Abstract:
System and method of cooling and dispensing a liquid, such as a beverage. The system can include a liquid source, a cooling reservoir, a dispensing valve, and a liquid conduit. The liquid conduit can connect the liquid source to the dispensing valve. The liquid conduit can be constructed of a thermally-conductive material. The liquid conduit can pass through the cooling reservoir. The invention can include a method of providing cooled liquids to a dispensing valve. The method can include maintaining ice and a cooling liquid in a cooling reservoir near the dispensing valve, pumping liquid through a thermo conductive conduit positioned in the ice and cooling liquid, and pumping the liquid out of the dispensing valve.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention generally relates to systems and methods for dispensing liquids, including beverages such as beer.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In many parts of the world, kegs of beer are kept at room temperature and cooled during dispensing. A line runs from the keg to an in-line cooler which cools the beer to a desired temperature. A hose then runs from the in-line cooler to the dispense point. When a beer is being dispensed, relatively warm beer runs from the keg to the in-line cooler where it is chilled to a desired temperature. The cooled beer then travels through the hose to the dispense point. The beer that is in the hose after the cooler can warm to ambient temperature if it remains in the hose for a sufficient period of time. This can result when there is a sufficient period of time between beers being dispensed. As a result, the volume of beer that is in the hose can be dispensed at a significantly warmer temperature than is desired. In some markets, “pythons” or cooled beverage lines are used to alleviate this problem.  
         [0003]     The current trend in the beer industry is toward a dramatic increase in the number of dispense points and a corresponding decrease in the amount of beverage dispensed from each of these dispense points individually. Because of this decrease in the amount of beer dispensed from each dispense point, a significantly greater number of these beers are served at a warmer temperature than desired, because the beverage has been in the hose for a relatively longer period of time than in the past.  
         [0004]     Further, the cost of each installation of a dispensing point becomes more critical with the trend toward more dispensing points and each dispensing point dispensing less volume. With the reduced volume dispensed at each dispense point, a user&#39;s return on investment can be significantly longer than in the past.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     In some embodiments, the invention can provide a liquid cooling and dispensing system including a liquid source, a cooling reservoir, a dispensing valve, and a liquid conduit. The liquid conduit can connect the liquid source to the dispensing valve. The liquid conduit can be constructed of a thermally-conductive material. The liquid conduit can pass through the cooling reservoir.  
         [0006]     Some embodiments of the liquid distribution system include a cooling reservoir at least partially filled with a cooling liquid and an insulating material coupled to the cooling reservoir. The system can also include an ice forming module positioned in the cooling reservoir in thermal communication with the cooling liquid. The ice forming module can include a thermoelectric cooler (also referred to as a Peltier cooler) and an ice growing appendage. The system can include a liquid conduit positioned in the cooling reservoir, and the liquid conduit can be coupled to a dispensing valve.  
         [0007]     The invention can include a method of providing cooled liquids to a dispensing valve. The method can include maintaining ice and water in a cooling reservoir near the dispensing valve, pumping liquid through a thermo conductive conduit positioned in the ice and water, and pumping the liquid out of the dispensing valve. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIGS. 1A, 1B ,  1 C, and  1 D are front, side, back, and top views of a beverage dispensing tower according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view of the beverage dispensing tower of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side cross-sectional view of an ice forming module according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0011]      FIGS. 4A, 4B , and  4 C are side cross-sectional views of ice forming modules coupled to a cooling reservoir according to embodiments of the invention.  
         [0012]      FIGS. 5A, 5B ,  5 C,  5 D,  5 E, and  5 F are side and top views of ice growing appendages according to embodiments of the invention.  
         [0013]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are side cross-sectional views of insulation structure according to embodiments of the invention.  
         [0014]      FIGS. 7A, 7B , and  7 C are side cross-sectional views of insulation methods and materials according to embodiments of the invention.  
         [0015]      FIGS. 8A, 8B ,  8 C,  8 D,  8 E,  8 F, and  8 G are side cross-sectional views of liquid conduit structures according to embodiments of the invention.  
         [0016]      FIGS. 9A, 9B ,  9 C, and  9 D are side and top views of cooling reservoirs according to embodiments of the invention.  
