US3881901A - Liquid cooling apparatus - Google Patents

Liquid cooling apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US3881901A
US3881901A US416447A US41644773A US3881901A US 3881901 A US3881901 A US 3881901A US 416447 A US416447 A US 416447A US 41644773 A US41644773 A US 41644773A US 3881901 A US3881901 A US 3881901A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
liquid
heat transfer
container
transfer element
sleeve
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US416447A
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English (en)
Inventor
Patrick Robert Williams
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.)
HEINE BROS SALES Pty Ltd
HEINE BROTHERS (SALES) Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
HEINE BROS SALES Pty Ltd
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Publication date
Application filed by HEINE BROS SALES Pty Ltd filed Critical HEINE BROS SALES Pty Ltd
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Publication of US3881901A publication Critical patent/US3881901A/en
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • 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

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT Liquid cooling apparatus including a liquid container, [21] APPI- N05 416,447 a refrigeration unit operable to maintain the temperature within that container between upper and lower [30] Foreign Application p i i Data levels and a heat transfer element projecting into the Nov. 21, 1972 Australia 1310/72 draw [Peat i du'mg eration of the refrigeranon unit. A sleeve surrounds 52 is. L u the heat transfer element and a liquid is contained a we 58 Field of Search 62/391, 392, 393, 394, and the sleeve i 62/395 396 heat transfer element.
  • the acket liquid 1s selected so that it will freeze at or about the aforementloned 1561 CM 12:2;$2312:lrzsifzrtfirsztis ti z.21:22:: UNITED STATES PATENTS state at temperatures above that lower level and below ayi 'i;
  • the liquid container is provided with a sleeve like member which fits over the heat transfer element (usually a dome or similar member) of the refrigeration unit, and is arranged so that a space is defined between the inside surface of the sleeve and the adjacent outside surface of the heat transfer dome.
  • a sleeve like member which fits over the heat transfer element (usually a dome or similar member) of the refrigeration unit, and is arranged so that a space is defined between the inside surface of the sleeve and the adjacent outside surface of the heat transfer dome.
  • the aforementioned problems are overcome by providing a liquid barrier between the heat transfer element and the sleeve of the liquid container.
  • that liquid is water, but it is to be appreciated that other liquids can be used.
  • the liquid barrier forms a jacket about the heat transfer element, and the liquid is selected so as to remain in a liquid state during at least part (preferably a major part) of the cooling phase of the refrigeration unit, and is preferably such that it will freeze at or near the end of the cooling phase.
  • the jacket liquid provides a heat conduction path between the heat transfer element and the container, and therefore aids in the coolinlg process.
  • the jacket liquid When in the frozen state however, the jacket liquid forms a heat seat or insulation such as to inhibit transfer of heat from the heat transfer element to the liquid container, and that is of significant advantage because it is to be expected that the heat transfer element will increqse in temperature at a faster rate than the body of liquid in the liquid container.
  • FIG. 1 is a semi-diagrammatic view of a typical cooling apparatus to which the invention may be applied;
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of portion of the liquid container of the apparatus shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the liquid container being removed from the heat transfer element
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sealing arrangement between the heat transfer element and liquid container of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part of the assembly shown in FIG. 2, and showing the liquid space between the liquid container and the heat transfer element.
  • Apparatus incorporating the invention may be generally as disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 273,695 but the invention is also applicable to variations of that apparatus.
  • the invention is applicable to any apparatus of the general type indicated in which the liquid container is mounted on the heat transfer element of the apparatus by means of a sleeve-like member. It will be convenient however, to describe the invention in relation to the typical arrangement as forming the subject of U.S. Ser. No. 273,695 and an example of which is shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings.
  • the liquid container 2 of the example apparatus is in the form of a substantially rectangular vessel having an open top 3, and a removable cover 4 may be provided to close that open top when required. Both the main body of the container 2 and the cover 4 may be made from a transparent plastics material.
  • a housing 5 supports the container 2 and the usual refrigeration apparatus (not shown) and other mechanism as may be required can be mounted within that housing.
  • the heat transfer element is preferably in the form of a dome 6 upstanding from the top wall 7 of the housing 5 that is, it is generally cylindrical with a slightly convex upper surface 8.
  • a liquid dispensing valve or tap (not shown) may be associated with the liquid container 2, and a laterally projecting drip tray 9 is secured to the housing 5 in a location beneath that valve or tap.
