阅读说明：本技术 用于冷却液体的冷却浴 (Cooling bath for cooling liquids ) 是由 乔纳森·本-大卫 金兴淳 于 2018-04-12 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种冰浴器包括：容器；制冷盘管,用于使容器中的液体变为冰；管道,用于承载待通过冰浴器冷却以供分配的液体；以及多个导电探头,用于测量冰厚度,其中,所述导电探头设置在制冷盘管的至少一部分与用于承载待分配的液体的管道之间,使得所述导电探头中的第一导电探头比至少两个其他导电探头设置得更靠近制冷盘管,从而所述至少两个其他导电探头比第一导电探头设置得更靠近所述管道,其中,第二导电探头与制冷盘管的距离和第三导电探头与制冷盘管的距离相等,冰浴器还包括用于测量第一导电探头与第二导电探头之间的电导率、第一导电探头与第三导电探头之间的电导率以及第二导电探头与第三导电探头之间的电导率的装置。(An ice bath comprising: a container; a refrigeration coil for turning the liquid in the container into ice; a conduit for carrying liquid to be cooled by the ice bath for dispensing; and a plurality of conductive probes for measuring ice thickness, wherein the conductive probes are disposed between at least a portion of the refrigeration coil and a pipe for carrying a liquid to be dispensed such that a first of the conductive probes is disposed closer to the refrigeration coil than at least two other conductive probes, such that the at least two other conductive probes are disposed closer to the pipe than the first conductive probe, wherein a distance of the second conductive probe from the refrigeration coil is equal to a distance of the third conductive probe from the refrigeration coil, the ice bath further comprising means for measuring an electrical conductivity between the first conductive probe and the second conductive probe, an electrical conductivity between the first conductive probe and the third conductive probe, and an electrical conductivity between the second conductive probe and the third conductive probe.)

1. An ice bath comprising: a container; a refrigeration coil for turning the liquid in the container into ice; a conduit for carrying liquid to be cooled by the ice bath for dispensing; and at least three conductive probes for measuring ice thickness, wherein the at least three conductive probes are disposed between the refrigeration coil and a conduit for carrying a liquid to be dispensed such that a first conductive probe of the at least three conductive probes is disposed closer to the refrigeration coil than at least a second conductive probe and a third conductive probe, such that the second conductive probe and the third conductive probe are disposed closer to the conduit than the first conductive probe, wherein the distance of the second conductive probe from the refrigeration coil is equal to the distance of the third conductive probe from the refrigeration coil,

The ice bath further includes means for measuring the electrical conductivity between the first conductive probe and the second conductive probe, the electrical conductivity between the first conductive probe and the third conductive probe, and the electrical conductivity between the second conductive probe and the third conductive probe.

2. The ice bath of claim 1, wherein three conductive probes are provided, one of the three conductive probes being closer to the refrigeration coil than the second and third conductive probes.

3. An ice bath according to any preceding claim, wherein the container has a side wall, the refrigeration coil being closer to the side wall than a duct for carrying the liquid to be dispensed, wherein the conductive probe is mounted between the refrigeration coil and the duct.

4. An ice bath according to any preceding claim, wherein the conduit is provided in the form of a coil.

5. An ice bath according to any preceding claim, wherein the second conductive probe is equidistant from the conduit for carrying the liquid to be dispensed and the third conductive probe is equidistant from the conduit for carrying the liquid to be dispensed.

6. An ice bath according to any preceding claim comprising four or more conductive probes, at least one of which is closer to the refrigeration coil than at least some of the others.

7. An ice bath according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for measuring conductivity is arranged to measure the conductivity between each respective pair of conductive probes in turn.

8. An ice bath according to any preceding claim, wherein a DC current is applied to the conductive probes in sequence by a controller to measure the conductivity between respective pairs of conductive probes.

9. A method of measuring ice accumulated in an ice bath according to any preceding claim, comprising: measuring the conductivity between the first conductive probe and the second conductive probe, the conductivity between the first conductive probe and the third conductive probe and the conductivity between the second conductive probe and the third conductive probe in sequence; and using the measured values of conductivity to determine any one of when the ice reaches the first conductive probe, when the ice reaches the second and third conductive probes, and when the ice begins to recede from the second and third conductive probes, and using the measurements to control an apparatus for generating ice.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the minimum ice value is set to a value extending from the refrigeration coil to a thickness of the first electrically conductive probe and the maximum ice value is set to a level extending to ice thicknesses of both the second and third electrically conductive probes, and wherein icing is controlled to maintain an amount of ice in the liquid within the container between the minimum and maximum levels.

