Chilled beverage dispensing system

Abstract

The iced liquid dispensing system includes a container having a phase change material that can be charged by a thermoelectric module via a first heat sink. A liquid (e.g., a beverage) can be pumped through a conduit immersed in the phase change material to cool or iced the liquid to a temperature below ambient temperature. The iced liquid dispensing system can be incorporated into a liquid dispensing machine (e.g., a beverage dispensing machine).

Description

(19) State Intellectual Property Office (12) Invention Patent Application (10) Application Publication Number (43) Application Publication Date (21) Application Number 202480026424.7 (22) Application Date 2024.03.06 (30) Priority Data 63 / 489,391 2023.03.09 US 63 / 518,410 2023.08.09 US (85) PCT International Application Entering National Phase Date 2025.10.17 (86) PCT International Application Application Data PCT / US2024 / 018721 2024.03.06 (87) PCT International Application Publication Data WO2024 / 186923 EN 2024.09.12 (71) Applicant: Embry Technologies, Inc. Address: USA (72) Inventors: Alexander Clayton, Daron John, Lisdamian Li, Rahul Mulinti, Eric Aaron, Camacho, Kovaruviasmiko, Yuhani, Timperi, Jacob William Emmett, Gao Fangyi (74) Patent Agency: Beijing J&J Intellectual Property Agency Co., Ltd. 11227 Patent Attorney: Huang Lin (51) Int.Cl. B67D 1 / 08 (2006.01) F25D 31 / 00 (2006.01) F25B 21 / 02 (2006.01) F28D 20 / 02 (2006.01) F28D 15 / 02 (2006.01) (54) Invention Title: Iced Beverage Dispensing System (57) Abstract: The iced liquid dispensing system includes a container having a phase change material, which can be energized via a thermoelectric module through a first radiator. A liquid (e.g., a beverage) can be pumped through a conduit immersed in the phase change material to cool or chill the liquid to a temperature below ambient temperature. The iced liquid dispensing system can be integrated into a liquid dispensing machine (e.g., a beverage dispensing machine).Claims (2 pages), Description (8 pages), Drawings (13 pages), CN 120981420 A, 2025.11.18, CN 1 20 98 14 20 A. 1. A chilled liquid dispensing system, comprising: an insulated container having a chamber for containing a phase change material; a conduit disposed in the chamber of the insulated container and having a portion immersed in the phase change material such that the phase change material is in thermal contact with the outer surface of the portion of the conduit, the conduit being configured to receive a liquid at a first temperature above ambient temperature passing through the conduit, the liquid being cooled as it flows through the conduit and heat being transferred to the phase change material to cool the liquid to a second temperature below the ambient temperature; and a first radiator disposed in the chamber of the insulated container and immersed in the phase change material such that the phase change material is in thermal contact with the outer surface of the first radiator. 1. A thermoelectric module having a side thermally connected to a first radiator; and a second radiator disposed outside the chamber of the insulated container and thermally connected to the opposite side of the thermoelectric module, wherein the thermoelectric module is operable to energize or freeze the phase change material by pumping heat from the phase change material via the first radiator and into the second radiator. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein airflow passes through the second radiator to remove heat from the second radiator. 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising one or more fans operable to cause airflow through the second radiator to remove heat from the second radiator. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the conduit comprises a continuous tube helix having a plurality of spaced-apart tube loops extending circumferentially around the first radiator within the chamber. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the insulated container is a double-walled vacuum insulated container. 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second insulated container surrounding the insulated container. 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a cover configured to enclose the insulating container, the second radiator extending through the cover. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the inlet and outlet of the conduit extend through the cover. 9. The system of claim 8, further comprising an insulating cover configured to cover the cover. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first radiator comprises one or more heat pipes immersed in the phase change material. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more heat pipes are two spaced-apart heat pipes.12. The system of claim 10, wherein the first radiator includes one or more fins extending from the one or more heat pipes, the one or more fins being immersed in the phase change material. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more fins are a plurality of fins extending perpendicular to the one or more heat pipes. 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more fins extend radially from the one or more heat pipes and along the length of the one or more heat pipes. 15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a heat diffuser attached to the first radiator, disposed in the chamber, and extending circumferentially about the axis of the insulation container. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the heat diffuser extends circumferentially about the conduit, the conduit comprising a continuous tube helix having a plurality of spaced-apart tube loops. Claims 1 / 2 page 2 CN 120981420 A 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the heat diffuser includes a plurality of folded fins. 18. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a reservoir configured to receive a liquid at a first temperature above ambient temperature; and a heat exchanger operable to receive liquid from the reservoir and cool the liquid to a second temperature below the first temperature and above the ambient temperature by allowing air to flow through a second conduit configured to allow the liquid to flow therethrough, the second conduit being located upstream of the inlet of the conduit. 19. A beverage dispensing machine comprising the chilled liquid dispensing system of claim 1. 20. The beverage dispensing machine of claim 19, further comprising: a housing; and a hot beverage brewing unit disposed in the housing, the chilled beverage dispensing system disposed in the housing and in fluid communication with the hot beverage brewing unit. 21. The beverage dispensing machine of claim 19, wherein the chilled liquid dispensing system is removable as a unit. Claims 2 / 2 Page 3 CN 120981420 A Iced Beverage Dispensing System

