Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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RECIRCULATING METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BEVERAGE DISPENSER
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Disclosure
[0001] The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for dispensing
beverages. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods and
systems
for dispensing beverages in which the dispensed plain/carbonated water and/or
product are maintained at a more consistent dispensing temperature than in
known
methods and systems. The present disclosure achieves the more consistent
dispensing temperature by intermittent recirculation of the plain/carbonated
water
and, optionally, product as will be more fully described herein.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] Currently, restaurants serve a variety of beverages such as
carbonated
and non-carbonated drinks. The state-of-the-art beverage systems/dispensers
("systems") is such that such systems generally include a heat transfer
system, a
plumbing/manifold assembly, a valve/nozzle assembly and a carbonation system.
The heat transfer system receives a supply of water and a supply of product
(e.g.,
flavorings/syrups) that is cooled to a desired temperature. Some of the cooled
water
supply is transferred to the carbonation system where it is carbonated and
thereafter
returned to the heat transfer system for later transfer to the
plumbing/manifold and
valve/nozzle assembly for dispensing. Subsequently, chilled plain water,
chilled
carbonated water and chilled product are transferred from the heat transfer
system
to the plumbing/manifold assembly from which it/they is/are pumped to the
valve/nozzle assembly and dispensed on demand to an end-user (restaurant
employee and/or customer) through the valve/nozzle assembly.
[0003] Generally, the state-of-the-art systems are effective in maintaining
the
water/carbonated water/product within a reasonable dispensing temperature
range.
This is especially so when the beverage system/dispenser is under continuing
regular use. However, when (as is common) there is a fluctuation in the
consistency/time periods of use, the water/carbonated water/product may suffer
from
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a wide variation in temperature ranges and, thus, the quality of the resulting
product
may be adversely affected.
[0004] For instance, the state-of-the-art systems provide an optimal and
consistent beverage temperature performance in the range of 33 F-40 F during
normal operation, but during periods of low/non-use the temperature
performance is
adversely affected due to the fact that chilled plain/carbonated water and
product
are not moved from the plumbing/manifold assembly to the valve nozzle
assembly.
This non-moving combination of ingredients ("stagnant" ingredients) results in
a
deteriorating temperature profile over a period of time (e.g., generally
greater than
or equal to about 30 min.). The dispensed beverages from the system after the
low/non-use periods will have a decreased quality (temperature/consistency) of
the
beverage. This is due to an increase in temperature of the stagnant beverage
in the
plumbing/manifold and the valve/nozzle assemblies (i.e., greater than about 40
F).
Indeed, product suppliers often set maximum dispense temperatures for their
product (i.e., 40 F-42 F, or below, for example).
[0005] Attempts to avoid or overcome the increase in temperature of
stagnant
beverage in the plumbing/manifold and the valve/nozzle assemblies have been
made. For instance, one method that has been used is chilling the area of the
beverage system/dispenser in which the plumbing/manifold assembly and/or
nozzle
assembly is located. However, as can be appreciated, this can lead to
significant
unnecessary energy consumption, as well as increased manufacture costs.
Alternatively, another method that has been used is continuous recirculation
of the
water/carbonated water from the plumbing/manifold assembly and/or nozzle
assembly to the heat transfer system, and this method is commonly used in
external
chiller-based dispensing systems. However, these systems, likewise, consume a
significant amount of energy due to the unnecessary (i.e., continuous)
recirculation
that recirculates product even when not necessarily needed.
[0006] Thus, a need exists for methods and systems that overcome the
shortcomings caused by the state-of-the-art methods and systems for
maintaining
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desired product temperature, such as chilling the entire area of the beverage
system/dispenser in which the plumbing/manifold assembly and/or valve/nozzle
assembly is located or, alternatively, utilizing continuous recirculation
methods. The
present disclosure provides methods and systems that overcome these
shortcomings and satisfied those needs.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide methods and
systems that maintain desired product temperature without cooling entire areas
or
sections of the system.
[0008] It is also an object of the present disclosure to provide methods
and
systems that maintain desired product temperature without cooling by
continuous
recirculation.
[0009] It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide methods
and
systems that can be adjusted to meet the temperature requirements often set by
product suppliers.
