Refrigeration apparatus and method for a fluid dispensing device

• US 6,449,970 B1
• Filed: 11/10/1999
• Issued: 09/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shurflo LLC (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Original Assignee: Shurflo Pump Manufacturing Company, Inc.
• Inventors: Gagliano, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): WAYNER, WILLIAM E
• Application Number:
  US09/437,835
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: 621/964, 621/97, 621/17, 622/17, 622/01, 622/06, 222/146.6
• US Class Current: 62/196.4
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0006 based on the timed opening of a valve
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0086 Hand-held gun type valves
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0861 the evaporator acting through an intermediate heat transfer means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0867 the cooling fluid being a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0088 operated by push buttons
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/009 operated by cup detection
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00015 UV radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00133 wheeled

Abstract

Preferred embodiments of the present invention have a nozzle assembly capable of controlling pressure of comestible fluid exiting the nozzle assembly, a refrigeration system in which refrigerant pressure and temperature is controllable to enable control of comestible fluid temperature, heat exchangers connected to cool comestible fluid in the nozzles, an ultraviolet sterilization system for sterilizing locations outside and inside the system, and a hand held comestible fluid dispenser capable of cooling and selectively dispensing one of several comestible fluids supplied thereto. To provide comestible fluid at rack pressure to the nozzles in one highly preferred embodiment, each nozzle preferably has a valve movable through a number of closed positions to change pressure within the nozzle. Prior to fluid dispense, pressure at the nozzle is preferably reduced by actuating the valve through its range of closed positions. To improve temperature control and cooling efficiency, the present invention preferably employs heat exchangers adjacent to the nozzle assemblies. Due to their locations close to the nozzle assemblies, the heat exchangers generate convective recirculation through the nozzle assemblies to cool comestible fluid to the discharge openings thereof. The present invention can take the form of a multi-fluid dispensing gun having such a nozzle and heat exchanger relationship and having the pressure controlling valve as described above. To further improve control of comestible fluid temperature, the present invention preferably has an evaporator pressure regulator to control refrigerant pressure upstream of the refrigeration system compressor and a hot gas bypass valve to control refrigerant temperature.

Claims

1. A comestible fluid refrigeration used to cool comestible fluid in a fluid dispensing apparatus, the system, comprising:

a compressor;

a condenser coupled to the compressor;

a refrigerant expander coupled to the condenser;

a heat exchanger coupled to the refrigerant expander and the compressor, the heat exchanger having;

a comestible fluid input port for receiving comestible fluid;

a comestible fluid output port for discharging cooled comestible fluid;

a refrigerant input port for receiving refrigerant from the refrigerant expander; and

a refrigerant output port for discharging refrigerant from the heat exchanger;

a valve coupled between the heat exchanger and the compressor, the valve being adjustable to increase and decrease comestible fluid temperature discharged from the fluid output port of the heat exchanger by increase and decrease of refrigerant pressure within the heat exchanger, respectively;

a bypass regulator in fluid communication between the compressor and a point between and including the refrigerant expander and the heat exchanger, the bypass regulator adjustable to open and close fluid communication between the compressor and the heat exchanger;

a temperature sensor positioned to detect temperature of comestible fluid in the fluid dispensing apparatus; and

a system controller coupled to the temperature sensor, the system controller responsive to comestible fluid temperatures measured by the temperature sensor by automatically adjusting the bypass regulator to increase or decrease pressure in the heat exchange.

2. A comestible refrigeration system for cooling comestible fluid in a comestible fluid dispenser, the comestible refrigeration system comprising:

a compressor;

a heat exchanger;

a bypass regulator coupled between the compressor and the heat exchanger and establishing selective fluid communication between the compressor and the heat exchanger;

a temperature sensor positioned to detect temperature of comestible fluid in the comestible fluid dispenser;

a valve coupled between the heat exchanger and the compressor; and

a system controller coupled to the temperature sensor, to the bypass regulator for controlling operation of the bypass regulator, and to the valve for controlling valve operation, the system controller configured and arranged to automatically adjust the bypass regulator and the valve in response to comestible fluid temperatures measured by the temperature sensor.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the heat exchanger is a plate heat exchanger.

4. A method of controlling temperature of comestible fluid in a comestible fluid dispenser, comprising the steps of:

providing a compressor;

passing comestible fluid through a heat exchanger in selective fluid communication with the compressor via a bypass regulator;

passing cool refrigerant through the heat exchanger to cool comestible fluid passing through the heat exchanger;

passing heated refrigerant through a valve to the compressor;

measuring a temperature of the comestible fluid;

bleeding hot refrigerant via the bypass regulator from the compressor to refrigerant entering the heat exchanger in response to measured comestible fluid temperature changes when measured comestible fluid temperature falls to a predetermined temperature; and

adjusting the valve in response to measured comestible fluid temperature changes to change refrigerant pressure in the heat exchanger.

5. A method of controlling temperature of comestible fluid in a comestible fluid dispenser, comprising the steps of:

providing a compressor;

passing comestible fluid through a heat exchanger in selective fluid communication with the compressor via a bypass regulator;

passing cool refrigerant through the heat exchanger to cool comestible fluid passing through the heat exchanger;

passing heated refrigerant through a valve to the compressor;

measuring a temperature of the comestible fluid;

bleeding hot refrigerant via the bypass regulator from the compressor to refrigerant entering the heat exchanger in response to measured comestible fluid temperature changes;

adjusting the valve in response to measured comestible fluid temperature changes to change refrigerant pressure in the heat exchanger; and

adjusting the bypass regulator in response to measured comestible fluid temperature changes to change an amount of hot refrigerant bled from the compressor into refrigerant entering the heat exchanger.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the step of adjusting the bypass regulator is performed automatically by a system controller.