         [0017]      FIGS. 10A, 10B ,  10 C, and  10 C are side cross-sectional views of agitators according to embodiments of the invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 11  is a side cross-sectional view of a cooling reservoir according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 12  is a perspective cross-sectional view of a thermoelectric cooler and ice growing appendage of a cooling reservoir according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 13  is a side view of a beverage dispensing tower with multiple dispensing valves according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a beverage dispensing tower according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0022]      FIGS. 15A and 15B  are side views of cooling reservoirs according to embodiments of the invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 16  is a side view of a cooling reservoir according to one embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings, whether direct or indirect.  
         [0025]      FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate front, side, back, and top views of one embodiment of a beverage dispensing tower  100  for cooling a beverage before dispensing the beverage. In some embodiments, the beverage dispensing tower  100  can include a complete beverage cooling system that can be housed within a single tower and mounted on a counter or bar. In some embodiments, the beverage can be cooled substantially immediately before dispensing the beverage. Although various embodiments of the invention are described with respect to beverages (such as beer), each embodiment of the invention is also suitable for various types of liquids. The beverage dispensing tower  100  can have a rectangular or circular cross-sectional shape or one or more other suitable cross-sectional shapes in order to accommodate various internal components and/or in order to be consistent with other beverage dispensing tower geometries. The beverage dispensing tower  100  can include a front wall  105 , a back wall  110 , a first side wall  115 , a second side wall  120 , a top  125 , and a bottom  130 . The beverage dispensing tower  100  can include a dispensing valve  135  coupled to the front wall  105 , in some embodiments, from which a beverage can be dispensed into a glass, mug, or other container. The beverage can enter the beverage dispensing tower  100  via an inlet coupling  140 , which can be positioned on the back of the beverage dispensing tower  100 , in some embodiments. In other embodiments of the beverage dispensing tower  100 , the inlet coupling  140  can be located on the bottom, front, top, or another suitable point on the beverage dispensing tower  100 .  
         [0026]     A drain plug  145  can be coupled to the beverage dispensing tower  100  to enable draining of a cooling liquid from the beverage dispensing tower  100 . The drain plug  145  can be located on any side or the bottom of the beverage dispensing tower  100 . Generally, the drain plug  145  can be located near the bottom of the beverage dispensing tower  100  to promote drainage.  
         [0027]     In some embodiments, a site glass  150  can be coupled to the front wall  105  of the beverage dispensing tower  100  to enable a user to determine if the level of cooling liquid in the beverage dispensing tower  100  is sufficient. Some embodiments of the beverage dispensing tower  100  can include a level sensor to detect the level of the cooling liquid and an indicator to alert the user of low levels of cooling liquid. Some embodiments can include a fill spout (not shown) to allow a user to add additional cooling liquid should it be determined that the level of cooling liquid in the beverage dispensing tower  100  is insufficient. In some embodiments, additional sensors located within the cooling volume (e.g., ice/water) can sense the volumetric expansion related to ice formation and infer the volume of ice present, thus providing logic inputs to cycle a cooling cycle circuit on and off.  
         [0028]     In some embodiments, a set of indicator light emitting diodes (“LED”)  155  can be coupled to the front wall  105  of the beverage dispensing tower  100  to indicate that the beverage is cool enough for dispensing and/or that the beverage is not cool enough for dispensing.  
         [0029]     Air vents  160  can be included in one or more of the top wall  125 , the front wall  105 , and the back wall  110  for removing heat from the beverage dispensing tower  100 . Other embodiments can include vents in other areas of the beverage dispensing tower  100 , such as the first side wall  115  and/or the second side wall  120 . In some embodiments, heat removal through aspiration ports or air vents can be facilitated by forced convection, such as using fans, or by natural convection.  
         [0030]     A container (not shown) holding a beverage, such as beer, can be coupled to the beverage inlet coupling  140  under pressure. The beverage can be at room temperature (approximately 25° C.). The beverage can flow through the beverage dispensing tower  100  to the dispensing valve  135 . While in the beverage dispensing tower  100  the beverage can be cooled. Should the beverage be cooled sufficiently, a green indicator LED  165  can turn on. When a user opens the dispensing valve  135 , the cooled beverage can flow out of the dispensing valve  135  and into a container held by the user. In some embodiments, the beverage exiting the dispensing valve  135  can be cooled to 5-8° C. Should the system not be fully recovered from previous dispenses, or thermal loads, resulting in the next beverage not be sufficiently cooled, a red indicator LED  170  can be turned on and the green indicator LED  165  can be turned off. Once the system has been dormant for the required period of time for the system to thermally “recover” (with “recover” being defined by an increased water temperature melting some of the ice mass and bringing the water temperature down to an acceptable value), the green LED can be turned on again as the red LED is turned off. This switching can be driven by a temperature switch located within the cooling volume (e.g., ice/water).  
