[0001] This invention relates to beverage dispense and has particular, but not exclusive,
application to the field of soft drinks which are typically dispensed chilled. More
especially, the invention concerns the dispense of post-mix beverages such as colas
and flavoured sodas in which a concentrate such as a syrup or flavour is mixed with
a diluent, typically still or carbonated water, at the point of dispense.
[0002] The concentrate and diluent are typically mixed in the correct proportions in a post-mix
dispense valve for dispense of the beverage at a dispense outlet of a counter top
fitting such as a dispense tower. The tower may have multiple outlets for the dispense
of the same or different beverages.
[0003] Usually the beverage ingredients are delivered to the tower in separate supply lines
from remote sources of the ingredients. Typically, the diluent supply lines pass through
a cooler for dispense of chilled beverages. The cooler is often positioned well away
from the serving area and the diluent lines are contained in an insulated sheath known
as a python to prevent the diluent warming up between the cooler and the tower. The
concentrate lines are also contained in the python and may be passed through the cooler.
[0004] Chilled post-mix soft drinks such as colas and flavoured sodas are typically dispensed
by mixing a diluent with a concentrate in a ratio of approximately 5:1. Dispense of
a drink having a temperature of about 4 to 5°C can be achieved if the diluent temperature
is about 2°C and the concentrate temperature is about 14°C. Accurate control of the
diluent temperature in particular is desirable to maintain the required temperature
and this can be a problem during periods of high cooling demand when several drinks
are dispensed one after another.
[0005] For this reason, many dispense systems are designed to meet these requirements which
in practice may only occur for a limited period of time each day. As a result, for
a large part of each day when the cooling demand is low, the system is operating under
conditions that are not required to meet the cooling demand. This is inefficient,
is wasteful of energy and adds to operating costs. As energy costs rise and the environmental
effects of inefficient use of energy increase, there is a need for the design of beverage
dispense systems that are more efficient and make better use of available energy.
[0006] US-A-2003/0071060 discloses an ice bank cooler according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method according
to the preamble of claim 8. The present invention seeks to provide an ice bank cooler.
[0007] It is a preferred object of the invention to provide such ice bank cooler that can
provide one or more benefits and advantages from reduced energy consumption, simplified
installation, less syrup waste and easier sanitisation.
[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an ice bank cooler
as defined in claim 1. Preferred features of the ice bank cooler are provided in dependent
claims 2 to 7.
[0009] By controlling the agitator motor in response to coolant temperature in the bath,
the circulation of the coolant in the bath can be increased by employing a higher
motor speed during periods of high cooling demand than during periods of low cooling
demand thereby reducing power consumption during periods of low cooling demand.
[0010] By controlling the pump speed in response to the temperature of the coolant, the
circulation of the coolant can be higher during periods of high cooling demand than
during periods of low cooling demand thereby reducing power consumption during periods
of low cooling demand.
[0011] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of controlling
an ice bank cooler for a beverage dispense system as defined in claim 8.
[0012] Other features, benefits and advantages of the invention will be understood from
the description hereinafter of an exemplary embodiment given by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-
Figure 1 is a schematic lay-out of a beverage dispense system embodying the invention;
Figure 2 is a view, to an enlarged scale, showing details of the syrup cooling in the dispense
tower of the beverage dispense system shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a view, to an enlarged scale, showing a modification of the soda re-circulation
circuit of the beverage dispense system of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a view, to an enlarged scale, showing details of the cooler for the beverage dispense
systems of Figures 1 and 3; and
Figures 5 and 6 show details of the python shown in Figure 1.
[0013] Referring first to Figure 1 of the drawings, a post-mix beverage dispense system
is shown comprising a manifold valve block 1 provided with a plurality of post-mix
dispense valves generally designated by the reference number 3. In this embodiment,
the manifold valve block 1 has six dispense valves 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f but it will be
understood that the number of dispense valves may be chosen according to requirements.
[0014] The dispense valves 3 are connected by individual supply lines generally designated
by the reference number 5 to separate supplies of a concentrate generally designated
by the reference number 7. In this embodiment, there are six supply lines 5a,5b,5c,5d,5e,5f
and six supplies of concentrate 7a,7b,7c,7d,7e,7f - one for each dispense valve 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f.
It will be understood, however, that this arrangement is not essential and that the
number of supply lines and supplies of concentrate may be varied according to the
number of dispense valves and the beverage requirements. For example, two or more
dispense valves may be connected to a common supply of concentrate for dispense of
the same beverage.
[0015] The manifold valve block 1 is also connected to a diluent re-circulation line or
loop generally designated by reference number 9 for supplying diluent to each of the
dispense valves 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f for mixing with concentrate at the point of dispense
to deliver a desired beverage to a container such as a glass, cup or the like placed
under an outlet (not shown) of the associated dispense valve 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f. In
this embodiment, the re-circulation loop 9 contains carbonated water (often referred
to as "soda" water) for dispense of carbonated post-mix beverages from the dispense
valves 3. It will be understood, however, that this is not essential and that any
other suitable diluent may be employed such as still water for dispense of non-carbonated
drinks such as fruit juices.
