GB2574573A

GB2574573A - Chilling manifold

Info

Publication number: GB2574573A
Application number: GB1803971.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paulo Coppola Giovanni; John Meldrum Alistair
Original assignee: Ispresso
Current assignee: Ispresso
Priority date: 2018-03-13
Filing date: 2018-03-13
Publication date: 2019-12-18
Also published as: WO2019175576A1; GB201803971D0

Abstract

A manifold arrangement for chilling confections comprises a coolant entry 1 to a plurality of exit ports (3, 4, 5, 6, fig. 2) to substantially balanced heat exchangers, and a coolant return 2 from a reciprocal plurality of coolant return ports (7, 8, 9, 10, fig. 3). The cross-sectional area of the entry ports is the same, as is the cross-sectional area of the return ports. The angular attitude of the entry ports to the coolant entry 1 is the same, and the angular attitude of the return ports is the same. This allows equal and simultaneous distribution of coolant to the heat exchangers. Preferably, the exit ports and return ports are perpendicular to the coolant entry 1 and coolant return 2 respectively. The arrangement may comprise a coolant pump and all components may be in a closed loop. The device may be used to give a substantially even chilling effect about a carton or bowl of confection during making.

Description

The present invention relates to chilling manifolds and more particularly but not exclusively to a chilled distribution manifold to allow optimised thermal transfer.

It is an objective to improve the efficiency of a cooling systems so that they optimises thermal transfer by even and simultaneous coolant distribution to matched heat exchangers.

Currently coolant distribution is in a sequential manner so that each heat exchanger is connected in series allowing flow from one to another. This prior approach is inefficient and the coolant temperature increase as it progresses around the system. The last heat exchanger in the system subsequently receives water that has already had thermal exchange and so is less efficient at cooling the system.

Aspects of the present invention relate to a chilling manifold as defined in claim 1. Other features and aspects of the present invention are outlined in the dependent claims to claim 1 below.

An embodiment of aspects of the present invention is described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Figure 1 shows the main entry and return of the coolant to and from the heat exchangers;

Figure 2 shows the main entry and then equal distribution of the coolant; and,

Figure 3 shows the return from the heat exchangers and the main return out.

The present invention improves upon the prior approach with sequential distribution by equally distributing coolant simultaneously to all the heat exchangers so all of the heat exchangers are working with equal efficiency continuously. A manifold in accordance with aspects of the present invention achieve more equal distribution by employing a distribution block that allows equal coolant distribution simultaneously. Aspects of the present invention have a manifold block that distributes coolant from a pump so that the coolant flow is evenly and simultaneously flows to each heat exchangers.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention a block has a main coolant entry point (1) which is then distributed to the heat exchangers through points (3) (4)(5) and (6).

After having flowed through the heat exchangers the coolant then returns through points (7) (8) (9) and (10) and finally links up to the outlet (2).

To cool the heat exchanger efficiently, coolant needs to be distributed simultaneously in an equal manner to allow the maximum thermal transfer to occur. It will be understood that most situations for heat exchange will provide greatest emphasis on the construction of the heat exchanger assemblies themselves in terms of best utilising the coolant flow available. However, in some situations which are relatively small and contained, such as a chilling arrangement for a confection, a number of heat exchangers will be provided to give a cooling or chilling effect all around and consistently about a carton or bowl of confection during making. In such circumstances each heat exchanger will be substantially matched to give even cooling and chilling effects. In such circumstances within tolerance limits the flow drag resistance upon each heat exchanger will be substantially the same. Furthermore, the flow pressure due to pumping action can and is relatively massive compared to the flow resistance of each and the combined coolant flows into, through and out of the heat exchangers.

Aspects of the present invention provide a robust manifold 100 sufficient to accept the relatively massive flow pressure for each heat exchanger. The flow pressure will be relatively high but not huge whilst sufficient to ameliorate any marginal or slight differences in the flow drag of each individual heat exchanger whereby as illustrated a single or main coolant flow entry 1 feeds four coolant exits 3, 4, 5, 6 to respective heat exchangers. As the flow pressure is high there will normally be a high coolant flow rate thorough the respective heat exchangers - the marginal difference in flow rate between each heat exchange then manifests as relatively trivial differences in terms of actual heat exchange as seen in the chilling or cooling effect to a confection or the like.