[0001] Incorporation by Reference to Any Priority Application

[0002] Any and all applications that identify foreign or domestic priority claims in the application data sheet filed with this application are hereby incorporated by reference in accordance with 37 CFR 1.57. Background Art

[0003]

[0004] This disclosure relates to beverage dispensing systems, and more particularly to iced beverage dispensing systems. Background Art

[0005]

[0006] Iced brewed beverages (e.g., tea, coffee) are popular.Typically, chilled brewed beverages are prepared by pouring brewed hot beverages (e.g., coffee, tea) into a container filled with ice to cool the beverage. However, this is a flawed process because the ice can dilute the beverage, thus affecting its taste.

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an improved chilled beverage dispensing system is provided that can chill hot brewed beverages without diluting them.

[0008] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a beverage dispensing machine is provided that includes a chilled beverage dispensing system that can chill hot beverages brewed by the beverage dispensing machine before dispensing them from the machine.

[0009] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the chilled beverage dispensing system includes a thermal conditioning unit having a phase change material, which can be energized by a thermal motor having one or more thermoelectric elements. The beverage can be pumped through a pipe loop in the thermal conditioning unit to cool or chill the beverage to a temperature below ambient temperature. The chilled beverage dispensing system can be incorporated into a beverage dispensing machine.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a chilled beverage dispensing system is provided. The system includes a reservoir and a beverage-air heat exchanger. The reservoir receives a hot beverage, and the beverage-air heat exchanger is operable to receive the hot beverage from the reservoir and cool the beverage to a warm beverage temperature above ambient temperature by causing airflow from one or more fans through a conduit through which the hot beverage flows. The system also includes a thermal regulation unit comprising an insulated container housing a phase change material, a conduit for causing the warm beverage to flow through the phase change material to cool the warm beverage to a chilled beverage temperature below ambient temperature, and a conduit for causing a coolant to flow through the phase change material to cool and thus energize the phase change material. The coolant is cooled by a thermoelectric element via a heat exchanger, the thermoelectric element being in thermal communication with the heat exchanger and a radiator.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a beverage dispensing machine is provided. The machine includes: a housing; a hot beverage brewing unit disposed within the housing; and a chilled beverage dispensing system disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the hot beverage brewing unit. The chilled beverage dispensing system includes: a reservoir that receives hot beverage from the hot beverage brewing unit; and a beverage air heat exchanger, operable as per instruction manual page 1 / 8 4 CN 120981420 A, to receive the hot beverage from the reservoir and cool the beverage to a warm beverage temperature above ambient temperature by causing airflow from one or more fans through a pipe loop through which the hot beverage flows.The system also includes a thermal regulation unit comprising an insulated container holding the phase change material, a piping circuit for flowing warm beverages through the phase change material to cool them to a chilled beverage temperature below ambient temperature, and a piping circuit for flowing coolant through the phase change material to cool and thus charge it. The coolant is cooled by thermoelectric elements via a heat exchanger, with the thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with the heat exchanger and radiator.

[0012] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a chilled liquid distribution system comprising: an insulated container having a chamber for containing a phase change material; a conduit disposed in the chamber of the insulated container and having a portion immersed in the phase change material such that the phase change material is in thermal contact with the outer surface of the portion of the conduit, the conduit being configured to receive a liquid at a first temperature above ambient temperature passing through the conduit, the liquid being cooled as it flows through the conduit and heat being transferred to the phase change material to cool the liquid to a second temperature below ambient temperature; a first radiator disposed in the chamber of the insulated container and immersed in the phase change material such that the phase change material is in thermal contact with the outer surface of the first radiator; a thermoelectric module having a side in thermal communication with the first radiator; and a second radiator disposed outside the chamber of the insulated container and in thermal communication with the opposite side of the thermoelectric module, wherein the thermoelectric module is operable to energize or freeze the phase change material by pumping heat from the phase change material via the first radiator and into the second radiator.

