WO1994028365A1 - Thermoelectric cooling for a water dispenser - Google Patents
Thermoelectric cooling for a water dispenser Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1994028365A1 WO1994028365A1 PCT/US1994/006110 US9406110W WO9428365A1 WO 1994028365 A1 WO1994028365 A1 WO 1994028365A1 US 9406110 W US9406110 W US 9406110W WO 9428365 A1 WO9428365 A1 WO 9428365A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- water
- thermoelectric module
- receptacle
- probe
- cooling
- Prior art date
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 68
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 title abstract description 17
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000498 cooling water Substances 0.000 claims 11
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 238000004146 energy storage Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 235000012206 bottled water Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 239000003651 drinking water Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B21/00—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
- F25B21/02—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/0857—Cooling arrangements
- B67D1/0869—Cooling arrangements using solid state elements, e.g. Peltier cells
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2321/00—Details of machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
- F25B2321/02—Details of machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects using Peltier effects; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effects
- F25B2321/025—Removal of heat
- F25B2321/0251—Removal of heat by a gas
Definitions
- thermoelectric cooling method and apparatus for use with water dispensers.
- BACKGROUND ART Water dispensers are well known and in widespread use. Most known water dispensers simply provide a tap to a potable water line or a replaceable bottle of water that selectively delivers a flow of room- temperature (uncooled) water through a valve to the consumer. Other water dispenser systems provide heating and/or cooling to the water, typically by well-known heat coil and/or refrigeration techniques.
- thermoelectric modules may also be used to cool the water in a water dispenser.
- known thermoelectric module-cooled dispenser techniques simply place the cold side of the thermoelectric module adjacent the water receptacle (e.g., the water bottle), which is an extremely inefficient way to cool the water in the receptacle.
- thermoelectric water cooling method and apparatus for use with water dispensers, and can be used with potable water line or bottled water dispenser systems.
- the inventive apparatus includes a thermoelectric module having a normally hot side and a normally cold side positioned external to the water containing receptacle, with a heat sink in contact with the module hot side, a fan, and a power supply (for the thermoelectric module and fan) all external to the receptacle.
- a thermally conductive, finger-like probe contacts the module cold side and penetrates the wall of the water receptacle to extend some distance into the interior volume of the water receptacle where it acts as a cold sink to encourage ice formation.
- a water-tight seal surrounds the probe and prevents water from escaping the water receptacle.
- thermoelectric module The cold side of the thermoelectric module is thus not clamped to or otherwise in direct contact with the water receptacle, but rather is in contact with the specially shaped cold sink element which in turn penetrates through the wall of the water receptacle and is submerged into the water.
- the shape of the cold sink will allow ice to form around the cold sink, thereby storing a large amount of energy in the phase change between water and ice. This energy storage (in the form of ice) is drawn upon when the water cooling requirement is larger than the thermoelectric capacity of cooling, and is replenished when the water cooling requirement is less than the cooling capacity.
- the shape of the cold sink also allows self regulation of the amount of ice that is formed around the cold sink.
- Fig. 1 is a top plan view in partial cross- section of a thermoelectric cooling for a water dispenser apparatus of this invention, as installed on a wall of a water-containing receptacle, illustrating the operative components external to the receptacle including a thermoelectric module having a normally hot side and a normally cold side, a heat sink in contact with the module hot side, a fan, and a power supply; and the components internal to the receptacle including a finger-like probe in contact with the module cold side and forming a cold sink, and a seal such as a nut and a gasket; and
- Fig. 2 is a partially cutaway side elevation view of the thermoelectric cooling for a water dispenser apparatus of Fig. 1 as installed and in operation on the wall of the water-containing receptacle, illustrating the formation of an ice mass on the cold sink.
- FIG. 1 is a top plan view in partial cross- section of a thermoelectric cooling for a water dispenser apparatus 10 of this invention, as installed on a wall 12 of a water-containing receptacle 14, illustrating the operative components external to the receptacle including a thermoelectric module 16 having a normally hot side 18 and a normally cold side 20, a heat sink 22 in contact with the module hot side, a fan 24, and a power supply 26.
- the components internal to the receptacle include a thermally conductive finger-like probe 30 in contact with the thermoelectric module cold side and forming a cold sink 32, and a water seal 34 such as a nut 36 and a gasket 38.
- thermoelectric module 16 is preferably compressed and clamped (not bonded or soldered) between heat sink 22 and cold sink 32.
- the heat sink 22 preferably comprises fins of extruded aluminum, and may be serrated or otherwise shaped to enhance heat exchange efficiency.
- the heat sink 22 is preferably offset from the fan 24 by one or more spacers 40.
- Fig. 2 is a partially cutaway side elevation view of the thermoelectric cooling for a water dispenser apparatus 10 of Fig. 1 as installed and in operation on the wall 12 of the water-containing receptacle 14, illustrating the formation of an ice mass 42 on the cold sink 32.