As will be appreciated the coolant flow out of the respective heat exchangers must be similarly matched so the coolant return outlets 7, 8, 9, 10 for the manifold will be the same so that the coolant flow is again matched between these heat exchangers.

For matching purposes, it will be appreciated that each flow path between each heat exchanges is substantially the same. The simplest way of achieving this is as illustrated in the figures so the cross-sectional area of the coolant flow exit ports 3, 4, 5, 6 are substantially the same with a similar (perpendicular as depicted) angular aspect to each other whilst the coolant flow return ports 7, 8, 9, 10 are also matched in terms of cross-sectional area to flow and angular aspect to the main coolant return 2. The cross-sectional area of the main coolant entry 1 and main coolant return is less important as each will be the same for all ports 3, 4, 5, 6 and ports 7, 8, 9, 10 respectively. However, the entry 1 and return 2 need to be sufficient so that there can be adequate flow into the manifold 100 and so to the heat exchangers without choking and throttling which will both inhibit operation of the heat exchangers and/or the relatively high flow pressure rendering any minor differences in coolant flow resistance into each respective heat exchanger set as trivial.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention the flow rate is fixed by the pump at around 6 litres per minute, However the flow rate and/or any pulsed flow rate is relative to a desired level of heat extraction by the coolant which will depend upon particular desired or necessary performance.

A large coolant flow pressure overcomes any differences in flow drag, presented by different heat exchange flow paths. However, aspects of the present invention is not normally related to a truly pressurised system. Typically the system is sealed though not truly pressurised however a pressurised system may be provide with appropriate adaptation and care taken with regard potential dangers with a pressurised system.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention the manifold can have grooves to create coolant flow swirl for increasing the surface area and so allowing the coolant to absorb more heat.

Typically, it will be understood that the coolant may get near the ice threshold but normally it never gets below ambient room temperature and in operation is between ambient and 36 degrees C.

Coolant pressures will be determined as required but the size of the heat exchanger is typically linked directly to the dimensions of the Peltier cooling device so roughly 50mm x 50 mm with an area for inlet and outlet so the cooling chamber is 50mm by 88 mm for an example arrangement in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

Reference annotations (1) main coolant entry (2) main coolant return (3) coolant exit to heat exchanger (4) coolant exit to heat exchanger (5) coolant exit to heat exchanger (6) coolant exit to heat exchanger (7) coolant return from heat exchanger (8) coolant return from heat exchanger (9) coolant return from heat exchanger (10) coolant return from heat exchanger

Claims

1. A manifold arrangement for chilling confections, the manifold arrangement having a coolant entry to a plurality of coolant exit ports for respective substantially balanced heat exchangers and coolant return from a reciprocal plurality of coolant return ports form the heat exchangers, the cross-sectional area of each coolant exit port in the plurality of coolant exit ports along with angular attitude to the coolant entry being substantially the same and the cross-sectional area of each coolant return port and the angular attitude in the plurality of coolant return ports are the same so allows the equal and simultaneous distribution of coolant to the heat exchangers.

2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the angular attitude is perpendicular.

3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the plurality of coolant exit ports and coolant return ports is four.

4. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the cross-sectional area of the coolant entry and the coolant return are substantially the same.

5. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the coolant entry is connected to a pump for coolant to force coolant flow through the coolant entry, the pump configured to provide a sufficient coolant pressure whereby any variations in coolant flow rage for each coolant exit ports and associated heat exchanger is relatively trivial.

6. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the coolant entry, coolant exit ports, heat exchangers, coolant return ports and coolant return are in a closed circulation loop.

7. An arrangement as claimed in claim 5 and claim 6 in which the coolant pump is provided between the coolant entry and the coolant return.

8. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the arrangement is associated with a coolant block with each heat exchanger associated with a surface of the block.

9. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the arrangement is formed with a structural integrity sufficient that a relatively massive coolant flow pressure can be provided to the coolant entry.