the compressor.
  • FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the subject invention
  • FIGURE 2 is a diagram of the refrigerant cooling system of the subject invention
  • FIGURE 3 is a diagram of the electrical control system of the subject invention.
  • FIGURE 4 is a front view of a beverage line coil basket used in the cold plate in one embodiment of the subject invention.
  • FIGURE 5 is an end view of the coil basket shown in FIGURE 4.
  • FIGURE 6 is a diagram view of an alternative configuration of the refrigerant cooling system of the subject invention.
  • FIGURE 7 is a diagram view of a second alternative configuration of the refrigerant cooling system of the subject invention.
  • FIGURE 8 is a diagram of a third alternative configuration of the refrigerant cooling system of the subject invention.
  • FIGURE 9 is a diagram of a fourth alternative configuration of the refrigerant cooling system of the subject invention.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The stand alone, self-contained beverage dispenser 1 of the present invention is shown in FIGURE 1.
  • the dispenser of the subject invention may be utilized to chill and dispense any other beverage that may be desired.
  • Beverage dispensing outlets 10a and b extend out of the front end of housing 14.
  • the beverage dispensing outlets may be beer taps or other such dispensers known to those skilled in the art.
  • a beverage spill tray 16 is positioned beneath the dispensing outlets 10a and b.
  • Beverage dispenser 1 may be mounted on a counter-top or other support surface. Beverage inlet connections (not shown) are provided on the rear 18 of beverage dispenser 1. The beverage dispenser 1 may be easily installed at the desired location. One need simply ran the beverage lines from the beverage supply, i.e. beer keg, to the location for connection to the beverage dispenser unit.
  • a refrigerant cooling system 20 is contained within the housing 14 so as to provide a self-contained beverage dispenser which does not require a separate glycol chiller and pump as required in prior art systems.
  • the refrigerant cooling system 20 of the subject invention is shown in FIGURE 2.
  • the cooling system 20 includes receiver 22 which acts as the reservoir for the refrigerant, which is in fluid communication with cold plate 24 via refrigerant line 25.
  • Refrigerant cooling lines extend through cold plate 24 to cool corresponding beverage lines which also extend tlirough cold plate 24.
  • the cold plate utilized is a standard cold plate known to those skilled in the art wherein the beverage and refrigerant lines may be wound within the cold plate to increase the length of the lines positioned within said cold plate.
  • the cooling system 20 also includes accumulator 26, compressor 28 and refrigerant condenser 30. As shown, refrigerant exits the cold plate 24 and flows to accumulator 26 via refrigerant line 27. From the accumulator 26, the refrigerant travels to the compressor 28 via refrigerant line 29. The refrigerant flows from the compressor 28 to the condenser 30 via refrigerant line 31.
  • the refrigerant in a preferred embodiment type 404a is used, enters the compressor 28 at point A as a low pressure gas and is discharged from the compressor as a high pressure gas at point B. It then enters the top of the condenser 30 at point C.
  • the refrigerant is cooled in the condenser, exiting it as a high pressure liquid, and passes through a drier 32 (which retains unwanted scale, dirt and moisture) to the liquid line valve 34, which is open whenever the cold plate 24 is warm enough to require cooling, as determined by a pressure switch PSW2.
  • the refrigerant still in a high pressure liquid state, flows through the liquid line valve and enters the receiver tank 22, which serves as a storage tank for the refrigerant at point D.
  • a pressure differential is provided across the thermal expansion valve.
  • This valve includes a sensor bulb that measures the degree of superheat of the suction gas exiting the cold plate and expands or contracts to allow the flow of refrigerant to be varied according to need.
  • the refrigerant leaving the thermal expansion valve will be in a low pressure liquid state.
  • equalizer tube 39 connected to the outlet of the cold plate 24.
  • the equalizer tube 38 helps to equalize the pressure between the inlet and outlet side of the cold plate 24.
  • the refrigerant After passing tlirough the thermal expansion valve 38, the refrigerant enters the cold plate 24 at point G. As the liquid refrigerant enters the cold plate it is subjected to a much lower pressure due to the suction created by the compressor and the pressure drop across the expansion valve. Thus, the refrigerant tends to expand and evaporate, hi doing so, the liquid refrigerant absorbs energy (heat) from beverage lines within the cold plate
  • the low pressure gas leaving the cold plate 24 encounters the evaporator valve 40, whose function is to trap refrigerant in the cold plate, thus helping to keep the cold plate cold while it is absorbing heat from the beverage, i.e. beer in a preferred embodiment.
  • the gas passes into the accumulator 26, which prevents any slugs of liquid refrigerant from passing directly into the compressor, and continues back to the compressor 28.
  • the thermal expansion valve 38 mentioned above is used instead of a capillary tube in order to provide improved response to the cooling needs of the cold plate 24.
  • Refrigeration on/off switch SW1 provides power to the entire system by manually depressing the switch.
  • Pressure switch SW2 monitors the refrigerant pressure in the compressor and cycles of the compressor and condenser fan (not shown) when the pressure drops to a predetermined level, 15 psi in a preferred embodiment, and cycles the compressor and fan back on when the pressure reaches a second predetennined level, 30 psi in a preferred embodiment.
  • the pressure switch PSW2 normally will be set to monitor refrigerant pressure with a range in the low pressure side of the compressor and cycles off the compressor and condenser fan (not shown) when refrigerant pressure drops to approximately 10 to 20 psi and cycles the compressor back on at approximately 25 to 30 psi.
  • Pressure switch SW3 monitors refrigerant pressure in the beverage cold plate. When the pressure drops to a predetennined level, approximately 62-65 psi in a preferred embodiment, pressure switch SW3 cycles off the beverage evaporator coil, liquid line solenoid coil and time delay relay TM-1.
  • the switch SW3 cycles on the beverage (beer) evaporator solenoid coil, liquid line solenoid and the time delay relay TM-1.
  • a pushbutton defrost switch SW4 is provided to cycle on the hot gas solenoid and cycle off the condenser fan to deliver hot gas to the cold plate should the cold plate become frozen.
  • Pressure switch SW3 responds to the cold plate 24 temperature by reading the pressure of the refrigerant as it is discharged from the cold plate. When the cold plate becomes warm enough the liquid line valve and the evaporator valve open, thereby allowing refrigerant to flow throughout the system.
  • the time delay relay TM-1 causes the liquid line valve and the evaporator valve to remain open for about 10 seconds after the pressure switch SW3 tells them to close. It allows some time for the system to stabilize and prevents short cycling of the compressor.
  • defrost valve 42 is installed between the compressor discharge tube and the cold plate inlet.
  • a manually operated momentary switch SW4 may be deployed to open the defrost valve, which allows high pressure gas from the compressor to be pumped into the cold plate to thaw it, should it freeze up. To prevent damaging the system, the switch should not be held on for more than two minutes.
  • the refrigerated beverage system described herein is capable of producing 16 ounce draws on a continual basis at a dispensing of temperature of approximately 29°F based upon a beverage (beer) inlet temperature of 60°F and ambient room temperature of
  • FIGURE 6 An alternative configuration of the refrigerant coolant system is shown in FIGURE 6. hi this embodiment a thennostatic control is provided for controlling the temperature of the liquid being chilled through the cold plate.
  • the refrigerant cooling system 100 of this embodiment includes refrigerant condenser 130, drier 132, cold plate 124, accumulator 126, heat exchanger 150 and compressor 128.
  • the refrigerant condenser 130 is in fluid communication with cold plate 124 by means of refrigerant line 125 and capillary line 127.
  • refrigerant exits cold plate 124 and travels to accumulator 126 by means of refrigerant line 131.
  • the cooling system 100 shown in FIGURE 6 is a critical charge type system utilizing just enough refrigerant to fill this system.
  • the refrigerant preferably type 404a, enters the compressor 128 at point as a low pressure gas and is discharged from the compressor as a high pressure gas at point ⁇ . It then enters the condenser at point Ci. Compressor 128 is in fluid communication with condenser 130 by means of refrigerant line 134.
  • heat exchanger 150 is comprised of coil 150a fo ⁇ ned in capillary line 127 and coil 150b formed in refrigerant line 133. Coils 150 a and 150b are positioned together in a heat exchange relationship. They may be joined together by soldering, the utilization of shrink wrap or other mechanical means known to those skilled in the art.
  • thermostatic control 152 which is provided on cold plate 124.
  • the thennostatic control 152 is set to a pre-determine temperature setting.
  • the refrigerant cooling system 100 of this embodiment maybe used to produce chilled shots of an alcoholic beverage at 5° F.
  • the thermostatic control 152 would be set at to turn on the compressor when the temperature reached 7° F and turn off the compressor when it reached 3°F, and the compressor pressure would be set at approximately 38 psi.
  • thermostatic control 152 When the thermostatic control senses a cold plate temperature of 7° F, (i.e. the cold plate is warmthing up) compressor 128 is activated resulting in the discharge of high pressure gas at point B, and the transmission of the refrigerant gas through refrigerant line 134 to condenser 130.
  • thermostatic control 152 When the temperature of cold plate 124 reaches a predetennined temperature, such as 3° F, thermostatic control 152 causes compressor 128 to turn off.
  • a predetennined temperature such as 3° F
  • the temperature of the liquid being chilled can be controlled by means of monitoring the refrigerant hot gas pressure.
  • the refrigerant coolant system monitoring the refrigerant hot gas pressure is shown in FIGURE 7.
  • the refrigerant cooling system 200 of this embodiment includes refrigerant condenser 230, drier 232, cold plate 224, accumulator 226, heat exchanger 250, hot gas valve 256 and compressor 228.
  • the refrigerant condenser 230 is in fluid communication with cold plate 224 by means of refrigerant line 225 and capillary line 227. As with the embodiment shown in FIGURE 6, the refrigerant exits cold plate 224 and travels to accumulator 226 by means of refrigerant line 231.
  • the refrigerant preferably type 404a, enters the compressor 228 at point A 2 as a low pressure gas and is discharged from the compressor as a high pressure gas at point B 2 . It then flows to condenser 230 by means of refrigerant line 234 and enters the condenser at point C 2 .
  • Hot gas bypass valve 256 is provided in bypass line 255. Depending upon the desired temperature of the chilled beverage, as well as the freezing point of the beverage, the hot gas valve 256 is set to a pre-detennine pressure setting.
  • the refrigerant cooling system 200 of this embodiment may be used to produce chilled shots of an alcoholic beverage of 5° F, as well as chill a beverage such as beer to a temperature of 29° F. To produce chilled beverage at a temperature of 5° F the
  • the cooling system 200 of this embodiment is a critical charge type system in which just enough refrigerant is provided to fill the system with the use of or need for a refrigerant reservoir, hi operation, the cooling system operates continuously with refrigerant being continually circulated through the cold plate. This continuous operation could lead to a "freezing up" of the cold plate depending upon the beverage being chilled. This is avoided by the provision of the bypass valve 256 on bypass line 255.
  • Bypass valve 256 is set to open when the back side hot gas pressure reaches a certain predetermined pressure.
  • hot gas valve 256 opens and the refrigerant is drawn tlirough bypass line 255 back into the condenser 230 rather than through cold plate 224. This prevents the cold plate from being cooled to a level which would cause the cold plate to freeze the beverage flowing through the beverage lines cast within the cold plate.
  • the change in hot gas back pressure will cause hot gas valve 256 to close. This, in turn, re-introduces the flow of refrigerant through the cold plate 224.
  • FIGURE 8 Yet another refrigerant coolant system is shown in FIGURE 8. As shown in this embodiment the temperature of the liquid being chilled is controlled by monitoring the pressure on the suction side of the compressor.
  • the refrigerant cooling system 300 of this embodiment includes refrigerant condenser 330, drier 332, cold plate 324, accumulator 326, heat exchanger 350 and compressor 328.
  • the refrigerant condenser 330 is in fluid communication with cold plate 324 by means of refrigerant line 325 and capillary line 327.
  • refrigerant exits cold plate 324 and travels to accumulator 326 by means of refrigerant line 331. From accumulator 326 the refrigerant flows tlirough heat exchanger 350 to low pressure inlet A 3 on compressor 328.
  • the refrigerant preferably type 404a, enters the compressor 328 at point A as a low pressure gas and is discharged from the compressor as a high pressure gas at point B 3 . It then enters the condenser at point C 3 .
  • compressor 328 is controlled by pressure switch 358 which monitors the pressure on the suction side (A 3 ) of compressor 328.
  • the pressure switch 358 is set to a predetermine pressure setting.
  • the refrigerant cooling system 300 of this embodiment may be used to produce chilled shots of an alcoholic beverage of 5° F.
  • the pressure switch 358 would be set at 38 psi.
  • switch 358 will turn off the compressor 328.
  • the pressure reaches a predetermined level pressure switch 358 will turn on the compressor.
  • the pressure switch 358 to a predetermined pressure range which equates to a predetermined temperature range, by way of example ⁇ 2° F.
  • refrigerant cooling system 400 includes refrigerant condenser 430, drier 432, cold plate 424, accumulator 426 and compressor 428.
  • the refrigerant condenser 430 is in fluid communication with cold plate 424 by means of refrigerant line 425, drier 432 and capillary tube 427.
  • the refrigerant exits the cold plate 424 and travels to accumulator 426 by means of refrigerant line 431. From accumulator 426 the refrigerant flows through heat exchanger 450 to compressor 428.
  • pressure regulator 460 is provided between cold plate 424 and accumulator 426. Pressure regulator 460 is controlled by pressure control 462 which allows for adjustment of the system pressure settings to accommodate different beverage temperature settings.
  • bypass line 455 is provided between capillary tube 427 and refrigerant line 434.
  • Hot gas bypass valve 456 is provided in bypass line 455.
  • the hot gas valve 456 is set to a pre-detennine pressure setting.
  • the refrigerant cooling system 400 of this embodiment may be used to produce chilled shots of an alcoholic beverage of 5°F, as well as chill a beverage such as beer to a temperature of 29°F.
  • the hot gas valve 456 would be set at a back side pressure of approximately 250-270 psi.
  • the cooling system 400 of this embodiment is also a critical charge type system in which just enough refrigerant is provided to fill the system with the use of or need for a refrigerant reservoir, hi operation, the cooling system operates continuously with refrigerant being continually circulated through the cold plate.
  • the continuous operation of cooling system 400 cold lead to a "freezing up" of the cold plate depending upon the beverage being chilled. This is avoided by the provision of bypass valve 456 on bypass line 455.
  • Bypass valve 456 is set to open when the back side hot gas pressure reaches a certain predetermined level.
  • hot gas valve 456 opens and the refrigerant is drawn through bypass line 455 back into the condenser 430 rather than through cold plate 424. This prevents the cold plate from being cooled to a level which would cause the cold plate to freeze the beverage flowing tlirough the beverage lines cast within the cold plate.
  • the change in hot gas back pressure will cause hot gas valve 456 to close. This, in turn, re-introduces the flow of refrigerant through the cold plate 424.
  • pressure regulator 460 is provided between cold plate 424 and accumulator 426.
  • Pressure regulator 460 allows the operator to control the pressure of the refrigerant as it exits the cold plate which in turn more accurately controls the temperature of the cold plate and the beverage being chilled by the cold plate. By setting the pressure regulator 460 to a certain predetermined pressure one can control the length of time the refrigerant is retained within the cold plate 424 thereby either increasing or decreasing the time the refrigerant is in cooling engagement with the beverage. To increase the time pressure regulator 460 is set at a higher pressure and to decrease the time it is set at a lower pressure. An electronic pressure control unit 462 is provided whereby the operator can more easily set pressure
  • this cold plate utilizes a beverage line coil basket having a plurality of clips or Y-connectors to take a single inlet line and separate it into a plurality of lines within the cold plate and then reduce the plurality of lines back down to a single outlet line. This allows for greater exposure of the beverage to the refrigerant lines within the cold plate to maximize the cooling effect of the cold plate on the beverage.
  • the beverage line circulation system shown in isolation in FIGURES 4 and 5 includes an inlet 50 formed with a connector portion 58 that connects to the beverage line.
  • the inlet 50 further includes a straight pipe portion 60 leading to a cylindrical compartment 65 with a longitudinal axis traverse with the longitudinal axis of the straight pipe portion 60.
  • the cylindrical compartment 65 has an inlet 70 at a centered position on its top surface where the straight pipe portion 60 is welded, such that beverage conducted through the straight pipe portion 60 enters and fills the cylindrical compartment 65.
  • the cylindrical compartment 65 includes two outlets 75 on the bottom surface equally spaced from the central inlet location, and each outlet 75 is welded to an intermediate inlet tubing element 80 such that each intermediate inlet tubing element 80 receives an equal distribution of the beverage flow entering the cylindrical compartment 65.
  • each intermediate segment 80 is smaller compared with the inner diameter of the straight pipe section 65, and the pair of intermediate segments 80 are preferably arranged in a parallel orientation having confonning curvatures fonning an elbow section 88.
  • the transition from a single flow through the straight pipe 60 of the inlet 50 to the pair of intermediate segments 80 constitutes a first stage.
  • the two intermediate segments 80 at the end of the elbow 88 each tenninate in a Y-connector or splitter clip 90 that further divides the flow in each intermediate segment 80 into two smaller, beverage tubes 95.
  • the outlets 98 of the Y-connector 90 are spaced equal distant from the inlet 94 so as to equalize the flow between the two beverage
  • the four beverage tubes 95 are preferably arranged substantially in a common plane as shown in FIGURE 5, and assimilate into the grouping of the refrigerant conducting tubes. Because the beverage flow has been reduced in two stages, each stage exactly doubling the lines of the previous stage, the resultant flows are equally balanced and each beverage (beer) line is subjected to the same heat exchanging conditions.
  • the four tubes 95 conducting the beverage converge into two intermediate outlet segments .115 in the same manner as that described for the inlet stage two. That is, two Y- coimectors 120 each consolidate two beverage tubes 95 into an intennediate segment 115 having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the heat exchanger tubes 95.
  • the two intermediate outlet segments 115 feed to a cylindrical compartment 120 along a bottom surface thereof, where the inlets 118 to the cylindrical compartment 120 are equally spaced from a centrally disposed outlet 125.
  • the outlet 125 feeds a single straight pipe section 130 leading to beverage outlet 140 of the cold plate with connector portion 142 that carries the end of a beverage line connecting the cold plate with beverage dispenses 10a, b shown in FIGURE 1.
  • Y-connector or splitter should be interpreted broadly as any fluid dividing member that has either one inlet line and two outlet lines, or two inlet lines and one outlet.
  • the cylindrical compartments described with respect to the first stage division and consolidation should be considered Y-connectors for purposes of this application.
  • clips or other flow dividers that provide a 2 for 1 flow division or flow consolidation are also properly considered Y-connectors.
  • Each stage of the beverage flow subdivision is preferably accompanied by a reduction in the inner diameter of the downstream tubing, but in a preferred embodiment
  • the cross-sectional area of the two downstream tubing is greater than the cross sectional area of the upstream tubing.
  • This increase in the flow capacity of the downstream tubing results in a slowing of the fluid flow through the cold plate leading to more efficient heat exchange conditions. That is, the resident time for the beverage in the cold plate is increased and thus the efficiency of the heat exchange is improved when compared to faster moving beverage flow.
  • the present invention can be expanded to a third stage of subdivision wherein the four beverage tubes are replaced with four transitional tubes that each incorporate a Y-connector at a staggered position with respect to each other to yield eight individual beverage conducting tubes in a manner similar to that described above.
  • Employing eight beverage lines increases the available contact area with the refrigerant conducting lines and can further slow the flow of beverage in the manner described above.
  • machining smaller tubes can be more expensive and increase the overall cost of the cold plate.
  • smaller tubes may be susceptible to crimping which can block flow and negatively impact heat transfer.
  • additional stages of subdivision can be provided to allow for additional beverage lines if desired.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif autonome de réfrigération de boissons qui comprend un système de refroidissement de réfrigérant. Ce système comprend un réservoir de réfrigérant en communication fluidique avec une plaque eutectique, un accumulateur de réfrigérant, un compresseur et un condenseur de réfrigérant montés dans une unité corps. L'unité corps comprend de plus des moyens d'introduction de boissons en communication fluidique avec la plaque eutectique du système, et des moyens de distribution de boissons en communication fluidique avec ladite plaque. La boisson à distribuer est refroidie à une température voulue pendant qu'elle traverse la plaque eutectique en direction des moyens de distribution de boissons.
EP04810644A 2003-11-10 2004-11-08 Distributeur de boissons refrigerees de comptoir Withdrawn EP1704110A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/705,774 US20050097909A1 (en) 2003-11-10 2003-11-10 Table top refrigerated beverage dispenser
PCT/US2004/037445 WO2005047167A2 (fr) 2003-11-10 2004-11-08 Distributeur de boissons refrigerees de comptoir
US10/984,234 US7296428B2 (en) 2003-11-10 2004-11-08 Table top refrigerated beverage dispenser

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1704110A2 true EP1704110A2 (fr) 2006-09-27
EP1704110A4 EP1704110A4 (fr) 2013-04-03

Family

ID=34595366

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04810644A Withdrawn EP1704110A4 (fr) 2003-11-10 2004-11-08 Distributeur de boissons refrigerees de comptoir

Country Status (5)

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EP (1) EP1704110A4 (fr)
JP (1) JP2007510887A (fr)
AU (1) AU2004288809A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2545750A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2005047167A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE202006018585U1 (de) 2006-12-06 2007-02-15 TDS Technische Verkaufshilfen und Zubehöre Handels und Service GmbH Vorrichtung zum Schnellzapfen von Getränken
CN109695992B (zh) * 2018-08-24 2021-06-22 重庆海尔制冷电器有限公司 冰箱

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US2682160A (en) * 1950-08-03 1954-06-29 Wallace R Kromer Method of and apparatus for storing, cooling, and dispensing beverages
US2871673A (en) * 1956-10-08 1959-02-03 H A Phillips Company Liquid return system
US3813010A (en) * 1972-11-27 1974-05-28 Cornelius Co Beverage dispenser
GB1399829A (en) * 1971-10-12 1975-07-02 Foodex Systems Ltd Mixing device and refrigeration system
US4476690A (en) * 1982-07-29 1984-10-16 Iannelli Frank M Dual temperature refrigeration system
US5564601A (en) * 1994-12-05 1996-10-15 Cleland; Robert K. Beverage dispensing machine with improved liquid chiller
US5787723A (en) * 1995-08-21 1998-08-04 Manitowoc Foodservice Group, Inc. Remote ice making machine
WO2003035536A2 (fr) * 2001-10-19 2003-05-01 Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, Inc. Distributeur de boisson a machine a glacons integree

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US3619668A (en) * 1970-08-27 1971-11-09 Honeywell Inc Minimum off-time circuit
US3791161A (en) * 1972-04-10 1974-02-12 D Kramer Pressure switch for refrigeration system
US5249710A (en) * 1992-07-02 1993-10-05 Imi Cornelius Inc. Beverage dispenser having cold plate with evaporative cooling
JPH06115594A (ja) * 1992-10-01 1994-04-26 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd 飲料供給装置
DE29501514U1 (de) * 1994-05-27 1995-03-23 Imi Cornelius Deutschland Gmbh Getränkekühlvorrichtung
US5649431A (en) * 1994-11-15 1997-07-22 Tdindustries, Inc. Thermal storage cooling system
US6360556B1 (en) * 1999-11-10 2002-03-26 Shurflo Pump Manufacturing Company, Inc. Apparatus and method for controlling fluid delivery temperature in a dispensing apparatus

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2682160A (en) * 1950-08-03 1954-06-29 Wallace R Kromer Method of and apparatus for storing, cooling, and dispensing beverages
US2871673A (en) * 1956-10-08 1959-02-03 H A Phillips Company Liquid return system
GB1399829A (en) * 1971-10-12 1975-07-02 Foodex Systems Ltd Mixing device and refrigeration system
US3813010A (en) * 1972-11-27 1974-05-28 Cornelius Co Beverage dispenser
US4476690A (en) * 1982-07-29 1984-10-16 Iannelli Frank M Dual temperature refrigeration system
US5564601A (en) * 1994-12-05 1996-10-15 Cleland; Robert K. Beverage dispensing machine with improved liquid chiller
US5787723A (en) * 1995-08-21 1998-08-04 Manitowoc Foodservice Group, Inc. Remote ice making machine
WO2003035536A2 (fr) * 2001-10-19 2003-05-01 Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, Inc. Distributeur de boisson a machine a glacons integree

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Title
See also references of WO2005047167A2 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2005047167A2 (fr) 2005-05-26
CA2545750A1 (fr) 2005-05-26
WO2005047167A3 (fr) 2005-07-28
EP1704110A4 (fr) 2013-04-03
AU2004288809A1 (en) 2005-05-26
JP2007510887A (ja) 2007-04-26

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