[0016] The dispense valves 3 are configured to mix carbonated water and concentrate in the
relative proportions required for the beverage to be dispensed. The relative proportions
may vary for different beverages and the valves are configured individually on initial
set-up according to the beverage to be dispensed. Such configuration may be carried
out manually or automatically. For example, the dispense valves 3 may be controlled
by a programmable controller such as a microprocessor that allows the relative proportions
of diluent and concentrate to be set on an individual basis at any time by a service
engineer. The controller may also control other functions of the dispense system via
a suitable user interface for operating the dispense valves 3 according to customer
selection of a desired beverage. Alternatively, the dispense valves 3 may be manually
operable.
[0017] The diluent re-circulation loop 9 includes a carbonator tank 11 and a circulation
pump 13 driven by an electric motor 14. The carbonator tank 11 is provided at a location
remote from the manifold valve block 1, for example in a storage area such as a cellar
or cold room, and in this embodiment, is immersed in a bath of chilled water provided
by an ice bank cooler 15. Chilled carbonated water is pumped around the re-circulation
loop 9 from the carbonator tank 11 to the manifold valve block 1 and back to the carbonator
tank 11. The carbonated water returning to the carbonator tank 11 passes through a
cooling coil 17 immersed in the chilled water bath of cooler 15 to cool the carbonated
water prior to re-entering the carbonator tank 11.
[0018] Between the cooler 15 and the manifold valve block 1, the re-circulation loop 9 is
contained in an insulated sheath 19 (commonly referred to as a "python") and the temperature
of the carbonated water returning to the carbonator tank 11 is monitored by a temperature
sensor 20 provided before the cooling coil 17 for a purpose described later herein.
[0019] The carbonator tank 11 has an inlet connected to a source of still water such as
mains water via a supply line 25 for adding still water to the carbonator tank 11
to replace carbonated water that has been dispensed when the water level in the carbonator
tank 11 falls to a pre-determined minimum. The upper and lower water levels in the
carbonator tank 11 are controlled by level sensors (not shown) that also control operation
of a pump 27 in the water supply line 25 to boost the water pressure for addition
to the carbonator tank 11 where it is simultaneously carbonated by injecting a supply
of carbonating gas into the water stream as it is added to the carbonator tank 11.
[0020] The pressure of carbonating gas in the headspace above the water level in the carbonator
tank 11 is maintained at a level sufficient to prevent the carbonating gas coming
out of solution so that the desired carbonation level of the carbonated water circulating
in the carbonated water re-circulation loop 9 is maintained. Typically, the carbonating
gas is carbon dioxide but other gases such as nitrogen may be employed and the term
"carbonating" gas is to be construed accordingly.
[0021] The water supply line 25 passes through a cooling coil 29 immersed in the chilled
water bath of the cooler 15 upstream of a T-junction 31 for supply of chilled water
to either the carbonating tank 11 or to a coolant re-circulation line or loop 21 according
to demand. Cooling the still water before it is added to the carbonator tank 11 assists
the carbonation process to achieve the desired carbonation level in the carbonated
water for dispense of carbonated beverages from the dispense valves 3.
[0022] The coolant re-circulation loop 21 passes from the cooler 15 to a cooling module
32 adjacent to the manifold valve block 1 for cooling concentrate supplied to the
manifold valve block 1 in the supply lines 5a,5b,5c,5d,5e,5f. The cooling module 32
has a chamber 33 with an inlet connected to the re-circulation loop 21 to receive
chilled water from the cooler 15 and an outlet connected to the re-circulation loop
21 to return the water back to the cooler 15. The return flow of water passes through
a cooling coil 35 immersed within the chilled water bath of cooler 15. The water is
circulated around the coolant loop 21 by a pump 23. Between the cooler 15 and the
coolant chamber 33, the coolant re-circulation loop 21 is contained in the insulated
sheath 19 and the temperature of the water returning to the cooler 15 is monitored
by a temperature sensor 39 provided before the cooling coil 35 for a purpose described
later herein.
[0023] The manifold valve block 1 and coolant chamber 33 are contained in a beverage dispenser,
for example in a dispense tower (not shown), provided at a location remote from the
cooler 15 such as a bar or similar serving area where the tower may be located on
a counter top for connection to the various supply lines 5 for the concentrates 7,
and the re-circulation loops 9 and 21 for carbonated water and coolant. The re-circulation
loop 9 may supply carbonated water to more than one tower 1 in the same or different
serving areas. Alternatively or additionally, the carbonator tank 11 may supply carbonated
water to separate re-circulation loops 9 for supply to more than one tower. Similarly,
the re-circulation loop 21 may supply coolant to more than one tower 1 in the same
or different serving areas. Alternatively or additionally, separate re-circulation
loops 21 may be provided for supply of coolant to more than one tower. All combinations
and configurations are possible according to the number and position of the towers.