         [0031]     A common container for dispensing beer can have a volume of 0.3 liters. In some embodiments, the beverage dispensing tower  100  can dispense two to seven 0.3 liter cooled beverages before the beverage exiting the dispensing valve  135  is at a temperature that is not sufficiently cool. At this point, the red indicator LED  170  can be turned on. Following a delay of approximately 20 seconds, in some embodiments, the beverage in the beverage dispensing tower  100  can be cooled sufficiently, the red indicator LED  170  can be turned off, and the green indicator LED  165  can be turned on. At this point, another two to seven 0.3 liter cooled beverages can be dispensed.  
         [0032]     In one embodiment, after dispensing two to seven beverages, waiting 20 seconds, and dispensing two to seven more beverages, enough cooling capacity may have been removed from the beverage dispensing tower  100  so as to require a 90 second delay before any more sufficiently-cooled beverages can be poured (e.g., when a keg is stored at 35° C.). However, when a keg is stored at 25° C., the delay period can be less than 90 seconds. During this recharging or recovery period, the red indicator LED  170  can be turned on and the green indicator LED  165  can be turned off to indicate to a user that the beverage is not sufficiently cooled. Once enough cooling capacity has returned to the system, the green indicator LED  165  can be turned on and the red indicator LED  170  can be turned off to indicate to the user that beverages can be dispensed at the desired temperature. Following any period in which no beverage has been dispensed from the beverage dispensing tower  100  for 90 seconds or more, the beverage dispensing tower  100  can have sufficient cooling capacity to dispense two to seven beverages, delay 20 seconds, and dispense two more beverages at the desired temperature.  
         [0033]     Although some embodiments allow two to seven beverages to be dispensed, other embodiments allow beverage to be dispensed continuously until the ice mass is substantially or completely melted.  
         [0034]     In some embodiments of the beverage dispensing tower  100 , the beverage entering the beverage dispensing tower  100  may be at a temperature of 17° C. Various sized containers (0.3 liter, 0.5 liter, and 1.0 liter) can be used for receiving the dispensed beverage. Following the dispensing of the each container full of beverage, a delay of 10-15 seconds can occur (e.g., to deliver the beverage to a customer). Over a 35 minute period, the beverage dispensing tower  100  can dispense 22 liters of beverage at 5-8° C. with no further delays due to insufficient cooling capacity.  
         [0035]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-section of one embodiment of the beverage dispensing tower  100 . A cooling reservoir  200  can be surrounded by insulation  205  and filled with water  210 . The insulation  205  can be any thermally insulating material, such as foam polyurethane, that provides the level of thermal insulation necessary to achieve the cooling desired. In some embodiments, a vacuum or one or more air layers can be used as thermal insulation in conjunction with other media, resulting in a high net resistance to thermal conductivity. Additionally, other liquids, such as glycol or a glycol-water mixture, can be used in place of the water  210  to achieve different cooling characteristics. A top ice forming module  215  can be positioned at the top of the cooling reservoir  200  with a first ice growing appendage (“IGA”)  220  positioned within the cooling reservoir  200 . A bottom ice forming module  225  can be positioned at the bottom of the cooling reservoir  200  with a second ice growing appendage  230  positioned within the cooling reservoir  200 . During operation of the beverage dispensing tower  100 , the ice growing appendages  220  and  230  can cool and then freeze the water  210  to form ice  235 . In some embodiments, heat pipes can be used to construct the ice growing appendages with lower temperature gradients, resulting in more controlled ice growth and geometry. The highly-effective thermal conductivity of the heat pipe results in a more isothermal ice growing appendage, which facilitates more uniform ice formation over time over the ice growing appendage surface.  