11. Use of an ice bath according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for measuring total dissolved solids in a liquid in a container.

Technical Field

the invention relates to an ice bath device.

Background

To dispense a cooling liquid, such as cold water, many different methods are used to cool water received from an external source prior to dispensing the water. These may include cold box systems in which water from a water supply is stored in a cold box around which a plurality of refrigeration coils are coiled. The refrigeration coil is cooled by a mechanical compressor and condenser system to cool the water in the cold box for distribution.

In another type of system, a direct cooling or internal coil system is used in which a refrigeration coil is placed within a cooling box to be in direct contact with the water to be cooled. This makes the cooling system more efficient, but more costly to produce.

A further variant is the use of an ice bath system (also referred to as an ice bank system). An ice bath system has a container through which a series of pipes carrying the liquid to be cooled travels and a means for converting the liquid in the container to ice. The liquid to be dispensed travels through a conduit in the ice bath so that the liquid to be dispensed does not come into contact with the ice or water within the container. The ice formed in the container acts as a cooling reserve so that when heat is transferred from the liquid cooling conduit, the ice melts, keeping the temperature of the ice bath generally constant.

The ice bath system generally includes a vessel, a refrigeration coil (generally disposed within the vessel, generally toward the inner surface of the outer wall of the vessel), and a coil conduit (generally stainless steel or some other material useful for holding a three-phase material) generally disposed within the vessel. The pipe carries the liquid to be cooled. In many applications, the liquid may typically be water or carbonated water.

An agitator is also provided to cause agitation of the ice water so as to keep its temperature constant.

In use, the refrigeration system operates such that ice accumulates around the refrigeration coil and encroaches toward the pipes holding the water to be dispensed. The amount of ice produced in the ice bath needs to be monitored or controlled. The temperature of the ice bath as a whole is generally controlled between fixed amounts, for example between 0 ℃ and 1 ℃, and it is often important that the ice produced in the ice bath does not extend to such an extent as to physically contact or surround the pipe carrying the liquid to be cooled and dispensed, as this may cause the pipe to freeze, clog or crack. Therefore, there is a need for a device that senses and monitors the amount of ice.

disclosure of Invention

The present invention seeks to provide an improved ice monitoring system.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ice bath comprising: a container; a refrigeration coil for turning the liquid in the container into ice; a conduit for carrying liquid to be cooled by the ice bath for dispensing; and at least three conductive probes for measuring ice thickness, wherein the at least three conductive probes are disposed between the refrigeration coil and a conduit for carrying a liquid to be dispensed such that a first conductive probe of the at least three conductive probes is disposed closer to the refrigeration coil than at least a second conductive probe and a third conductive probe, such that the second conductive probe and the third conductive probe are disposed closer to the conduit than the first conductive probe.

Preferably, three conductive probes are provided, one of which is closer to the evaporation or refrigeration coil than the second and third conductive probes.

Preferably, the distance between the second conductive probe and the refrigeration coil is equal to the distance between the third conductive probe and the refrigeration coil. They may also be equidistant from the pipe. In the region of the probe, the tubing may be "parallel" to the refrigeration coil.

The probes work together to measure the conductivity of the water. It is well known that the conductivity of water varies depending on whether the water is in a liquid or solid state, and therefore, by determining the conductivity of the water between the probes, it can be determined whether ice has reached each probe.

The ice bath also includes means for measuring the electrical conductivity between the respective pairs of probes (i.e., between the first and second probes, between the first and third probes, and between the second and third probes).

the three probes may be operated sequentially (i.e., in a manner that, in a controlled loop, the conductivity between one pair of probes may be determined, then the conductivity between a second pair of probes may be determined, and then the conductivity between a third pair of probes may be determined).