  • Mounting means for the container 2 includes a sleeve 11 or outer dome member which may be formed integral with the main body of the container 2, but in the preferred form shown is made as a separate component and projects into the container 2 through an aperture in the base wall 12 thereof so as to be arranged to fit over the heat transfer dome 6, which will be hereinafter referred to as the inner dome.
  • the outer dome 11 is secured to the base 12 of the container 2 in liquid selaing relationship and has an open lower end which defines an opening 13 (see FIG. 3) through which the inner dome 6 projects into the outer dome 11.
  • Both of the domes 6 and 11 are conveniently of substantially cylindrical shape with a slightly convex upper surface, although other shapes can be used. It is usually preferred to form the outer dome l l of a metal such as stainless steel, as is also normally used for the inner dome 6.
  • the inner dome 6 need be no different to conventional arrangments insofar as its basic construction is concerned. That is, it may be secured to a top wall 7 of the housing 5 and may have a refrigerator coil 14 (see FIG. 3) secured to or contacting its inside surface so as to effect proper heat transfer.
  • any suitable sealing arrangement may be provided at the lower end of the outer dome 11.
  • the edge portion 15 of the container base 12 which defines the aperture therein, is stepped above the adjacent base surface and carries an outer seal gasket 16.
  • the gasket 16 has a continuous recess or groove 17 which receives the edge portion 15, and an upper lip section 18 which is arranged to bear against the outside cylindrical surface 19 of the outer dome 11.
  • the outer dome 11 is provided with a laterally projecting flange 21 at its lower end which locates beneath the base edge portion and bears against a lower surface of the gasket 16.
  • the gasket 16 is compressed between the outside surface 19 of the outer dome 11 and the peripheral edge 22 of the container base aperture, and is formed of a suitable material for that purpose.
  • An inner seal 23 is provided between the lower end portions of the two domes 6 and 11, and for that purpose the inner dome 6 is preferably provided with a laterally projecting flange 24 around its lower end similar to the flange 21 of the outer dome 11.
  • the inner seal 23 is preferably formed by a rubber O-ring located within the corner defined at the junction of the cylindrical wall 25 and flange 24 of the inner dome 6, and the lower end of the outer dome 11 bears against the O-ring 23. It will be appreciated that the O-ring 23 can be made of any appropriate material other than rubber.
  • the outer dome 11 is dimensioned so as to fit over the inner dome 6 with clearance as shown most clearly in FIG. 5, at least between the cylindrical side walls 19 and 25 thereof. It is preferred however, that the clearance space also extends between the upper walls 8 and 27 of the two domes 6 and 11, and an opening 28 is provided through the upper wall 27 of the outer dome 11 to permit introduction of liquid 26 into the aforementioned space.
  • a rotatable agitator 29 within the liquid container 2 and which is driven by a shaft 31 extending upwardly through the top wall 8 of the heat transfer dome 6.
  • a tubular member 32 may project upwardly from the top wall 8 thereof to a plane above the normal liquid level in the container 2, and the drive shaft 31 extends axially through the tubular member 32.
  • the agitator 29 may be of any appropriate form and is preferably releasably attached to the upper end portion of the drive shaft 31 so as to be readily removable therefrom.
  • the outer dome 11 is also preferably provided with an upstanding tubular member 33 which corresponds generally to the inner dome member 32, but is of larger diameter so as to slide over the inner dome member 32 with clearance as shown in FIG. 5. That clearance forms a continuation of the aforementioned space between the domes 6 and 11 and provides a passage whereby liquid 26 can be introduced into that space.
  • the upper end portion 34 of the outer dome tube 33 may be flared outwardly and upwardly to define a funnel-like entance section.
  • the upper open end of the outer dome tube 33 may be at least partially closed by a nut 35 threadably mounted on the tubular member 32 and having at least one priming hole 36 formed therethrough communicating with the passage defined between the tubes 32 and 33.
  • a cap member may be slidably mounted on the tube 32, and that member may or may not have a priming hole therethrough.
  • a nut is generally preferred however, because that provides means whereby the liquid container 2 and outer dome 11 are positively retained in position relative to the inner dome 6.
  • the thickness of the space between the two domes 6 and 11 and their tubes 32 and 33 may vary according to requirements. In a typical construction however, the clearance is less between the cylindrical walls 19 and 25 of the domes than at any other zone for example, the space between the cylindrical walls 19 and 25 may be within the range of 1/32 to l/ 16 of an inch, whereas the space between the top walls 8 and 27 and the tubes 32 and 33 may be within the range of it to /4 inch.
  • one or more capillary sensor tubes (not shown) of a thermostat device are secured to the inside surface of the inner dome 6, and that device is operatively connected to the refrigeration unit to control its operation in a known manner.
  • water or other suitable liquid 26 is introduced into the passage between the two dome tubes 32 and 33 and it is preferred that the water substantially fills the available space so as to reach up to the retaining nut 35.
