Patent Description:
A conventional beverage cooler contains all the major refrigeration components, such as compressor and evaporator, integrally within a single cooler carcass. The refrigeration system is configured so that the evaporator is contained in a waterbath and the other refrigeration components are situated in an area commonly referred to as the "fridge compartment". The evaporator is hermetically connected to the other refrigeration components most commonly by rigid copper or stainless steel pipework, via permanent or semi-permanent soldered or brazed joints. Therefore, the fridge compartment and waterbath are essentially inseparable in service, other than by a service person skilled and trained in the art of refrigeration, and having all the necessary specialist equipment to safely carry out the operation. In almost all instances, in the event of a failure in the refrigeration system, such as a micro-leak of refrigerant, or a compressor failure, the entire beverage cooler must be disconnected from the installation, and replaced. In many instances, this may be a major and expensive operation, requiring at least two service engineers and a complete replacement beverage cooler.

Further with a conventional beverage cooler, the cooling capacity is determined by the size, or displacement of the compressor. It is not possible to increase the cooling capacity of an installed beverage cooler. So, if a conventional cooler is correctly sized to suit a trading account at the time of installation, it may not have sufficient capacity to accommodate a significant increase in drinks sales in a future changing market. It does not make financial sense, both from an acquisition cost or energy consumption perspective, to install over-sized coolers where sales do not warrant it at the time of installation. Likewise, a long-term downturn in sales could leave an end user with a cooler that is over-sized for the prevailing market, incurring higher than necessary energy costs and wasted capacity. The preferred solution in both circumstances may be to replace the existing cooler with an alternative cooler more appropriately sized for the new trading environment. This is a costly and disruptive operation, usually requiring two service operatives and significant downtime.

Moreover, conventional beverage coolers are designed and constructed with a specific refrigerant type included. The refrigerant type may be a customer preference, or may be dictated by environmental regulations. Once constructed and commissioned, it is unlikely that a change of refrigerant would be feasible during an individual cooler's operational lifetime. So, any change in a customer's preference, or further environmental legislation against an existing refrigerant, or even a new refrigerant entering the market with significant advantages over the current range of refrigerants could mean an entire population of beverage coolers might have to be replaced, simply to accommodate a change of refrigerant.

Additionally, the conventional beverage cooler is installed in a predetermined space within the trading account. In many cases, this space may be unsuitable for a variety of reasons. For example, the conventional beverage cooler may be sited in a very restrictive area, where air circulation is poor; this may compromise the efficiency and performance of the conventional beverage cooler, and may result in premature component failure, high energy consumption, or repeated service calls for warm drinks. Alternatively, the conventional beverage cooler could be sited in an area where excessive heat or cold is experienced for large parts of the day; these extremes may also impact on performance, energy consumption and reliability. Little can be done to alleviate these conditions, once the conventional beverage cooler is installed and commissioned.

Further, when a conventional cooler has experienced a failure of the refrigeration system, the entire cooler must be removed from the trading account and returned to the original equipment manufacturer or an approved repair agent, irrespective of the fact that no other part of the dispense system is faulty. This leads to a situation where large coolers awaiting refrigeration repairs consume a disproportionate amount of factory space.

Accordingly, there is a need for a modular beverage cooler that has a refrigeration module, a pumping and control module, and a beverage cooling module that are independently removable from and connectable to the remainder of a main assembly. There is a further need for a modular beverage cooler that has a second cooling medium that is circulated in a cooling tank and that is cooled by a refrigeration system having a first cooling medium. There is still a further need for a modular beverage cooler that has a first refrigerant that flows into a condenser or gas cooler where the first refrigerant is cooled by a fan, and a second refrigerant that is cooled by the refrigeration system that is circulated by a pump where the pump and the fan are operated by the same motor.

A beverage cooling system having the features defined within the preamble of claim <NUM> is known from <CIT>.

A beverage cooling system according to the invention is defined by the features of claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments are defined within the dependent claims.