[0013] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a system in which airflow passes through a second radiator to remove heat from the second radiator.

[0014] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a system further comprising one or more fans operable to cause airflow through the second radiator to remove heat from the second radiator.

[0015] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a system in which a conduit comprises a continuous tube helix having a plurality of spaced-apart tube loops extending circumferentially around a first radiator within a chamber.

[0016] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a system in which the insulating container is a double-walled vacuum insulating container.

[0017] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a system further comprising a second insulating container surrounding the insulating container.

[0018] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a system further comprising a cover configured to enclose the insulating container, through which the second radiator extends.

[0019] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a system in which the inlet and outlet of a conduit extend through a cover.

[0020] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a system that further includes an insulating cover configured to cover the cover.

[0021] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a system in which a first radiator includes one or more heat pipes immersed in a phase change material.

[0022] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a system in which one or more heat pipes are two spaced-apart heat pipes.

[0023] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a system in which a first radiator includes one or more fins extending from one or more heat pipes, the one or more fins being immersed in a phase change material.

[0024] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a system in which one or more fins are a plurality of fins extending perpendicular to one or more heat pipes.

[0025] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a system in which one or more fins extend radially from one or more heat pipes and along the length of one or more heat pipes.

[0026] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a system further comprising a heat diffuser attached to a first radiator, disposed in a chamber, and extending circumferentially about an axis of an insulated container.

[0027] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a system wherein a heat diffuser extends circumferentially about a conduit comprising a continuous tube helix having a plurality of spaced-apart tube loops.

[0028] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a system wherein a heat diffuser comprises a plurality of folded fins.

[0029] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a system further comprising: a reservoir configured to receive a liquid at a first temperature above ambient temperature; and a heat exchanger operable to receive liquid from the reservoir and to cool the liquid to a second temperature below the first temperature and above ambient temperature by allowing air to flow through a second conduit configured to flow through the liquid, the second conduit being located upstream of the inlet of the conduit.

[0030] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a beverage dispensing machine including an iced liquid dispensing system.

[0031] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a beverage dispensing machine further comprising: a housing; and a hot beverage brewing unit disposed within the housing, the iced beverage dispensing system being disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the hot beverage brewing unit.

[0032] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a beverage dispensing machine wherein the iced liquid dispensing system is removable as a unit. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0033] FIG1 is a diagram of an iced beverage dispensing system.

[0034] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the iced beverage dispensing system of FIG1.

[0035] FIG3 is a schematic perspective view of the beverage dispensing machine of the chilled beverage dispensing system of FIG1. ​​

[0036] FIG4 is a side view of the beverage dispensing machine of FIG3.

[0037] FIG5 is a top view of the beverage dispensing machine of FIG3.

[0038] FIG6 is a schematic perspective view of the beverage dispensing machine of FIG3, showing the outer casing of the machine as transparent to illustrate the chilled beverage dispensing system in the machine.

[0039] FIG7 is a schematic perspective view of the chilled beverage dispensing system.

[0040] FIGS8 to 15 show schematic diagrams of the chilled beverage dispensing system.

[0041] FIG16 shows a schematic end view of a cold-side radiator for use with the chilled beverage dispensing system. Detailed Description

[0042] FIGS1 and 2 show a chilled beverage dispensing system 100 (hereinafter referred to as "System 100"), which is operable to cool (e.g., chill) hot beverages directed to System 100. System 100 includes a thermal regulation unit 25, which may include an insulated container 26 containing a phase change material (PCM) 28. In one example, the PCM 28 may be water or ice, a water-based PCM, or a material with a low melting point (e.g., a melting point between approximately -5°C and approximately 5°C, such as a melting point of approximately -5°C, a melting point of approximately 5°C, etc.). In one implementation, the insulated container 26 may be a double-walled container with a gap between the two walls. In one example, the gap is under vacuum. In another example, the gap is filled with an insulating material (e.g., foam). In yet another example, the gap is filled with air. One or more temperature sensors S1 are thermally connected to the PCM 28 and are operable to monitor the temperature of the PCM 28 and transmit the sensed temperature to a controller (not shown) for operation of the control system 100.