[0010] Is a still further object of the present disclosure to allow end
users to
set and regulate desired product temperature and automatically maintain a
desired
temperature.
[0011] It is an additional object of the present disclosure to allow end-
users to
set and regulate desired product temperature based on product-dispense
parameters that are chosen by the end-users.
[0012] These and other objects of the present disclosure are met by the
methods and systems disclosed herein that improve the quality (i.e., achieving
constant target desired temperature) of the product that is dispensed after
low/non-
used times by intermittent recirculation of stagnant product that is in the
plumbing/manifold and/or valve/nozzle assemblies. The methods and systems
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achieve this improvement by adding a timer/relay/controller to control
activation and
deactivation of the pump in the plumbing/manifold assembly. Preferably, the
pump is
either a pump with a backflow preventer/check valve and/or a unidirectional
pump.
The pump and backflow preventer/check valve, or unidirectional pump is,
preferably,
plumbed between the plumbing/manifold assembly and the heat transfer system.
Contrary to the known methods and systems, the pump does not continuously
recirculate beverage in the system. Rather, it employs one of the various
methods
and/or systems disclosed herein to intermittently recirculate beverage
components,
as required. The intermittent recirculation methods and systems maintain
optimal
and consistent temperatures of the dispensed product and reduce the energy
usage
of the pump.
[0013] Among the methods and systems for periodically recirculating product
are time-based methods and systems, pressure change-based methods and
systems, temperature change-based methods and systems, electric current and/or
voltage-based methods and systems, dispense-pattern-based methods and systems
and combinations of any of the foregoing. Of course, one skilled in the art
will
understand that other methods and systems for recirculation can be envisioned
and
utilized based on the many embodiments disclosed herein. According to
preferred
aspects of the present disclosure, it is only the chilled plain water/chilled
carbonated
water in the plumbing/manifold assembly that is recirculated to the heat
transfer
system. The reason for this is that a large percentage of the dispensed
product
resides in the plumbing/manifold assembly, with only a small percentage of the
dispensed product residing at any time in the valve/nozzle assembly (e.g., in
the
ratio range of 80/90% product in the plumbing/manifold assembly to 10/20%
product
in the valve/nozzle assembly). Of course, if desired, it is possible based on
the
present disclosure to recirculate the dispensed product that is in the
valve/nozzle
assembly as well. Similarly, according to the present disclosure, it is only
the chilled
plain water and chilled carbonated water that are recirculated to the
recirculation
pump for transfer to the heat transfer system for cooling. The reason for this
is,
likewise, that chilled plain water and/or chilled carbonated water comprise a
large
percentage of the dispensed product that resides in the plumbing/manifold
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assembly. Of course, if desired, it is possible, based on the present
disclosure, to
recirculate the product (e.g., flavoring/syrup) as well.
[0014] One embodiment of the system of the present disclosure is a beverage
dispensing system comprising a heat transfer system, a carbonation system, a
plumbing/manifold assembly, a valve/nozzle assembly and a recirculation pump,
wherein the recirculation pump is disposed between the plumbing/manifold
assembly and the heat transfer system, wherein the recirculation pump is
associated
with a first device disposed between the recirculation pump and a power supply
for
the recirculation pump, and wherein the first device provides periodic power
supply
to the recirculation pump. Preferably, the first device comprises a device
selected
from a timer, a relay, a controller or any combinations of the foregoing.
[0015] Other embodiments of the system of the present disclosure further
comprise a second device disposed in association with the first device,
wherein the
second device senses a condition in the system, wherein the second device
determines a parameter of the condition, and wherein the second device signals
the
first device to periodically supply power to the recirculation pump based on
the
parameter of the sensed condition. Preferably, the second device is selected
from a
pressure sensing device, a temperature sensing device, a current and/or
voltage
sensing device, a dispense-pattern sensing device and any combinations of the
foregoing. In a further embodiment of the system of the present disclosure,
the
second device is disposed in association with one or more of supply lines
between
the plumbing/manifold assembly and the valve/nozzle assembly that provide
chilled
plain water, chilled carbonated water and chilled product from the
plumbing/manifold
assembly to the valve/nozzle assembly, and the sensed condition is a condition
in
one or more of the supply lines. Preferably, in this embodiment the sensed
condition is selected from the pressure, temperature, dispense-pattern and
combinations of the foregoing in the one or more supply lines and any
combinations
of the foregoing.