[0024] Referring now to Figure 2, the arrangement for cooling the concentrate supplied to
the tower 1 is shown in more detail. Most post-mix beverages contain approximately
85% of diluent and 15% of concentrate. In many existing dispense systems the concentrate
is cooled by passing the supply lines to the dispense tower in the python. This increases
the cooling demand in the python resulting in an energy consumption to cool the soda
in the soda re-circulation loop 9 that is higher than actually required to achieve
and maintain the required concentrate temperature. For example, at a dispense rate
of 4 drinks per minute, the energy to cool the concentrate (syrup) is 10 kcal. A 20
metre python containing six concentrate supply lines contains 10 litres of concentrate
and the energy consumption is 10W/m or 1750 KWh per year.
[0025] To reduce the energy consumption for cooling the concentrate, the present invention
removes the concentrate lines from the python and cools the concentrate in the dispense
tower. More specifically, the concentrate is cooled within the tower immediately prior
to dispense and the supply lines 5 passing through the coolant chamber 33 contain
a significantly lower volume of concentrate that is subjected to cooling compared
to existing systems in which the concentrate supply lines are contained in the python
19.
[0026] As shown, the concentrate supply lines 5a,5b,5c,5d,5e,5f pass through the coolant
chamber 33 within the tower to the manifold valve block 1. The chamber 33 is insulated
to prevent heat exchange between the coolant in the chamber 33 and the warmer surroundings
in the serving area. The carbonated water re-circulation loop 9 by-passes the coolant
chamber 33 and is connected to the manifold valve block 1 within the tower 1.
[0027] The coolant re-circulation loop 21 is connected to the chamber 33 for circulating
chilled still water through the chamber 33 to cool the concentrate delivered in supply
lines 5a,b,5c,5d,5e,5f to the dispense valves 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f. The chamber 33 is
provided with an internal flow guide 37 that directs the flow of coolant through the
chamber 33 to optimise heat exchange with the concentrate supply lines 5a,5b,5c,5d,5e,5f
passing through the chamber 33.
[0028] In this embodiment, the flow guide 37 comprises a partition wall that divides the
chamber 33 into an inlet chamber 33a and an outlet chamber 33b. Coolant from the re-circulation
loop 21 enters the inlet chamber 33a at the lower end of the coolant chamber 33. The
coolant is confined by the flow guide 37 to flow upwards to the upper end of the coolant
chamber 33 where it flows across the partition wall into the outlet chamber 33b. The
coolant is confined by the flow guide 37 to flow downwards to the lower end of the
coolant chamber 33 where it exits the coolant chamber and returns to the re-circulation
loop 21.
[0029] In this embodiment, three of the concentrate supply lines pass through the inlet
chamber 33a and the other three concentrate supply lines pass through the outlet chamber
33b. It will be understood, however that other arrangements of the concentrate supply
lines 5 may be employed as desired. For example, while the lines are shown extending
linearly through the coolant chamber 33, this is not essential and other configurations
of the concentrate lines within the coolant chamber 33 may be employed such as coils
to increase the surface area available for heat transfer to achieve the desired cooling
of the concentrate. Furthermore, it will be understood that other configurations of
coolant chamber 33 may be employed to direct the flow of coolant over the concentrate
supply lines 5 to achieve the desired cooling of the concentrate.
[0030] As will be appreciated, the above arrangement reduces the length of the concentrate
supply lines 5a,5b,5c,5d,5e,5f which reduces syrup wastage and makes sanitisation
of the lines easier. Also, the concentrate sources can be sited close to the dispense
tower, for example on a shelf under the counter top in the serving area, which simplifies
replacement of the concentrate sources.
[0031] Typically, the concentrate and diluent are mixed in a ratio approximately of 1:5
and a temperature of approximately 4 to 5°C in the dispensed beverage can be achieved
with a concentrate temperature of around 14°C where the diluent temperature is about
2°C. Passage of the concentrate supply lines 5 through the cooling chamber 33 is generally
sufficient to achieve the necessary cooling of the concentrate without passing the
concentrate lines 5 through the python 19 or the cooler 15.
[0032] The syrup cooling requirement in the cooling chamber 33 is dependent on a number
of factors including the ambient temperature and beverage dispense while heat gain
in the carbonated water circuit is dependent on a number of factors including the
ambient temperature, the python (length, insulation, number of tubes etc) and beverage
dispense.
[0033] Existing beverage dispense systems are typically designed to meet the higher cooling
demand that arises during periods when beverages are being dispensed (dispense mode)
than in periods when no beverages are being dispensed (stand-by mode). Many dispense
systems, however, are only operable in the dispense mode for about 20% of the day
(less than 4 hours) and for the remaining 80% of the day (more than 20 hours) the
system is in the stand-by mode. As a result, designing the system to meet the cooling
demand in the dispense mode leads to a significant waste of energy in the stand-by
mode.
