Cooling system for a beverage dispenser

A fluid cooling device for a beverage dispenser comprising:

• a fluid accumulation vessel having a fluid outlet and a fluid inlet;
• a first bank of thermoelectric devices, the first bank of thermoelectric devices having cooling surfaces and heating surfaces, the cooling surfaces being in conductive thermal communication with the fluid accumulation vessel, such that when power is supplied to the first bank of thermoelectric devices the cooling surfaces become cool thereby decreasing in thermal energy a fluid within the fluid accumulation vessel, the first bank of thermoelectric devices being provided on a substantial portion of at least a first external surface of the fluid accumulation vessel;
• a heat sink, the heat sink being in conductive thermal communication with the heating surface of at least one of the thermoelectric devices;
• and
• at least one fan producing convective currents relative to the heat sink.

An apparatus adapted for use in a beverage dispenser comprising:

• a water accumulation vessel having a water outlet and a water inlet, the water inlet providing water to the water accumulation vessel from a water source, the water source being at least one of a public water source, a bottled or purified water source and a private or well water source;
• a first bank of thermoelectric devices, the first bank of thermoelectric devices having cooling surfaces and heating surfaces, the cooling surfaces being in conductive thermal communication with the water accumulation vessel, such that when power is supplied to the first bank of thermoelectric devices the cooling surfaces become cool thereby decreasing in thermal energy water within the water accumulation vessel, the first bank of thermoelectric devices being provided on a substantial portion of at least a first external surface of the fluid accumulation vessel;
• a heat sink, the heat sink being in conductive thermal communication with the heating surfaces of the first bank of thermoelectric devices;
• a fan, the fan providing forced convection in relation to the heat sink;
• and
• a carbonator having a cool water inlet and a carbon dioxide inlet, the cool water inlet being in fluid communication with the water outlet of the water accumulation vessel.

A cooling unit for a beverage dispenser comprising:

• a fluid conduit having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
• a first bank of thermoelectric devices electrically connected in series, the first bank of thermoelectric devices having cooling surfaces and heating surfaces, the cooling surfaces being in conductive thermal communication with the fluid conduit, such that when power is supplied to the first bank of thermoelectric devices the cooling surfaces become cool thereby decreasing in thermal energy a fluid within the fluid conduit, the first bank of thermoelectric devices being provided on a substantial portion of at least a first external surface of the fluid conduit;
• a heat sink, the heat sink being in conductive thermal communication with the heating surfaces of the first bank of thermoelectric devices;
• and
• at least one fan producing convective currents relative to the heat sink.

A method of providing a chilled beverage from a beverage dispenser comprising the steps of:

• providing a fluid to be cooled within a conduit;
• positioning a plurality of thermoelectric devices covering a substantial portion of at least a first exterior surface, the plurality of thermoelectric devices having cooling surfaces and heating surfaces upon application of power, the cooling surfaces being in conductive thermal communication with the conduit;
• applying power concurrently to the plurality of the thermoelectric devices and a fan, the fan providing convective currents in relation to a heat sink;
• transferring thermal energy from the fluid, through the conduit and into the cooling surfaces, thereafter to be transferred to the heating surfaces;
• and
• supplying a cooler fluid to a beverage dispenser unit at a comparably lower temperature as compared to an ambient temperature of the fluid when first entering the conduit.