         [0036]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of an ice forming module  300 . A thermoelectric cooler (“TEC” or Peltier cooler)  305  can provide the cooling capability. A TEC  305  is a semiconductor device which, when powered by a direct current (“DC”), has a first cool side  310  that is cooler than the surrounding ambient temperature and a second warm side  315  that is warmer than the surrounding ambient temperature. Application of different levels of DC voltage to the TEC  305  can result in different thermal characteristics (e.g., a higher voltage can result in greater cooling). A switching style DC power supply (e.g., 12 Volt DC and various Watts) can be used to power the TEC  305  and can achieve higher operating efficiencies.  
         [0037]     A heat sink  320  (e.g., constructed of aluminum or some other thermally-conductive material) can be positioned adjacent the second warm side  315  of the TEC  305  in thermal communication with the TEC  305 . A thermal grease can be applied between the heat sink  320  and the TEC  305  to improve the conduction of heat away from the TEC  305 . Additionally, a fan  325  can be mounted adjacent the heat sink  320  to assist in conducting heat away from the TEC  305 . Certain embodiments of the ice forming module  300  can have thermal characteristics wherein sufficient heat dissipation can occur at the heat sink  320  such that the fan  325  may not be necessary.  
         [0038]     An ice growing appendage  330  (e.g., constructed of aluminum or some other thermally-conductive material) can be mounted adjacent and in thermal communication with the first cool side  310  of the TEC  305 . Again, thermal grease can be used between the TEC  305  and the ice growing appendage  330  to improve the thermal conductivity between the TEC  305  and the ice growing appendage  330 . To achieve desired thermal efficiency it may be necessary to provide insulation  205  around the ice growing appendage  330  for a distance away from the heat sink  320  and TEC  305 . In some embodiments, an even surface on the ice growing appendage  330  can result in efficient thermal conductivity with the TEC  305 .  
         [0039]     When a DC current is applied to the TEC  305 , the second warm side  315  of the TEC  305  will generate a positive temperature relative to the ambient temperature which can be dissipated by the heat sink  320  and fan  325 . The first cool side  310  of the TEC  305  can cool the ice growing appendage  330  relative to the ambient temperature. The ice growing module  300  can be mounted to the cooling reservoir  200  of the beverage dispensing tower  100  and the ambient temperature can be the temperature of the water  210 . Because of the insulation  205  that can be positioned around the cooling reservoir  200 , the temperature of the water  210  can continue to drop, which can result in a lower ambient temperature on the first cool side  310  of the TEC  305 . If the thermal insulation around the cooling reservoir  200  is sufficient, the ambient temperature of the water  210  can continue to drop until the water  210  around the ice growing appendage  330  freezes. Eventually, the ice  235  around the ice growing appendage  330  can become thick enough that the ice  235  can insulate the water  210  sufficiently from the ice growing appendage  330  such that no more water  210  can freeze.  
         [0040]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , in some embodiments, a temperature sensor  335  can be positioned in the water  210  of the cooling reservoir  200  to determine if the beverage dispensing tower  100  has sufficient cooling capacity. As also shown in  FIG. 2 , a drain tube  340  can couple the cooling reservoir  200  to the drain plug  145  on the front wall  105  of the beverage dispensing tower  100 .  
         [0041]     A thermally-conductive liquid conduit  345  suitable for use with consumable liquids (e.g., stainless steel beverage tubing) can be positioned within the cooling reservoir  200 . The liquid conduit  345  can be coiled tubing and can be coupled to the inlet coupling  140  via a hose  350  and to the dispensing valve  135  via a tube  352 .  
         [0042]     In some embodiments, a stirring agitator  355  can be positioned within the cooling reservoir  200  to move the water  210  so that the temperature of the water  210  is substantially consistent throughout the cooling reservoir  200 . The stirring agitator  355  can be driven by an agitator motor  360  which can be positioned external to the cooling reservoir  200 , in some embodiments. In some embodiments, other mechanical fluid agitators can be used, such as an external rotary magnetic field that excites coherent movement of suspended particles within the fluid volume and/or external fluid pumps.  
