GB2213246A

GB2213246A - Beverage cooler

Info

Publication number: GB2213246A
Application number: GB8828322A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Stanley Johnson
Original assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc
Current assignee: Cornelius Inc
Priority date: 1987-12-03
Filing date: 1988-12-05
Publication date: 1989-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 2008-12-05
Also published as: GB2213246B; GB8728295D0; GB8828322D0

Abstract

A python line beverage cooling system in which the chilled water pumped around the python to keep it cold is passed through a heat exchanger 12 in a water bath 1 for cooling purposes with means 10 to sense the return temperature of the water and to control the temperature and/or flow rate of the water passing through the python e.g. by means of a valve 15. The heat exchanger may be in a separate cooling module with water from the water bath being pumped therethrough. <IMAGE>

Description

Beverage Cooler This invention relates to beverage cooling apparatus and has particular reference to beverage cooling apparatus incorporating insulated pipelines.

It is well known to provide within a location dispensing beverages, a plurality of pipelines for conducting beverages or beverage concentrates from a store to the point of dispense or mixing prior to dispense. It is well known that a multiplicity of such beverage pipelines can be located within an insulated pipeline and such a system is conventionally called a python. The python is normally provided with a cooling line comprising a pair of tubes through which cold water is pumped up and back down the python to keep the beverage lines within the python cool. In many cases, the beverage being passed out of the python comprises beer in a series of lines leading the beer from a cellar to dispense fonts or taps within a bar. Ideally, the temperature of the beer is kept at a low pre-determined level which can be between 40 and 52 "F depending on the type of beer.Because the bar area tends to be hot, the python, although providing insulation, is ideally provided with a cooling line internally to maintain the beer at a constant temperature during its passage through the python.

Conventionally, the liquid passed through the cooling line in the python is water which is obtained from a water bath. The water bath normally contains a refrigerant coil which builds up an ice bank. The water in the water bath tends therefore to be very cold and typically is in the region of 32-38 "F depending on the amount of agitation. Normally, water is sucked from the water bath by a pump and passes down and back up the python and is returned to the water bath for cooling. Frequently, the water is returned into the bath at a point remote from the point at which it is extracted from the bath.

Such a system therefore is difficult to control in terms of the temperature of the water cooling the python.

By the present invention there is provided a cooling system for cooling an insulated pipeline containing a plurality of beverage or beverage concentrate lines, the cooling system comprising a liquid flow line extending along the insulated pipeline, a source of cold liquid, and a pump to pump cold liquid along the pipeline, wherein the improvement comprises passing the liquid through a heat exchanger to cool the liquid before pumping the cold liquid down the flowline.

Preferably the liquid is water, and the liquid flow line returns to the heat exchanger inside the insulated pipeline. The heat exchanger may comprise a tube which may be coiled. The heat exchanger may be immersed in a bath of cold water, the bath may be provided with an ice bank. The heat exchanger, preferably the heat exchanger in the form of a coil, may be located in a separate zone from the bath of cold water with the cold water being pumped into the zone. The zone may be located above or to one side of the bath. The water may be pumped by a centrifugal pump or by an impeller. The water may be able to drain out of the zone when the pump or impeller is inoperative. There may be a temperature sensor to sense the temperature of the return water and to control the flow and/or the temperature of the cold liquid passing into the liquid flow line.The control may be effected by bypassing some or all of the liquid through the heat exchanger, and/or by controlling the speed of the pump.

There may be provided an orifice in the heat exchanger or the part of the liquid flow line below the cold liquid in the reservoir through which liquid in the reservoir can enter or leave the liquid flow line. Preferably the orifice is of a cross-sectional area less than cross sectional area of the liquid flow line. Further preferably the cross-sectional area may be in the range 1 mm2 to 10 mm2.

A plurality of liquid flow lines may be fed from a single reservoir.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which FIGURE 1 illustrates a single python system, FIGURE 2 illustrates a multipython system, FIGURE 3 shows an alternative form of cooling system, and FIGURE 4 shows a yet further alternative form of cooling system.

Referring to Figure 1, this shows a water python 1 located within an insulated container 2. A refrigerant coil 3 builds up an ice bank 4 which maintains the water in the bath 1 close to 32 "F (0 "C). An agitator paddle 5 agitates water within the bath. The agitator is driven by a conventional electrical motor, not shown. A python cooling line 6 is supplied with cold water under pressure by pump 7.

The cold water passes down the line and returns along line 8, also within the python indicated generally by 9. It will be appreciated that the python also contains a plurality of beverage lines, not shown.

The returning water passes by a temperature sensor 10 and can either pass along line 11 through heat exchanger coil 12 and back along line 13 to the pump 7, or can pass along pipes 14 to the pump 7, depending on the position of the bypass valve 15. The bypass valve is a motorised valve movable in resopnse to the temperature detected by sensor 10. Thus, if the return water is warm, the bypass valve is rotated so that all the water passes through line 11 and heat exchanger 12 to be cooled prior to passing through the python again. If, on the other hand, the temperature is cold, the thermostatic bypass valve is rotated so as to permit water to pass only along the bypass 14 and it is not therefore further cooled. Instead of using a rotary valve a normal solenoid valve could be used.Thus, the temperature of water in line 6 can be controlled by suitably setting the thermostat associated with the sensor 10.