In a first control method during the start-up procedure, the refrigeration coils are operated and the current flowing between the respective pairs of probes is measured. A controller, for example a microcontroller, is arranged to use the values of the measured currents to determine the electrical conductivity between each pair of probes (first and second, first and third and second and third). As ice is produced, it reaches the first probe and the presence of ice at the first probe (closest to the refrigeration coil) is detected by monitoring the electrical conductivity between the three probes. As cooling continues, the ice eventually reaches a thickness defined by the second and third probe positions, and this will be measured by monitoring the electrical conductivity between the first and second probes, the second and third probes, and the first and third probes, thus indicating that the water has changed from a liquid state to a solid state, confirming that the ice has accumulated at least to the extent of the second and third probes.

After the ice has accumulated, the probes continue to monitor the conductivity between them together to monitor the thickness of the ice during machine operation.

In embodiments more than three conductive probes may be used. The minimum ice value may be set to a value extending from the refrigeration coil to a thickness of the first probe, and the maximum ice value may be set to a level extending to ice thicknesses of both the second and third probes. Means are preferably provided for turning refrigeration on and off to control ice thickness to be maintained between a minimum and a maximum.

Since the conductivity of water varies with the purity of the water, and thus with the amount of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in the water, a test can be performed using three probes to monitor the TDS level of the water.

In general, the second and third probes will be located equidistant from the water cooling conduit so that a measurement of the electrical conductivity between the second and third probes can be used to determine that the ice has the appropriate thickness.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of measuring ice accumulated in the above-described ice bath, the method comprising: measuring the conductivity between the first conductive probe and the second conductive probe, the conductivity between the first conductive probe and the third conductive probe and the conductivity between the second conductive probe and the third conductive probe in sequence; and using the measured values of conductivity to determine any one of when the ice reaches the first conductive probe, when the ice reaches the second and third conductive probes, and when the ice begins to recede from the second and third conductive probes, and using the measurements to control an apparatus for generating ice.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 show a typical water bath;

FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway view of a water bath with an ice thickness probe disposed;

FIG. 4 shows a portion of FIG. 3 enlarged;

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged portion of the top of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 shows a cutaway portion;

Fig. 7 shows a detail of a part of the cut-away portion, an

Fig. 8 shows a portion of a conductive probe.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, a typical ice bath system includes a container or vessel 1, typically made of a plastic or metal material. One or more refrigeration coils are generally disposed in the vessel relatively close to the inner wall of the vessel and are generally wound in a vertical manner to cover a majority of the height of the vessel. These refrigerant coils receive refrigerant liquid (not shown) through an inlet 2a and an outlet (not shown). A suitable refrigerant liquid is applied to the refrigeration coil. The refrigeration coil may also be referred to as an evaporator coil. Evaporators and refrigeration coils, as well as suitable liquids, are well known in many fields, such as refrigerators.

The coil tubing for liquid consumption is generally located in the area defined by the refrigeration coil. As with the refrigeration coil, the coil tubing may be coiled several times to increase the height of the container and receive the fluid (e.g., water) to be dispensed from the inlet 5. After passing through the conduit, the liquid passes through the outlet 6 to a dispensing outlet or tap from which cooling water or other fluid will be dispensed. Typically, the inlet is provided at the very top of the pipe 4 and the water to be cooled travels around the coil and to the bottom of the coil from where it rises to the outlet 6 for distribution.

Water or other liquid (such as glycol) is disposed in the container such that it is acted upon by the refrigerant in the refrigeration coil to partially turn the water into ice, and the tubing for liquid drinking is acted upon by the ice water to cool the liquid therein as it is contained in the ice bath. Thus, the liquid is cooled when it has passed through the pipe, but never in contact with water or other liquid used to cool it.

A temperature sensor 7 may be provided for determining the temperature of the water/ice in the container. The figure also shows level sensors 8, 9 for automatic filling of the container. These sensors sense the pressure of the water by a change in resistance from high (no water) to low (no water). Alternatively, other level sensors, such as float switches, may be used. Thus, the water or other fluid provided in the container and used to form the ice bath may be maintained at a constant level by monitoring a level sensor that is activated to close a valve of the filling mechanism when the container is full. The ice bath may include an impeller 10 powered by an electric motor drive 11. The impeller causes agitation of the water to ensure that the water is evenly distributed and also prevents ice from accumulating where it is not needed. This ensures that the temperature remains substantially constant throughout the ice bath range.