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[0016] Alternatively, the second device is disposed in association with a
power supply for the valve/nozzle assembly and the sensed condition is a
condition
of electric current and/or voltage supplied to the valve/nozzle assembly.
Preferably,
the parameter of the sensed condition is the absence of change in the electric
current and/or voltage provided to the valve/nozzle assembly, indicating that
the
valve/nozzle assembly has not been activated. In preferred embodiments of the
system of the present disclosure, the recirculation pump is selected from a
unidirectional pump and/or a pump in association with a backflow preventer.
The
unidirectional pump serves to prevent the flow of recirculating chilled plain
water
and/or chilled carbonated water from the recirculation pump to the
plumbing/manifold assembly until desired by allowing pumped material to flow
in
only one direction without needing additional devices in association
therewith.
Likewise, the backflow preventer in association with the pump serves to
prevent the
flow of recirculating chilled plain water and/or chilled carbonated water from
the
recirculation pump to the plumbing/manifold assembly until desired.
[0017] Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a method of
operating
a beverage dispensing system comprising a heat transfer system, a carbonation
system, a plumbing/manifold assembly, a valve/nozzle assembly and a
recirculation
pump, the method comprising disposing the recirculation pump between the
plumbing/manifold assembly and the heat transfer system, associating the
recirculation pump with a first device, disposing the first device between the
recirculation pump and a power supply for the recirculation pump, controlling
the
power supply with the first device, and providing periodic power supply to the
recirculation pump by the first device. Preferably, the first device comprises
a device
selected from a timer, a relay, a controller or any combinations of the
foregoing.
[0018] Another embodiment of the method of the present disclosure further
comprises providing a second device, disposing the second device in
association
with the first device, sensing a condition in the system by the second device,
determining a parameter of the sensed condition by the second device,
signaling the
first device by the second device to supply power to the recirculation pump
based
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on the determined parameter of the sensed condition, determining a change in
the
determined parameter of the sensed condition, and stopping the supply of power
to
the recirculation pump based on the change in the determined parameter of the
sensed condition. Preferably, the second device is selected from a pressure
sensing device, a temperature sensing device, a current and/or voltage sensing
device, a dispense-pattern sensing device and any combinations of the
foregoing.
In yet another embodiment of the method of the present disclosure, the method
further comprises disposing the second device in association with one or more
of
supply lines between the plumbing/manifold assembly and the valve/nozzle
assembly that provide chilled plain water, chilled carbonated water and
chilled
product from the plumbing/manifold assembly to the valve/nozzle assembly and
sensing a condition in one or more of the supply lines. Preferably, the sensed
condition is selected from the pressure, temperature, dispense-pattern and any
combinations of the foregoing in the one or more supply lines.
[0019] Alternatively, the method includes disposing the second device in
association with a power supply for the valve/nozzle assembly and sensing a
condition of electric current and/or voltage supplied to the valve/nozzle
assembly.
Preferably, the method additionally comprises sensing a parameter of the
condition
of electric current and/or voltage, wherein the parameter comprises an absence
of
change in the electric current and/or voltage, and activating the
recirculation pump
based on the absence of change in the electric current and/or voltage. In
preferred
embodiments of the system of the present disclosure, the recirculation pump is
selected from a unidirectional pump and a pump in association with a backflow
preventer. The unidirectional pump serves to prevent the flow of recirculating
chilled
plain water and/or chilled carbonated water from the recirculation pump to the
plumbing/manifold assembly until desired by allowing pumped material to flow
in
only one direction without needing additional devices in association
therewith.
