GB2322732A - Controlling the temperature of dispensed liquids - Google Patents
Controlling the temperature of dispensed liquids Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2322732A GB2322732A GB9703793A GB9703793A GB2322732A GB 2322732 A GB2322732 A GB 2322732A GB 9703793 A GB9703793 A GB 9703793A GB 9703793 A GB9703793 A GB 9703793A GB 2322732 A GB2322732 A GB 2322732A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- beverage
- heat exchanger
- thermoelectric devices
- temperature
- dispensed
- 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- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 45
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 72
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000003491 array Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 235000013405 beer Nutrition 0.000 claims description 5
- 235000015203 fruit juice Nutrition 0.000 claims description 4
- 235000014214 soft drink Nutrition 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 description 10
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 5
- 235000015095 lager Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000007710 freezing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008014 freezing Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004519 grease Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000012263 liquid product Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 235000016795 Cola Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241001634499 Cola Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000011824 Cola pachycarpa Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000012174 carbonated soft drink Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002918 waste heat Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- 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
- B67D1/0869—Cooling arrangements using solid state elements, e.g. Peltier cells
-
- 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
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10N—ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10N10/00—Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects
- H10N10/10—Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects operating with only the Peltier or Seebeck effects
- H10N10/13—Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects operating with only the Peltier or Seebeck effects characterised by the heat-exchanging means at the junction
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
Abstract
An apparatus for controlling the temperature of a dispensed liquid comprises a first heat exchanger (2) including a first conduit (8) having input and output ends (10,12) thereof for respectively receiving and dispensing a flow of liquid, a second heat exchanger (6) including a second conduit through which, in use, a coolant is passed, a plurality of thermoelectric devices (40) disposed between the first and second heat exchangers and electrical circuitry connected to the thermoelectric devices whereby the thermoelectric devices are electrically energisable to conduct heat therethrough between the first and second heat exchangers. A beverage dispensing device comprises a beverage supply and a dispensing tap respectively connected to the input and output ends of the first conduit, and a refrigerant circulation system in which the second conduit is connected. A method of controlling the temperature of a dispensed beverage comprises passing a beverage to be dispensed from a beverage supply through a heat exchanger assembly including a plurality of thermoelectric devices; cooling or heating the beverage to a predetermined temperature in the heat exchanger assembly by applying a direct voltage across the thermoelectric devices thereby to pump heat out of or in to the beverage; and dispensing the temperature controlled beverage.
Description
CONTROLLING TEMPERATURE OF DISPENSED LIQUIDS
The present invention relates to an apparatus for and method of controlling the temperature of a dispensed liquid, in particular a beverage. The present invention has particular application in the dispensing of beverages such as beers, lagers, uncarbonated soft drinks and carbonated soft drinks such as colas, fruit juices, etc. at a controlled temperature.
Known beverage dispensers for dispensing cool beverages such as beers, lagers, soft drinks, fruit juices etc. employ conventional chilled water/vapour compression refrigeration technology for pre-chilling the dispensed beverage at a temperature of around 70C. Such dispensing units are widely employed in public houses, bars and restaurants. There is increasing marketing demand for the beverage dispenser to dispense beverages at progressively lower temperatures, for example down to as low as around 100. Conventional beverage refrigeration technology suffers from the disadvantages that not only is a traditional refrigeration system relatively bulky and expensive for achieving the lower temperatures down to just above freezing but also it is difficult sufficiently accurately to control the dispensing temperature so as to ensure reliable control of the dispensing operation at such temperatures, in particular so that the liquid does not inadvertently freeze; The conventional refrigeration units also require a relatively high energy input and need to be driven constantly irrespective of whether or not a beverage is actually being dispensed.
The present invention aims at least partially to overcome these problems of known beverage dispensing systems.