Figure 2 shows a similar ice bath but in this case a carbonation tank 12 is provided. The water in the carbonation tank, which also has an inlet and an outlet, is carbonated by means of injected carbon dioxide or other means, and the carbonation tank is mounted in the ice bath to be cooled by the ice bath so that the user can choose between still chilled water and carbonated (bubble) chilled water or other liquid. The invention is equally applicable to either still water systems or bubble water systems or systems that can selectively dispense both still water and bubble water.

As mentioned above, in such ice baths, the container is filled with water or possibly other heat transfer liquid, either manually or automatically in a system comprising a level sensor and a valve. Such a level sensor may be electronic or mechanical. The refrigeration system is then operated such that ice accumulates around the refrigeration coil, in the case of water, or generally cools the heat transfer liquid to a desired temperature. The amount of ice produced in the ice bath is typically controlled by means of a mechanical or electronic thermostat or sensor to be controlled between a minimum value (typically 0 degrees celsius) and a maximum value (typically 1 degree celsius). It is important that the ice produced does not surround the pipe carrying the liquid to be cooled and dispensed, as that may result in freezing and other damage to the pipe or poor quality of the dispensed liquid.

In an embodiment, this is achieved by means of ice thickness probes, and examples of these probes are shown in fig. 3 to 7. Three probes 20, 21 and 22 are shown in each figure. As shown, each probe extends generally vertically from a position supported by the lid 24 of the vessel and hangs vertically downward. As shown in fig. 8, each probe includes a center conductor 25 mounted in a coaxial sheath 26. The lowermost end 28 of the conductor extends beyond the lowermost portion 27 of the sheath. At the tip, the conductor also protrudes beyond the sheath for connection to a controller (not shown) for supplying current to the probe and for measuring results.

As shown, the probe is mounted between the tubing 4 and the refrigeration coil 2. They are also mounted in such a way that the probe 20 is mounted closer to the coil 2 than the other probes. That is, the closest distance of the probe 20 to the closest portion of the refrigeration coil 2 is smaller than the closest distance of either of the probes 21 and 22 to the refrigeration coil 2. Thus, the probes 21 and 22 are mounted closer to the pipe 4 for carrying the fluid to be cooled than the probe 20. In some embodiments, both probes 21 and 22 are spaced the same distance from the pipe 4. Typically, as shown, the coil will have a generally rectangular shape including straight portions extending along the edges of the rectangular vessel and curved portions at the coil of the vessel. The probe is typically mounted along one of the longer edges so that probe 20 is closer to the refrigeration coil 2 than probes 21 and 22, and probes 21 and 22 are equidistant from the tube 4 and from the tube 2.

Fig. 4 is enlarged compared to fig. 3 and shows the arrangement of the probe more clearly. The probe is arranged so that the exposed bottom edge 25a is a distance above the housing so that the conductivity of the water/ice at that location can be measured.

Thus, each probe acts as an electrode.

Fig. 5 shows an enlarged detail of the top of the probe assembly, clearly showing how the probe 20 is closer to the outside of the vessel than the other two probes.

Figure 6 shows a cut-away version showing more detail of the carbonation tank 30. The carbonation tank 30 is located in the pipe coil 4.

an agitator may or may not be present in embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 7 shows an alternative view clearly showing the probe between the refrigeration coil 2 and the pipe 4 for the liquid to be dispensed, wherein the probe 20 is closer to the refrigeration coil than the other two probes.

Turning now to the apparatus, in use, the container is first filled with water or other freezable liquid. Refrigerant is supplied to the refrigeration/evaporation coil 2. At the beginning of the cooling cycle, when ice production is desired, the conductivity of the water is measured by three probes working together. The electrical conductivity is measured between the probe 20 and the probe 21, between the probe 20 and the probe 22, and between the probe 21 and the probe 22. This establishes a baseline conductivity of the water and is done before ice is formed or at least before any substantial amount of ice is formed.

