METHOD OF MODIFYING TEMPERATURES OF MULTIPLE OBJECTS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR

• US 20190331392A1
• Filed: 04/26/2019
• Published: 10/31/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation (The Trustees of Purdue University (d/b/a Purdue University))
• Original Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation (The Trustees of Purdue University (d/b/a Purdue University))
• Inventors: LoVerde, Mitchell Anthony, Page, David Stephen, Ma, Kyle Chang, Lancaster, Scott Robert, Mead, Christopher James
• Granted Patent: US 11,293,682 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 17/02 for circulating liquids, e.g. brine
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/805 Cans
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/809 Holders
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/28 Quick cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 25/04 by conveyors in general B65G
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 3/06 Movable containers
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 31/007 Bottles or cans

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for transferring heat to and from multiple objects. Such a method entails placing objects in a vessel that contains a heat transfer fluid so that the objects contact the heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid is at a temperature that is different from the temperature of the object, and is induced to circulate along a continuous flowpath. Each object is at least partially disposed in the flowpath of the heat transfer fluid, and each object is individually rotated about an axis of rotation thereof. The heat transfer fluid continues to circulate and the objects continue to rotate for a time sufficient to cause the temperatures of the objects to become closer to the heat transfer fluid temperature.

Claims

1. A method of modifying temperatures of multiple objects, the method comprising:

placing the objects in a vessel that contains a heat transfer fluid so that the objects contact the heat transfer fluid, the objects being at object temperatures, the heat transfer fluid being at a heat transfer fluid temperature that is different than the object temperatures;

inducing the heat transfer fluid in the vessel to circulate along a continuous flowpath, each of the objects being at least partially disposed in the flowpath of the heat transfer fluid;

individually rotating each of the objects about an axis of rotation thereof; and

continuing to circulate the heat transfer fluid and rotate the objects for a time sufficient to cause the object temperatures to become closer to the heat transfer fluid temperature.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the vessel has an axis and the objects are placed so as to be spaced from each other around the axis and radially spaced from the axis.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the heat transfer fluid circulates along the continuous flowpath in a rotational direction around the axis of the vessel.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the axes of rotation of the objects are approximately parallel to the axis of the vessel.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the rotational directions of the objects are opposite the rotational direction of the heat transfer fluid.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the objects are circumferentially spaced from each other around the axis of the vessel.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the flowpath of the heat transfer fluid is an annular flowpath and the rotational direction of the heat transfer fluid is a circumferential direction of the vessel.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising cooling the heat transfer fluid with a heat sink contained in a reservoir in thermal contact with the flowpath of the heat transfer fluid.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer fluid is induced to circulate with an impeller rotating about an axis of rotation thereof.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the rotation of the impeller induces the rotations of the objects in the rotational directions thereof.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the objects are beverage containers that contain beverages.

12. An apparatus for modifying temperatures of multiple objects, the apparatus comprising:

a vessel configured to contain a heat transfer fluid;

multiple means for individually securing each of the multiple objects within the vessel so that the objects will contact the heat transfer fluid when contained by the vessel, each of the securing means having an axis of rotation;

means for inducing the heat transfer fluid in the vessel to circulate along a continuous flowpath, the securing means securing the objects so that each of the objects is at least partially disposed in the flowpath of the heat transfer fluid; and

means for individually rotating each of the objects about a corresponding one of the axes of rotation of the securing means.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the vessel has an axis and the objects are placed so as to be spaced from each other around the axis and radially spaced from the axis.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the heat transfer fluid circulates along the continuous flowpath in a rotational direction around the axis of the vessel.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the axes of rotation of the objects are approximately parallel to the axis of the vessel.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the rotational directions of the objects are opposite the rotational direction of the heat transfer fluid.

17. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the securing means are circumferentially spaced from each other around the axis of the vessel.

18. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the flowpath of the heat transfer fluid is an annular flowpath and the rotational direction of the heat transfer fluid is a circumferential direction of the vessel.

19. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a heat sink contained in a reservoir in thermal contact with the flowpath of the heat transfer fluid.

20. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the inducing means also induces the rotations of the securing means in the rotational directions thereof.