Rapid water cooling system and water dispenser

Abstract

The utility model provides a rapid water cooling system and a water distributor, and relates to the field of rapid water cooling systems for water distributors. The rapid water cooling system comprises a rapid cooling refrigerant pump; a refrigerant cooling system including a refrigerant; and the rapid cooling refrigerant circulating box internally comprises a cold water storage box, a rapid cooling refrigerant, a plurality of refrigerant coil pipes and a plurality of water inlet coil pipes. The plurality of refrigerant coils are separated from the cold water storage tank. The quick-cooling refrigerant pump is in fluid communication with the quick-cooling refrigerant, the exterior of the cold water storage tank and the exteriors of the multiple water inlet coils. A refrigerant is in fluid communication with the refrigerant coil. The rapid water cooling system for the water distributor can rapidly supplement cold water in the water distributor, so that when a user needs the cold water, the user does not obtain distributed normal-temperature water or warm water replacing the needed cold water, and does not need to wait for the water to be cooled back to the needed temperature.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a rapid water cooling system for a water distributor. Background Technology

[0002] When multiple users are distributing cold water within a short period, current methods for cooling the water dispensed from water distributors are insufficient to maintain a fairly consistent cold temperature for consumer use. Most current water distributors rely on traditional cold box technology and ice bath methods to keep the water cool. Both methods have significant limitations in maintaining the water in the distributor at the consumer's desired temperature when cold water is rapidly and continuously distributed. Specifically, neither method can recover quickly enough to keep the distributable water at the desired temperature.

[0003] The long-used cold tank method for cooling water is a direct method of cooling water. Using this method, the water distributor has a large metal holding tank that holds room-temperature water. The holding tank is encased in copper tubing coils, which are sequentially filled with refrigerant. The refrigerant cools the holding tank, thus cooling the water for distribution. When the water in the tank is depleted, the circulation restarts, and if large quantities of water are used, the user must wait for the water to cool down again. Another method attempting to combat the "waiting to cool down" problem is to use an "ice bath." Using the "ice bath" method, the water to be cooled and distributed travels through a coil containing very cold water located within the tank (i.e., the "ice bath"). The ice bath temperature is maintained by refrigerant coils outside the ice bath tank. The problem with the "ice bath" method is that the ice bath water medium in the tank takes a long time to cool down, and this method also requires the distributed water to flow at an acceptablely slow rate to allow the distributed water to cool. Therefore, in cases of high demand, consumers drawing water from an "ice bath" distributor still have to wait a considerable amount of time to obtain water at their desired temperature.

[0004] Therefore, a fast-cooling water dispenser is needed that keeps the cold water in the dispenser at a temperature below a preset limit, which is the temperature required by the consumer, and that can quickly cool the water in the dispenser to keep its temperature below the preset limit if the water temperature rises above the preset required temperature. Utility Model Content

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a rapid water cooling system for a water distributor may include: a rapid cooling refrigerant pump; a refrigerant cooling system including refrigerant; and a rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank, wherein the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank is provided with: a cold water storage tank; a rapid cooling refrigerant; multiple refrigerant coils; and multiple water inlet coils; wherein the multiple refrigerant coils are separated from the cold water storage tank within the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank; wherein the rapid cooling refrigerant pump is in fluid communication with the outside of the rapid cooling refrigerant and the cold water storage tank, as well as the outside of the multiple water inlet coils; and wherein the refrigerant in the refrigerant cooling system is in fluid communication with the refrigerant coils disposed within the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, a water distributor in fluid communication with a water source may include: a water distribution nozzle; and a rapid water cooling system, including: a rapid cooling refrigerant pump; a refrigerant cooling system including refrigerant; a rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank, wherein the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank includes: a cold water storage tank, the cold water storage tank being disposed on top of the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank and in fluid communication with the water distribution nozzle; and a plurality of water inlet coils, the plurality of water inlet coils being in fluid communication with the water source and the cold water storage tank, wherein a portion of the plurality of water inlet coils surrounds the exterior of the cold water storage tank. The system includes: multiple refrigerant coils arranged around the bottom of the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank, wherein the multiple refrigerant coils are separated from the cold water storage tank within the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank; a rapid cooling refrigerant arranged around the multiple refrigerant coils at the bottom of the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank; wherein the rapid cooling refrigerant pump is in fluid communication with the outside of the rapid cooling refrigerant, the cold water storage tank, and the multiple inlet coils; wherein the refrigerant in the refrigerant cooling system is in fluid communication with the refrigerant coils arranged within the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank.