The present invention accordingly provides an apparatus for controlling the temperature of a dispensed liquid, the apparatus comprising a first heat exchanger including a first conduit having input and output ends thereof for respectively receiving and dispensing a flow of liquid, a second heat exchanger including a second conduit through which, in use, a coolant is passed, a plurality of thermoelectric devices disposed between the first and second heat exchangers and electrical circuitry connected to the thermoelectric devices whereby the thermoelectric devices are electrically energisable to conduct heat therethrough between the first and second heat exchangers.
The present invention also provides a beverage dispensing device comprising the apparatus according to the invention in combination with a beverage supply and a dispensing tap respectively connected to the input and output ends of the first conduit and a refrigerant circulation system in which the second conduit is connected.
The present invention further provides a method of controlling the temperature of a dispensed beverage, the method comprising passing a beverage to be dispensed from a beverage supply through a heat exchanger assembly including a plurality of thermoelectric devices; cooling or heating the beverage to a predetermined temperature in the heat exchanger assembly by applying a direct voltage across the thermoelectric devices thereby to pump heat out of or in to the beverage; and dispensing the temperature controlled beverage.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic side view, partly in phantom, of a heat exchanger assembly of an apparatus for controlling the temperature of a dispensed liquid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic plan view from above of the heat exchanger assembly illustrated in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a schematic side view along line A of part of the heat exchanger assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a schematic side view along line B of the heat exchanger assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating electrical circuitry for electrically energising thermoelectric devices incorporated in the heat exchanger assembly illustrated in Figure 1; and
Figure 6 is a schematic side view of a beverage dispensing device incorporating the heat exchanger assembly and electrical circuitry of Figures l to 5.
Referring to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown generally a heat exchanger assembly 2 comprising a first heat exchanger 4 in the form of a loop surrounding a second heat exchanger 6. The first heat exchanger 4 includes a helical metal tube 8, preferably of stainless steel, defining a conduit for flow therethrough of liquid, for example a beverage, to be dispensed at a controlled temperature. The tube 8 has an input end 10 for receiving a flow of liquid and an output end 12 for dispensing the flow of liquid therefrom, the liquid flow being represented by arrows in Figure 2. The tube 8 includes two opposed elongate central planar portions 14,16, each of which is encased within a respective planar metal block 18,20, between two spaced edge portions 17,19 of the tube 8. Preferably the blocks 18,20 are composed of cast aluminium. The inwardly facing surfaces 22,24 of the blocks 18,20 are highly machined so as to have an overall flatness of around +0.0013cm (0.0005 inch).
The second heat exchanger 6 comprises a substantially planar hollow metal body. The second heat exchanger 6 particularly comprises a central metal extruded body 26, for example of aluminium, having at one edge thereof an open header 28 defining a lower inlet 30 and an upper outlet 32 and at the other edge thereof a closed header 32. The extruded body 26 defines together with the two headers 28,32 a serpentine flow path therein for coolant liquid passing between the inlet 30 and outlet 32. In use, the inlet 30 and outlet 32 of the second heat exchanger 6 are plumbed into a refrigerant circulation system of a refrigeration unit whereby a coolant such as cold water is continuously circulated through the second heat exchanger 6 so as to act as a heat sink. The extruded body 26 of the second heat exchanger 6 has opposed planar surfaces 36,38 thereof which, like the surfaces 22,24 of the first heat exchanger 4, are provided with a very high degree of overall flatness of around +0.0013cm (0.0005 inch).
The first and second heat exchangers 4,6 are connected together by a plurality of thermoelectric devices 40 disposed therebetween. Such thermoelectric devices, also known as Peltier heat pumps, are known in the art of refrigeration. Suitable thermoelectric devices for use in the present invention are available in commerce from the company Melcor Thermoelectrics of
Trenton, New Jersey, USA. In the illustrated embodiment, respective first and second arrays 42,44 of the thermoelectric devices 40 are disposed between the opposed surfaces 36,38 of the extruded body 26 and the facing surfaces 22,24 of the metal blocks 18,20. As is shown in phantom in Figure 1, each array 42,44 comprises a rectangular array of ten thermoelectric devices comprising two horizontal rows of five thermoelectric devices 40.