         [0043]     A first cooling fan  365  can move air over the heat sink  320  of the upper ice forming module  215 . The first cooling fan  365  can draw air in through the vents  160  on the front wall  105  of the beverage dispensing tower  100  and can force the air across the heat sink  320 . The heated air can exit the beverage dispensing tower  100  via the vents  160  on the top wall  125  or the back wall  110  of the beverage dispensing tower  100 .  
         [0044]     A second cooling fan  370  can move air across the heat sink  320  of the lower ice forming module  225 . The second cooling fan  370  can draw air in through the vents  160  on the front wall  105  of the beverage dispensing tower  100  and can force the air across the heat sink  320 . The heated air can exit the beverage dispensing tower  100  via the vents  160  on the back wall  110  of the beverage dispensing tower  100 . Additionally or alternatively, a fan  375  can be mounted adjacent to the heat sink  320  to draw heat off the heat sink  320 .  
         [0045]     To sufficiently cool the beverage in the liquid conduit  345  of beverage dispensing tower  100  at a desired rate, a certain proportion and structure of ice  235  and water  210  within the cooling reservoir  200  can be used. Because the beverage can freeze at or near the temperature of the ice  235 , in some embodiments, the liquid conduit  345  can be positioned only in the water  210  and not in the ice  235 . In some embodiments, the liquid conduit  345  can be partially or completely embedded within a solid ice mass (e.g., ice  235 ). It may be necessary to have a certain volume of water  210 , and thus sufficient thermal capacity, to cool the beverage to a desired temperature at a desired rate. Excess water could result in inefficiency and an inability to maintain desired temperatures. Not enough water could result in insufficient thermal capacity. Different methods of controlling the structure and quantity of ice  235  include positioning one or more ice forming modules  300  in particular places, modifying the size and shape of the ice growing appendage  330 , modifying the structure and amount of insulation  205 , modifying the quantity and structure of the liquid conduit  345 , modifying the size and shape of the cooling reservoir  200 , and modifying the type, position, and operation of an agitator  355 .  
         [0046]      FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate several embodiments of cooling reservoirs  200  with different configurations of ice forming modules.  FIG. 4A  illustrates a single ice forming module  300  positioned adjacent a bottom  380  of the cooling reservoir  200 .  FIG. 4B  illustrates a single ice forming module  300  positioned adjacent an end cap or a top portion  385  of the cooling reservoir  200 .  FIG. 4C  illustrates a double ice forming module  300  formation with one ice forming module  300  positioned adjacent the bottom  380  of the cooling reservoir  200  and one ice forming module  300  positioned adjacent the top portion  385  of the cooling reservoir  200 . Other configurations are possible, depending on the desired cooling operation, including one or more ice forming modules  300  on the bottom, top, or sides of the cooling reservoir  200 .  
         [0047]      FIGS. 5A-5F  illustrate several embodiments of the ice growing appendages  330 . The embodiments shown include a cylinder shape ( FIG. 5A ), a semi-hollow cylinder shape ( FIG. 5B ), a tube shape ( FIG. 5C ), a star shape ( FIG. 5D ), a conical shape ( FIG. 5E ), and a conical star shape ( FIG. 5F ). The ice growing appendages  330  can also include other variations of shapes and sizes. When multiple ice forming modules  300  are used, the ice growing appendages  330  can be the same shape and/or size or they can be different shapes/sizes. In some embodiments, heat pipes can be used to form exotic, complex, and/or optimized geometries for the ice growing appendages.  
         [0048]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate embodiments of configurations of insulation  205 .  FIG. 6A  illustrates two ice forming modules  300 , one on a top portion  385  of the cooling reservoir  200  and one on a bottom portion  380  of the cooling reservoir  200 . Insulation  205  can be formed around the cooling reservoir  200  in an hour glass shape. This shape can prevent ice  235  from filling the entire cooling reservoir  200  and can leave an area of water  210  between the two ice growing appendages  330  in which the liquid conduit  345  can be positioned.  FIG. 6B  illustrates a single ice forming module  300  positioned in the bottom portion  380  of the cooling reservoir  200 . Insulation  205  can be thinner near the top portion  385  of the cooling reservoir  200  to substantially prevent ice  235  from forming throughout the entire cooling reservoir  200 .  FIGS. 7A-7C  illustrate embodiments of types of insulation  205 . Possible configurations include wrapped sleeved layers ( FIG. 7A ), concentric foam ( FIG. 7B ), and an end-cap plug ( FIG. 7C ). Other embodiments of the beverage dispensing tower  100  may use a vacuum or an air gap as one or more of the insulating materials, which can allow for optimization of the total insulation thickness. In some embodiments, aluminum spacing can be used between the TEC&#39;s and end caps.  
