Coolant recirculation apparatus for a beverage dispense system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage dispense systems face high energy consumption due to inefficient coolant recirculation, excessive agitation, and mechanical component wear, leading to increased energy losses and reduced life expectancy of mechanical components.
Innovation Solution
A coolant recirculation apparatus with a control unit that adjusts the pump and agitation mechanisms based on temperature data and the number of dispense points, optimizing energy use by varying operation rates to match demand and maintaining adequate cooling without overreacting, including an idle mode for reduced energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the pump and agitation mechanisms operate at high rates continuously, then cooling performance is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation rates of the pump and agitation mechanisms based on real-time temperature data from sensors. The control unit modifies operational parameters continuously to match actual cooling demand, transitioning from static high-rate operation to dynamic demand-responsive operation, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate cooling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors continuously monitor the coolant temperature and provide feedback to the control unit. The control unit processes this feedback and adjusts the pump and agitation mechanism rates accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes energy usage based on actual thermal conditions rather than operating at fixed high rates.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the agitation mechanism operates at high rates, then heat distribution is improved, but mechanical component wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The agitation mechanism operates at variable rates determined by real-time temperature conditions rather than continuous high-rate operation. The control unit adjusts agitation intensity dynamically, providing sufficient mixing for heat distribution only when thermal conditions require it, thereby reducing mechanical stress and extending component life while maintaining adequate heat distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the agitation mechanism based on temperature data. By monitoring temperature differentials and adjusting agitation rate accordingly, the system uses minimal necessary agitation to achieve heat distribution, reducing mechanical wear on the agitation components while maintaining thermal homogeneity when required.
3Quantity of substance
If the pump operates at high rates, then coolant circulation is improved, but energy losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump operates at dynamically adjusted rates based on actual coolant temperature and system demand. The control unit modulates pump speed to provide adequate coolant circulation only when thermal conditions require enhanced flow, reducing pump energy consumption and associated energy losses while maintaining sufficient coolant circulation for system performance.
4Ease of operation
If condensing fonts are provided at dispense points, then beverage appeal is enhanced, but energy demand increases
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensors at or near the dispense points monitor coolant temperature and provide feedback to the control unit. The control unit adjusts pump and agitation rates in response to actual thermal conditions at the dispense points, ensuring condensing fonts receive adequate cooling only when needed, thereby maintaining beverage appeal while reducing overall system energy demand.
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 reduces energy consumption by optimizing coolant recirculation and agitation according to demand, extending mechanical component life, and ensuring consistent cooling performance while minimizing energy waste.
Implementation Method 1
a pump mechanism arranged to recirculate coolant via a coolant circuit from a coolant reservoir to a beverage dispense location
Implementation Method 2
an agitation mechanism arranged to agitate coolant within the coolant reservoir
Implementation Method 3
In operation, an ice bank is formed on the evaporator to a predetermined thickness
Implementation Method 4
heat transferred to the coolant from beverage passing through the product coils
Implementation Method 5
a data sensor arranged to sense temperature data associated with the coolant
Data Source
AI summary
A coolant recirculation apparatus is for a beverage dispense system. The apparatus comprises a pump mechanism arranged to recirculate coolant via a coolant circuit from a coolant reservoir to a beverage dispense location having at least one dispense point at which beverage is dispensed; an agitation mechanism arranged to agitate coolant within the coolant reservoir; a data sensor arranged to sense temperature data associated with the coolant; and a control unit in communication with the pump mechanism, the agitation mechanism and the data sensor. The control unit is arranged to control the rate of operation of the agitation mechanism and the pump mechanism in response to the temperature data and according to a predefined property of the beverage dispense system.