A beverage cooling system is provided that includes a main assembly having a refrigeration module, a pumping and control module, and a beverage cooling module. The refrigeration module has a refrigeration system cooling a cooling medium. The beverage cooling module has a cooling tank cooled by the refrigeration system. The pumping and control module has a pump to pump a beverage ingredient cooled by the refrigeration system. Each of the refrigeration module, the pumping and control module, and beverage cooling module are independently removable from and connectable to the remainder of the main assembly.

A beverage cooling system is also provided that includes a refrigeration module having a refrigeration system cooling a first cooling medium, and a beverage cooling module connected to the refrigeration module. The beverage cooling module has a cooling tank that cools at least one beverage ingredient. The beverage cooling module has a second cooling medium cooled by the refrigeration system that is circulated in the cooling tank.

The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.

Other and further benefits, advantages and features of the present disclosure will be understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters denote like elements of structure and:.

Referring to <FIG>, a top, front, side perspective view of a beverage cooling system is shown, and generally referred to by reference numeral <NUM>. Beverage cooling system <NUM> is a draught or draft beverage cooler. Beverage cooling system <NUM> includes a main assembly that includes a refrigeration module <NUM>, a pumping and control module <NUM>, and a beverage cooling module <NUM>. Beverage cooling system <NUM> has a modular design, allowing refrigeration module <NUM>, pumping and control module <NUM>, and beverage cooling module <NUM> to be independently removable from and connectable to the remainder of the main assembly. The modular design, allows any or all of refrigeration module <NUM>, pumping and control module <NUM>, and beverage cooling module <NUM> to be exchanged, independently of the other of refrigeration module <NUM>, pumping and control module <NUM>, and beverage cooling module <NUM>, in the field, by a single person not necessarily trained in the skills of refrigeration. Refrigeration module <NUM>, pumping and control module <NUM>, and beverage cooling module <NUM> are three self-contained modules, which connect together to form a complete beverage cooling system <NUM>. Pumping and control module <NUM> and beverage cooling module <NUM> may each have a cover <NUM> that is removable, as shown in <FIG>. Pumping and control module <NUM> may be stacked on refrigeration module <NUM> to provide a cover for refrigeration module <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, beverage cooling module <NUM> cools at least one beverage ingredient, which may include water and flavored syrup concentrates, supplied from an external source. Beverage cooling module <NUM> has a cooling housing <NUM>. In cooling housing <NUM>, the at least one beverage ingredient flows through a nest of cooling coils <NUM> immersed in a tank <NUM> filled with a cooling medium. The cooling medium may include water or a mix of water and ice that is cooled on demand via a heat exchanger coil <NUM> and stirred by an agitator (not shown). Heat exchanger coil <NUM> is connected to an interior wall <NUM> of tank <NUM>. Tank <NUM> has valves <NUM> that connect a flow of the beverage ingredient with cooling coils <NUM>. Valves <NUM> may be connected to a manifold <NUM> so that valves <NUM> are removable from manifold <NUM>. Valves <NUM>, for example, are positioned in a John Guest® shut-off valve manifold. Cooling to tank <NUM> is provided by the refrigeration module <NUM> by a flow of secondary cooling medium into heat exchanger coil <NUM>. The secondary medium may consist of a solution of water and anti-freeze, such as propylene glycol, or any other medium suitable for the purpose. The secondary cooling medium may be Potassium Formate, a salt based glycol. It has been found by the present disclosure that Potassium Formate as the secondary cooling medium has enabled gain of some significant performance improvements. The exterior of beverage cooling module <NUM> could be manufactured from a number of materials including sheet steel, both stainless steel, plastic coated as well as painted mild steel. The exterior of beverage cooling module <NUM> may also be produced using a number of different methods in plastic. These could include vacuum forming, injection moulding or rotational moulding. Tank <NUM> may also be manufactured as per the above but excluding mild steel and any painted materials.