[0043] The pipe loop 13 (e.g., a coolant loop) extends at least partially within the PCM 28. As shown in FIG. 2, the pipe loop 13 may be a coiled tube. The pipe loop 13 may include a continuous tube or multiple tubes connected to each other. A liquid may flow through the pipe loop 13 and operate as a coolant. In one example, the liquid may be a mixture of ethylene glycol and water. In another example, the liquid may be alcohol. The pipe loop 13 is in fluid communication with the reservoir 12, the pump 14, and the cold plate or heat exchanger 16. The cold plate or heat exchanger 16 may be a heat exchanger with a large heat transfer area (e.g., microchannels). In operation, the liquid (e.g., coolant) is pumped by the pump 14 through the cold plate or heat exchanger 16, which is operable to cool the liquid, after which the fluid flows into the thermal conditioning unit 15 and within the PCM 28. The liquid leaves the thermal conditioning unit 15 and enters the reservoir 12, from which the pump 14 pumps the liquid again through the cold plate or heat exchanger 16.The cold plate 16 is in thermal communication (e.g., operative contact, direct contact) with the thermoelectric module 18 (e.g., one or more Peltier elements). The cold plate 16 and the thermoelectric module 18 provide a heat engine 17. The thermoelectric element 18 is disposed between the cold plate or heat exchanger 16 and the radiator 20 and is in thermal communication with both the cold plate or heat exchanger 16 and the radiator 20. The radiator 20 may include heat pipes 21 extending from the thermoelectric module 18 to one or more fins 23. A fan 22 may cause airflow through one or more fins 23 and / or heat pipes 21 to dissipate heat from the fins 23 and / or heat pipes 21 to the environment.

[0044] During the conditioning phase of operation of the system 100, the thermoelectric module 18 operates (e.g., consumes electricity and is operated by a controller) to remove heat from the cold plate or heat exchanger 16 and transfer heat to the radiator 20, where the heat may be dissipated via the airflow discussed above. Pump 14 operates (e.g., consuming electricity and operated by a controller) to flow liquid through cold plate 16 to cool the liquid, which then flows through PCM 28 in thermal conditioning unit 15. The liquid exits thermal conditioning unit 15 and enters reservoir 12, from which pump 14 pumps liquid again through cold plate 16 and back to thermal conditioning unit 15. The operation of system 100 during this conditioning phase continues until PCM 28 reaches the desired thermal state (e.g., complete solidification or freezing, reaching the desired temperature setpoint), as measured by one or more sensors S1.

[0045] Once PCM 28 reaches the desired thermal state, system 100 can operate in a maintenance mode in which closed-loop control maintains the temperature of PCM 28 substantially constant for a period of time, during which time system 100 is ready and in standby mode to cool hot beverages. In one implementation, during maintenance mode, thermoelectric module 18 and / or pump 14 are not operated.

[0046] Continuing to refer to FIG1, the tubing loop 11 (e.g., a warm beverage loop) extends at least partially within the PCM 28. As shown in FIG2, the tubing loop 11 may be a coiled tube. The loops of the tubing loop 11 may optionally be inserted between the loops of the tubing loop 13. The tubing loop 11 may include a continuous tube or multiple tubes connected to each other. The warm beverage may flow through the tubing loop 11 and be cooled by the PCM 28 as the beverage flows through the tubing loop 11 within the thermal conditioning unit 15, as discussed further below. The system 100 includes a reservoir 4 for receiving a hot beverage (e.g., a hot brewed beverage, such as hot coffee or hot tea). The reservoir 4 is in fluid communication with a pump 6, which is in fluid communication with the tubing loop 11 via a valve 10. A return branch of the tubing loop 11 is in fluid communication with the reservoir 4. The system 100 may also optionally include a heat exchanger 32 (e.g., a beverage-air heat exchanger) having a tubing loop 7 through which the hot beverage flows.The heat exchanger 32 may have one or more (e.g., multiple) fins 9 in thermal communication with the pipe loop 7 to aid in heat transfer (e.g., heat dissipation) from the hot beverage flowing through the pipe loop. One or more fans 34, 36 may allow airflow through the pipe loop 7 and / or the fins 9 to dissipate heat from the pipe loop 7 and / or the fins 9. In one implementation, one or more fans 34, 36 may be a pair of fans. In another implementation, one or more fans may be a single fan, as described on page 4 / 8 of the specification CN 120981420 A. The return branch of the pipe loop 7 is in fluid communication with the reservoir 4 and the inlet branch of the pipe loop 7 is in fluid communication with the downstream end of the pump 6 via a valve 8. In another implementation, the heat exchanger 32 is removed from the system 100.