Conductivity values were measured by sequentially applying a voltage signal between each pair of probes and measuring the signal attenuation. This can therefore measure the conductivity of the water between the exposed portions of the probe, which can change as the water becomes ice. Typically, the probes may be powered by a DC signal and alternately powered so that the relative conductivity from one probe to another and between different pairs of probes may be determined, for example, first the conductivity between probes 20 and 21, then the conductivity between probes 20 and 22, and then the conductivity between probes 21 and 22. This cycle may be repeated.

The electrical signal strength is measured and the conductivity is determined by using an algorithm. Algorithms for determining conductance from signal strength are well known, for example, to correlate the decay in DC signal strength with expected conductance. Microcontrollers, whether DC or otherwise, are commonly used in this and other types of controllers.

As ice is produced, it begins on the surface of the evaporating or cooling coil 20. As ice accumulates, it reaches the first probe 20 and the presence of ice at the probe 20 is detected by monitoring the electrical conductivity between probes 20 and 21 and between probes 20 and 22. As ice accumulates on the probe 20, the conductivity will begin to change.

Cooling then continues until the ice reaches a thickness defined by the location of the second and third positions of the probes (i.e., extends to the probes). Thus, the second and third probes are most preferably mounted between the refrigeration coil and the distribution piping at a location that allows ice to extend to. When the ice reaches the probes 21 and 22 (as described above, probes 21 and 22 will be approximately the same distance from the refrigeration coil), the conductivity between the three sets of probes changes. This altered electrical conductivity indicates that the water has changed from a liquid state to a solid state (i.e., ice). This can then be detected and used to turn off the cooling.

After this first cooling cycle has been completed, the probe continues to monitor the electrical conductivity between them. This continues to monitor the thickness of the ice during operation. As the ice begins to melt and recedes from the dispensing conduit, a position will be reached when the ice is no longer around the probes 21 and 22, and will be detected by the varying electrical conductivity. The refrigeration mechanism can then be turned on again to have a certain amount of ice and the process can be repeated to keep the amount of ice stable and within a controlled range.

In another embodiment, ice may be allowed to exit the probe 20 before turning on the compressor (refrigeration mechanism) again. This is to reduce the number of on and off signals of the compressor and to reduce the number of short cycles of the compressor.

The thickness of the ice may be monitored continuously during machine operation, or may be monitored, for example, when the machine is powered on but in a standby mode.

During operation of the dispensing machine, if the second probe 21 and the third probe 22 begin to be exposed to liquid water (i.e. the ice has melted and the thickness begins to decrease), this is detected by the microprocessor or microcontroller monitoring the change in conductivity. This serves as a signal to turn on the cooling system to replace the missing ice thickness. Ice will disappear by heat transfer to the surrounding environment, so embodiments of the present invention can continuously monitor ice thickness, maximizing cold water delivery.

It is desirable to use three probes to properly monitor the distance that the ice has extended toward the dispensing conduit. If there is only one second probe, this may monitor the peak of the local change in ice thickness, rather than the overall production of ice in the desired direction. Thus, embodiments of the present invention preferably use at least three probes. In some environments, more than three probes may be used. For example, three or more probes further from the refrigeration coil may be used in addition to the first probe closest to the refrigeration coil to more fully measure the uniformity of ice distribution.

Furthermore, a three probe configuration can be used to measure the level of TDS (total dissolved solids) in the water, and measurements between all three probes (i.e., between probe 20 and probe 21, probe 20 and probe 22, and probe 21 and probe 22) are very useful to achieve a reliable measurement of TDS level and distinguish it from a single ice thickness measurement.

By ensuring that the two probes closest to the water cooling coils are positioned substantially parallel to these coils, they can check that ice is building up to the desired thickness.

Many control methods may be used to measure and control the level of ice. The compressor is used to control the flow of refrigerant and thus the temperature. The control unit may provide on and off instructions to the compressor in a timely manner to maintain the ice level, and thus the temperature of the ice bath, constant at the cooling duct. Where a stirrer or impeller is used, it may also be used to control the stirrer or impeller.

it may be useful to include more than three probes. If three or more probes are arranged closer to the pipe carrying the liquid to be dispensed than the fourth probe, by spacing them from each other, the user can check that a uniform ice thickness is present.

the refrigeration coil and the tubing carrying the liquid to be dispensed may be positioned in other locations than shown. Regardless of their arrangement, the probes should be located between them with at least one probe closer to the refrigeration coil than the other probes.