Microprocessor-controlled beverage dispenser
AssigneeCleland Sales Corporation
InventorsJoe Chadwell, James Cleland, William Edwards, Michael Romanszyn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A microprocessor-controlled beverage dispenser is disclosed, which provides a cold plate having disposed therein beverage lines and refrigerant lines. The refrigerant lines may be connected to a cooling or refrigeration system, including a heat exchanger. The beverage lines may be connected to a beverage supply for dispensing a desired beverage. Valves and pressure sensors in the refrigerant line are engaged with a microprocessor. If the temperature falls below a desired value, then the cooling system is shut off. This permits the microprocessor to closely control the temperature of the beverage being dispensed.
Claims6
A beverage cooling dispensing system for dispensing chilled beverages comprising:
- a refrigerant reservoir containing a supply of refrigerant;
- a cold plate in fluid communication with said refrigerant reservoir, wherein refrigerant lines extend through said cold plate;
- an accumulator;
- a compressor;
- a refrigerant condenser;
- a thermal expansion valve positioned between said refrigerant reservoir and said cold plate to adjust the flow of refrigerant depending on the temperature of the cold plate;
- a liquid line valve and a beverage evaporator valve for controlling the flow of refrigerant through the system;
- and
- a processor, wherein the processor receives set point readings from a first transducer upstream of the evaporator valve and downstream of the cold plate and a second transducer on the low side of the compressor and downstream of the accumulator and controls the operation of the compressor, the liquid line valve, and the evaporator valve responsive to signals from the two transducers, wherein the processor, in response to a high set point from the first transducer, will energize the compressor and open the liquid line valve and the evaporator valve and responsive to an intermediate set point from the first transducer will close the liquid line valve and the evaporator valve and in response to a low set point from the second transducer, de-energizes the compressor and monitors the first transducer for the high set point;
- wherein, the processor does not perform a delay in the control response to the signals received from said first and second transducers.
A method of controlling a refrigeration system in a beverage dispenser, the refrigeration system comprising a compressor, a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor, a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the condenser and the compressor, a first valve between the condenser and the heat exchanger, a second valve between the heat exchanger and the compressor, a first transducer operatively engaging the heat exchanger, and a second transducer upstream of the compressor and downstream of the second valve, the method comprising:
- monitoring the first transducer for a first condition;
- upon detection of the first condition, closing the first valve and the second valve without causing a delay in the response to the detection of said first condition;
- monitoring the second transducer for a second condition;
- upon detection of the second condition, deactivating the compressor;
- monitoring the first-transducer for a third condition;
- and
- upon detection of the third condition, opening the first valve and the second valve, activating the compressor;
- and then returning to the step of monitoring the first transducer for the first condition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.