Cooling housing <NUM> has connection receptacles <NUM> and latches <NUM> for connection to and detachment from one or both of refrigeration module <NUM> and pumping and control module <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, refrigeration module <NUM> has a refrigeration housing <NUM>. Refrigeration module <NUM> is a self-contained assembly. Refrigeration module <NUM> has a refrigeration system <NUM>. Refrigeration system <NUM> has a compressor <NUM>, a condenser <NUM>, an evaporator <NUM>, a pump <NUM>, a fan <NUM> that cools air, a dual spindle motor <NUM>, coolant transfer tubing <NUM>, and rigid copper refrigeration tubing <NUM>, that are all housed in refrigeration housing <NUM>. Pump <NUM> and fan <NUM> are mounted on dual spindle motor <NUM>. Pump <NUM> may be a magnetically coupled coolant transfer pump. Coolant transfer tubing <NUM> is flexible tubing that connects evaporator <NUM> with heat exchanger coil <NUM>. Alternatively, condenser <NUM> is a gas cooler. Evaporator <NUM> may alternatively be a heat exchanger. Refrigeration housing <NUM> has an opening <NUM> covered by a grate to allow heat exchange of refrigeration system <NUM> with the ambient environment.

Referring to <FIG>, a schematic diagram illustrates a first circulation path of a first cooling medium through refrigeration system <NUM> and a second circulation path of a second cooling medium through a secondary system <NUM> of beverage cooling system <NUM>. The first cooling medium in refrigeration system <NUM> is compressed into a high temperature and high pressure vapor in compressor <NUM>. The first cooling medium flows into the condenser <NUM>, where it is cooled by the action of fan <NUM>, into a liquid. In the case of the first cooling medium being R744 (CO2) refrigerant, there is no phase change from vapor to liquid in the transcritical refrigeration cycle. The first cooling medium passes through a filter drier <NUM> and into an expansion device <NUM>. Expansion device <NUM> is shown in <FIG> as copper capillary tubing. As the first cooling medium that is liquid exits expansion device <NUM> and enters a primary inlet side of evaporator <NUM> the first cooling medium expands and evaporates into a mixture of liquid and vapor, the liquid evaporating totally to become vapor as the first cooling medium reaches an outlet of evaporator <NUM>. The first cooling medium that is the vapor returns to compressor <NUM> to be recompressed in a continuous cycle. The first cooling medium is significantly chilled by the evaporative process of refrigeration system <NUM>, typically to minus <NUM> degrees Celsius, and this chilling provides cooling energy for the liquid cooled side of refrigeration system <NUM>. Single-phase secondary refrigerant could be used as the first cooling medium.

Referring to <FIG>, evaporator <NUM> may be of a design other than a plate heat exchanger. Evaporator <NUM>, for example, is a cylindrical heat exchanger <NUM> that has a series of helical refrigerant coils <NUM>, terminated with a common inlet and outlet manifold <NUM> having a manifold inlet <NUM> and a manifold outlet (not shown) at opposite ends of inlet and outlet manifold <NUM>, contained within a thermally-insulated fabricated metal can <NUM>. The metal can <NUM> may have an inlet port <NUM> and outlet port <NUM> at opposite ends, through which a second cooling medium, such as propylene glycol solution, might be pumped, passing over and around the refrigerant coils.

Referring back to <FIG>, the second cooling medium may be an anti-freeze liquid coolant solution that is circulated through a secondary system <NUM> through evaporator <NUM> via pump <NUM>, where the second cooling medium is cooled. The second cooling medium continuously circulates through pump <NUM> positioned in refrigeration module <NUM> to heat exchanger coil <NUM> positioned in beverage cooling module <NUM> and back to pump <NUM> positioned in refrigeration module <NUM>. The second cooling medium is cooled to a suitable temperature for the beverage cooling application that is generally a temperature below <NUM> degrees Celsius, where it is possible to cause a layer of ice, known to the industry as an icebank, to form on heat exchanger coil <NUM> in tank <NUM>.

The second cooling medium is continuously recirculated until a predetermined temperature in tank <NUM> has been reached, or a predetermined amount of ice (the icebank) has formed on heat exchanger coil <NUM>. The predetermined temperature, or predetermined amount of ice in tank <NUM>, is measured by a temperature or resistance sensor (not shown) fixed in tank <NUM>, which signals both refrigeration system <NUM> and pump <NUM> to operate or switch off by a controller, dependent upon the predetermined temperature, or predetermined amount of ice in tank <NUM> measured by the temperature or resistance sensor.