[0047] During the beverage cooling phase of the operation of the system 100 (e.g., after the conditioning phase for the PCM 28 has been completed), the hot beverage (e.g., after the brewing process) enters the reservoir. One or more temperature sensors S2 in the reservoir 4 can sense the temperature of the beverage in the reservoir 4. Although not shown, the system may have temperature sensors that sense ambient temperature. Valve 8 is open, valve 10 is closed, and pump 6 is operated to allow hot beverage to flow from the reservoir 4 through the pipe loop 7 of heat exchanger 32. One or more fans 34, 36 are operated to circulate air through the pipe loop 7 to cool the hot beverage, which is then returned to the reservoir 4 and pumped again by pump 6 through valve 8 through the pipe loop 7. The hot beverage circulates through heat exchanger 32 until, for example (sensed by temperature sensor S2), the temperature reaches a desired temperature setpoint (e.g., a few degrees higher than ambient temperature, such as 2°C or 3°C higher), so that the hot beverage is now a warm beverage. Once the desired temperature setpoint is reached in the reservoir 4, pump 6 is closed, valve 8 is closed, valve 10 is opened, and pump 6 is operated to allow warm beverage to flow from the reservoir 4 through valve 10 through pipe loop 11, where the warm beverage is cooled by PCM 28, as discussed above. Pump 6 operates to circulate the beverage between reservoir 4 and thermal conditioning unit 25 and through pipe loop 11 until temperature sensor S2 indicates that the beverage has been cooled to a desired temperature (e.g., below ambient temperature). Once the desired temperature is reached, the cooled or chilled beverage can be dispensed from reservoir 4 into drinking vessel containers (e.g., cups, mugs, glasses, etc.). System 100 can operate to deliver multiple portions of cooled or chilled beverages until PCM 28 needs to be recharged, at which point system 100 resumes the conditioning phase of operation discussed above.

[0048] In one implementation, system 100 can be integrated into beverage dispensing machine 200, as shown in Figures 3 through 6.The beverage dispensing machine 200 can prepare hot beverages (e.g., hot coffee, hot tea) and then pass the hot beverage through the system 100 such that the beverage dispensed from the dispensing nozzle 205 onto the drip tray or receiving portion 220 of the machine 200 is a cooled or chilled beverage. The beverage dispensing machine 200 may include a water reservoir 210 and a user interface 230, via which a user can select the beverage to be dispensed, such as a hot, chilled, or cooled beverage. Figure 6 illustrates an example arrangement of components within the beverage dispensing machine 200, which may include a hot beverage unit HB, a thermal conditioning unit 25, a heat exchanger 32, a heat engine 17, a fan 22, and a radiator 20.

[0049] In another implementation, the system 100 may be a standalone system that receives a higher temperature beverage in the reservoir 4 and dispenses a chilled or cooled beverage. The system 100 can be used to chill or cool various types of beverages (e.g., coffee, tea).

[0050] Figure 7 illustrates a chilled liquid dispensing system 300 (e.g., a chilled beverage dispensing system). System 300 includes a container 326. In one example, container 326 is insulated (e.g., vacuum insulated). Container 326 may be a double-walled container 326. In one example, container 326 is a double-walled vacuum insulated container 326 having a gap G defined between the two walls of container 326, gap G being under vacuum. Container 326 (e.g., the chamber of container 326) may be filled with a phase change material (PCM). PCM may be a liquid-solid phase PCM. PCM may have a transition temperature below the temperature of the chilled beverage to be dispensed. System 300 may optionally have a heat diffuser 325, which may be disposed in container 326 and immersed in PCM; heat diffuser 325 may facilitate heat transfer with PCM, as discussed further below. In one example, heat diffuser 325 is removed.

[0051] A conduit or tube 313 (e.g., a tube loop or a continuous tube helix having multiple spaced-apart tube loops) – through which the beverage circulates – is disposed in container 326 and immersed in PCM (e.g., such that PCM is in contact with tube 313). The beverage (as a warm liquid) may enter tube 313 via inlet 314 and exit tube 313 via outlet (not shown) (as a cooled or chilled beverage). Tube 313 may extend around a radiator 316 (e.g., a cold-side radiator) also immersed in PCM. Radiator 316 may optionally have one or more (e.g., multiple) fins to facilitate heat transfer with PCM. Alternatively, radiator 316 may have one or more heat pipes to increase the heat transfer rate (as discussed further below on pages 5 / 8 of specification 8 CN 120981420 A).Heat sink 316 may be in thermal communication (e.g., thermal contact, operational contact, direct contact) with one side of thermoelectric module 318 (e.g., thermoelectric cooler or TEC, one or more Peltier elements). Heat sink 316 may also be in thermal communication (e.g., thermal contact) with heat diffuser 325 (e.g., when heat diffuser 325 is included in chilled beverage dispensing system 300). Heat sink 320 (e.g., hot-side heat sink) may be in thermal communication (e.g., thermal contact, operational contact, direct contact) with the opposite side of thermoelectric module 318. Heat sink 320 may optionally have one or more (e.g., multiple) fins to facilitate heat transfer. System 300 may also have one or more (e.g., two) fans 322, which are operable to circulate air through heat sink 320 to remove heat from heat sink 320. Container 326 may be closed with cover C through which heat sink 320 extends. In some examples, the fan is removed and the radiator 320 is exposed to ambient air or an alternative source of moving air.