Typically, each thermoelectric device 40 is 40mm square. It will be apparent to the skilled person that any number of thermoelectric devices may be employed in any shaped array.
The thermoelectric devices 40 are clamped under a uniform elevated pressure of around 200 psi between the first and second heat exchangers 4,6. The clamping force is provided by a pair of opposed clamping plates 46,48 disposed on opposed sides of the first heat exchanger 6 and bolted together by bolts (not shown) passing through a set of bolt holes 49. The clamping plates 46,48 bear against the first heat exchanger 6 by respective arrays of load springs 50 for providing a uniform pressure distribution over the heat exchanger assembly 2. The opposed faces 52,54 of each thermoelectric device 40 are coated with a heat transmitting thermal grease which is known per se for use with thermoelectric devices. The provision of highly planar surfaces of the thermoelectric devices 40 and of the first and second heat exchanger surfaces 22,24,36,38 contacting the thermoelectric devices 40, in combination with the high clamping pressure and the thermal grease, ensures high thermal conductivity between the first and second heat exchangers 4,6 via the thermoelectric devices 40, leading to high thermal efficiency of the heat exchanger assembly 2.
A plurality of thermocouples 56,58,60,62,64 is provided at various points in the heat exchanger assembly 2 for detecting the temperature of the liquid flow through the tube 8 at various locations between the input end 10 and the output end 12 thereof.
The detected temperatures are employed to control the thermoelectric devices 40 in a manner described in greater detail hereinbelow.
Figure 5 illustrates the electrical circuitry, designated generally as 66, for connecting together the thermoelectric devices 40. The thermoelectric devices 40 are divided into a first group 68 and a second group 70 which are separately electrically powered and controlled by respective portions 69,71 of the electrical circuitry 66. The first group 68 is provided on the input side 73 of the apparatus and the second group 70 is provided on the output side 75 of the apparatus. In the illustrated apparatus of Figures 1 to 4, the input side 73 comprises the upper row of each of the two arrays 42,44 of the thermoelectric devices 40 and the output side 75 comprises the lower row of each of the two arrays 42,44 of the thermoelectric devices 40. The first group 68 comprises first and second subgroups 72,74 of the thermoelectric devices 40, each sub-group 72,74 comprising a plurality of serially connected thermoelectric devices 40, and each sub-group 72,74 being associated with a respective array 42,44. As shown in Figures 1 and 5, each subgroup 72,74 comprises five thermoelectric devices 40, but of course further thermoelectric devices may be provided in each sub-group 72,74 as illustrated in phantom in Figure 5. The thermoelectric devices of the two sub-groups 72,74 are connected together in parallel so that in use each sub-group 72,74 is driven at a selected constant positive voltage V1 when the apparatus is in operation. Typically, each thermoelectric device 40 is energised by a DC voltage of around 8 volts, with voltage V1 being around 40 volts when ten semi-electric devices are provided in the first group 68 as shown in Figure 5.
The second group 70 is, in a manner similar to that of the first group 68, provided with the first and second sub-groups 76,78 of the thermoelectric devices 40, with the thermoelectric devices 40 in each sub-group 76,78 being serially connected together and the two sub-groups 76,78 being connected together in parallel between a positive DC supply voltage V2. In order to provide effective temperature control, the second group 70 of thermoelectric devices 40 is subjected to a pulse width modulated
DC voltage, typically having a frequency of lms. For any given apparatus and its application, the degree of pulse width modulation can be tuned in order to get steady state temperature control during dispensing of liquid at the selected flow rate, for example one Imperial pint every 13 seconds. The provision in the first and second groups 68,70 of serially connected thermoelectric devices 40 in each sub-group 72,74,76,78 enables the supply voltage to be increased thereby lowering the direct current applied to the thermoelectric devices 40 which in turn enables the operation of the thermoelectric devices 40 to be more controllable.