  • Liquid requiring to be cooled is carried by the container 2, and the refrigeration unit is started so causing a drop in temperature within and about the refrigeration coil 25 located within the inner dome 6.
  • the temperature of the inner dome 6 therefore falls because of its proximity with the refrigeration coil 25, and a transfer of heat occurs between the inner and outer domes 6 and 11 through the conductor path formed by the water barrier or jacket 26.
  • the outer dome l1 As the outer dome l1 cools, it provides a heat absorption element for the body of liquid in the container 2, and in that way the liquid is brought to a suitable temperature.
  • the arrangement is preferably such that freezing does not occur until the temperature of the body of liquid in the container 2 is at or about the predetermined desired temperature.
  • the jacket 26 turns to ice, conductivity between the inner and outer domes 6 and 11 is reduced, and the inner dome 6 reaches the temperature at which the thermostat device functions to de-energize the refrigeration unit.
  • the jacket 26 will thereafter return to its liquid state because of its thin nature and communication with atmosphere through the priming holes 36, and in that liquid form the jacket 26 provides an effective conductor path through which the thermostat sensor is able to quickly and accurately respond to temperature changes of the liquid body within the container 2.
  • the refrigeration unit will be re-energized before the temperature of the liquid body increases to an undesirable level.
  • the frozen jacket 26 provides a heat sink or insulation which delays transfer of that temperature increase to the liquid body within the container 2.
  • the invention provides an improved heat transfer and sensing arrangement for apparatus of the kind indicated.
  • the apparatus described enjoys the advantage of the apparatus according to US. Ser. No. 273,695 in that ice does not form on the outside of the outer dome l 1.
  • the seal between the outer dome 11 and the liquid container 2 may be as described in US. Ser. No. 273,695.
  • the inner and outer domes may have an upper metal to metal seal as described in that earlier application, and in that event access to the clearance space may be gained through an access tube extending upwardly from the top wall of the outer dome adjacent to its outer edge, or through a closable opening in that wall.
  • the apparatus may be arranged so that the barrier or jacket between the two domes retains its liquid state during all phases of operation. That may be achieved by increasing the thickness of the jacket and- /or increasing the cut-out" temperature of refrigerator unit.
  • Liquid cooling apparatus including a liquid container having a plurality of walls; a sleeve secured to one of said walls and projecting into said container to define a cavity within said container; a heat transfer element located in said cavity and being operable during a cooling phase of said apparatus to draw heat from said liquid container; said sleeve and said heat transfer element being relatively dimensioned so that a space is defined between their adjacent surfaces; and a liquid contained within said space to form a jacket about said heat transfer element; said jacket liquid being such as to form a heat conduction path between said sleeve and said heat transfer element during at least part of said cooling phase, and said jacket liquid being such that it will freeze near the end of said cooling phase and in the absence of liquid freezing within said container so as to inhibit transfer of heat between said heat transfer element and said liquid container.
  • Liquid cooling apparatus including a liquid container having a plurality of walls; a sleeve secured to one of said walls and projecting into said container to define a cavity within said container; a heat transfer element located in said cavity and being operable during a cooling phase of said apparatus to draw heat from said liquid container; said sleeve and said heat transfer element being relatively dimensioned so that a space is defined between their adjacent surfaces; and a liquid contained within said space to form a jacket about said heat transfer element; said jacket liquid being such as to form a heat conduction path between said sleeve and said heat transfer element during at least part of said cooling phase, said heat transfer element including a cylindrical shell and a refrigeration coil located within that shell, said coil forming part of refrigeration means which is operated during each of several cooling phases to lower the temperature of said coil below ambient temperature, said sleeve being cylindrical and having an open end secured about the opening formed in said lower wall of said container, sealing means between said sleeve and said shell adjacent said opening so as to close one end of said space
  • Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein an agitator is located within said liquid container and is mounted on a rotatable shaft extending through both said top surface of the shell and said sleeve end wall, and a tubular member extends upwardly from said end wall to contain at least part of the portion of said shaft projecting above said heat transfer element shell.
  • Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein a removable closure member cooperates with said tubular member to at least partially close the upper end of said jacket liquid space.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
US416447A 1972-11-21 1973-11-16 Liquid cooling apparatus Expired - Lifetime US3881901A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPB131072 1972-11-21