         [0049]      FIGS. 8A-8G  illustrate embodiments of the liquid conduit  345  in cooling reservoirs  200  using one or more ice forming modules  300 .  FIGS. 8A and 8D  illustrate an embodiment using a single coil of liquid conduit  345 .  FIGS. 8B and 8E  illustrate embodiments using two concentric coils, and  FIGS. 8C and 8F  illustrate embodiments using three concentric coils.  FIG. 8G  illustrates an embodiment of the liquid conduit  345  in which the liquid conduit  345  can be formed in a serpentine shape. Other suitable configurations can be used for the liquid conduit  345  provided the liquid conduit  345  is of sufficient length and diameter to ensure enough volume of beverage can be enclosed within the cooling reservoir  200  to ensure the desired cooling of the beverage can be achieved. In some embodiments, the liquid conduit  345  can include a first coil with a smaller, denser coil positioned inside of the first coil, and the beverage can flow inside of the first coil and outside of the second coil.  
         [0050]      FIGS. 9A-9D  illustrate embodiments of the cooling reservoir  200  having different shapes. One embodiment can include a cylindrical shape ( FIG. 9A ); however, other shapes can be used including a rectangular shape ( FIG. 9B ), an oval shape ( FIG. 9C ), and a conical shape ( FIG. 9D ).  
         [0051]      FIGS. 10A-10D  illustrate embodiments of agitators  355 .  FIG. 10A  illustrates an embodiment of the cooling reservoir  200  with a single ice forming module  300  in the bottom portion  380  of the cooling reservoir  200 . A fan style agitator  355  can be driven by an agitator motor  360  positioned above the cooling reservoir  200 . The agitator motor  360  can turn the agitator  355  such that the water  210  in the upper portion of the cooling reservoir  200  can be forced down over the ice  235  that has formed around the ice growing appendage  330 . Since warmer water  210  will naturally rise, the agitator  355  can move the relatively warmer water  210  from the upper portion of the cooling reservoir  200  toward the ice  235  where it can be cooled. Substantially continuous agitation of the water  210  can result in the temperature of the water  210  in the cooling reservoir  200  being relatively equal throughout the entire cooling reservoir  200 . Thermal outpacing generally only occurs when the thermal load on the system results in an elevation in the liquid water temperature before the system can recover and melt the solid ice mass, and thus pull the liquid temperature back down to acceptable limits. As relatively warm beverage flows through the liquid conduit  345 , the water  210  in the cooling reservoir  200  can cool the beverage. This cooling of the beverage can result in warming of the water  210 , as the water  210  removes the heat from the beverage. Actuation of the water  210  around the ice  235  can cause the ice  235  to cool the water  210 . Thermal outpacing of the system can occur when the thermal load on the system results in an elevation in the water  210  temperature. Recovery can occur when melting of the ice  235  reduces the water  210  temperature back down to an acceptable limit. The TEC  305  can cool the ice  235  so that ice  235  that melted can be refrozen resulting in the formation of the ice  235  staying relatively consistent.  
         [0052]     Another embodiment of the actuator  355  can run the actuator motor  360 , and thus the actuator  355 , only when the dispensing valve  135  is opened and beverage is flowing through the liquid conduit  345 . Still another embodiment of the actuator  355  can run the actuator motor  360 , and thus the actuator  355 , only when the cooling capacity of the beverage dispensing tower  100  is insufficient and the red indicator LED  170  is lit.  
         [0053]      FIG. 10B  illustrates an embodiment of a stirring agitator  355  in a configuration using two ice forming modules  300 , one on the top portion  385  of the cooling reservoir  200  and one on the bottom portion  380  of the cooling reservoir  200 . The ice forming module  300  on the top portion  385  of the cooling reservoir  200  can result in increased cooling capacity.  