- the probe 30 is preferably cylindrical in shape, for ease in construction and operation, and for efficiency in the water/ice phase changes. The probe should be of a size to extend well into the water receptacle, to enable sufficient water contact and ice formation.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
- Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
Abstract
A thermoelectric water cooling method and apparatus for use with water dispensers (10) includes a thermoelectric module (16) having a normally hot side and a normally cold side (20) positioned external to the water containing receptacle (14), with a heat sink (22) in contact with the module hot side (18), a fan, and a power supply all external to the receptacle. A finger-like probe (32) contacts the module cold side and penetrates the wall of the water receptacle to extend some distance into the interior volume of the water receptacle to form a cold sink. The shape of the cold sink will allow ice (42) to form around it, thereby storing a large amount of energy in the phase change between water and ice. This energy storage (in the form of ice) is drawn upon when the water cooling requirement is larger than the thermoelectric capacity of cooling, and is replenished when the water cooling requirement is less than the cooling capacity.
Description
THERMOELECTRIC COOLING FOR A WATER DISPENSER
DESCRIPTION TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates generally to dispensers for water and other liquids, and more specifically to an improved thermoelectric cooling method and apparatus for use with water dispensers. BACKGROUND ART Water dispensers are well known and in widespread use. Most known water dispensers simply provide a tap to a potable water line or a replaceable bottle of water that selectively delivers a flow of room- temperature (uncooled) water through a valve to the consumer. Other water dispenser systems provide heating and/or cooling to the water, typically by well-known heat coil and/or refrigeration techniques.
Thermoelectric modules may also be used to cool the water in a water dispenser. However, known thermoelectric module-cooled dispenser techniques simply place the cold side of the thermoelectric module adjacent the water receptacle (e.g., the water bottle), which is an extremely inefficient way to cool the water in the receptacle.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
This invention provides an improved thermoelectric water cooling method and apparatus for use with water dispensers, and can be used with potable water
line or bottled water dispenser systems. The inventive apparatus includes a thermoelectric module having a normally hot side and a normally cold side positioned external to the water containing receptacle, with a heat sink in contact with the module hot side, a fan, and a power supply (for the thermoelectric module and fan) all external to the receptacle. A thermally conductive, finger-like probe contacts the module cold side and penetrates the wall of the water receptacle to extend some distance into the interior volume of the water receptacle where it acts as a cold sink to encourage ice formation. A water-tight seal surrounds the probe and prevents water from escaping the water receptacle.
The cold side of the thermoelectric module is thus not clamped to or otherwise in direct contact with the water receptacle, but rather is in contact with the specially shaped cold sink element which in turn penetrates through the wall of the water receptacle and is submerged into the water. The shape of the cold sink will allow ice to form around the cold sink, thereby storing a large amount of energy in the phase change between water and ice. This energy storage (in the form of ice) is drawn upon when the water cooling requirement is larger than the thermoelectric capacity of cooling, and is replenished when the water cooling requirement is less than the cooling capacity. The shape of the cold sink also allows self regulation of the amount of ice that is formed around the cold sink.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a top plan view in partial cross- section of a thermoelectric cooling for a water dispenser apparatus of this invention, as installed on a wall of a water-containing receptacle, illustrating the operative components external to the receptacle including a thermoelectric module having a normally hot side and a normally cold side, a heat sink in contact with the module hot side, a fan, and a power supply; and the components internal to the receptacle including a finger-like probe in contact with the module cold side and forming a cold sink, and a seal such as a nut and a gasket; and
Fig. 2 is a partially cutaway side elevation view of the thermoelectric cooling for a water dispenser apparatus of Fig. 1 as installed and in operation on the wall of the water-containing receptacle, illustrating the formation of an ice mass on the cold sink.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Fig. 1 is a top plan view in partial cross- section of a thermoelectric cooling for a water dispenser apparatus 10 of this invention, as installed on a wall 12 of a water-containing receptacle 14, illustrating the operative components external to the receptacle including a thermoelectric module 16 having a normally hot side 18 and a normally cold side 20, a heat sink 22 in contact with the module hot side, a fan 24, and a power supply 26. The components internal to the receptacle include a thermally conductive finger-like probe 30 in contact with
the thermoelectric module cold side and forming a cold sink 32, and a water seal 34 such as a nut 36 and a gasket 38.
The thermoelectric module 16 is preferably compressed and clamped (not bonded or soldered) between heat sink 22 and cold sink 32. The heat sink 22 preferably comprises fins of extruded aluminum, and may be serrated or otherwise shaped to enhance heat exchange efficiency. The heat sink 22 is preferably offset from the fan 24 by one or more spacers 40.
Fig. 2 is a partially cutaway side elevation view of the thermoelectric cooling for a water dispenser apparatus 10 of Fig. 1 as installed and in operation on the wall 12 of the water-containing receptacle 14, illustrating the formation of an ice mass 42 on the cold sink 32. The probe 30 is preferably cylindrical in shape, for ease in construction and operation, and for efficiency in the water/ice phase changes. The probe should be of a size to extend well into the water receptacle, to enable sufficient water contact and ice formation.