[0034] To reduce this heat gain, the present invention provides temperature sensors 20 and
39 to monitor the temperature of the return flows of carbonated water in the diluent
re-circulation loop 9 from the manifold valve block 1 to the carbonator tank 11 and
of still water in the coolant re-circulation loop 21 from the cooling chamber 33 to
the cooler 15. The temperatures detected by the sensors 20,39 are used to control
operation of the re-circulation pumps 13,23 respectively. In this embodiment both
pumps 13,23 are twin-speed pumps driven by electric motors 14,40 respectively that
are switched from low speed, for example 800 rpm, to high speed, for example 1400
rpm, when the temperature of detected by the associated sensor 20,39 rises above a
pre-set temperature, for example 2°C for the carbonated water and 2°C for the still
water. It will be understood, however, that other motor speeds and/or temperatures
may be employed to take account of factors such as the cooling requirement, and other
design parameters of the system.
[0035] More specifically, the system is designed so that, in periods of low cooling demand
when the temperatures of the carbonated water and still water in the re-circulation
loops 9,21 are below the pre-set temperatures such as in the stand-by mode or in periods
of low dispense, the re-circulation pumps 13,23 are switched to the low speed to reduce
energy consumption and, in periods of high cooling demand, if the temperatures of
the carbonated water or still water in the re-circulation loops 9,21 rise above the
pre-set temperatures, such as in the dispense mode or at higher ambient temperatures,
the associated re-circulation pump 13,23 is switched to the high speed to meet the
increased cooling demand. In this way, operation of the re-circulation pumps 13,23
is more energy efficient leading to cost savings.
[0036] It will be understood that the pumps 13,23 may be a twin-speed pumps for selection
of high or low speeds as described or one or both pumps may be a variable speed pump
such that the pump speed can be adjusted to provide high and low speeds and any intermediate
speeds as desired. Where a variable pump speed is permitted, this may be controlled
by a suitably programmed microprocessor or other control system responsive to the
temperature detected by the sensors 20,39.
[0037] In a modification (not shown), the coolant re-circulation loop 21 is also connected
to the manifold valve block 1 which can be designed so that each dispense valve can
selectively dispense a mixture of concentrate and either carbonated water from re-circulation
loop 9 or still water from re-circulation loop 21 or a mixture of both carbonated
water and still water. In this way, carbonated drinks, or still drinks or drinks with
a variable carbonation level can be dispensed. Alternatively, the manifold valve block
1 may be designed so that one or more dispense valves can dispense the carbonated
water and the or each of the remaining dispense valves can dispense the still water.
In another modification (not shown), one or more dispense valves may be configured
to dispense diluent only, for example to dispense still or carbonated water without
any concentrate.
[0038] Other arrangements that can be employed will be apparent to those skilled in the
art.
[0039] Referring now to Figure 3, a modification of the above-described system is shown
in which like reference numerals are used to indicate corresponding parts.
[0040] In this modification, the still water re-circulation line or loop 21 in Figure 1
is omitted and the coolant chamber 33 is connected to the diluent re-circulation line
or loop 9. In this way, the chilled carbonated water supplied to the manifold valve
block 1 also passes through the coolant chamber 33 to cool the syrup supplied to the
manifold valve block 1 in the concentrate supply lines (not shown in Figure 3 for
clarity). In this way, one re-circulation loop can be used both to supply diluent
to the manifold valve block and to cool the concentrate. The operation of this modified
system is similar to that of Figure 1 and will be understood from the description
already provided. With this arrangement, the system only dispenses carbonated drinks.
It will be understood, that the system of Figure 1 could be adapted so as to dispense
only still drinks by omitting the carbonated water re-circulation loop 9 in Figure
1 and connecting the still water loop 21 to the manifold valve block 1.
[0041] Referring now to Figure 4, the arrangement of the ice bank cooler 15 is shown in
more detail. Known ice bank coolers typically comprise a bath containing water that
is cooled by placing an evaporator of a refrigeration circuit in the bath so that
ice forms on the evaporator during periods of low cooling demand to provide a thermal
reserve for periods of high cooling demand during which the ice melts to provide additional
cooling. A sub-zero ice bank may be produced by the use of an additive that suppresses
the freezing point of water. For example an aqueous mixture of water with glycol,
a salt, antifreeze or other suitable material added to the water in the bath.
[0042] Usually, the evaporator is situated close to the side wall of the bath and the water
in the bath is circulated by an agitator driven by an electric motor to wash across
the surface of the ice bank on the inwardly facing side of the evaporator to melt
the ice during periods of high demand. Washing across one side of the ice bank reduces
the available surface area for cooling during periods of high demand which reduces
efficiency.
[0043] Also many systems employ an agitator and motor combination that is designed to circulate
the water to meet the cooling requirement during periods of high cooling demand. As
previously mentioned, this is wasteful of energy as the high cooling demand mainly
arises during the dispense mode which is only in operation for about 20% of the day
with the remainder being the stand-by mode when the cooling demand is much lower.
