Beer Dispensing Temperature Control With Shared Heat Exchangers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beer dispensing systems are inflexible and unreliable in accommodating different dispensing temperatures, leading to inefficient and costly solutions for brewers and consumers.
Innovation Solution
A beer system that incorporates temperature-sensing technology and automatic coolant flow control, utilizing heat exchangers and multiple coolant lines to maintain beer at specific temperature ranges, allowing for versatile and customizable temperature settings for each tap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single beer dispensing system is used for multiple temperature ranges, then system complexity and installation costs are reduced, but the ability to accommodate different beer dispensing temperatures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal beer dispensing system where a single system can dispense beer at multiple temperature ranges (e.g., cold beer at 4°C and warm beer at 60°C) through shared infrastructure. The chiller unit serves multiple beer lines simultaneously, and the control system manages different temperature zones within one integrated framework, eliminating the need for separate dispensing systems for each temperature range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the beer dispensing function into segmented temperature zones using individual control valves and temperature sensors for each beer line. Each beer line can be independently controlled to achieve different temperature ranges while sharing the common chiller infrastructure. This segmentation allows precise temperature control for different beer types without requiring completely separate systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate beer dispensing systems are used for different temperature ranges, then temperature control precision is improved, but installation costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple beer lines into a single chiller unit with shared coolant circulation. The chiller produces one cooled coolant stream that is distributed to multiple beer lines through a manifold system. Each beer line maintains precise temperature control through individual control valves and sensors, while the overall system structure is simplified by combining what would traditionally be separate cooling systems into one integrated unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary coolant circulation system that acts as a mediator between the chiller and multiple beer lines. The coolant serves as an intermediary heat transfer medium, carrying cooling capacity from the single chiller unit to multiple beer lines. This intermediary approach allows precise temperature control for each beer line while avoiding the complexity of multiple independent chillers.
3Reliability
If multiple chillers are used for different beer lines, then temperature control reliability is improved, but system cost and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The chiller unit is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple beer lines simultaneously with different temperature requirements. The system incorporates a manifold distribution system and individual control valves for each beer line, allowing one chiller to reliably control temperatures for multiple beers. This universal approach reduces the total number of chillers needed while maintaining reliable temperature control through active management of each line.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control for each beer line using temperature sensors that continuously monitor beer temperature and adjust control valves accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable temperature control for each beer line even though they share a common chiller. The feedback loops compensate for variations in flow rates and heat transfer conditions, maintaining temperature reliability without requiring separate chillers for each line.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and reliable dispensing of beer at multiple temperatures through precise temperature control, reducing complexity and installation costs while improving system reliability and user flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
A heat exchanger is coupled between at least one of the beer sources and at least one of the beer taps, and coupled to the coolant, and is operable to chill the beer from the coupled beer source before it reaches the beer tap
Implementation Method 2
a coolant chiller for chilling coolant
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple-temperature beer dispensing system (10) (and related methods) is provided in which a plurality of beer sources (12) are coupled to a plurality of taps (16). Heat exchangers (18) may be disposed between one or more of the beer sources (12) and one or more of the taps (16). Beer temperatures may be controlled with a controller (30), sensors (32) and valves (34). Also provided is system (50) that allows a single tap (16n) to dispense beer at more than one temperature. Also provided is a controlled temperature storage chamber (100) and a tube bundle (70).