Adjustable Bypass Manifold for Chilled Beverage Tube Bundles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensing systems face challenges in maintaining chilled beverage temperatures downstream of the dispensing valve and manifold assembly, particularly due to the complexity and expense of refrigerated recirculation systems, and the inefficiency of cold plate systems in preventing temperature increase in beverage fluids during transfer.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable bypass manifold is introduced to control the flow characteristics of a recirculation loop, allowing for selective adjustment of cooling fluid flow rates to maintain suitable chilled temperatures while preventing excessive cooling and condensation, compatible with both 'Vane' and 'Mag' systems, and incorporating a dynamic flow regulator to maintain a consistent flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If refrigerated recirculation systems are used to maintain chilled beverage temperatures, then beverage temperature control is improved, but system complexity and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cooling function from a complex refrigerated recirculation system and implements it locally at the dispensing point using a simple Peltier device. This removes the need for complex recirculation pumps, insulated tubing, and centralized refrigeration while maintaining effective temperature control at the beverage dispensing location.
Solution Approach 2:
The Peltier device acts as an intermediary cooling element placed directly in the beverage path at the dispensing point. It provides localized cooling without requiring connection to a complex centralized refrigeration system, effectively mediating between the beverage and the cooling function.
2Temperature
If recirculation loops are used to cool beverage fluid in tubing, then beverage temperature is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous recirculation through a powered system, the invention uses periodic cooling activation at the dispensing point. The Peltier device is activated only when beverage dispensing occurs or when temperature maintenance is needed, eliminating the continuous energy consumption of recirculation pumps while maintaining effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The Peltier device provides self-contained cooling at the dispensing point without requiring external recirculation systems. The cooling function serves itself locally by directly cooling the beverage as it passes through the dispensing mechanism, eliminating the need for energy-consuming recirculation infrastructure.
3Temperature
If cooling fluid flow rate is increased to maintain chilled temperatures, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but condensation formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling is applied locally only where needed - at the beverage dispensing point and in the immediate beverage path. This localized cooling approach maintains effective temperature control without excessively cooling surrounding components, thereby preventing condensation formation on external surfaces while still achieving the desired cooling effectiveness for the beverage.
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 solution provides a more cost-effective and efficient method to maintain chilled beverage temperatures downstream of the dispensing valve and manifold assembly, reducing energy consumption and preventing condensation, while being adaptable to various recirculation systems.
Implementation Method 1
the recirculation loop is configured to absorb heat so as to cool the beverage fluid in the beverage fluid supply line
Implementation Method 2
a flow restriction in fluid communication with the recirculation loop and configured to restrict a flow rate of the cooling fluid through the recirculation loop
Data Source
AI summary
Beverage dispensing apparatus, systems, and related methods are provided that have a recirculation loop to cool fluids in a dispensing tube bundle that delivers beverage fluids to a beverage dispensing assembly. A beverage dispensing apparatus includes an adjustable bypass manifold having an adjustable flow restriction that is configurable to enable the use of the beverage dispensing apparatus with different chilled soda recirculation systems. The adjustable bypass manifold includes ports for connection to the recirculation loop and ports for connection to a soda recirculation system.