The electrical circuitry 66 and its associated control system are configured to provide a fixed base load power to the first group 68 of thermoelectric devices 40 and a variable modulated power input to the second group 70 of thermoelectric devices 40 in response to various conditions determined by the output set point temperature of the cooled liquid product and internal operating conditions within the heat exchanger assembly 2. The base load power driving the first group 68 is provided with a simple on/off function for controlling the temperature in the input side 73 of the arrays 42,44 of the thermoelectric devices 40. The modulated power control applied to the second group 70 is employed to provide trim control, by cooling in the illustrated embodiment, of the final output temperature of the product from the output side 75.
The thermocouples 56,58,60,62,64 provide temperature detection signals to the electrical circuitry 66 for controlling the overall heat exchange and preventing overcooling of the liquid product. Signals from the thermocouples acting as temperature sensors on the input side 73 of the apparatus are operable, employing pre-set threshold limits, for controlling whether or not the thermoelectric devices 40 of the first group 68 are switched on or off. In the absence of liquid flow through the tube 8, the thermoelectric devices 40 of the first group 68 would be automatically switched on or off as required under thermocouple control in order to maintain the temperature of the liquid in the input side 73 at a selected temperature, typically around 1 C.
When liquid is caused to flow through the tube 8, a new inflow of relatively warm liquid would be sensed by the most upstream thermocouple 56 on the input side 73 which would cause the thermoelectric devices 40 on the input side 73 to be turned on in order to cool the inflowing liquid. Thus the provision of thermocouples in the apparatus provides substantially instantaneous on demand cooling of the inflowing liquid. The thermoelectric devices 40 are driven so as to reduce the degree of hysteresis in the.cooling of the inflowing liquid so that the first selected volume of liquid being dispensed, for example 275m1 (one half of an Imperial pint), is dispensed at the desired temperature.
The thermoelectric devices 40 of the second group 70 are energised using the pulse width modulated DC voltage in combination with the thermocouples on the output side 75 of the apparatus in order to provide the output temperature of the liquid as it exits the output end 12 at a very closely controlled temperature irrespective of the volume of liquid dispensed. In the embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus is pre-set with a selected set point product outlet temperature and typically the output temperature can be accurately controlled within +0.50C by operation of the thermoelectric devices 40. The set point temperature may be selected to be one of a plurality of pre-set temperatures, for example 40C, 20C and 10C, or alternatively may be continuously variable between upper and lower temperatures, for example 10C and 15 C. The control of the apparatus by the thermocouples enables the desired set point temperature to be achieved despite variations in the liquid input temperature into the heat exchanger assembly 2. Typically, the apparatus is arranged to provide trim cooling of a beverage stream by about 6"C, eg cooling beer or lager from an input temperature of around 70C to a dispense temperature of around 10C. The heat exchanger assembly can of course be controlled so as to be operable with a wide variety of beverages and temperatures. The heat exchanger assembly is also compatible with the sanitation requirements of those beverages.
Figure 6 illustrates the heat exchanger assembly 2 when incorporated into a beverage dispensing device 80. The heat exchanger assembly 2 is disposed within a thermally insulated box 82 in order to reduce the electric power requirements of the heat exchanger assembly 2 when in a non-dispensing mode. The input end 10 of the tube 8 is connected via a connector 84 to a beverage supply 86 which in the illustrated embodiment comprises a refrigeration system which receives beverage to be dispensed from a beverage store along a supply conduit 88. The beverage may be, for example, a beer or lager, a carbonated or uncarbonated soft drink or a fruit juice. The refrigeration system includes a refrigerant circulation system, designated generally at 90, which is connected via two refrigerant conduits 92,94 to the inlet 30 and outlet 32 of the second heat exchanger 6. In this way, refrigerant is continuously circulated by the refrigerant circulation system 90 through the second heat exchanger 6 whereby the second heat exchanger 6 acts as a heat sink for cooling the beverage to be dispensed. A tap 96 for dispensing the cooled beverage is connected via an output conduit 98 to the output end 12 of the tube 8. A control knob 100 is provided on the insulated box 82 for enabling the set point temperature of the beverage output flow to be set by a user, for example a selected one of three set point temperatures SP1 (10 C), SP2 (20C) and SP3 (40C).