While this invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments thereof, it is obvious that modifications and changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art to which it pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the scope of this invention is to be limited only by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An apparatus for cooling water in a water dispenser, said apparatus comprising: a water receptacle having a wall and an interior volume; a thermoelectric module positioned external to said water receptacle, said thermoelectric module having a normally hot side and a normally cold side; a heat sink in contact with said thermoelectric module hot side; a thermally conductive probe in contact with said thermoelectric module cold side, said probe penetrating said water receptacle wall and extending into said interior volume; seal means for sealing said probe to said wall; and power supply means for powering said thermoelectric module.
2. The apparatus for cooling water in a water dispenser of claim 1 wherein said thermally conductive probe comprises a cold sink to encourage ice formation in said water receptacle interior volume.
3. The apparatus for cooling water in a water dispenser of claim 2 wherein said probe is cylindrical in shape.
4. The apparatus for cooling water in a water dispenser of claim 1 wherein said thermoelectric module is compressed between said heat sink and said thermally conductive probe.
5. The apparatus for cooling water in a water dispenser of claim 1 wherein said heat sink includes fins.
6. The apparatus for cooling water in a water dispenser of claim 5 wherein said fins are made of extruded aluminum.
7. The apparatus for cooling water in a water dispenser of claim 1 further including a fan member to cool said heat sink.
8. A method for cooling water in a water dispenser, said method comprising the steps of: providing a water receptacle having a wall and an interior volume; placing a thermoelectric module external to said water receptacle, said thermoelectric module having a normally hot side and a normally cold side; placing a heat sink in contact with said thermoelectric module hot side; placing a thermally conductive probe in contact with said thermoelectric module cold side, said probe penetrating said water receptacle wall and extending into said interior volume; sealing said probe to said wall; and providing a power supply for said thermoelectric module.
9. The method for cooling water in a water dispenser of claim 8 further including the step of forming ice on said thermally conductive probe in said water receptacle interior volume.
10. The method for cooling water in a water dispenser of claim 8 further including the step of compressing said thermoelectric module between said heat sink and said thermally conductive probe.
11. The method for cooling water in a water dispenser of claim 8 further including the step of providing a fan member to cool said heat sink.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU70972/94A AU7097294A (en) | 1993-05-27 | 1994-05-26 | Thermoelectric cooling for a water dispenser |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US6841293A | 1993-05-27 | 1993-05-27 | |
| US08/068,412 | 1993-05-27 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO1994028365A1 true WO1994028365A1 (en) | 1994-12-08 |
Family
ID=22082410
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US1994/006110 WO1994028365A1 (en) | 1993-05-27 | 1994-05-26 | Thermoelectric cooling for a water dispenser |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU7097294A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1994028365A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TWI656309B (en) * | 2016-10-26 | 2019-04-11 | 美是德實業有限公司 | Multi-temperature water dispenser and ice water device thereof and water-making and heat-dissipating method |
| CN111819297A (en) * | 2018-03-16 | 2020-10-23 | 株式会社 Ihi | Object processing method and device |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109588988A (en) * | 2017-09-30 | 2019-04-09 | 深圳天赋健医疗器械科技有限公司 | A kind of drinker cold liner heat sink mounting structure |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1856982A (en) * | 1927-08-13 | 1932-05-03 | Rice Products Inc | Method and apparatus for cooling drinking water |
| US4320626A (en) * | 1980-05-12 | 1982-03-23 | Fogel Commercial Refrigerator Company | Portable beverage chiller/warmer |
| US4497179A (en) * | 1984-02-24 | 1985-02-05 | The Coca-Cola Company | Ice bank control system for beverage dispenser |
| US4934150A (en) * | 1988-12-12 | 1990-06-19 | The Cornelius Company | Method and apparatus for controlling ice thickness |
| US4993229A (en) * | 1990-05-31 | 1991-02-19 | Aqua-Form Inc. | Bottled water cooling unit |
-
1994
- 1994-05-26 AU AU70972/94A patent/AU7097294A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1994-05-26 WO PCT/US1994/006110 patent/WO1994028365A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1856982A (en) * | 1927-08-13 | 1932-05-03 | Rice Products Inc | Method and apparatus for cooling drinking water |
| US4320626A (en) * | 1980-05-12 | 1982-03-23 | Fogel Commercial Refrigerator Company | Portable beverage chiller/warmer |
| US4497179A (en) * | 1984-02-24 | 1985-02-05 | The Coca-Cola Company | Ice bank control system for beverage dispenser |
| US4934150A (en) * | 1988-12-12 | 1990-06-19 | The Cornelius Company | Method and apparatus for controlling ice thickness |
| US4993229A (en) * | 1990-05-31 | 1991-02-19 | Aqua-Form Inc. | Bottled water cooling unit |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TWI656309B (en) * | 2016-10-26 | 2019-04-11 | 美是德實業有限公司 | Multi-temperature water dispenser and ice water device thereof and water-making and heat-dissipating method |
| CN111819297A (en) * | 2018-03-16 | 2020-10-23 | 株式会社 Ihi | Object processing method and device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU7097294A (en) | 1994-12-20 |
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