Centralized Water Cooling Circuit for Beverage Machine Load Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cooling systems in the beverage processing industry are complex and inefficient, requiring multiple cooling systems for individual machines, leading to high maintenance and energy inefficiency due to varying cooling needs.

Innovation Solution

A centralized water cooling system with separate supply lines and heat exchangers for each machine, allowing flexible and targeted cooling, with a main line for distributing cooling medium and flow controllers to regulate cooling capacity based on machine load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate cooling systems are used for each individual machine, then each machine can be cooled according to its specific requirements, but the overall system complexity and maintenance requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling requirement matchingVSAvoidcooling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate cooling systems into a single centralized cooling system that serves multiple individual machines. The cooling unit with coolant circulation is shared across all machines, reducing the number of independent cooling systems from multiple to one, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining the ability to cool each machine according to its specific requirements through individual coolant distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple cooling systems are deployed for different machines, then each machine receives appropriate cooling, but maintenance effort and operational confusion increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidmaintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple cooling systems into a single centralized cooling unit that serves all individual machines. This consolidation reduces the number of systems requiring maintenance from multiple to one, making maintenance activities more manageable and reducing operational confusion while ensuring reliable cooling for each machine through the shared coolant circulation system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If high power water cooling systems are used for machines with high heat capacity, then adequate cooling is achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic cooling system where the coolant circulation is actively controlled based on the actual cooling requirements of individual machines. The system can adjust coolant flow distribution to match the thermal load of each machine, providing high cooling capacity when needed while reducing energy consumption when cooling demands are lower, thereby optimizing the balance between cooling performance and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 simplifies the cooling system, reduces maintenance, and enhances energy efficiency by providing adequate cooling for machines with high requirements while minimizing energy waste through regulated cooling capacity.

Implementation Method 1

the system includes a common water cooling circuit with a cooler for components of the individual machines to be cooled

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

Provision can be made for a heat exchanger, which is connected to the supply line, to be provided in at least one individual machine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

an air-water heat exchanger is provided in at least one individual machine, which is connected to the water cooling circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP2899480B1Cooling system for container handling systems
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 KRONES AG
  • EP2899480B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2899480B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2899480B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Plant (100) for the beverage processing industry comprising several individual machines (111-114), including at least one blow molding machine, a labeling machine and a filler, the plant (100) having a common water cooling circuit (115) with a cooler (120) for components to be cooled of the individual machines (111-114) and a corresponding method for cooling such a system (100).