Pump <NUM> and fan <NUM> are connected to dual spindle motor <NUM> to drive both pump <NUM> and fan <NUM>. The benefits of using dual spindle motor <NUM> include: <NUM>. reduced component count; <NUM>. reduction of the space required in refrigeration module <NUM>; <NUM>. increased reliability (fewer components to fail); <NUM>. reduced assembly time; <NUM>. improved serviceability; <NUM>. reduced electrical wiring complexity; and <NUM>. potential reduction in energy consumption; a single motor <NUM> is employed to operate both system elements.

Still another alternative arrangement of motors for pump <NUM> and cooling fan <NUM> includes a dual spindle induction motor. The benefits of the dual spindle induction motor are use of a single motor to drive two separate components, compact system - space saving, relatively low cost, reduced spare parts requirement.

Still another alternative arrangement of motors for pump <NUM> and cooling fan <NUM> includes dual spindle electronically commutated motor. The benefits of the dual spindle electronically commutated motor include use of a single motor to drive two separate components, compact system - space saving, high reliability, low energy consumption, low heat output, ability to control a shaft rotation speed of the motor to optimize performance for prevailing operating conditions, reduced spare parts requirement, and low lifetime costs.

Referring to <FIG>, pumping and control module <NUM> contains pumps <NUM>. Pumps <NUM> pump beverage ingredients from one or more sources to beverage cooling module <NUM> through pump tubing <NUM> that connects to valves <NUM>. The beverage ingredients are both carbonated and un-carbonated liquids, which may include potable water or alcoholic beverages, from an external source. From beverage cooling module <NUM>, carbonated or un-carbonated liquid, which may include water, may be transported to a beverage dispensing head (not shown) through a flow line known to the industry as a python (not shown), where beverage may be dispensed on demand. The python may be retained cool by the constant circulation of a cooling medium, which may be water, utilizing pumping and control module <NUM> and beverage cooling module <NUM>, cooling coils <NUM>, or cooling medium taken directly from cooling tank <NUM>, by utilizing a semi-submersible pump/agitator (not shown) sited in beverage cooling module <NUM>.

Pumping and control module <NUM> also contains a programmable electronic controller <NUM> and a circuit board which may include, among other features, such features as intelligent diagnostics, energy management, telemetry, remote diagnostics, asset tracking and an operator interface screen.

Referring to <FIG>, pumping and control module <NUM> is designed so that it may be de-pressurized and quickly and easily disconnected from the other modules in the system, using quick-release push-in style tubing couplers <NUM>, similar to valves <NUM>, wherever possible.

Referring to <FIG>, a schematic diagram of a carbonation system of beverage cooling system <NUM> includes a water supply <NUM> that supplies water through a flood solenoid <NUM> and a low water pressure switch <NUM> that is optional. Water supply <NUM> may include a filter <NUM> and water regulator <NUM>. Water flows from flood solenoid <NUM> to a carbonator pump <NUM> that pumps water through a double non-return valve <NUM> to cooling coils, for example, cooling coils <NUM> in tank <NUM> of beverage cooling module <NUM> having an ice bank <NUM>, into carbonator bowl <NUM> that creates carbonated water. Carbonator bowl <NUM> receives a flow of carbon dioxide from carbon dioxide bottle <NUM> that flows through a carbon dioxide regulator <NUM> and a single non-return valve <NUM>. The carbonated water flows from carbonator bowl <NUM> to a soda recirculation pump <NUM>. Soda recirculation pump <NUM> pumps the carbonated water to another set of cooling coils <NUM> in tank <NUM> of beverage cooling module <NUM> that connects the carbonated water to python <NUM>. A portion of the carbonated water circulates from python <NUM> to a beverage dispenser (not shown) and a portion of the carbonated water circulates from python <NUM> to a soda recirculation return <NUM> that flows the carbonated water back to carbonator bowl <NUM>. A pre-mix beverage may be circulated from a pre-mix source <NUM> through pre-mix cooling coils <NUM> in tank <NUM> of beverage cooling module <NUM> to cool the pre-mix beverage prior to dispense. Syrup may be circulated from a syrup source <NUM> through syrup cooling coils <NUM> in tank <NUM> of beverage cooling module <NUM> for cooling the syrup prior to mixing with still water or carbonated water to form a beverage to dispense. Still water may be circulated from a still water source <NUM> through still water cooling coils <NUM> in tank <NUM> of beverage cooling module <NUM> to cool the still water prior to mixing with syrup to form a beverage for dispense. Pre-mix cooling coils <NUM>, syrup cooling coils <NUM> and still water cooling coils <NUM> may connect to python <NUM> or directly to the beverage dispenser for dispense.