         [0054]      FIGS. 10C and 10D  illustrate embodiments of a cooling reservoir  200  using one or two ice forming modules  300 . The water  210  in the cooling reservoir  200  can be agitated by a pump  392 . A water inlet pipe  394  can be positioned in the cooling reservoir  200  to supply water  210  from the cooling reservoir  200  to the pump  392 . The pump  392  can force the water  210  from the cooling reservoir  200  back into the cooling reservoir  200  via at least one return pipe  396 . As shown in  FIG. 10C , the pump  392  can be positioned above the cooling reservoir  200 . The water inlet pipe  394  can draw water  210  from the center of the cooling reservoir  200  and the pump  392  can force water out through the at least one return pipe  396  along the outside walls of the cooling reservoir  200 .  FIG. 10D  illustrates another embodiment of an agitator  355  in which the pump  392 , water inlet pipe  394 , and the one or more return pipes  396  can be centrally located on the cooling reservoir  200 . Many different types and combinations of agitators  355  and locations of water inlet pipes  394  and return pipes  396  can be used, depending on the desired agitation and cooling properties.  
         [0055]     In one embodiment of the beverage dispensing tower  100 , as shown in  FIG. 11 , two ice forming modules  300  can be used. The bottom ice forming module  225  can have a bottom ice growing appendage  230  in the shape of a hollowed-out cylinder or a blind bore ( FIG. 5B ) which can allow ice formation internal to the cylinder. The ice growing appendage  230  can have a height approximately equal to one half the height of the cooling reservoir  200 . The top ice forming module  215  can have a top ice growing appendage  220  in the shape of a tube ( FIG. 5C ) and a height approximately equal to one quarter the height of the cooling reservoir  200 . The center of the top ice growing appendage  220  can include a thermally-insulating tube  400 . A shaft  402  of an agitator  355  can extend through the thermally-insulating tube  400 . An agitator motor  360  positioned above the cooling reservoir  200  can drive the agitator  355 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , in one embodiment, a donut-shaped TEC  305  can be used to accommodate the shaft  402  of the agitator  355 . A heat sink  320  for the TEC  305  can include a circular opening to accommodate the agitator motor  360  and shaft  402  of the agitator  355 . Two concentric coils of a liquid conduit  345  can be positioned within the cooling reservoir  200 . The liquid conduit  345  can be constructed of stainless steel and can be 13.5 meters long and have an inside diameter of 5 mm and an outside diameter of 6 mm. The volume of the liquid conduit  345  can be approximately 0.26 liters. The volume of the cooling reservoir  200  can be approximately 2.98 liters. The volume of the cooling reservoir  200  available for water  210  and ice  235  after the ice growing appendages  330 , agitator  355 , and liquid conduit  345  have been installed can be 2.3 liters. Ice  235  can form around and within the bottom ice growing appendage  230  filling substantially the entire base of the cooling reservoir  200  with ice  235  and extending away from the walls of the cooling reservoir  200  as the ice  235  gets farther away from the lower TEC  305 . A formation of ice  235  can surround the top ice growing appendage  220  and can extend from the walls of the cooling reservoir  200  to the insulation tube  400  within the top ice growing appendage  220 .  
         [0056]     In some embodiments of the ice growing appendage  330 , surface coating an inner surface of the upper ice growing appendage  330  with very smooth media (such as, but not limited to, Teflon®) can control the surface tolerance on smoothness to a point where ice will not nucleate due to the smoothness of the surface. In other words, the smoothness of particular surfaces of the ice growing appendage  330  can inhibit the formation of ice  235  on those surfaces.  
         [0057]     Some embodiments of the beverage dispensing tower  100  can include multiple dispensing valves  135 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . A separate inlet coupling  140  and liquid conduit  345  can be used for each dispensing valve  135 .  
         [0058]      FIG. 14  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the beverage dispensing tower  100  that can be installed above a counter or a bar. In some embodiments, the size of the beverage dispensing tower  100  can be consistent with conventional beverage dispensing geometries. Other embodiments can allow for installation below a counter or a bar.  
         [0059]     To improve the thermal efficiency of the beverage dispensing tower  100 , heat pipes can be used in some embodiments to transfer the cooling capacity from the TEC  305  to the water  210  within the cooling reservoir  200 . Heat pipes can also be used to result in a system where the solid ice zone and the liquid water zone are separate chambers that exchange energy only through a heat pipe that commutes from one zone to the other. This can allow for a system that generally does not ice or freeze the beverage coils.  