[0044] To improve cooling efficiency, the present invention provides the ice bank cooler
15 with an evaporator coil 41 spaced away from the side wall of the bath so that water
circulated by the agitator 43 washes across both sides of the coil 41 as shown by
the arrows thereby doubling the available surface area of the ice bank 44 that forms
on the coil 41 for the additional cooling required during periods of high demand.
[0045] To obtain the benefit of the larger available surface area of the ice bank 44, the
circulation of the water within the bath requires improved performance of the agitator
43. As a result, more power is required to operate the agitator 43 during periods
of high demand and the present invention employs a temperature sensor 45 to monitor
the temperature of the water in the bath and control operation of a motor 47 driving
the agitator 43 in response to the water temperature.
[0046] In this embodiment, the motor 47 is a twin-speed motor that is switched from low
speed, for example 1500 rpm, to high speed, for example 3000 rpm, when the temperature
of the water detected by the sensor 45 rises above a pre-set temperature, for example
1°C. It will be understood, however, that other motor speeds may be employed to take
account of factors such as the cooling requirement, the capacity of the cooler and
other design parameters of the system.
[0047] In this way, in periods of low cooling demand when the temperature of the water in
the water bath is below the pre-set temperature such as in the stand-by mode or in
periods of low dispense, the motor 47 is switched to the low speed to reduce energy
consumption and, in periods of high cooling demand when the temperature of the water
in the water bath circuit rises above the pre-set temperature such as in the dispense
mode, the motor 45 is switched to the high speed to operate the agitator 43 to meet
the increased cooling demand. In this way, operation of the agitator and motor combination
is more energy efficient leading to cost savings.
[0048] It will be understood that the agitator 43 may be driven with a twin-speed motor
for selection of high or low agitation speeds as described or a variable speed motor
may be employed such that the agitator speed can be adjusted to provide high and low
speeds and any intermediate speeds as desired. Where a variable agitator speed is
permitted, this may be controlled by a suitably programmed microprocessor or other
control system responsive to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 45.
[0049] Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, there is shown an alternative python design. In
the traditional python design, the diluent lines, concentrate lines and coolant lines
are bundled together within an insulated sheath. The diameter of the python is dependent
on the number and size of individual lines that are wrapped within the sheath. The
diameter of the python increases with increased number of lines with the result that
construction, handling and installation of the python becomes more difficult and the
available surface area of the python for heat transfer from ambient increases.
[0050] In the alternative python construction of Figures 5 and 6, the python is simplified
by removing the concentrate lines through the provision of cooling for the concentrate
in the dispense tower and forming lines 49,51 for the diluent and coolant respectively
as a single extrusion 53 that can be cut to the required length, formed into an annular
configuration as shown by the arrows, surrounded with insulation 55 and provided with
quick-fit connectors (not shown) at both ends for attaching the diluent and coolant
lines 49 and 51 respectively to matching connectors on the cooler 15 and the dispense
tower.
[0051] In this way, pythons having any desired length can be made from a common extrusion
and provided with the appropriate fluid connections at each end for connection to
matching connectors on the cooler 15 and dispense tower 1 when the python is installed.
This is easier than bundling several separate fluid lines together within an insulation
sheath. Also, the overall diameter of the python can be reduced thereby reducing the
weight of the python making handling and installation easier and reducing the surface
area for heat exchange with the environment. Alternatively or additionally, the python
can have insulation of increased thickness to reduce heat exchange with the environment
without increasing the overall diameter of the python compared to existing python
designs.
[0052] As will be appreciated, the above-described system has a number of advantages and
benefits. For example lower energy consumption by reducing the heat gain and controlling
the speed of the motors driving the re-circulation pumps and agitator in response
to the temperature of the water in the re-circulation loops and water bath respectively.
Also easier sanitisation of the concentrate lines and less wastage of concentrate
in the concentrate lines can be achieved by removing the concentrate lines from the
python and providing shorter concentrate lines from the concentrate sources to the
dispense tower. This also allows easier replacement of the concentrate sources by
enabling the concentrate sources to be placed below the dispense tower within the
serving area. Also reduced installation time may be possible by the use of a customised
python that can be connected to the diluent and coolant lines by multi-port block
connectors during installation.
[0053] While the invention has been described with particular reference to the dispense
of soft drinks, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to such application
and the invention could be employed for the dispense of alcoholic drinks such as cocktails
while features of the invention could be employed in systems for the dispense of alcoholic
drinks. For example, the ice bank cooler could be used to cool beer, lager, cider
and the like for dispense.