In use, a beverage to be dispensed is fed from the beverage store into the refrigerated beverage supply 86 via the supply conduit 88. In the beverage supply 86, the beverage is cooled by the refrigerant circulation system 90 to a predetermined temperature, typically around 70C. The beverage supply 86 communicates with the heat exchanger assembly 2 via the connector 84. The heat exchanger assembly 2 is continuously powered to maintain the beverage to be dispensed therein at a predetermined temperature, typically around 10C. When the tap 96 is opened, the beverage is dispensed therefrom, initially at the predetermined temperature in the heat exchanger assembly 2.
Fresh, relatively warm, beverage is automatically fed from the beverage supply 86 into the heat exchanger assembly 2 where it is cooled by operation of the thermoelectric devices 40 pumping heat from the incoming relatively warm liquid in the first heat exchanger 4 and outputting waste heat into the refrigerant circulation system 90 via the second heat exchanger 6. The thermocouples in the heat exchanger assembly 2 continuously monitor and control the temperature of the dispensed liquid so that the final dispense temperature reaches a steady state as soon as possible during the dispensing operation, typically well before the first 275ml has been dispensed, and maintains the temperature of the dispensed liquid to +0.5 C of the set point temperature independently of the volume of liquid dispensed.
This temperature control is achieved by automatic control of the pulse width modulation voltage of the thermoelectric devices 40 on the output side 75 of the heat exchanger assembly 2 by operation of the thermocouples. When the tap 96 is closed, beverage dispensing stops and the heat exchanger assembly 2 returns to a steady state non-dispense mode, maintaining the beverage therein at the predetermined temperature.
The apparatus of the present invention when used for cooling beverages has a number of advantages. As outlined above, the apparatus provides reliable on demand temperature control of a dispensed beverage to enable the beverage to be delivered at an accurately controllable temperature which may be down nearly to the freezing point of the beverage. The apparatus can readily be integrated into existing beverage dispensing systems in public houses, bars and restaurants. This is because the heat exchanger apparatus may be incorporated as an additional unit between the existing refrigeration apparatus and the dispensing tap to provide trim temperature control of the beverage. The second heat exchanger of the heat exchange assembly can simply be plumbed into the refrigerant circuit of the existing refrigeration apparatus to comprise the heat sink for the heat exchanger assembly. The heat exchanger assembly is of a dimension such that it can readily be accommodated beneath an existing bar counter. The apparatus of the present invention provides automatic temperature control with low energy requirements, and at low additional installation costs.
In the illustrated embodiment, the heat exchanger assembly 2 is employed to cool an incoming liquid flow to be dispensed.
However, in an alternative embodiment the heat exchanger assembly 2 can heat an incoming liquid flow from a relatively low input temperature to a relatively high output dispensing temperature.
When the heat exchanger assembly 2 is employed in a heating mode, the polarity of the DC voltages applied to the thermoelectric devices 40 is reversed, thereby reversing the flow of heat through the thermoelectric devices 40 and causing the incoming liquid to be heated as opposed to being cooled. In a heating mode, the input temperature may be for example around 70C and the output dispensing temperature may be up to about 150C. The control knob 100 on the insulated box 82 for the heat exchanger assembly 2 may be adapted to provide a heating mode as well as a cooling mode in a single unit.
In a modified embodiment of the invention, a flow sensing device, indicated as 102 in Figure 1, may be provided in the vicinity of the input end 10 of the tube 8 of the first heat exchanger 4 thereby to provide feedforward control of the temperature of the liquid flow in the heat exchanger assembly 2.
