Modular Manifold Cooling for Flexible Beer Dispensing Configurations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beer dispensing systems face challenges in maintaining desired beer temperatures while allowing for modular implementation, as current cooling systems either require separate manufacturing processes for each tap configuration or increase costs due to the use of glycol chiller systems.
Innovation Solution
A modular cooling system comprising a recirculation block, interface block, expander blocks, and spacer blocks interconnected via coupling tubes, which forms a recirculation line that couples with a cooling fluid system to efficiently chill beer before dispensing, allowing for flexible configuration with multiple drink sources and outlets without the need for separate manufacturing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a chamber filled with chilled glycol/water mixture is used in the dispensing tower, then beer temperature is maintained at desired level, but dispensing tower cost increases and modular implementation is precluded
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into separate modular components: a recirculation pump, cooling coils, and distribution manifolds that can be independently configured. This allows the dispensing tower to be manufactured in standard modules that can be assembled in different tap configurations without requiring custom chamber designs for each variant.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static chamber design to a dynamic recirculating cooling system where coolant is continuously pumped through flexible tubing and manifolds. This dynamic approach allows the same cooling infrastructure to serve variable tap configurations, enabling modular assembly of different beer dispensing arrangements.
2Temperature
If a chiller line is used in the dispensing tower, then beer temperature is maintained and tower size is reduced, but modular implementation is precluded due to separate manufacturing processes for different tap configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculating cooling system with standardized manifolds and distribution points serves multiple functions across different tap configurations. The same cooling infrastructure can support various numbers and arrangements of beer taps by simply reconfiguring the modular components rather than manufacturing custom chiller lines for each configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for parameter changes in tap configuration while maintaining constant cooling performance. By decoupling the cooling infrastructure from the specific tap arrangement and using adjustable manifolds and flexible routing, the system can adapt to different numbers and positions of beer taps without changing the fundamental cooling parameters or requiring custom manufacturing.
3Temperature
If a glycol chiller system with chamber is used, then beer temperature control is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is extracted from the main dispensing tower structure and implemented as a separate recirculating system. This separation allows the tower to be manufactured as a simpler, standardized module while the cooling system becomes an independent, configurable component that can be added or adjusted without complicating the tower's core manufacturing process.
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 modular cooling system effectively maintains beer temperature while enabling flexible configuration and reducing manufacturing costs by allowing for various tap configurations without the need for individual production processes, enhancing the efficiency and adaptability of beer dispensing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first drink flowing through the modular manifold from the first drink source transfers heat to the cooling fluid circulating through the recirculation line resulting in a chilling of the first drink
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system for a dispensing station includes a modular manifold that incorporates into the dispensing station. The modular manifold includes a recirculation block, an interface block, one or more expander blocks, and one or more spacer blocks that interconnect to produce the modular manifold. The modular manifold includes a recirculation line that couples at an inlet with a cooling fluid system to receive a cooling fluid therein and at an outlet with the cooling fluid system to deliver the cooling fluid from the modular manifold to the cooling fluid system. The modular manifold couples with a drink source and with a drink outlet of the dispensing station such that a drink flowing through the modular manifold from the drink source transfers heat to the cooling fluid circulating through the recirculation line resulting in a chilling of the drink prior to a dispensing thereof from the drink outlet.