1. An ice bank cooler comprising a bath containing water or water containing an additive
that suppresses the freezing point of water to produce a sub-zero ice bank as a coolant,
an evaporator coil (41) in the bath for cooling the coolant and forming a thermal
reserve of frozen coolant on the evaporator coil (41), an agitator (43) for agitating
the coolant in the bath, a motor (47) for driving the agitator (43), a first temperature
sensor (45) to monitor the temperature of the coolant in the bath and control operation
of the motor (47) driving the agitator (43) in response to the coolant temperature
in the bath, a pump (13;23) for circulating still or carbonated water, which is supplied
via a water line (25), in a loop (9,21) between the cooler (15) and a remote dispense
tower for the dispense of drinks comprising carbonated water or still water and said
loop including a cooling coil (17,35) immersed in the bath, and a motor (14;40) for
driving the pump (13;23), characterised by a second temperature sensor (20;39) to monitor the temperature of the return flow
of the circulating still or carbonated water and control operation of the motor (14;40)
driving the pump (13;23) in response to still or carbonated water temperature.
2. A cooler according to claim 1 wherein, the agitator motor (47) is a twin-speed motor
switched between an upper speed when the temperature of the coolant is above a pre-determined
temperature and a lower speed when the temperature of the coolant is below the pre-determined
temperature.
3. A cooler according to claim 1 wherein, the agitator motor (47) is a variable speed
motor and the motor speed is adjustable in response to the temperature of the coolant
in the bath.
4. A cooler according to any preceding claim wherein the evaporator coil (41) is arranged
so that coolant circulated in the cooler by the agitator (43) passes over both sides
of the evaporator coil (41).
5. A cooler according to claim 1 wherein, the pump (13;23) is a twin speed pump and the
pump motor (14;40) is an electric motor switched between an upper speed when the temperature
of the still or carbonated water detected by the second temperature sensor (20; 39)
is above a pre-determined temperature and a lower speed when the temperature of the
still or carbonated water detected by the second temperature sensor (20;39) is below
the pre-determined temperature.
6. A cooler according to claim 1 wherein, the pump (13;23) is a variable speed pump and
the pump speed is adjustable in response to the temperature of the still or carbonated
water detected by the second temperature sensor (20;39).
7. A cooler according to claim 1 wherein the second temperature sensor (20; 39) monitors
return flow temperature of the still or carbonated water circulated by the pump (13;23).
8. A method of controlling an ice bank cooler for a beverage dispense system, comprising
providing a bath containing water or water containing an additive that suppresses
the freezing point of water to produce a sub-zero ice bank as a coolant, providing
an evaporator coil (41) in the bath for cooling the coolant and forming a thermal
reserve of frozen coolant on the evaporator coil (41), providing an agitator (43)
for agitating the coolant in the bath, providing a motor (47) for driving the agitator
(43), providing a first temperature sensor (45) to monitor the temperature of the
coolant in the bath and control operation of the motor (47) driving the agitator (43)
in response to the coolant temperature in the bath, providing a pump (13;23) for circulating
still water or carbonated water, which is supplied via a water line (25), in a loop
(9,21) between the cooler (15) and a remote dispense tower for the dispense of drinks
comprising carbonated water or still water and including a cooling coil (17, 35) immersed
in the bath, and providing a motor (14;40) for driving the pump (13;23), characterised by providing a second temperature sensor (20;39) to monitor the temperature of the return
flow of the circulating still or carbonated water and control operation of the motor
(14;40) driving the pump (13;23) in response to still or carbonated water temperature.
1. Ein Eisspeicher-Kühler, der ein Bad aufweist, das mit Wasser gefüllt ist oder mit
Wasser, das ein Zusatzmittel enthält, das den Gefrierpunkt des Wassers herabsetzt,
um einen Unter-Null-Grad-Eisspeicher als Kühlmedium zu erzeugen, eine Verdampferschlange
(41) im Bad für die Kühlung des Kühlmittels und die Bildung einer thermischen Reserve
gefrorenen Kühlmittels an der Verdampferschlange (41), ein Rührwerk (43) für das Rühren
des Kühlmittels im Bad, einen Motor (47) für den Antrieb des Rührwerks (43), einen
ersten Temperatursensor (45), um die Temperatur des Kühlmittels im Bad zu überwachen
und den Motorbetrieb (47) zu steuern, der das Rührwerk (43), als Reaktion auf die
jeweilige Kühlmitteltemperatur im Bad, antreibt,
gekennzeichnet durch eine Pumpe (13; 23) für den Umlauf von stillem oder kohlensäurehaltigem Wasser, das
über eine Wasserleitung (25) bereitgestellt wird, in einer Schleife (9, 21) zwischen
dem Kühler (15) und einem entfernt liegenden Getränkespender-Turm für die Ausgabe
der Getränke, die kohlensäurehaltiges Wassers oder stilles Wasser sind, und die besagte
Schleife schließt dabei eine Kühlschlange (17, 35) ein, die in das Bad eingetaucht
ist, und einen Motor (14; 40) für den Antrieb der Pumpe (13; 23), einen zweiten Temperatursensor
(20; 39), um die Temperatur des Rückflusses des umlaufenden stillen oder kohlensäurehaltigen
Wassers zu überwachen und den Rückfluss über den Motorbetrieb (14; 40) zu steuern,
der die Pumpe (13; 23), als Reaktion auf die Temperatur des stillen oder kohlensäurehaltigen
Wassers, antreibt.