[0052] During operation, during the conditioning phase, the thermoelectric module 318 is operated such that the side of the thermoelectric module 318 adjacent to the radiator 316 is cold and the side of the thermoelectric module 318 adjacent to the radiator 320 is hot. This allows the thermoelectric module 318 to pump heat out of the PCM in the container 326 via the radiator 316 (and via an optional heat diffuser 325), thereby (e.g., for a period of time) energizing (e.g., solidifying, freezing) the PCM. The heat diffuser 325 can advantageously promote (e.g., help, enable) uniform freezing or energizing of the PCM. The heat diffuser 325 can extend circumferentially about the axis of the container 326 (e.g., it can be a continuous sheet of thermally conductive material, for example, forming spaced-apart channels or folded fin structures). Thermoelectric module 318 pumps heat from PCM to radiator 320, and fan 322 operates to remove heat from radiator 320 and transfer heat to the surrounding environment.

[0053] Once the PCM is energized, a beverage (e.g., a warm liquid) can be pumped by a pump (not shown) through pipe 313 immersed in the energized PCM. As the beverage flows through pipe 313, the energized (e.g., frozen) PCM absorbs heat from the beverage, thereby cooling or chilling the beverage. The heat absorbed by the energized (e.g., frozen) PCM causes the PCM to turn into a liquid (e.g., melt). After a certain volume of beverage has been chilled, the PCM has completely melted and lost its heat capacity to further chill the beverage. At this point, the conditioning phase of the PCM can be repeated to re-energize (e.g., freeze) the PCM.

[0054] In one implementation, system 300 may be incorporated into beverage dispensing machine 200, as shown in Figures 3 to 6 (e.g., beverage may enter tube 313 via inlet 314 after leaving the brewing unit of beverage dispensing machine and exit via outlet at the opposite end of tube 313).In another implementation, system 300 may be a separate unit (e.g., a countertop unit) for chilling beverages, separate from beverage brewing machines (e.g., coffee makers, tea makers, etc.).

[0055] Figures 8 to 15 illustrate the features of a chilled beverage dispensing system 300' (hereinafter referred to as "system 300'"). System 300' is similar to system 300 in Figure 7. Therefore, the reference numerals used to designate the various components of system 300' are the same as those used to identify the corresponding components of system 300 in Figure 7, except that an apostrophe is added to the end of the numerical identifier. Therefore, the structure and description of the various features and components of system 300 in Figure 7, and how they are operated and controlled, are understood to also apply to the corresponding features of system 300' in Figures 8 to 15, except as described below. Optionally, chilled beverage dispensing system 300' may be incorporated into a beverage dispensing machine (e.g., beverage dispensing machine 200). In one example, the chilled beverage dispensing system 300' may be removably disposed within the beverage dispensing machine (e.g., it may be removed from the beverage dispensing machine as a unit).

[0056] System 300' differs from system 300 in that container 326' is surrounded by an insulated container 327' (e.g., made of foam, expanded polystyrene, or other suitable insulation material). Similarly, cover C' is covered by an insulated cover CC' (e.g., made of foam, expanded polystyrene, or other suitable insulation material). In another implementation, one or both of container 326' and insulated container 327' may be replaced by a double-walled vacuum insulated container. As shown in FIG11, heat diffuser 325' may have a folded fin structure extending around tube 313' (e.g., a tube loop or a continuous tube helix with multiple spaced-apart tube loops). As shown in FIG13, radiator 316' may include fins F and one or more heat pipes HP to increase the rate of heat transfer with the PCM. In another implementation, radiator 316' may not include fins. In an example on page 6 / 8 of specification 9 CN 120981420 A, the heat pipe HP may be made of aluminum (e.g., aluminum acetone). However, the heat pipe HP may be made of other suitable thermally conductive materials. Beverages may enter pipe 313' via inlet 314' (e.g., as a warm liquid, such as after brewing) and exit pipe 313' via outlet 315' (e.g., as a chilled liquid, chilled beverage) (both extending through cover C'), as shown in Figure 15.

[0057] Figure 16 shows a variation of radiator 316' surrounded by pipe 313" (e.g., pipe loop or continuous pipe spiral with multiple spaced pipe loops).Radiator 316” may be an extrusion of heat pipe HP”, wherein fins F” extend (e.g., radially) from heat pipe HP (e.g., along the length of heat pipe HP”). Radiator 316” may have the same cross-sectional shape along its length.

[0058] Although certain embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. In fact, the novel methods and systems described herein may be implemented in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made to the systems and methods described herein without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. The appended claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications that fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined only by reference to the appended claims.

[0059] Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in connection with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example should be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment, or example described in this part or elsewhere in this specification, unless incompatible with any other aspect, embodiment, or example described in this part or elsewhere in this specification. All features disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims, abstract, and drawings) and / or all steps of any method or process so disclosed may be combined in any combination except for combinations of at least some of these features and / or steps that are mutually exclusive. Protection is not limited to the details of any of the foregoing embodiments. Protection extends to any novel feature or combination of any novel features disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims, abstract, and drawings), or to any novel step or combination of any novel steps in any method or process so disclosed.

[0060] Furthermore, certain features described in this disclosure in the context of individual implementations may also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single implementation may also be implemented individually or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple implementations. Furthermore, although features may be described above as functioning in certain combinations, in some cases, one or more features of a claimed combination may be removed from that combination, and the combination may be claimed as a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination.

[0061] Furthermore, although operations may be depicted in a specific order in the drawings or described in a specific order in the specification, such operations need not be performed in the specific or sequential order shown, or all operations need to be performed to obtain the desired result. Other operations not depicted or described may be combined in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations may be performed before, after, simultaneously with, or between any described operations.Furthermore, in other implementations, the operations can be rearranged or reordered. Those skilled in the art will understand that in some implementations, the actual steps taken in the illustrated and / or disclosed process may differ from those shown in the figures. Depending on the implementation, some of the above steps may be removed, or other steps may be added. Furthermore, the features and attributes of the specific implementations disclosed above can be combined in different ways to form additional implementations, all of which fall within the scope of this disclosure. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the above implementations should not be construed as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be combined together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.

[0062] For the purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. Not all such advantages may be implemented according to any particular implementation. Therefore, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that this disclosure may be practiced or performed in a manner that achieves one or a set of advantages as taught herein, without necessarily achieving other advantages as taught or suggested herein.

[0063] Unless otherwise specifically stated or otherwise understood in the context in which they are used, conditional language such as “may,” “can,” “may,” or “will” is generally intended to convey that certain implementations include certain features, elements, and / or steps, while other implementations do not include certain features, elements, and / or steps. Therefore, such conditional language is generally not intended to imply that one or more implementations require features, elements, and / or steps in any way, or that one or more implementations must include logic for determining whether such features, elements, and / or steps are included in or will be performed in any particular implementation, with or without user input or prompting.

[0064] Unless otherwise specifically stated, connective language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z” is otherwise understood in the context to express that items, terms, etc., may be X, Y, or Z. Therefore, such connective language is generally not intended to imply that some implementations require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

[0065] The degree language used herein, such as the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “roughly”, means that a value, quantity, or characteristic close to the stated value, quantity, or characteristic still performs the desired function or achieves the desired result. For example, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “roughly” may refer to a quantity less than 10% of the stated quantity, less than 5% of the stated quantity, less than 1% of the stated quantity, less than 0.1% of the stated quantity, and less than 0.01% of the stated quantity.As another example, in some embodiments, the terms "generally parallel" and "approximately parallel" refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that deviates from perfect parallelism by less than or equal to 15 degrees, 10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, 1 degree, or 0.1 degrees.

[0066] The scope of this disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosure of preferred embodiments in this part or elsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by the claims in this part or elsewhere in this specification or future claims. The language of the claims will be interpreted broadly based on the language used in the claims and is not limited to the examples described in this specification or during the filing of this application, which will be interpreted as non-exclusive.