Referring to Figure 2, this shows a similar system to that illustrated in figure 1 except there is provided a second python 16 containing a second cooling line 17, 18. A further pump 19, sensor 20, thermostatic valve 21, heat exchanger 22 and bypass 23 operate in an identical manner to that of the system illustrated in Figure 1. By suitably setting the temperature of sensor 20, the temperature in line 17, 18 and hence the temperature in python 16, can be different to that of the temperature in python 24.

A small orifice 25 is provided in the line 11, 12 below the level of the water in the water bath 1.

This permits the python to self fill when it is switched on and also permits expans-ion and contraction of the water within the python without damaging the system. It will be appreciated that the size of the orifice 25 is such that the bulk of water pumped through lines 11 and 12 will be recirculated rather than fresh water filled in through orifice 25.

Although there has been described the use of a bypass and a thermostatic valve, it will be appreciated that the sensor could control the speed of the pump pumping water through the python. This would have the same effect as controlling the temperature of the water. Optionally, both the speed of the pump and the temperature of the water may both be controlled.

Alternatively, the thermostat could control the speed of the agitator paddle 5, or a heater in the recirculation system. The thermostat sensor could be at any part of the system, and the heat exchanger 12 could be of any desired design.

In a further alternative, an insulating sleeve or shroud could be slid over the coil or heat exchanger 12 to reduce the heat transfer. This could be manually adjustable or pre-set, and would or could replace or be additional to the thermostat and by-pass valve.

Referring to Figure 3, this shows a python 25 through which water is pumped by a pump 26. The water passes through a cooling module generally indicated by 27 containing a cooling coil 28. The cooling module is supplied with cooling water via line 29 from impeller pump 30. The impeller pump is driven by electrical motor 31 which is controlled by a thermostat 32 sensitive to the temperature of water in the python. Water in the bath 33 is cooled by an evaporator 34 (which forms an ice bank) and having been pumped into the cooling module 27 can fall back through return 35. The python is primed via an inlet 36. The thermostat 37 controls pump 26.

It will be appreciated that with this design of cooling system, the temperature of water in the python can be kept above a minimum more easily in the sense that it is possible fully to control the cooling of the coil 28 since the coil is not always immersed in the cooling water.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the python 37 has water circulated through it by pump 38.

The temperature sensor 39 controls a thermostat 40 which operates electric motor 41.

The motor 41 can spin the impeller 42 to lift water from the bath 43 over the cooling coil 44 returning over the edge 45 of the container 46.

The water is cooled via an evaporator 47 which forms a conventional ice bank 48. The cooling coil 44 is shown partially immersed in the water 43. The water in the cooling coil 44 and the python 37 is a completely sealed unit. If required, a top up pipe may be located just upstream of the pump 38.

Alternatively, the pump 38 can operate in the reverse direction in which case a small aperture can be provided in coil 44 at its lower-most end to act in the manner of aperture 25.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A cooling system for cooling an insulated pipeline containing a plurality of beverage or beverage concentrate lines, the cooling system comprising a liquid flow line extending along the insulated pipeline, a source of cold liquid, and a pump to pump cold liquid along the pipeline, wherein the improvement comprises passing the liquid through a heat exchanger to cool the liquid before pumping the cold liquid down the flow line.

2. A system as claimed in Claim 1 in which the liquid is water.

3. A system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the liquid flow line returns to the heat exchanger inside the insulated pipe line.

4. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 in-which the heat exchanger comprises a tube, which optionally can be coiled.

5. A heat exchanger as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 in which there is a temperature sensor to sense the temperature of the return water and to control the flow and/or the temperature of the cold liquid passing into the liquid flow line.

6. A system as claimed in Claim 5 in which the control is effected by by-passing some or all of the liquid through the heat exchanger, and/or by controlling the scope of the pump.

7. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 in which the heat exchanger is immersed in a bath of cold water.

8. A system as claimed in Claim 7 in which the bath is provided with an ice bank.

9. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 in which the heat exchanger is located above or outside of the bath of cold water and cold water is pumped into it for cooling purposes.

10. A system as claimed in Claim 9 in which the water is pumped in under the control of a thermostat.

11. A system as claimed in Claim 9 or 10 in which the water can fall back into the bath.

12. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11 in which there is provided an orifice in the heat exchanger or the part of the liquid flow line below the cold liquid in the reservoir through which liquid in the reservoir can enter or leave the liquid flow line.

13. A system as claimed in Claim 12 in which the orifice is of a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the liquid flow line.

14. A system as claimed in Claim 13 in which the cross-sedtional area of the orifice is in the range 1 mm2-10 mm2.

15. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 14 in which there is a plurality of liquid flow lines fed by a single reservoir.

16. A system substantially as therein described with reference to and as illustrated by Figure 1 or Figure 2 or Figure 3 or Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.