Likewise, the backflow preventer in association with a pump serves to prevent
the
flow of recirculating chilled plain water and/or chilled carbonated water from
the
recirculation pump to the plumbing/manifold assembly until desired.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The foregoing and other benefits of the beverage dispenser of the
present disclosure will become further apparent to those skilled in the art
from the
detailed disclosure and the following Figures, in which:
[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the components of a state-of-
the-art beverage system/dispenser with a recirculation pump;
[0022] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the components of a
beverage system/dispenser with a recirculation pump in one embodiment of the
present disclosure employing a timer/relay/controller;
[0023] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the components of a
beverage system/dispenser with a recirculation pump in a second embodiment of
the present disclosure employing a timer/relay/controller in association with
a
pressure sensing device;
[0024] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the components of a
beverage system/dispenser with a recirculation pump in a third embodiment of
the
present disclosure employing a timer/relay/controller in association with a
temperature sensing device;
[0025] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the components of a
beverage system/dispenser with a recirculation pump in a fourth embodiment of
the
present disclosure employing a timer/relay/controller in association with an
electric
current and/or voltage sensing device;
[0026] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the components of a
beverage system/dispenser with a recirculation pump in a fifth embodiment of
the
present disclosure employing a timer/relay/controller i association with a
dispense-
pattern sensing device; and
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[0027] Figure 7 is a chart showing pump on/pump off times and resulting
product temperatures using the methods and systems of the present disclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] In the description of the Figures that follows, like elements will
be
denoted with like numerals throughout the Figures and description thereof.
[0029] Figure 1 show a state-of-the-art beverage system/dispenser
("system"). 100 that includes a carbonation system 110, a heat transfer system
120,
a plumbing/manifold assembly 130, a valve/nozzle assembly 140 and a
recirculation
pump 150. Carbonation system 110 is provided with a supply of carbon dioxide
through line 112 from a carbon dioxide source (not shown). Heat transfer
system
120 is provided with a supply of product through a product supply line 121 and
a
supply of water through a water supply line 122 (both from sources not shown).
Heat
transfer system 120 chills the product supply and water supply and transfers
pre-
chilled water through a product transfer line 114 to carbonation system 110,
where
the pre-chilled water is carbonated. Thereafter, carbonated, pre-chilled water
is
transferred to heat transfer system 120 through a product transfer line 116.
Carbonation system 110 is, generally, provided with a separate power supply
118.
Heat transfer system 120 transfers chilled plain water, chilled carbonated
water and
chilled product to plumbing/manifold assembly through product lines 124, 126
and
128, respectively. Plumbing/manifold assembly 130 then transfers chilled plain
water, chilled carbonated water and chilled product to valve/nozzle assembly
140
through product lines 132, 134 and 136, respectively. Valve/nozzle assembly
140 is,
generally, provided with a separate power supply 142 that powers valve/nozzle
assembly 140 to dispense chilled product through a product dispense line 144.
In
the state-of-the-art method and system, recirculation pump 150 continually
recirculates chilled plain water through product lines 152 and 154 from
plumbing/manifold assembly 130 to heat transfer system 120 and, likewise,
continually recirculates chilled carbonated water through product lines 156
and 158
from plumbing/manifold assembly 130 to heat transfer system 120. From heat
transfer system 120 chilled plain water, chilled carbonated water and chilled
product
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are again transferred to plumbing/manifold assembly 130 through product lines
124,
126 and 128, respectively. Because recirculation pump 150 is continually
recirculating chilled plain water and chilled carbonated water from
plumbing/manifold assembly 130 to heat transfer system 120, recirculation pump
150 is powered from a source not shown in Figure 1. In the embodiment of the
present disclosure shown in Figure 2, recirculation pump 150 is powered and
thus
activated for a certain predetermined duration of time. Recirculation pump 150
is
also shown associated with a backflow preventer 159 (not shown again in
Figures 2-
6, but could be used in those situation where recirculation pump is not a
unidirectional pump). The power source for recirculation pump 150 in the
embodiment shown in Figure 1 could be part of power supply 118 for carbonation
system 110, part of power supply 142 for valve/nozzle assembly 140, or a
separate
power supply.
[0030] Figure 2
shows a system 200, in which all of the components of system
200 are essentially the same as in system 100 in Figure 1. In addition, Figure
2
shows that system 200 includes a timer/relay/controller 210 that is connected
to its
own power supply 220. Timer/relay/controller 210 is also connected to
recirculation
pump 150 via power line 240. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, and
different
than the embodiment shown in Figure 1, recirculation pump 150 is powered only
by
power supply 220 that is controlled by timer/relay/controller 210. Thus, power
is
supplied from power supply 220 via power line 240 to recirculation pump 150
according to the manner in which timer/relay/controller 210 is set.
