FOB Detector Active Cooling Reduces Microbial Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beer dispensing systems require frequent maintenance and cleaning to prevent microbial growth, leading to downtime and resource inefficiencies due to equipment in contact with beer needing regular cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A Foam on Beer (FOB) detector with a double-walled chamber and active cooling via a cooling flow channel to maintain low temperatures, reducing microbial growth and condensation, thus minimizing cleaning frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If regular cleaning is performed on equipment in contact with beer, then microbial growth is prevented, but the system experiences downtime and loss of productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the FOB detector by implementing active cooling to maintain it below 7°C. This temperature parameter change creates an environment that inhibits microbial growth, thereby maintaining reliability without requiring frequent cleaning that would cause downtime and productivity loss.
2Reliability
If the FOB detector is kept at low temperature, then microbial growth is reduced, but additional cooling infrastructure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the cooling function with the existing beer cooling system by using the same refrigeration unit that cools the beer to also cool the FOB detector. This integration means no separate cooling infrastructure is needed, as the FOB detector utilizes the already-present cooling resources in the beer dispensing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a thermal coupling mechanism as an intermediary between the beer cooling system and the FOB detector. This thermal coupling allows heat transfer from the FOB detector to the cooled beer or cooling lines, enabling passive heat removal without requiring direct active cooling of the detector itself.
3Temperature
If a double-walled chamber is used for insulation, then heat absorption is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses thin insulating material or vacuum insulation between the double walls of the chamber, which provides effective thermal insulation with minimal thickness. This approach reduces heat absorption while maintaining a compact design that is relatively simple to manufacture compared to thick rigid insulation layers.
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 FOB detector with a double-walled chamber and cooling flow channel effectively reduces microbial growth and condensation, resulting in less frequent cleaning needs and maintaining beer freshness, thereby reducing downtime and resource usage.
Implementation Method 1
The FOB detector has a double walled chamber to provide improved heat insulation. This reduces heat absorption from the surroundings by a beverage temporarily residing in the chamber.
Implementation Method 2
the FOB detector has a cooling flow channel, configured to carry a cooling fluid through the chamber. This results in the fluid in the chamber remaining at a low temperature.
Data Source
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AI summary
A foam on beer (FOB) detector 300 is disclosed which provides active cooling of the internal chamber 310 of the FOB detector by providing a cooling flow channel 350 (e.g. a cooling flow pipe) within the chamber to directly cool any beverage or other fluid inside the FOB detector.