2. Ein Kühler gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei der Rührwerk-Motor (47) ein Zweigeschwindigkeitsmotor
ist, der zwischen einer höheren Geschwindigkeit, wenn die Temperatur des Kühlmittels
über einer vorher festgelegten Temperatur liegt, und einer niedrigeren Geschwindigkeit,
wenn die Temperatur des Kühlmittels unter der vorher festgelegten Temperatur liegt,
hin- und herschaltet.
3. Ein Kühler gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei der Rührwerk-Motor (47) ein Regelmotor und die
Motorgeschwindigkeit, als Reaktion auf die Temperatur des Kühlmittels im Bad, einstellbar
ist.
4. Ein Kühler gemäß eines der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Verdampferschlange
(41) so angebracht ist, dass das Kühlmittel, das im Kühler vom Rührwerk (43) umgerührt
wird, über beide Seiten der Verdampferschlange (41) läuft.
5. Ein Kühler gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Pumpe (13; 23) eine Doppelgeschwindigkeitspumpe
ist und der Pumpenmotor (14; 40) ein Elektromotor ist, die zwischen einer oberen Geschwindigkeit,
wenn die Temperatur des stillen oder kohlensäurehaltigen Wassers, die vom zweiten
Temperatursensor (20; 39) erfasst wird, über einer vorher festgelegten Temperatur
liegt, und einer niedrigeren Geschwindigkeit, wenn die Temperatur des stillen oder
kohlensäurehaltigen Wassers, die vom zweiten Temperatursensor (20; 39) erfasst wird,
unter einer vorher festgelegten Temperatur liegt, hin- und herschaltet.
6. Ein Kühler gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Pumpe (13; 23) eine Verstellpumpe ist und die
Pumpengeschwindigkeit als Reaktion auf die Temperatur des stillen oder kohlensäurehaltigen
Wassers, die vom zweiten Temperatursensor (20; 39) erfasst wird, einstellbar ist.
7. Ein Kühler gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei der zweite Temperatursensor (20; 39) die Rückflusstemperatur
des stillen oder kohlensäurehaltigen Wassers, das durch die Pumpe (13; 23) zirkuliert,
überwacht.
8. Ein Verfahren für die Steuerung eines Eisspeicher-Kühlers für ein Getränkeausgabesystem,
das die Bereitstellung eines Bades aufweist, das mit Wasser gefüllt ist oder mit Wasser,
das ein Zusatzmittel enthält, das den Gefrierpunkt des Wassers herabsetzt, um einen
Unter-Null-Grad-Eisspeicher als Kühlmedium zu erzeugen, die Bereitstellung einer Verdampferschlange
(41) im Bad für die Kühlung des Kühlmittels und die Bildung einer thermischen Reserve
gefrorenen Kühlmittels an der Verdampferschlange (41), die Bereitstellung eines Rührwerks
(43) für das Rühren des Kühlmittels im Bad, die Bereitstellung eines Motors (47) für
den Antrieb des Rührwerks (43), die Bereitstellung eines ersten Temperatursensors
(45), um die Temperatur des Kühlmittels im Bad zu überwachen und den Motorbetrieb
(47) zu steuern, der das Rührwerk (43), als Reaktion auf die jeweilige Kühlmitteltemperatur
im Bad, antreibt, gekennzeichnet durch
die Bereitstellung einer Pumpe (13; 23) für den Umlauf von stillem oder kohlensäurehaltigem
Wasser, das über eine Wasserleitung (25) bereitgestellt wird, in einer Schleife (9,
21) zwischen dem Kühler (15) und einem entfernt liegenden Getränkespender-Turm für
die Ausgabe der Getränke, die kohlensäurehaltiges Wasser oder stilles Wasser sind,
und die eine Kühlschlange (17, 35) einschließt, die in das Bad eingetaucht ist, und
die Bereitstellung eines Motors (14; 40) für den Antrieb der Pumpe (13; 23), die Bereitstellung
eines zweiten Temperatursensors (20; 39), um die Temperatur des Rückflusses des umlaufenden
stillen oder kohlensäurehaltigen Wassers zu überwachen und den Motorbetrieb (14; 40)
zu steuern, der die Pumpe (13; 23), als Reaktion auf die Temperatur des stillen oder
kohlensäurehaltigen Wassers, antreibt.