As soon as the tap 96 is opened, the flow sensing device 102 detects the liquid flow instantaneously generated thereby which causes the thermoelectric devices 40 to be switched on to provide instantaneous controlled cooling (or heating) of the liquid flow.
In a further modified embodiment of the invention the first heat exchanger may comprise, instead of a helical configuration, a pair of heat exchanger halves connected in series on opposed sides of the second heat exchanger. Each heat exchanger half would be provided with a serpentine path therein for passage therethrough of the liquid to be heated or cooled.
In yet further modified embodiments of the invention the electronic control system for the heat exchanger assembly may be arranged simply to have an on/off control such as that described hereinabove with reference to the first group of thermoelectric devices or the electronic control system may be arranged to have pulse width voltage control for ali the thermoelectric devices as described hereinabove with reference to the second group thereof. The control system may be arranged to provide any combination of voltage control for selected groups of the thermoelectric devices in the heat exchanger assembly.
Although the apparatus of the present invention has been described hereinabove with particular reference to the dispensing of beverages, the present invention may be employed in a variety of other industries and applications where accurate temperature control of a dispensed liquid is required, for example in the pharmaceutical industry.
Claims (18)
1. An apparatus for controlling the temperature of a dispensed liquid, the apparatus comprising a first heat exchanger including a first conduit having input and output ends thereof for respectively receiving and dispensing a flow of liquid, a second heat exchanger including a second conduit through which, in use, a coolant is passed, a plurality of thermoelectric devices disposed between the first and second heat exchangers and electrical circuitry connected to the thermoelectric devices whereby the thermoelectric devices are electrically energisable to conduct heat therethrough between the first and second heat exchangers.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first heat exchanger forms a loop surrounding the second heat exchanger.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the first heat exchanger has facing first and second surfaces which are respectively connected to opposed first and second surfaces of the second heat exchanger by respective first and second arrays of the thermoelectric devices.
4. An apparatus according to any foregoing claim further comprising a clamping device for clamping together the first and second heat exchangers and the thermoelectric devices therebetween.
5. An apparatus according to any foregoing claim wherein the thermoelectric devices are connected by the electrical circuitry to comprise a first group on an input side of the apparatus and a second group on an output side of the apparatus.
6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the electrical circuitry is arranged to energise the first group at a selected constant voltage.
7. An apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the electrical circuitry is arranged to energise the second group at a selected pulse width modulated voltage.
8. An apparatus according to any foregoing claim wherein the electrical circuitry is switchable thereby selectively to drive a positive or reverse direct current through the thermoelectric devices thereby selectively to cool or heat the flow of liquid to be dispensed.
9. An apparatus according to any foregoing claim further comprising at least one temperature detector arranged to detect temperature changes in the flow of liquid in the first conduit for controlling the thermoelectric devices.
10. An apparatus according to any foregoing claim further comprising a temperature setting device for setting a desired output temperature of the dispensed liquid.
11. A beverage dispensing device comprising an apparatus according to any foregoing claim, a beverage supply and a dispensing tap respectively connected to the input and output ends of the first conduit, and a refrigerant circulation system in which the second conduit is connected.
12. A beverage dispensing device according to claim 11 wherein the beverage supply is cooled by the refrigerant circulation system.
13. An apparatus for controlling the temperature of a dispensed liquid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
14. A beverage dispensing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 6.
15. A method of controlling the temperature of a dispensed beverage, the method comprising passing a beverage to be dispensed from a beverage supply through a heat exchanger assembly including a plurality of thermoelectric devices; cooling or heating the beverage to a predetermined temperature in the heat exchanger assembly by applying a direct voltage across the thermoelectric devices thereby to pump heat out of or in to the beverage; and dispensing the temperature controlled beverage.
16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the beverage supply is refrigerated by a refrigerant circulation system and a heat sink side of the heat exchanger assembly is connected to the refrigerant circulation system.