[0007] According to another aspect of this utility model, a method for continuously supplying cold water from a water distributor may include: providing a water pump in fluid communication with a water source; providing a water distribution nozzle; and providing a rapid water cooling system, the rapid water cooling system including a rapid cooling refrigerant pump, a refrigerant cooling system including refrigerant, and a rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank; wherein the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank includes: a cold water storage tank disposed on top of the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank and in fluid communication with the water distribution nozzle; and multiple water inlet coils, the multiple water inlet coils being... The coils are in fluid communication with the water pump and the cold water storage tank, wherein a portion of the plurality of inlet coils is arranged around the exterior of the cold water storage tank; a plurality of refrigerant coils are arranged at the bottom of the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank, and are separated from the cold water storage tank within the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank; a rapid cooling refrigerant is arranged around the plurality of refrigerant coils at the bottom of the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank; wherein the rapid cooling refrigerant pump is connected to the rapid cooling refrigerant and the cold water The storage tank is in fluid communication with the outside of the multiple inlet coils; the refrigerant in the refrigerant cooling system is in fluid communication with the refrigerant coils located in the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank; the temperature of the water in the cold water storage tank is monitored; if the temperature of the water in the cold water storage tank rises above the lower limit of the temperature, the refrigerant cooling system is activated to cool the refrigerant; the cooled refrigerant is circulated through the multiple refrigerant coils at the bottom of the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank, wherein the multiple refrigerant coils cool the rapid cooling refrigerant located at the bottom of the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank; the rapid cooling refrigerant pump is activated to pump the cooled rapid cooling refrigerant located at the bottom of the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank to the top of the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank, wherein the rapid cooling refrigerant flows inside the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank, flows downward to and contacts the outside of the multiple inlet coils, and flows downward to and contacts the outside of the cold water storage tank, wherein the cooled rapid cooling refrigerant cools any water inside the multiple inlet coils and the water in the cold water storage tank. Attached Figure Description

[0008] The object, features, and advantages of this utility model will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of the water distributor in an embodiment of the rapid water cooling system of this utility model;

[0010] Figure 2 A functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the rapid water cooling system of this invention disposed in a water distributor;

[0011] Figure 3 This is a partial front view of a water distributor according to an embodiment of the rapid water cooling system of this utility model, showing some of the internal components of the water distributor;

[0012] Figure 4 This is a partial right-side perspective view of a water distributor according to an embodiment of the rapid water cooling system of this utility model, showing some of the internal components of the water distributor;

[0013] Figure 5 This is a left-side view of a water distributor according to an embodiment of the rapid water cooling system of this utility model, showing the internal components of the water distributor;

[0014] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank;

[0015] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the process of maintaining water in a rapidly cooling refrigerant circulation tank at a predetermined temperature according to the present invention;

[0016] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank, showing water flowing into the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank through the inlet coil;

[0017] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank, showing the rapid cooling refrigerant flowing through the inlet coil and around the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank of this invention; and

[0018] Figure 10 This is a graph showing the water cooling performance of a water distributor using an exemplary embodiment of the rapid water cooling system of this invention, compared to four cooling water systems on the market. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Reference Figures 1 to 2 An exemplary water distributor 20 is described, representing an embodiment of the rapid water cooling system 30 utilizing the present invention. In this exemplary water distributor 20, the water distributor 20 particularly has a user interface 22 and water dispensing nozzles 24, the user interface 22 being used by the user to select the desired temperature and dispense water. Referring now... Figure 2This describes a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the rapid water cooling system 30 of the present invention housed in a water distributor 20. This exemplary description discusses the use of a rapid water cooling system 30 with water in a water distributor; however, it should be understood that the rapid water cooling system 30 of the present invention can be used with any suitable fluid whenever needed. It is not limited to use with water only in a water distributor. The rapid water cooling system 30 in this embodiment includes a rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank 32 having a refrigerant coil 34 (shown in cross-section) disposed at the bottom of the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank 32. The refrigerant coil 34 carries refrigerant 36, which circulates through the refrigerant coil 34 as described below when the rapid water cooling system 30 is in use. Figure 2 The fluid direction arrows are included to indicate the direction of fluid flow in those pipes, coils, or tubes as the fluid flows through them. (As described in detail below, fluid does not always flow through the pipes, coils, or tubes shown). In this embodiment, the refrigerant 36 is R290 due to the cooling capacity required for a small footprint, but other refrigerants are conceivable. The refrigerant coil 34 in this embodiment is made of copper due to its efficient heat transfer properties; however, as those skilled in the art will understand, any suitable tubing can be used for the refrigerant coil 34. At the bottom of the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation chamber 32, in addition to the refrigerant coil 34, the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation chamber 32 contains a rapid cooling refrigerant 38. The rapid cooling refrigerant 38 is disposed outside the refrigerant coil 34 and flows freely around it. In this embodiment, the rapid cooling refrigerant 38 is propylene glycol because propylene glycol is food-grade safe and remains fluid at temperatures below -50 degrees Celsius. It is foreseeable that other refrigerants with low freezing point, high latent heat of vaporization, good thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity, and stable chemical properties can also be used as rapid cooling refrigerant 38.