Recirculation
pump 150 is turned off by timer/relay/controller 210 after completing one
cycle of
recirculation (i.e. activation time plus duration of time). Recirculation pump
150
repeats a cycle of recirculation based on turn on/turn off times and, thus,
the
recirculation cycle time, for each turn on/turn off determined by
timer/relay/controller
210. According to this embodiment of the present disclosure, the duration of
one
cycle of recirculation may be randomly set by the end-user (i.e., the
establishment in
which system 200 is installed). In turn, one cycle of recirculation can be
determined
easily through trial and error by the end-user to attain, e.g., the desired
product
temperature, whether mandated by a product supplier or by the end-user. It
will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that the duration of one cycle of
recirculation
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may be adjusted according to parameters known to the end-user, such as time of
day, outside temperature, and similar such parameters. The end-user would
appreciate from experience that, for example, during peak use periods (such as
lunch and/or dinner) one cycle of recirculation may occur less frequently (or
not at
all) than during non-peak use periods (such as mid-morning, mid-afternoon
and/or
late night).
[0031] Figure 3
shows a system 300, in which all of the components of system
300 are essentially the same as in system 200 in Figure 2. System 300 is an
embodiment of the present disclosure in which the activation and duration of
timer/relay/controller 210 is not based upon a set time as is the case in the
embodiment of Figure 2. Rather, the activation and duration of
timer/relay/controller
210 (and thus the activation/duration of recirculation pump 150) is based on
monitoring pressure changes in plumbing/manifold assembly 130. As background,
when a beverage is dispensed from valve/nozzle assembly 140 there is a
pressure
change (drop) in one or more of product lines 132, 134 and/or 136. According
to the
embodiment shown in Figure 3, a change in pressure in one or more of product
lines
132, 134 and/or 136 is detected by a pressure transducer/pressure switch 310
placed in association with plumbing/manifold assembly 130 which, in turn, is
associated with timer/relay/controller 210 through a connection 312. If there
is no
pressure change detected (meaning no product is being/has been dispensed by
valve/nozzle assembly 140) by pressure transducer/pressure switch 310 after a
set
duration of time (for example, approximately 8-12 min. at 90 F ambient
temperature
and 65% relative humidity), pressure transducer/pressure switch 310 activates
timer/relay/controller 210 through connection 312, and a recirculation
cycle(s) of
recirculation pump 150 will be performed, after which recirculation pump 150
will be
turned off. Again, recirculation pump 150 continues to perform recirculation
cycle(s)
until such time as timer/relay/controller 210 is deactivated via connection
312 when
pressure transducer/pressure switch 310 detects a pressure change in
plumbing/manifold assembly 130. By performing pressure sensing using pressure
transducer/pressure switch 310, timer/relay/controller 210 will be activated
and
deactivated by signals from connection 312. Therefore, in some respects, one
skilled in the art can envision that system 300 automatically responds to peak
use
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periods and non-peak use periods because pressure changes in plumbing/manifold
assembly 130 are indicative of use, and lack of use, respectively.
Alternatively,
timer/relay/controller 210 may be activated if there is no change in pressure
in
plumbing/manifold assembly 130 over different preset time intervals. For
example,
timer/relay/controller 210 may be activated if there is no change in pressure
in
plumbing/manifold assembly 130 for 1, 5 or 10 min., or for any other time
desired,
and kept activated for any time period chosen by the end-user until such time
as a
change in pressure is detected.
[0032] Figure 4
shows a system 400, in which all of the components of system
400 are essentially the same as in system 300 in Figure 3. System 400 is an
embodiment of the present disclosure in which the activation and duration of
timer/relay/controller 210 is not based upon a set time or pressure
measurement.
