Refrigerated Dispensing Tube Bundle With Adjustable Bypass Cooling
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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 high cost of refrigerated recirculation systems, and the inefficiency of cold plate systems in preventing temperature increases 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 cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the refrigeration function from a separate complex refrigerated recirculation system and integrates it directly into the dispensing tube bundle. The dispensing tube bundle itself becomes the heat exchange surface, eliminating the need for external refrigerated pumps and complex recirculation loops while maintaining effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the dispensing function and the refrigeration function into a single integrated dispensing tube bundle. The tube bundle serves both to dispense beverage and to provide the heat exchange surface for refrigeration, combining two previously separate functions into one component.
2Temperature
If refrigerated recirculation systems are used to maintain chilled beverage temperatures, then beverage temperature control is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the expensive external refrigeration components (refrigerated pumps, separate heat exchangers, complex controls) and extracts only the essential cooling function, implementing it directly in the dispensing tube bundle using simpler, more cost-effective components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simpler, more economical dispensing tube bundle design that can be manufactured at lower cost. The system uses basic refrigeration components integrated directly into the tube bundle rather than expensive commercial refrigerated recirculation systems.
3Temperature
If cooling fluid flow rate is increased to maintain chilled temperatures, then temperature control is improved, but condensation formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a flow regulator that dynamically adjusts the cooling fluid flow rate through the dispensing tube bundle. The system can adapt the flow rate to match actual cooling needs, providing sufficient cooling to maintain beverage temperature while avoiding excessive cooling that would cause condensation on external surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow regulator provides feedback control of the cooling fluid flow rate, allowing the system to respond to actual temperature conditions and adjust cooling intensity accordingly, preventing over-cooling and condensation while maintaining effective temperature control.
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 supply line
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.