Publications (1)

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US3881901A true US3881901A (en) 1975-05-06

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US416447A Expired - Lifetime US3881901A (en) 1972-11-21 1973-11-16 Liquid cooling apparatus

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US (1) US3881901A (OSRAM)
JP (1) JPS5047238A (OSRAM)
AU (1) AU6275373A (OSRAM)
DE (1) DE2358093A1 (OSRAM)
GB (1) GB1405995A (OSRAM)
IT (1) IT999789B (OSRAM)
ZA (1) ZA738656B (OSRAM)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4351271A (en) * 1980-09-04 1982-09-28 Paul Mueller Company Refrigerated receiver
US5297700A (en) * 1993-08-02 1994-03-29 Ebtech, Inc. Bottled water station with removable reservoir
US5862669A (en) * 1996-02-15 1999-01-26 Springwell Dispensers, Inc. Thermoelectric water chiller
US20110006078A1 (en) * 2009-07-13 2011-01-13 Hsu Kuang-Fu Beverage device and tank thereof

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5370276A (en) * 1991-04-22 1994-12-06 Ebtech Inc. Bottled water station with removable reservoir

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1846190A (en) * 1928-03-24 1932-02-23 Harry W Dyer Refrigerating apparatus
US1960975A (en) * 1932-06-23 1934-05-29 Balthazar H T Mulch Water cooler and filter
US2494719A (en) * 1947-06-23 1950-01-17 Lloyd E Rabjohn Beverage container and support therefor
US2513610A (en) * 1947-06-02 1950-07-04 R D D Company Refrigerated juice dispenser
US2734357A (en) * 1956-02-14 Beverage cooler and dispenser
US3255609A (en) * 1964-05-25 1966-06-14 Jet Spray Cooler Inc Beverage dispenser

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2734357A (en) * 1956-02-14 Beverage cooler and dispenser
US1846190A (en) * 1928-03-24 1932-02-23 Harry W Dyer Refrigerating apparatus
US1960975A (en) * 1932-06-23 1934-05-29 Balthazar H T Mulch Water cooler and filter
US2513610A (en) * 1947-06-02 1950-07-04 R D D Company Refrigerated juice dispenser
US2494719A (en) * 1947-06-23 1950-01-17 Lloyd E Rabjohn Beverage container and support therefor
US3255609A (en) * 1964-05-25 1966-06-14 Jet Spray Cooler Inc Beverage dispenser

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4351271A (en) * 1980-09-04 1982-09-28 Paul Mueller Company Refrigerated receiver
US5297700A (en) * 1993-08-02 1994-03-29 Ebtech, Inc. Bottled water station with removable reservoir
US5862669A (en) * 1996-02-15 1999-01-26 Springwell Dispensers, Inc. Thermoelectric water chiller
US5884487A (en) * 1996-02-15 1999-03-23 Springwell Dispensers, Inc. Thermoelectric water chiller with ice block
US20110006078A1 (en) * 2009-07-13 2011-01-13 Hsu Kuang-Fu Beverage device and tank thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5047238A (OSRAM) 1975-04-26
AU6275373A (en) 1975-05-22
IT999789B (it) 1976-03-10
GB1405995A (en) 1975-09-10
ZA738656B (en) 1974-09-25
DE2358093A1 (de) 1974-06-06

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