Tube-in-Tube Beverage Connector Cooling for Microbe Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage dispensing systems face issues with microorganism growth, particularly in beverage lines and foam detectors, which are not adequately addressed by existing cooling methods that require significant energy and may not prevent growth entirely.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispense system with a tube-in-tube conduit and coolant passage maintains beverage temperature below growth levels, using a sensor with probes to prevent microorganism growth and ensure accurate measurements, and includes a valve to obstruct beverage flow when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cooler is used to cool the beverage line, then microorganism growth is reduced, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a tube-in-tube conduit where the beverage tube is nested within the coolant tube. This nested structure allows coolant to flow through the annular space between the two tubes, providing cooling to the beverage without requiring a separate external cooler system, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed with an integrated coolant passage that allows coolant to flow directly through the connector housing. This self-service cooling mechanism cools the beverage at the point of connection without requiring external cooling equipment, reducing overall system energy requirements while preventing microorganism growth.
2Temperature
If traditional cooling methods are used, then beverage temperature is reduced, but microorganism growth is not completely prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies cooling locally at critical points in the beverage system - specifically at the connector where beverage enters the flow path and at the sensor location. By concentrating cooling at these vulnerable points rather than cooling the entire line, the system effectively prevents microorganism growth where it is most likely to occur while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector cools the beverage immediately upon entry into the flow path, before the beverage can be susceptible to microorganism contamination. This preliminary cooling action establishes a protective temperature barrier early in the beverage journey, preventing growth before it can initiate.
3Measurement precision
If sensor probes are placed in the beverage flow path, then beverage level detection is enabled, but microorganism growth can foul the probes
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor probes are positioned within the cooled zone of the connector, where the temperature is maintained below microorganism growth thresholds. This localized placement ensures that the probes remain in a protected environment that prevents fouling while still enabling accurate beverage level detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector acts as an intermediary cooling chamber that protects the sensor probes from microorganism contamination. By placing the probes within the connector's cooled environment rather than directly in the warmer beverage line, the connector serves as a protective mediator that maintains probe cleanliness while enabling measurement function.
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
The system effectively prevents microorganism growth and ensures accurate detection of beverage levels, reducing energy consumption and maintaining beverage quality by keeping the entire flow path at a desirable temperature.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant passage along which a portion of the coolant flow path extends... the beverage passage can be cooled by the coolant
Implementation Method 2
a sensor comprising two spaced probes arranged so as to be in contact with beverage flowing through the beverage passage in use to measure a parameter of the beverage
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a beverage dispense system comprising a beverage flow path along which beverage flows in use from a beverage supply to a dispense site and a coolant flow path along which coolant flows from a cooler. The system further comprises a connector at an upstream end of the beverage flow path configured for releasable connection to the beverage supply. The connector comprises a beverage passage along which a portion of the beverage flow path extends and a coolant passage along which a portion of the coolant flow path extends. The system further comprises a sensor comprising two spaced probes arranged so as to be in contact with beverage flowing through the beverage passage in use to measure a parameter of the beverage, and a flexible tube-in-tube conduit extending from the connector. The conduit comprises an inner beverage tube extending within an outer coolant tube. The beverage tube is connected to the beverage passage so as to define a portion of the beverage flow path and the coolant tube is connected to the coolant passage so as to define a portion of the coolant flow path.