[0020] A chilled water storage tank 40 is also provided inside the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank 32, which holds water 56 during use. In this embodiment, the chilled water storage tank 40 is positioned above the refrigerant coil 34, and a permeable plate 42 separates the chilled water storage tank 40 from the refrigerant coil 34 and provides support for the chilled water storage tank 40. Although the plate 42 is used in this embodiment, its use is not necessary. An inlet coil 44 (shown in cross-section) is provided around the entire exterior of the chilled water storage tank 40. The inlet coil 44 is connected to a water source 54, such as a tap water source, in the water distributor 20 on the inlet side, and distributes water to the top of the chilled water storage tank 40 on the outlet side. Figure 8Due to the sterile properties of stainless steel, the inlet coil 44 in this embodiment is made of stainless steel, as it carries water intended for human consumption. However, those skilled in the art will understand that any suitable pipe material can be used for the inlet coil 44. Furthermore, in this embodiment, water from the water source 54 passes through the filtration system 52 before the water pump 50 pumps water through the inlet coil 44.

[0021] Furthermore, in this embodiment, to cool the refrigerant 36, the rapid water cooling system 30 includes refrigerant cooling system components necessary to complete the refrigeration cycle, namely, a condenser 60, a compressor 62, and a refrigerant circulation pipe 64. The refrigerant circulation pipe 64 carries the refrigerant 36 and is connected to a refrigerant coil 34. The refrigerant circulation pipe 64 is a pipe section disposed outside the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank 32 connecting the refrigeration cycle components (i.e., the condenser 60 and the compressor 62). To circulate the rapidly cooling refrigerant 38, the rapid water cooling system 30 also has a pipe 72 extending from the bottom to the top of the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank 32, which discharges the rapidly cooling refrigerant 38. The rapidly cooling refrigerant 38 is pumped through the pipe 72 by a rapid cooling refrigerant pump 70.

[0022] In this embodiment, a water temperature sensor 80, a high water level sensor 82, and a low water level sensor 84 are installed inside the cold water storage tank 40. At the bottom of the cold water storage tank 40 is a drain pipe 88, which flows into a cold water compressor pump 90. The cold water compressor pump 90 pumps cold water 56 to a cold water solenoid 92, which controls the distribution rate of the cold water 56 into the mixing chamber 94. The cold water 56 is finally distributed from the mixing chamber 94 through the water distribution nozzle 24. In addition to the components of the rapid water cooling system 30, the water distributor 20 in this embodiment also includes a hot water solenoid 98 connected to a hot water tank (not shown) and a room temperature water solenoid 96 connected to a room temperature water tank (not shown). The hot water solenoid 98 and the room temperature water solenoid 96 control the flow rates of the hot water and room temperature water, respectively.

[0023] The rapid cooling water system 30 of this embodiment of the present invention also includes a processor 100, which receives input signals from components of the water distributor 20 (e.g., user interface 22, rapid cooling refrigerant pump 70, cold water solenoid 92, hot water solenoid 98, ambient temperature water solenoid 96, cold water compressor pump 90, compressor 62, water pump 50, filtration system 52, water temperature sensor 80, high water level sensor 82, and low water level sensor 84) and sends output signals to the aforementioned components of the water distributor 20. The processor 100 also has other functions, including storing data, performing calculations, and issuing component commands to control and maintain the operation of the rapid water cooling system 30 and the conventional water distributor 20.