1. Un refroidisseur à accumulation de glace comprenant un bain contenant de l'eau ou
de l'eau contenant un additif qui supprime le point de congélation de l'eau de façon
à produire une accumulation de glace sous-zéro en tant que réfrigérant, un serpentin
d'évaporateur (41) dans le bain destiné à refroidir le réfrigérant et à former une
réserve thermique de réfrigérant congelé sur le serpentin d'évaporateur (41), un agitateur
(43) destiné à agiter le réfrigérant dans le bain, un moteur (47) destiné à l'entraînement
de l'agitateur (43), un premier capteur de température (45) destiné à surveiller la
température du réfrigérant dans le bain et à commander le fonctionnement du moteur
(47) entraînant l'agitateur (43) en réponse à la température du réfrigérant dans le
bain,
caractérisé par une pompe (13, 23) destinée à la circulation d'eau plate ou d'eau gazéifiée, qui
est apportée par l'intermédiaire d'un conduit d'eau (25) dans une boucle (9, 21) entre
le refroidisseur (15) et une tour de distribution distante destinée à la distribution
de boissons contenant de l'eau plate ou de l'eau gazéifiée et ladite boucle comprenant
un serpentin de refroidissement (17, 35) immergé dans le bain et un moteur (14, 40)
destiné à l'entraînement de la pompe (13, 23), un deuxième capteur de température
(20, 39) destiné à surveiller la température du flux de retour de l'eau plate ou de
l'eau gazéifiée en circulation et à la commande de flux de retour du fonctionnement
du moteur (14, 40) entraînant la pompe (13, 23) en réponse à la température de l'eau
plate ou de l'eau gazéifiée.
2. Un refroidisseur selon la Revendication 1, où le moteur de l'agitateur (47) est un
moteur bi-vitesse commuté entre une vitesse supérieure lorsque la température du réfrigérant
est supérieure à une température prédéterminée et une vitesse inférieure lorsque la
température du réfrigérant est inférieure à la température prédéterminée.
3. Un refroidisseur selon la Revendication 1 où le moteur de l'agitateur (47) est un
moteur à vitesse variable et la vitesse du moteur est ajustable en réponse à la température
du réfrigérant dans le bain.
4. Un refroidisseur selon l'une quelconque des Revendications précédentes où le serpentin
d'évaporateur (41) est agencé de sorte qu'un réfrigérant circulé dans le refroidisseur
par l'agitateur (43) passe sur les deux côtés du serpentin d'évaporateur (41).
5. Un refroidisseur selon la Revendication 1, où la pompe (13, 23) est une pompe bi-vitesse
et le moteur de la pompe (14, 40) est un moteur électrique commuté entre une vitesse
supérieure lorsque la température de l'eau plate ou de l'eau gazéifiée détectée par
le deuxième capteur de température (20, 39) est supérieure à une température prédéterminée
et une vitesse inférieure lorsque la température de l'eau plate ou de l'eau gazéifiée
détectée par le deuxième capteur de température (20, 39) est inférieure à la température
prédéterminée.
6. Un refroidisseur selon la Revendication 1 où la pompe (13, 23) est une pompe à vitesse
variable et la vitesse de la pompe est ajustable en réponse à la température de l'eau
plate ou de l'eau gazéifiée détectée par le deuxième capteur de température (20, 39).
7. Un refroidisseur selon la Revendication 1 où le deuxième capteur de température (20,
39) surveille la température du flux de retour de l'eau plate ou de l'eau gazéifiée
circulée par la pompe (13, 23).
8. Un procédé de commande d'un refroidisseur à accumulation de glace pour un système
de distribution de boissons, comprenant la fourniture d'un bain contenant de l'eau
ou de l'eau contenant un additif qui supprime le point de congélation de l'eau de
façon à produire une accumulation de glace sous-zéro en tant que réfrigérant, la fourniture
d'un serpentin d'évaporateur (41) dans le bain destiné à refroidir le réfrigérant
et à former une réserve thermique de réfrigérant congelé sur le serpentin d'évaporateur
(41), la fourniture d'un agitateur (43) destiné à agiter le réfrigérant dans le bain,
la fourniture d'un moteur (47) destiné à l'entraînement de l'agitateur (43), la fourniture
d'un premier capteur de température (45) destiné à surveiller la température du réfrigérant
dans le bain et à commander le fonctionnement du moteur (47) entraînant l'agitateur
(43) en réponse à la température du réfrigérant dans le bain,
caractérisé par la fourniture d'une pompe (13, 23) destinée à la circulation d'eau plate ou d'eau
gazéifiée, qui est apportée par l'intermédiaire d'un conduit d'eau (25) dans une boucle
(9, 21) entre le refroidisseur (15) et une tour de distribution distante destinée
à la distribution de boissons comprenant de l'eau plate ou de l'eau gazéifiée et comprenant
un serpentin de refroidissement (17, 35) immergé dans le bain, et la fourniture d'un
moteur (14, 40) destiné à l'entraînement de la pompe (13, 23), la fourniture d'un
deuxième capteur de température (20, 39) destiné à surveiller la température du flux
de retour de l'eau plate ou de l'eau gazéifiée en circulation et à commander le fonctionnement
du moteur (14,40) entraînant la pompe (13, 23) en réponse à la température de l'eau
plate ou de l'eau gazéifiée.