17. A method according to claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the beverage is beer, lager, a soft drink or a fruit juice.
18. A method of controlling the temperature of a dispensed beverage substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9703793A GB2322732A (en) | 1997-02-24 | 1997-02-24 | Controlling the temperature of dispensed liquids |
| PCT/GB1998/000561 WO1998037369A1 (en) | 1997-02-24 | 1998-02-23 | Controlling temperature of dispensed liquids |
| AU63014/98A AU6301498A (en) | 1997-02-24 | 1998-02-23 | Controlling temperature of dispensed liquids |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9703793A GB2322732A (en) | 1997-02-24 | 1997-02-24 | Controlling the temperature of dispensed liquids |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9703793D0 GB9703793D0 (en) | 1997-04-16 |
| GB2322732A true GB2322732A (en) | 1998-09-02 |
Family
ID=10808200
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9703793A Withdrawn GB2322732A (en) | 1997-02-24 | 1997-02-24 | Controlling the temperature of dispensed liquids |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU6301498A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2322732A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1998037369A1 (en) |
Cited By (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2338544A (en) * | 1998-06-16 | 1999-12-22 | Imi Cornelius | Beverage cooler using peltier cooling devices |
| GB2347736A (en) * | 1999-03-12 | 2000-09-13 | Imi Cornelius | Beverage cooler using Peltier devices |
| WO2002018852A1 (en) * | 2000-08-31 | 2002-03-07 | Imi Vision Limited | Thermoelectric control of fluid temperature |
| GB2397117A (en) * | 1999-11-17 | 2004-07-14 | Brandbrew S A | Beverage dispense apparatus |
| ES2296563A1 (en) * | 2007-10-22 | 2008-04-16 | Nestor Jacob Escario | System for cooling and condensation of fluid, has internal condenser coil with multiple plates and thermoelectric circuit to heat circulating fluid, and container is provided, which is connected to circuit of another circulating fluid |
| GB2442864A (en) * | 2006-10-13 | 2008-04-16 | Dell Products Lp | Hybrid heat exchanger |
| DE102009005382B3 (en) * | 2009-01-21 | 2010-03-25 | D & K Solar Gmbh | Thermoelectric generator module manufacturing method for e.g. heating system, involves cutting aluminum-plates, and arranging outer pressure plate so as to align larger holes of aluminum plates with respect to hole of pressure plate |
| US7893635B2 (en) | 2008-05-08 | 2011-02-22 | Dell Products, Lp | Liquid cooling system with automatic pump speed control |
| EP2131405A3 (en) * | 2008-06-06 | 2012-09-26 | Yamaha Corporation | Thermoelectric module device and heat exchanger used therein |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE29909481U1 (en) * | 1999-05-31 | 1999-09-02 | Exima Export Import Gmbh | Dispensing system for drinks |
| US7650757B2 (en) | 2005-01-24 | 2010-01-26 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Thermoelectric heat transfer system |
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| GB981419A (en) * | 1960-06-22 | 1965-01-27 | Siemens Elektrogeraete Gmbh | Improvements in or relating to thermoelectric devices |
| EP0271704A2 (en) * | 1986-11-14 | 1988-06-22 | unitechnica Mobilkälte GmbH | Thermo-electric cooling device |
| US5537825A (en) * | 1994-12-27 | 1996-07-23 | Ward; Justin | Draft beer tower cooling system |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE1165050B (en) * | 1958-12-04 | 1964-03-12 | Siemens Elektrogeraete Gmbh | Cooling device with two electrothermal cooling devices |