[0024] Figures 3 to 5An embodiment of the water distributor 20 utilizing the rapid water cooling system 30 of this invention is shown. Referring now... Figures 6 to 9 This illustrates and describes the process by which the rapid water cooling system 30 of this invention functions. Figure 7 In step 200, the processor 100 of the water distributor 20 continuously monitors the water level and temperature of the water 56 in the cold water storage tank 40 in steps 202 and 210. In step 210, and referring to... Figure 8 The processor 100 uses water level sensors 82 and 84 to continuously check whether the water level 56 in the cold water storage tank 40 is within a preset upper and lower limit. If the water level 56 is outside the preset limits, in step 212, the processor 212 adjusts the water level in the cold water storage tank 40 to bring it within the preset upper and lower limits. Figure 8 As shown, if the water level is too low, the processor 100 pumps water into the top of the cold water storage tank 40 through the inlet coil 44.

[0025] In step 202, the processor 100 uses the water temperature sensor 80 to continuously check whether the temperature of the water 56 in the cold water storage tank 40 is below a preset lower limit. If it is above the preset lower limit, it means that the water 56 is too warm and needs to be cooled. The water 56 may become warm for various reasons, including that the water 56 has been stagnant for a period of time, or that multiple users of the water dispenser 20 have exhausted the water in the tank and it has been refilled with room temperature water 56. Furthermore, in another embodiment, Figure 7 The process may also include a step to check whether the water 56 in the cold water storage tank 40 is too cold to ensure that the water 56 in the tank does not freeze.

[0026] In step 202, if it is determined that the water 56 in the cold water storage tank 40 is above a preset lower limit (i.e., too hot), then in step 206, and referring to... Figure 2 , Figure 6 and Figure 9The condenser 60, compressor 62, and rapid-cooling refrigerant pump 70 are started. The started condenser 60 and compressor 62 cool the refrigerant 36 in the refrigerant circulation pipe 64. The cooled refrigerant 36 flows through the refrigerant circulation pipe 64 into the refrigerant coil 34. The refrigerant 36 flowing through the refrigerant coil 34 cools the rapid-cooling refrigerant 38 (i.e., ethylene glycol in this embodiment) flowing freely around the refrigerant coil 34. Simultaneously, the rapid-cooling refrigerant pump 70 pumps the rapid-cooling refrigerant 38 to the top of the rapid-cooling refrigerant circulation tank 32, where it flows downwards to the outside of the chilled water storage tank 40 and flows back to the bottom of the rapid-cooling refrigerant circulation tank 32 around the inlet coil 44. The supercooled temperature of the rapid-cooling refrigerant 38 supercools the water 56 in the inlet coil 44 and the chilled water storage tank 40 because the rapid-cooling refrigerant 38 surrounds the inlet coil 44 and the chilled water storage tank 40. The rapid-cooling refrigerant 38 never comes into contact with the water 56. Furthermore, by exposing the water 56 to the rapid-cooling refrigerant 38 only temporarily, it prevents the water 56 from freezing, which would occur if the water 56 were exposed to the rapid-cooling refrigerant 38 for an extended period. The process of this invention balances the rapid cooling of the water 56 by exposing it to the rapid-cooling refrigerant 38 for a short time with the potential freezing of the water 56 by exposing it for too long. In embodiments of the rapid water cooling system 30 of this invention, during use, the refrigerant 36 is approximately -21 degrees Celsius; the rapid-cooling refrigerant is between -20 degrees Celsius and -5 degrees Celsius; the water 56 in the inlet coil 44 and the cold water storage tank 40 is between -5 degrees Celsius and 0 degrees Celsius; and the final drinking water dispensed is between 2 degrees Celsius and 10 degrees Celsius.

[0027] The cycle continues until step 202, when processor 100 determines that the temperature of the water 56 in the cold water storage tank is below a lower limit (i.e., it is cold enough). Then, in step 204, processor 100 disconnects the condenser 60, compressor 62, and rapid-cooling refrigerant pump 70. In step 214, processor 100 determines that the water 56 in the cold water storage tank 40 is at an appropriate level and below a predetermined water temperature. Figure 6 As shown, the rapid water cooling system 30 returns to a steady state until the water cooling cycle restarts.