Rather, the activation and duration of timer/relay/controller 210 (and thus
the
activation/duration of recirculation pump 150) is based on monitoring
temperature
changes in plumbing/manifold assembly 130. As mentioned above, the quality of
dispensed beverages from valve/nozzle assembly 140 depends on the
temperature(s) in one or more of product lines 132, 134 and/or 136, usually of
all
three lines. According to the embodiment shown in Figure 4, a change in
temperature in one or more of product lines 132, 134 and/or 136 is detected by
a
temperature sensor 410 placed in association with plumbing/manifold assembly
130
which, in turn, is associated with timer/relay/controller 210 through a
connection
412. If there is no temperature change detected (meaning that beverage quality
is
likely not affected) by temperature sensor 410 timer/relay/controller 210 is
not
activated through connection 412, and recirculation cycle(s) of recirculation
pump
150 will not be performed. If, however, temperature sensor 410 detects an
increase
in temperature above a set threshold temperature (set, e.g., by the end-user
or
mandated by a product supplier), a signal will be sent to
timer/relay/controller 210
via connection 412, timer/relay/controller 210 will be activated to start
recirculation
pump 150 to a perform recirculation cycle(s). Again, recirculation pump 150
continues to perform recirculation cycle(s) until such time as
timer/relay/controller
210 is deactivated via connection 412 when temperature sensor 410 detects that
a
desired reduction to a predetermined lower temperature is attained in one or
more of
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product lines 132, 134 and/or 136 of plumbing/manifold assembly 130. By
temperature monitoring and sensing using temperature sensor 410,
timer/relay/controller 210 will be activated and deactivated by signals from
connection 412. Therefore, in some respects, one skilled in the art can
envision that
system 400 automatically responds to environmental (i.e., ambient temperature
at a
point of use location of system 400) because temperature changes in
plumbing/manifold assembly 130 can be indicative of such ambient conditions.
In
the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the temperature at which activation of
timer/relay/controller 210 occurs and the temperature at which deactivation of
timer/relay/controller 210 occurs can be selected according to particular
needs. For
example, the activation/deactivation temperature may be the same, e.g. 40 F,
so
that activation of timer/relay/controller 210 occurs when the measured
temperature
of plumbing/manifold assembly 130 goes above 40 F and deactivation of
timer/relay/controller 210 occurs when the measured temperature of
plumbing/manifold assembly 130 reaches 40 F. More commonly however, the
activation/deactivation temperature will be set as a range of temperatures,
e.g. a
40 F activation temperature and a 36 F deactivation temperature. As will be
apparent to those of skill in the art, use of temperature sensor 410 provides
flexibility in the parameters used to attain satisfactory product quality.
[0033] Figure 5
shows a system 500, in which all of the components of system
500 are essentially the same as in systems 300 and 400 in Figures 3 and 4.
System
500 is an embodiment of the present disclosure in which the
activation/deactivation
of timer/relay/controller 210 is not based upon a set time, pressure or
temperature
measurement. Rather, the activation/deactivation of timer/relay/controller 210
(and
thus the activation/deactivation of recirculation pump 150) is based on
changes in
current and/or voltage supplied to and/or used by valve/nozzle assembly 140.
In this
situation, this embodiment of the present disclosure is similar in concept to
that of
Figure 3 that measures pressure changes at one or more of product lines 132,
134
and/or 136, usually of all three lines of plumbing/manifold assembly 130. The
pressure changes at one or more of product lines 132, 134 and/or 136 of
plumbing/manifold assembly 130 indicate that valve/nozzle assembly 140 of
system
300 is in use, and not requiring the recirculation provided by recirculation
pump 150.
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Likewise, current and/or voltage use indicates that valve/nozzle assembly 140
of
system 500 is in use, and not requiring the recirculation provided by
recirculation
pump 150. According to the embodiment shown in Figure 5, a change in current
and/or voltage use by valve/nozzle assembly 140 is detected by a current
and/or
voltage sensing device 510 placed in association with power supply 142 of
valve/nozzle assembly 140. Current and/or voltage sensing device 510 is also
associated with timer/relay/controller 210 through a connection 512. If there
is no
current and/or voltage change detected (meaning no product is being/has been
dispensed by valve/nozzle assembly 140) by current and/or voltage sensing
device
510 after a set duration of time (for example, approximately 8-12 min. at 90 F
ambient temperature and 65% relative humidity), current and/or voltage sensing
device 510 activates timer/relay/controller 210 through connection 512, and a
recirculation cycle(s) of recirculation pump 150 will be performed, after
which
recirculation pump 150 will be turned off. Again, recirculation pump 150
continues to
perform recirculation cycle(s) until such time as timer/relay/controller 210
is
deactivated via connection 512 when current and/or voltage sensing device 510
detects a current and/or voltage change at valve/nozzle assembly 140. By
performing current and/or voltage change sensing using current and/or voltage
sensing device 510, timer/relay/controller 210 will be activated and
deactivated by
signals from connection 512. Therefore, in some respects, one skilled in the
art can
envision that system 500 also can automatically respond to peak use periods
and
non-peak use periods because current and/or voltage changes at valve/nozzle
assembly 140 are indicative of use, and lack of use, respectively.
