Beverage Dispense Line Cooling and Bubble Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispense systems face challenges with microorganism growth and beverage wastage due to temperature fluctuations and inefficient keg changeover processes.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates an insulated carrier with a cooling line to cool the beverage line from the storage keg to the cooler, reducing microorganism growth and eliminating the need for a chilled cellar. Additionally, a bubble detection system with a sensor and solenoid valve allows for precise keg changeovers with minimal beverage loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the beverage line is cooled from the storage keg to the cooler using an insulated carrier with cooling line, then microorganism growth is reduced and beverage quality is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage line is nested within the insulated carrier, which contains the cooling line. This nested configuration allows the cooling system to be integrated along the entire beverage line from storage keg to cooler, maintaining low temperature and preventing microorganism growth without requiring separate external cooling equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage line is pre-cooled from the storage keg to the cooler before the beverage is dispensed. This preliminary cooling action ensures that the beverage remains at low temperature throughout the entire line, preventing microorganism proliferation before it can occur.
2Temperature
If a chilled cellar is used to store storage kegs, then beverage temperature is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of cooling the entire cellar environment, the cooling is applied locally only to the beverage line through the insulated carrier with cooling line. This localized cooling approach maintains beverage temperature while avoiding the high energy consumption of cooling the entire storage space.
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage line is extracted from the thermal environment of the cellar and placed within the insulated carrier with its own cooling line. This separates the beverage cooling function from the cellar environment, allowing temperature maintenance without requiring a chilled cellar.
3Measurement precision
If keg changeover is performed using traditional fob detector with float mechanism, then empty keg detection is achieved, but beverage wastage occurs during the changeover process
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical float mechanism is replaced with an optical sensor that detects keg level non-contactually. This substitution eliminates the need to open the beverage line or bleed beverage to detect keg levels, preventing beverage wastage during monitoring while maintaining precise detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
An optical sensor is introduced as an intermediary between the user and the beverage line for detecting keg levels. This intermediary allows detection without direct contact with the beverage, eliminating the need to open the line or waste beverage during the detection process.
4Reliability
If weekly line cleaning is performed to remove microorganisms, then beverage quality is maintained, but time consumption and beverage wastage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage line is continuously pre-cooled from storage keg to cooler, maintaining low temperature that prevents microorganism growth in the first place. This preliminary preventive action eliminates the need for frequent cleaning operations, saving time and preventing beverage wastage associated with cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The low temperature cooling system, originally intended only for beverage temperature maintenance, also serves as a preventive measure against microorganism growth. This converts the cooling function into a dual-purpose system that both cools the beverage and prevents contamination, reducing cleaning frequency.
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
This solution significantly reduces microorganism growth and beverage wastage by maintaining a consistent low temperature throughout the beverage line and optimizing keg changeovers, resulting in less frequent line cleaning and reduced energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an insulated carrier containing a cooling line for transporting cooling medium so as to allow heat exchange between the cooling medium in the cooling line and the beverage in the beverage line
Implementation Method 2
Each connector includes a sensor for detecting bubbles in the beverage line and for generating a signal for closing the beverage line when a predetermined level of bubbles is detected
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to beverage dispense systems and methods for dispensing beverages such as lager or cider at a low temperature. The present invention provides a beverage dispense system comprising a beverage line having a distal end connectable to a beverage supply for transporting beverage from the beverage supply to a dispense font and a cooler for cooling beverage. The beverage line comprises a first beverage line portion extending from the distal end to the cooler within a first insulated carrier. The first insulated carrier comprises a first cooling line for transporting cooling medium through the first insulated carrier so as to allow heat exchange between the cooling medium in the first cooling line and the beverage in the first beverage line portion. The present invention also provides a connector for use in a beverage dispense system for connecting a beverage line to a beverage supply. The connector comprises a sensor for sensing bubbles within the beverage line and for generating a signal for closing the beverage line when a predetermined level of bubbles is detected.