[0028] Now for reference Figure 10 A performance comparison chart is shown. For this chart, an exemplary embodiment of the rapid water cooling system 30 of this invention is used ( Figure 5 and Figure 6The water cooling performance of the water distributor 20 was compared with four cooling water systems on the market. The test conducted on the five water distribution systems was a 24-ounce supply size stress test. For this test, 24 ounces of water were dispensed sequentially, with a 1-minute recovery time between each 24-ounce dispensing. For each 24-ounce dispensing, the temperature in the water container of that 24-ounce dispensing was measured. This test was designed to see how well the cold water storage tank could maintain the water at a cold temperature under repeated, sequential use of the water distributor, addressing the problem of later users not receiving cold or sufficiently cold water from the water distributor during repeated use cycles. Figure 10 As shown in the chart, the exemplary embodiment of the rapid water cooling system 30 of this invention exhibits excellent performance. The exemplary embodiment of the rapid water cooling system 30 of this invention still dispenses water at a temperature below 8°C after ten 24-ounce servings. On the other hand, after supplying eight or fewer 24-ounce servings, the outlet water temperature of the three comparative systems was above 15°C, essentially the temperature of cold tap water, which is not particularly ideal.

[0029] Although certain embodiments and features of rapid water cooling systems have been described herein, the scope of this patent is not limited thereto. Rather, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of this disclosure that fall fully within the scope of permissible equivalents.

Claims

1. A rapid water cooling system for a water distributor, comprising: Rapid cooling refrigerant pump; Refrigerant cooling system including refrigerant; A rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank, wherein the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank is equipped with: Cold water storage tank; Rapid cooling refrigerant; Multiple refrigerant coils; Multiple inlet coils; The plurality of refrigerant coils are separated from the cold water storage tank in the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank; The rapid cooling refrigerant pump is in fluid communication with the rapid cooling refrigerant, the outside of the cold water storage tank, and the outside of the plurality of water inlet coils; The refrigerant in the refrigerant cooling system is in fluid communication with the refrigerant coil disposed in the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank.

2. The rapid water cooling system for a water distributor as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rapid-cooling refrigerant has a low freezing point.

3. The rapid water cooling system for a water distributor as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rapid cooling refrigerant is propylene glycol.

4. The rapid water cooling system for a water distributor as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigerant in the refrigerant cooling system is R290.

5. The rapid water cooling system for a water distributor as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A portion of the plurality of inlet coils is arranged around the exterior of the cold water storage tank.

6. The rapid water cooling system for a water distributor as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of refrigerant coils are located at the bottom of the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank, and the cold water storage tank is located at the top of the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank.

7. The rapid water cooling system for a water distributor as described in claim 6 further includes a permeable plate disposed between the cold water storage tank and the plurality of refrigerant coils.

8. The rapid water cooling system for a water distributor as described in claim 1 further includes a temperature sensor disposed within the cold water storage tank.

9. The rapid water cooling system for a water distributor as described in claim 1 further includes a water level sensor disposed within the cold water storage tank.

10. A water distributor in fluid communication with a water source, comprising: Water distribution nozzle; and Rapid water cooling system, including: Rapid cooling refrigerant pump; Refrigerant cooling system including refrigerant; A rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank, wherein the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank is equipped with: A cold water storage tank is located on top of the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank and is in fluid communication with the water distribution nozzle; Multiple inlet coils are provided, which are in fluid communication with the water source and the cold water storage tank, wherein a portion of the multiple inlet coils are arranged around the outside of the cold water storage tank. Multiple refrigerant coils are disposed at the bottom of the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank, wherein the multiple refrigerant coils are separated from the cold water storage tank within the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank; A rapid-cooling refrigerant is disposed at the bottom of the rapid-cooling refrigerant circulation tank and surrounds the plurality of refrigerant coils; The rapid cooling refrigerant pump is in fluid communication with the rapid cooling refrigerant, the outside of the cold water storage tank, and the outside of the plurality of water inlet coils; The refrigerant in the refrigerant cooling system is in fluid communication with the refrigerant coil disposed in the rapid cooling refrigerant circulation tank.

11. The water distributor in fluid communication with a water source as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The rapid-cooling refrigerant has a low freezing point.

12. The water distributor in fluid communication with a water source as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The rapid cooling refrigerant is propylene glycol.

13. The water distributor in fluid communication with a water source as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The refrigerant in the refrigerant cooling system is R290.

14. The water distributor in fluid communication with a water source as described in claim 10, further comprising a permeable plate disposed between the cold water storage tank and the plurality of refrigerant coils.

15. The water distributor in fluid communication with a water source as described in claim 10 further includes a temperature sensor disposed within the cold water storage tank.

16. The water distributor in fluid communication with a water source as described in claim 10 further includes a water level sensor disposed within the cold water storage tank.

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