Referring to <FIG>, beverage cooling module <NUM> may have an outlet <NUM> that connects to a cord <NUM> to connect to a power source. Pumping and control module <NUM> may have a user interface <NUM> for input to and output from a controller of beverage cooling system <NUM> for operation of beverage cooling system <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an example of user interface <NUM> is shown. User interface <NUM> has a liquid crystal display <NUM> and buttons <NUM>, 412a, 412b, 412c, 412d, and <NUM>. Liquid crystal display <NUM> is showing a home page in <FIG>. Button <NUM> is a next page button. Buttons 412a, 412b, 412c, 412d are arrow buttons. Button <NUM> is a clear fault message key button. When beverage cooling system <NUM> is powered up, or turned on, if all switchable outputs have been set to off, which may be done during production, user interface <NUM> will display a change language parameter screen on liquid crystal display <NUM>, as shown by <FIG>. A user may change the language of user interface <NUM> by pressing buttons 412b and 412d. English may be the default language that may be changed to French or German. The user is allowed a predetermined time, for example, <NUM> seconds, to select a language. If unchanged after <NUM> seconds, then the language previously stored in a memory of the controller, or the default language, is retained. When a setting change is made this is (i. e language change or an output switched on/off), the change will happen instantaneously and the status is saved in the working memory (RAM). However, this change is not saved in the non volatile memory until returned back to the home page. This means that if a setting change is made and there is a power down before returning to the home page the setting change will not be saved on power up. Settings are automatically saved when controller returns user interface to the home page.

Button <NUM> is used to navigate to a set outputs screen shown in <FIG>. On power up, the set outputs screen will be the first screen to display on user interface <NUM> if any of the switchable outputs are set to "On". If all switchable outputs are set to "Off" the set language parameter shown in <FIG> will be first to display. All switchable outputs are temporarily suspended to "off" and a countdown, for example, <NUM> seconds, will start. The top line shown on liquid crystal display <NUM> flashes "CHANGE xx". During the countdown the displayed status of the outputs will not change even though power to the component is suspended, until, the countdown ends. If any changes commence, by pressing buttons 412b and 412d, the count will go on hold until a page shown on liquid crystal display <NUM> is exited or no buttons have been pressed for a predetermined amount of time, for example, <NUM> minutes. Once the countdown is completed, the power will resume to the components of refrigeration module <NUM>, pumping and control module <NUM>, and beverage cooling module <NUM> previously set to "on" before the power down. The purpose of this function is to allow the technician time to switch components off in the menu. For example, to prevent the carbonator pump immediately switching "On", when powered up, if a pipe is disconnected or supply water off. If power is uninterrupted, the set outputs screen may be reached by navigating menu, then there the countdown will not be activated, there will not be a temporary suspension of power to the components, and an "On / Off" status of components will remain unchanged. The set ouputs screen allows the user to switch on /off carbonator pump <NUM>, soda recirculation pump <NUM> and compressor <NUM>. There may be more than one carbonator pump <NUM>, soda recirculation pump <NUM> and compressor <NUM>, which may be controlled by the set outputs screen only if this parameter is switched on in a menu of the controller. Buttons 412b and 412d are used to choose which outputs to set and buttons 412a and 412c are used to switch the selected output on or off. If after a predetermined time, for example, <NUM> minutes, no changes have been made, settings will default to a status when beverage cooling system <NUM> was last powered down and user interface <NUM> will display the home page. The user may navigate user interface <NUM> to display the home page by pressing next page key <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, the home page will be reached by timing out of any other of the pages displayed on liquid crystal display <NUM> or scrolling through menu screens that include: the home page, a temperature display screen shown in <FIG>, status page <NUM> shown in <FIG>, status page <NUM> shown in <FIG>, status page <NUM> shown in <FIG>, a change parameters menu screen shown in <FIG>, and a set outputs screen shown in <FIG>. Next page key <NUM> is pressed to navigate from the home page to the temperature display screen that displays the temperature of recirculating soda water, the first cooling medium, the second cooling medium and cooling medium in tank <NUM>. If there is another recirculating soda loop, then this temperature will only be displayed if this parameter is switched on in the parameters menu. There is no input by the user in the temperature display screen. If no buttons are pressed for a predetermined amount of time, for example, <NUM> minutes, user interface <NUM> will display the home screen.