| US3178895A (en) * | 1963-12-20 | 1965-04-20 | Westinghouse Electric Corp | Thermoelectric apparatus |
| GB1070629A (en) * | 1964-05-12 | 1967-06-01 | Le T I Kholodilnoi Prom | Improvements in and relating to vapour-compression refrigeration apparatus |
| FR2496853B1 (en) * | 1980-12-23 | 1985-09-06 | Air Ind | IMPROVEMENTS TO THERMOELECTRIC INSTALLATIONS |
| US5072590A (en) * | 1991-02-11 | 1991-12-17 | Ebtech, Inc. | Bottled water chilling system |
| US5584183A (en) * | 1994-02-18 | 1996-12-17 | Solid State Cooling Systems | Thermoelectric heat exchanger |
-
1997
- 1997-02-24 GB GB9703793A patent/GB2322732A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1998
- 1998-02-23 WO PCT/GB1998/000561 patent/WO1998037369A1/en active Application Filing
- 1998-02-23 AU AU63014/98A patent/AU6301498A/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB981419A (en) * | 1960-06-22 | 1965-01-27 | Siemens Elektrogeraete Gmbh | Improvements in or relating to thermoelectric devices |
| EP0271704A2 (en) * | 1986-11-14 | 1988-06-22 | unitechnica Mobilkälte GmbH | Thermo-electric cooling device |
| US5537825A (en) * | 1994-12-27 | 1996-07-23 | Ward; Justin | Draft beer tower cooling system |
Cited By (17)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2338544A (en) * | 1998-06-16 | 1999-12-22 | Imi Cornelius | Beverage cooler using peltier cooling devices |
| GB2338544B (en) * | 1998-06-16 | 2002-08-21 | Imi Cornelius | Beverage cooler |
| GB2347736A (en) * | 1999-03-12 | 2000-09-13 | Imi Cornelius | Beverage cooler using Peltier devices |
| GB2347736B (en) * | 1999-03-12 | 2001-02-14 | Imi Cornelius | Beverage cooler |
| GB2397117A (en) * | 1999-11-17 | 2004-07-14 | Brandbrew S A | Beverage dispense apparatus |
| WO2002018852A1 (en) * | 2000-08-31 | 2002-03-07 | Imi Vision Limited | Thermoelectric control of fluid temperature |
| GB2384624A (en) * | 2000-08-31 | 2003-07-30 | Imi Vision Ltd | Thermoelectric control of fluid temperature |
| GB2442864A (en) * | 2006-10-13 | 2008-04-16 | Dell Products Lp | Hybrid heat exchanger |
| GB2442864B (en) * | 2006-10-13 | 2009-08-19 | Dell Products Lp | Hybrid heat exchanger |
| TWI386154B (en) * | 2006-10-13 | 2013-02-11 | Dell Products Lp | Hybrid heat exchanger |
| US8453467B2 (en) | 2006-10-13 | 2013-06-04 | Dell Products, Lp | Hybrid heat exchanger |
| US9588554B2 (en) | 2006-10-13 | 2017-03-07 | Dell Products, Lp | Hybrid heat exchanger |
| DE102007048645B4 (en) * | 2006-10-13 | 2020-03-12 | Dell Products L.P. | Hybrid heat exchanger |
| ES2296563A1 (en) * | 2007-10-22 | 2008-04-16 | Nestor Jacob Escario | System for cooling and condensation of fluid, has internal condenser coil with multiple plates and thermoelectric circuit to heat circulating fluid, and container is provided, which is connected to circuit of another circulating fluid |
| US7893635B2 (en) | 2008-05-08 | 2011-02-22 | Dell Products, Lp | Liquid cooling system with automatic pump speed control |
| EP2131405A3 (en) * | 2008-06-06 | 2012-09-26 | Yamaha Corporation | Thermoelectric module device and heat exchanger used therein |
| DE102009005382B3 (en) * | 2009-01-21 | 2010-03-25 | D & K Solar Gmbh | Thermoelectric generator module manufacturing method for e.g. heating system, involves cutting aluminum-plates, and arranging outer pressure plate so as to align larger holes of aluminum plates with respect to hole of pressure plate |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU6301498A (en) | 1998-09-09 |
| WO1998037369A1 (en) | 1998-08-27 |
| GB9703793D0 (en) | 1997-04-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |