EP1924808A1 - Thermoelectric container cooler - Google Patents

Thermoelectric container cooler

Info

Publication number
EP1924808A1
EP1924808A1 EP05792673A EP05792673A EP1924808A1 EP 1924808 A1 EP1924808 A1 EP 1924808A1 EP 05792673 A EP05792673 A EP 05792673A EP 05792673 A EP05792673 A EP 05792673A EP 1924808 A1 EP1924808 A1 EP 1924808A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
thermoelectric modules
cooling
cooling tube
containers
display case
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Withdrawn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
EP05792673A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Xiaomei Yu
Abbas A. Alahyari
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.)
Carrier Corp
Original Assignee
Carrier 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
Application filed by Carrier Corp filed Critical Carrier Corp
Publication of EP1924808A1 publication Critical patent/EP1924808A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/0064—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for processing of food articles
    • G07F17/0071—Food articles which need to be processed for dispensing in a cold condition, e.g. ice and ice cream
    • 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
    • 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
    • F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
    • 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
    • F25D31/006—Other cooling or freezing apparatus specially adapted for cooling receptacles, e.g. tanks
    • F25D31/007—Bottles or cans
    • 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
    • F25D2331/00—Details or arrangements of other cooling or freezing apparatus not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2331/80—Type of cooled receptacles
    • F25D2331/803—Bottles
    • 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
    • F25D2331/00—Details or arrangements of other cooling or freezing apparatus not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2331/80—Type of cooled receptacles
    • F25D2331/809—Holders
    • 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
    • F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
    • F25D2700/06—Sensors detecting the presence of a product

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to refrigerated display cases or coolers and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for cooling in a refrigerated display case or cooler.
  • the method and apparatus of the present invention provides for efficient cooling of beverage containers or the like at a desired temperature through the use of one or more thermoelectric heat pumps or modules.
  • thermoelectric container cooler with improved refrigerating efficiency.
  • a refrigeration system for a display case that dispenses containers comprises at least one cooling tube and one or more thermoelectric modules.
  • the cooling tube has an inner volume sized for storing and dispensing the containers.
  • the thermoelectric modules are connected to the cooling tube.
  • Each of the thermoelectric modules has a cold side in thermal communication with the inner volume for cooling the containers.
  • a method of cooling containers in a display case comprises positioning the containers in a cooling tube having an inner volume sized for dispensing the containers from the display case, and cooling the containers through conduction by one or more thermoelectric modules that each have a cold side in thermal communication with the inner volume of the cooling tube and a warm side in thermal isolation from the inner volume.
  • each of the cooling tubes 30 has a number of thermoelectric modules 40.
  • the thermoelectric modules 40 are embedded in, or otherwise connected to, the cooling tubes 30 so that a cold side or face 50 is facing inwardly into the inner volume of the cooling tube and a warm side or face 60 is facing away from the inner volume of the cooling tube.
  • the cold side 50 of each of the thermoelectric modules 40 is in thermal communication with the inner volume of the cooling tube 30, while the warm side 60 is in thermal isolation from the inner volume of the cooling tube.
  • thermoelectric modules 40 that are used in each cooling tube 30 can be varied based upon the particular cooling needs and other factors related to the display case 10.
  • the thermoelectric modules 40 are preferably spaced apart so that one or more of the modules line up with each bottle 20. In such a configuration, the thermoelectric modules 30 provide direct thermal contact with the bottles 20.
  • the inner surface or some other inner portion of the cooling tubes 30 can be thermally conductive so as to increase cooling and allow for less than one thermoelectric module 40 per bottle 20.
  • the particular number of thermoelectric modules 40, as well as the structure or method of making the inner surface or inner portion of the cooling tubes 30 thermally conductive can be varied based upon the particular cooling needs and other factors related to the display case 10.
  • thermoelectric modules 40 The particular type, including materials, dimensions and/or shape, of the thermoelectric modules 40 that are utilized can vary according to the particular needs of the display case 10.
  • the dimensions and shape of the cold side 50 and the warm side 60 of the thermoelectric modules 40 maximize thermal communication or contact, e.g., surface area, between the bottles 20 and the cold side of the modules, as well as between the air outside of the cooling tube 30 and the warm side of the modules.
  • the structure, configuration and/or method for providing energy to the thermoelectric modules 40 so as to provide thermoelectric cooling to the bottles 20 via the cold side 50 of the thermoelectric module can be varied according to the particular needs of the display case 10.
  • one or more fans 70 circulate air about the exterior or outer surface of the cooling tubes 30 so as to provide air-flow in fluid communication with the warm side 60 of the thermoelectric modules 40.
  • the air can then be directed outside of the display case 10, such as through the top or back of the display case, so as to remove the heat from the thermoelectric module 40.
  • the number and positioning of the fans 70, as well as the aerodynamics or method of circulating the air about the exterior or outer surface of the cooling tubes 30, can be varied based upon the particular cooling needs and other factors related to the thermoelectric modules 40 of the display case 10, such as, for example, having one fan per cooling tube or one fan per thermoelectric module.
  • the cooling capacity of the thermoelectric modules 40 along the cooling tubes 30 does not need to be uniform, and can be adjusted to improve the efficiency in dispensing bottles 20 at the desired temperature, such as, for example, providing more cooling to bottles that are closer to being dispensed, i.e., further downstream along the cooling tube.
  • the particular cooling capacity for each of the thermoelectric modules 40 is based upon the particular cooling and dispensing needs of the display case 10.
  • a sensor or other device or method can be used to detect the presence of a bottle 20 with respect to one or more corresponding thermoelectric modules 40, and can be used to shut-off the particular thermoelectric modules in order to save energy.
  • the sensing can be done in a variety of ways, such as, for example, by weight, proximity or mechanical switch.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
EP05792673A 2005-08-25 2005-08-25 Thermoelectric container cooler Withdrawn EP1924808A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2005/030388 WO2007024228A1 (en) 2005-08-25 2005-08-25 Thermoelectric container cooler

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1924808A1 true EP1924808A1 (en) 2008-05-28

Family

ID=37771888

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05792673A Withdrawn EP1924808A1 (en) 2005-08-25 2005-08-25 Thermoelectric container cooler

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20090158751A1 (zh)
EP (1) EP1924808A1 (zh)
CN (1) CN101292124A (zh)
CA (1) CA2620244A1 (zh)
WO (1) WO2007024228A1 (zh)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8104295B2 (en) * 2006-01-30 2012-01-31 Amerigon Incorporated Cooling system for container in a vehicle
JP5789779B2 (ja) * 2010-03-09 2015-10-07 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 冷蔵庫
EP2870521B1 (en) 2012-07-06 2019-11-13 Gentherm Incorporated Systems and methods for cooling inductive charging assemblies
ES2685650B1 (es) * 2017-03-31 2019-07-29 Wendu Wearable S L Dispositivo de acondicionamiento térmico individual de un producto
FI20225497A1 (en) * 2022-06-07 2023-12-08 Nordic 24/7 Services Oy DISPENSING AND PROCEDURE FOR DISPENSING BEVERAGE CONTAINERS

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3647523A (en) * 1969-08-28 1972-03-07 Diamond Shamrock Corp Coated chlorine-generating materials for treating fluids
US4899904A (en) * 1988-10-03 1990-02-13 Dooley Leslie T Beverage can cartridge
KR910005009A (ko) * 1989-08-15 1991-03-29 도오하라 히로기 전자식 소형 냉장고
US5247798A (en) * 1993-01-19 1993-09-28 Elwood H. Carpenter Portable refrigerator
JPH0744759A (ja) * 1993-07-30 1995-02-14 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd 電子冷却式自動販売機
JPH0744758A (ja) * 1993-07-30 1995-02-14 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd 小型自動販売機
JP3993267B2 (ja) * 1997-02-27 2007-10-17 株式会社オーイズミ 容器入り飲料自動販売機及び飲料自動販売機を備えた遊技媒体貸出機
US6234345B1 (en) * 1999-03-03 2001-05-22 The Coca-Cola Company Transportation vending machine
US6173582B1 (en) * 1999-04-16 2001-01-16 Sta-Kul, L.L.C. Self-dispensing portable cooler
US6272867B1 (en) * 1999-09-22 2001-08-14 The Coca-Cola Company Apparatus using stirling cooler system and methods of use
US6374523B1 (en) * 2000-07-05 2002-04-23 Richard Smith Holder for mounting to a surface and interchangeably displaying a sheet of material

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2007024228A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2007024228A1 (en) 2007-03-01
CN101292124A (zh) 2008-10-22
CA2620244A1 (en) 2007-03-01
US20090158751A1 (en) 2009-06-25

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