Heat exchanger, particularly for use in a beverage dispenser

• Main Authors: LANDERS, JERRY L, MILLER, CHARLES BENJAMIN
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 18.11.2009
• Subjects: BLASTING; BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; COLD ROOMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT COVERED BY ANY OTHERSUBCLASS; DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISEPROVIDED FOR; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; HEATING; ICE-BOXES; LIGHTING; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES; LIQUID HANDLING; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; OPENING, CLOSING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; REFRIGERATORS; TRANSPORTING; WEAPONS

A method of cooling multiple beverage components involves: providing a heat exchanger (30) comprising a plurality of sheets (32-40) of heat transfer material and at least first and second flow channels (37) defined by surfaces made at least in part by the sheets of heat transfer material; directing a first and second fluid respectively through the first and second flow channels, each of the first and second fluids being selected from the group consisting of non-carbonated water, carbonated water, beverage concentrates and non-concentrated beverages; placing ice in contact with at least one of the sheets of heat transfer material; and melting the ice and thereby cooling the first and second fluids as they reside in and pass through their respective channels. An improved beverage dispensing system (10) includes a plurality of beverage dispensing valves (18) and a heat exchanger (30) that is configured to cool beverage components dispensed through the valves by the melting of ice in contact with the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger comprising a plurality of sheets (32-40) of heat transfer material and at least first and second flow channels (37) defined by surfaces made at least in part by said sheets of heat transfer material. A method of constructing a heat exchanger (30) for cooling multiple fluids involves providing at least first, second and third sheets (32, 34, 36) of heat transfer material in a stacked relationship, with the second sheet between the first and third sheets, leaving a first space between the first and second sheets and a second space between the second and third sheets; providing at least one divider forming at least first and third distinct passageways in the first space, and at least one divider forming at least second and fourth distinct passageways in the second space; and providing inlet and outlet connections (41-47) in fluid communication with the distinct passageways in the first and second spaces.