Ice Bank Cooler Agitator Control for Peak-Demand Energy Savings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispense systems are inefficient and wasteful of energy, as they are designed to meet high cooling demands that occur only during peak usage periods, leading to excessive energy consumption and increased operating costs during periods of low demand.
Innovation Solution
An ice bank cooler system that adjusts agitator and pump speeds based on coolant temperature to optimize coolant circulation during high and low demand periods, combined with cooling the concentrate within the dispense tower to reduce energy consumption and simplify installation and sanitization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the system is designed to meet high cooling demands during peak usage periods, then cooling performance is improved, but energy consumption increases during low demand periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the agitator speed variable rather than fixed. The control system adjusts the agitator motor speed based on real-time temperature feedback from the coolant, allowing the system to operate at high speed during high cooling demand and reduce speed during low demand periods, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining cooling performance and reducing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using temperature sensors to monitor coolant temperature and using this information to automatically adjust the agitator motor speed. This closed-loop control ensures the system responds dynamically to actual cooling demands, preventing excessive energy consumption while maintaining required cooling performance
2Temperature
If the concentrate lines are contained in the insulated sheath (python), then cooling is maintained during transport, but installation complexity and sanitization difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the concentrate lines from the insulated sheath (python) that contains the diluent lines. This separation allows the concentrate delivery system to be simpler and easier to sanitize, while the diluent lines remain in the insulated sheath for proper cooling maintenance during transport to the dispense tower
3Temperature
If the concentrate lines are contained in the insulated sheath (python), then cooling is maintained during transport, but sanitization becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the concentrate lines from the insulated sheath (python) that contains the diluent lines. This separation allows the concentrate delivery system to be simpler and easier to sanitize, while the diluent lines remain in the insulated sheath for proper cooling maintenance during transport
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 approach reduces energy consumption, minimizes syrup waste, and allows for easier sanitization by optimizing energy use based on demand, while also simplifying the installation and maintenance of the dispense system.
Implementation Method 1
The evaporator is sited within the water bath and removes heat from the water to form an ice bank
Implementation Method 2
The water in the water bath is circulated by an agitator... to wash across the surface of the ice bank on the inwardly facing side of the evaporator
Implementation Method 3
ice forms on the evaporator during periods of low cooling demand to provide a thermal reserve for periods of high cooling demand
Implementation Method 4
wash across the surface of the ice bank on the inwardly facing side of the evaporator to melt the ice during periods of high demand
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~6
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A cooler (15) for a beverage dispense system has an agitator (43) for circulating coolant in a bath to wash over an evaporator coil (41). A temperature sensor (45) is arranged to monitor the coolant temperature and a motor (47) is operable to drive the agitator (43) in response to the coolant temperature. The evaporator coil (41) may be arranged so that coolant washes over both sides of the coil (41).