[0067] Of course, the foregoing description is a description of certain features, aspects, and advantages of the invention, and various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the apparatus described herein does not need to have all the foregoing objects, advantages, features, and aspects. Therefore, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be practiced or performed in a manner that achieves or optimizes one or a set of advantages as taught herein, without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as taught or suggested herein. Furthermore, although many variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications and uses within the scope of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of specific and sub-aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be combined or substituted with each other to form different modes of this disclosure.Instruction manual page 8 / 8, page 11, CN 120981420 A, Figure 1; Instruction manual figure 1 / 13, page 12, CN 120981420 A, Figure 2; Instruction manual figure 2 / 13, page 13, CN 120981420 A, Figure 3; Instruction manual figure 3 / 13, page 14, CN 120981420 A, Figure 5; Instruction manual figure 4 / 13, page 15, CN 120981420 A, Figure 7; Instruction manual figure 5 / 13, page 16, CN 120981420 A, Figure 8; Instruction manual figure 6 / 13, page 17, CN 120981420 A, Figure 9; Instruction manual figure 7 / 13, page 18, CN 120981420 A, Figure 10; Instruction manual figure 8 / 13, page 19, CN 120981420 A, Figure 11; Instruction manual figure 9 / 13, page 20, CN 120981420 A, Figure 12. Figure 13, Figure 14, Figure 15, Figure 16, Figure 17, Figure 18, Figure 19, Figure 10 / 13, Page 21, CN 120981420 A; Figure 10 / 13, Page 22, CN 120981420 A; Figure 10 / 13, Page 23, CN 120981420 A; Figure 10 / 13, Page 24, CN 120981420 A.

Claims

1. A chilled liquid dispensing system, comprising: An insulated container having a chamber for containing a phase change material; A conduit disposed in the chamber of the insulated container and having a portion immersed in the phase change material, such that the phase change material is in thermal contact with the outer surface of the portion of the conduit, the conduit being configured to receive a liquid at a first temperature above ambient temperature passing through the conduit, the liquid being cooled as it flows through the conduit and heat being transferred to the phase change material to cool the liquid to a second temperature below the ambient temperature; A first radiator is disposed in the chamber of the heat-insulating container and immersed in the phase change material, such that the phase change material is in thermal contact with the outer surface of the first radiator. A thermoelectric module having one side that is thermally connected to the first heat sink; as well as A second radiator is disposed outside the chamber of the insulation container and is in thermal communication with the opposite side of the thermoelectric module. The thermoelectric module is operable to charge or freeze the phase change material by pumping heat from the phase change material through the first radiator and into the second radiator.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, Airflow passes through the second radiator to remove heat from it.

3. The system of claim 2 further includes one or more fans, the fans being operable to cause airflow through the second radiator to remove heat from the second radiator.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The conduit includes a continuous tubular helix having a plurality of spaced-apart tubular loops, the continuous tubular helix extending circumferentially around the first radiator in the interior.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The insulated container is a double-walled vacuum insulated container.

6. The system of claim 1 further includes a second heat-insulating container surrounding the heat-insulating container.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a cover configured to enclose the thermal insulation container, the second radiator extending through the cover.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein, The inlet and outlet of the conduit extend through the cover.

9. The system of claim 8 further includes a thermal insulation cover configured to cover the cover.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The first heat sink includes one or more heat pipes immersed in the phase change material.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein, The one or more heat pipes are two spaced-apart heat pipes.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein, The first heat sink includes one or more fins extending from the one or more heat pipes, the one or more fins being immersed in the phase change material.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein, The one or more fins are multiple fins extending perpendicular to the one or more heat pipes.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein, The one or more fins extend radially from the one or more heat pipes and along the length of the one or more heat pipes.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a heat diffuser attached to the first radiator, disposed in the chamber, and extending circumferentially about the axis of the insulation container.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein, The heat diffuser extends circumferentially around the conduit, which includes a continuous tubular helix having a plurality of spaced-apart tubular loops.

17. The system according to claim 15, wherein, The heat diffuser includes multiple folded fins.

18. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: A reservoir configured to receive a liquid at a first temperature above ambient temperature; as well as A heat exchanger operable to receive liquid from the reservoir and cool the liquid to a second temperature below the first temperature and above the ambient temperature by allowing air to flow through a second conduit configured to flow through the liquid, the second conduit being located upstream of the inlet of the conduit.

19. A beverage dispensing machine comprising the chilled liquid dispensing system according to claim 1.

20. The beverage dispensing machine according to claim 19, further comprising: case; And a hot beverage brewing unit, which is disposed in the housing, and an iced beverage dispensing system, which is disposed in the housing and is in fluid communication with the hot beverage brewing unit.

21. The beverage dispensing machine according to claim 19, wherein, The chilled liquid distribution system can be removed as a unit.

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