Next page key <NUM> is pressed to navigate from the temperature display screen to the status page <NUM> screen, status page <NUM> screen and status page <NUM> screen shown in <FIG>, that indicate an actual operational status of the main components of refrigeration module <NUM>, pumping and control module <NUM>, and beverage cooling module <NUM>. Status page <NUM> screen, status page <NUM> screen and status page <NUM> screen will not indicate to the user if a component has failed, however, indication of whether power is received from a board is indicated. A B components pack on status page <NUM> will only display in this menu if switched "on" in the parameters menu. There is no input by the user in the status page <NUM> screen, status page <NUM> screen and status page <NUM> screen. If no buttons are pressed for a predetermined amount of time, for example, <NUM> minutes, user interface <NUM> will display the home screen.

Next page key <NUM> is pressed to navigate from status page <NUM> screen, status page <NUM> screen and status page <NUM> screen to the change parameter screen shown in <FIG> that allows the user to change or view parameters of beverage cooling system <NUM>. The change parameter screen may be password protected, and a password must be entered into a enter password screen, shown in <FIG>, to change the parameters. Table <NUM> shows the parameters that may be changed.

The user presses buttons 412b and 412d to choose a parameter and buttons 412a and 412c to change values of the parameter. When buttons 412a and 412c are pressed the enter password screen is displayed. Once the password is entered, all parameters values can be changed until the change parameter screen is exited. A predetermined amount of time, for example, one minute, is allowed for password entry of the change parameters screen will automatically be displayed. If no buttons are pressed for a predetermined amount of time, for example, <NUM> minutes, user interface <NUM> will display the home screen.

Next page key <NUM> is pressed to navigate from the change parameter screen to the set outputs screen shown in <FIG> that allows the user to switch carbonator pump <NUM>, soda recirculation pump <NUM> and compressor <NUM> on and off. Additional carbonator pump <NUM>, soda recirculation pump <NUM> and compressor <NUM> may be included in beverage cooling system <NUM> that will only display in the outputs screen if switched on in the parameters menu. Buttons 412b and 412d choose which outputs of carbonator pump <NUM>, soda recirculation pump <NUM> and compressor <NUM> to set and buttons 412a and 412c switch carbonator pump <NUM>, soda recirculation pump <NUM> and compressor <NUM> on and off. These settings are automatically saved when the home page is navigated to or next page key <NUM> is pressed to navigate to the home page.

The home page shows faults as shown in FIG. Examples of faults are shown in the Fault Diagnosis Table, Table <NUM>.

"To clear fault" will only be displayed if the fault can be reset by the user.