         [0060]      FIGS. 15A and 15B  illustrate embodiments of cooling reservoirs  200 .  FIG. 15A  illustrates an embodiment including an ice growing appendage  330  constructed of a material such as aluminum.  FIG. 15B  illustrates an embodiment including an ice growing appendage  330  in the form of a heat pipe. The thermal characteristics of a heat pipe ice growing appendage  330  can enable the ice growing appendage  330  of  FIG. 15B  to be of a length that is substantially longer than that possible with ice growing appendage  330  of  FIG. 15A  constructed with other materials such as aluminum.  
         [0061]     In other embodiments, the cooling reservoir  200  can have a separate ice chamber and a separate water chamber. A heat pipe can exchange energy between the ice chamber and the water chamber.  
         [0062]      FIG. 16  illustrates an embodiment of the cooling reservoir  200  in which the ice growing appendage  330  can be in the form of multiple heat pipes (e.g., three). The ice growing appendages  330  can take on many more shapes and can more efficiently transfer cooling capacity to their extremities. As shown in  FIG. 16 , this can result in ice growing appendages  330  in which the geometry of the ice  235  can be more easily controlled. This ability to control the geometry of the ice  235  can allow the liquid conduit  345  to be positioned in the lower portion of the cooling reservoir  200  where the water  210  can be kept the coldest.  
         [0063]     Some embodiments of the beverage dispensing tower  100  can include circuitry to control the TEC  305 . In some embodiments, sensors in the cooling reservoir  200  can detect volumetric expansion related to ice formation enabling the TECs  305  to be controlled to achieve desired ice  235  volumes.  
         [0064]     The beverage dispensing tower  100  can be modified to dispense warm beverages by positioning the second warm side  315  of the TEC  305  in thermal communication with the ice growing appendage  330  and the first cool side  310  of the TEC  305  in thermal communication with the heat sink  320 . The liquid in the cooling (now heating) reservoir  200  could be heated by the TEC  305  and could transfer that heat to the beverage within the liquid conduit  345 .  
         [0065]     One embodiment of the invention can include the following structural characteristics: total system internal volume of about 2.98 liters (i.e., total internal volume of the cylinder not reduced for the aluminum ice generating appendage and beverage coils); total wetted internal volume of about 2.3 liters (i.e., total volume of ice and water); beverage coil geometry for a stainless steel beverage coil having a length of about 13.5 meters, an inner diameter of about 5 millimeters, an outer diameter of about 6 millimeters, and a total internal volume of about 0.26 liters. One embodiment of the invention can have the following performance characteristics: beverage inlet temperature of about 17° C. (about 63° F.); delivery or dispensing temperature of about 4 to 8° C.; a dispensing volume of about 22 liters; dispensing doses of about 0.3 liters, about 0.5 liters, and about 1.0 liter; dwell time between doses of about 10 to 15 seconds or less; and period of dispense of about 35 minutes. In some embodiments, twice the intended daily maximum output (i.e., 10 liters) can be run through the system continuously without thermally outpacing the system (e.g., all beverage dispensed is within the desired delivery temperature of 4 to 8° C.). In some embodiments, the system can melt ice at an equilibrium rate that meets the thermal demand with a beverage inlet temperature of about 17° C. (i.e., water temperature does not rise and ice melts). With an inlet beverage temperature of about 27°, system performance may be reduced and the onset of time dwell between dispenses may occur.  
         [0066]     In some embodiments, the system can have one or more of the following minimum performance specifications: open tap flow rate of about 3 liters per minute; inlet beverage temperature of about 20° C.; outlet beverage temperature of about 5° C.; maximum total dispense volume per day of about 10 liters; and recharge time for ice-bank of about 8 hours. Some embodiments of the system can perform according to the following sequence: (1) dispense two 0.3 liter beverages poured over a 25 second period (e.g., 0.3 liters in 6 seconds, 13 seconds no flow, and 0.3 liters in 6 seconds); (2) dwell period of 40 seconds with no flow; (3) repeat steps (1) and (2); and (4) after four minutes of no flow, cycle (1) through (3) (i.e., four 0.3 liter beverages over a 130 second profile).  
         [0067]     Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.