Patent ID: 7373784
Filing Date: 2008-05-20
Classification: B67D

Abstract:
1. A beer system, comprising: a plurality of beer sources; a coolant chiller for chilling coolant, the chilled coolant being directed in a stream that is split to flow in at least a first coolant line and a second coolant line, the first coolant line coupled to a first coolant valve for controlling flow of coolant in the first coolant line; a first beer tap for dispensing beer within a first temperature range, this first temperature range tap being coupled to at least one of the beer sources through a first beer line that runs, at least for some distance, in a bundle with the first and second coolant lines; a first sensor for measuring the temperature of the beer to be dispensed by the first temperature range tap, the sensor providing a signal for use in controlling the first coolant valve; a second beer tap for dispensing beer within a second temperature range, this second temperature range tap being coupled to a first heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger coupled between at least one of the beer sources and the second temperature range tap, the first heat exchanger also coupled to the second coolant line, the first heat exchanger operable to chill the beer received through a second beer line running from the coupled beer source before it reaches the second temperature range tap; a second sensor for measuring the temperature of the beer chilled by the first heat exchanger; and a second coolant valve coupled to the second coolant line between the coolant chiller and the first heat exchanger for controlling flow of coolant to the first heat exchanger, the second coolant valve controlled in response to the second sensor.