Alternatively,
timer/relay/controller 210 may be activated if there is no change in pressure
in
plumbing/manifold assembly 130 over different preset time intervals. For
example,
timer/relay/controller 210 may be activated if there is no change in current
and/or
voltage pressure at valve/nozzle assembly 140 for 1, 5 or 10 min., or for any
other
time desired and kept activated for any time period chosen by the end-user
until
such time as a change in current and/or voltage is detected.
[0034] Figure 6
shows a system 600, in which all of the components of system
600 are essentially the same as in systems 300, 400 and 500 in Figures 3, 4
and 5.
System 600 is an embodiment of the present disclosure in which the
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activation/deactivation of a timer/relay/controller 610 is not based upon a
set time,
pressure, temperature or current and/or voltage measurement. Rather, the
activation/deactivation of timer/relay/controller 610 (and thus the
activation/duration
of recirculation pump 150) is based on monitoring and recording dispense-
patterns
of either plumbing/manifold assembly 130 or valve/nozzle assembly 140. In the
embodiment shown in Figure 6, dispense-patterns of plumbing/manifold assembly
130 are monitored, but one skilled in the art would appreciate that dispense-
patterns
at valve/nozzle assembly 140 would be useful as well for the same purpose. In
this
embodiment of the present disclosure, system 600 is equipped with a self-
learning
timer/relay/controller 610 that records use, and therefore beverage dispense-
patterns, at one or more of product lines 132, 134 and/or 136, usually of all
three
lines, of plumbing/manifold assembly 130. Self-learning timer/relay/controller
610
records the dispense-patterns over a course of time (e.g. a week), and also
the
dispense-patterns during each day of the week, as indicated by a dispense-
pattern
metering device 620 via a connection 622 with self-learning
timer/relay/controller
610. Self-learning timer/relay/controller 610 thereafter is able to predict
low/non-use
periods during a week from that history. Self-learning timer/relay/controller
610 then
activates recirculation pump 150 according to the dispense-patterns learned by
self-
learning timer/relay/controller 610. Again, self-learning
timer/relay/controller 610
recognizes low/non-use periods and the duration of same. Therefore, self-
learning
timer/relay/controller 610 will maintain recirculation pump 150 activated for
a time
sufficient, and in accordance with, the recognized low/non-used periods and
their
duration. Therefore, one skilled in the art can envision that system 600
automatically
responds to peak use periods and non-peak use periods as learned over a period
of
time. Likewise, the periods of peak use and non-peak use may change over
longer
periods of time (e.g., seasonally) and self-learning timer/relay/controller
610 will
accommodate such seasonal changes.
[0035] Figure 7 shows resulting temperatures using various pump on/pump
times according to the present disclosure. The target temperature of the
embodiments shown in Figure 7 was an assumed maximum target temperature of
42 F. In the table shown in Figure 7, test run. #1 reflects the increase in
temperature above the maximum often set by a product supplier without any
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recirculation via the recirculation pump over a period of time of 30 min. Test
runs.
#2-10 show that using various pump on, and pump off times the target maximum
temperature of 42 F can be attained using the intermittent recirculation
systems
and methods according to the present disclosure. More particularly, assuming a
maximum product temperature, that is often set, by a product supplier of 41
F, test
runs. #3-10 attain this target temperature. Further, assuming a maximum
product
temperature set by product supplier of 40 F, test runs. #9-10 attain this
target
temperature.
[0036] It should also be recognized that the terms "first", "second",
"third",
"upper", "lower", and the like may be used herein to modify various elements.
These
modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the
modified
elements unless specifically stated.
[0037] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to
one
or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that
various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements
thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In
addition,
many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to
the
teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof.
Therefore, it is
intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular
embodiment(s)
disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the disclosure will include
all
embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
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