Referring to <FIG>, lids <NUM> have lid apertures <NUM> and pumping and control module <NUM> and beverage cooling module <NUM> have module apertures <NUM>. Lid apertures <NUM> are aligned with module apertures <NUM> when lids <NUM> are in place on pumping and control module <NUM> and beverage cooling module <NUM>, respectively, so that lid apertures <NUM> and module apertures <NUM> receive fasteners <NUM>. Fasteners <NUM>, lid apertures <NUM> and module apertures <NUM> may each be shaped so that fasteners <NUM> fit through lid apertures <NUM> and module apertures <NUM> in a first position, and, when fasteners <NUM> are rotated <NUM> degrees, fasteners <NUM> do not fit through lid apertures <NUM> and module apertures <NUM> to secure lids <NUM> on pumping and control module <NUM> and beverage cooling module <NUM>. Pumping and control module <NUM> may have a depression <NUM> that fits in refrigeration module <NUM> so that pumping and control module <NUM> may be stacked on refrigeration module <NUM> to provide a cover for refrigeration module <NUM>. Beverage cooling module <NUM> has latches <NUM> that mate with mating latches <NUM> on each of refrigeration module <NUM> and pumping and control module <NUM> to secure refrigeration module <NUM>, pumping and control module <NUM> and beverage cooling module <NUM> together.

In operation, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, refrigeration module <NUM> has refrigeration system <NUM> that cools evaporator <NUM>. Evaporator <NUM> is positioned in refrigeration module <NUM> that cools the second cooling medium that circulates through coolant transfer tubing <NUM> into heat exchanger coil <NUM> positioned in tank <NUM> of beverage cooling module <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the beverage ingredients are pumped from a beverage ingredient source through pumps <NUM> to valves <NUM> on beverage cooling module <NUM> into cooling coils <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, cooling coils <NUM> are immersed in tank <NUM> filled with the cooling medium that is cooled by heat exchanger coil <NUM> to cool the beverage ingredients for dispense.

A reduction may be possible in beverage cooling system <NUM> in a weight of refrigerant used to charge refrigeration system <NUM>, whilst maintaining the cooling output of a similar sized conventional design. In the case of the hydrocarbon refrigerant R290 (Propane), a charge limit of <NUM> grams is set on all refrigerating equipment in the classification "Category A Occupancies". Beverage cooling system <NUM> can fall into this category, and as such is restricted to a maximum refrigerant charge of <NUM> grams.

There is a limiting effect on the size and cooling capacity of a conventional beverage cooler that may be designed for use with R290 refrigerant. However, replacing a conventional copper tube evaporator with a heat exchanger evaporator with heat exchanger coil <NUM>, and compressor <NUM> that can be a low-volume condenser replacing the conventional condenser, a charge reduction of more than <NUM>% (by weight) may be achieved for a similar overall cooling performance.

The size and cooling capacity of existing beverage coolers, using R290 refrigerant with a conventional evaporator and condenser, is limited to a compressor size of typically 15cc displacement, due to the restriction on refrigerant charge weight. This gives a typical average useful cooling duty of approximately <NUM> watts during the icebank-building, or "recovery" phase of the refrigerant cycle.

Whereas conventional beverage coolers using R290 refrigerant are limited by the <NUM> grams refrigerant charge weight to a maximum compressor size of typically 15cc displacement, the use of the heat exchanger evaporator with heat exchanger coil <NUM>, and compressor <NUM> that can be a low-volume condenser (which may, for example, be a gas cooler of the type used in an R744 [CO2] refrigerant system) may permit an increase in the maximum size and capacity of an R290 beverage cooler. The larger capacity cooler might contain a compressor, for example, compressor <NUM>, of typically up to 21cc displacement, with a useful cooling capacity in excess of <NUM>,<NUM> watts, whilst remaining within the "Category A Occupancies" classification. Thus, maximum cooling capacity may be increased by typically <NUM>% over equivalent conventional designs, whilst remaining within the <NUM> grams refrigerant charge limit.

In beverage cooling system <NUM>, the conventional evaporator is replaced with a liquid heat exchanger with heat exchanger coil <NUM>, which may be a copper or stainless steel coil, through which passes, for example, a solution of chilled anti-freeze, which may be a solution of propylene glycol. As refrigerant is no longer transported through the system into the waterbath evaporator, it is not necessary to connect the fridge compartment and waterbath with rigid semi-permanent or permanently jointed metal tubing. The transport tubing for the anti-freeze, for example, coolant transfer tubing <NUM>, may be flexible plastic tubing, and the joints, for example, valves <NUM>, may be of a quick-release type, for example the "John Guest Speedfit®" design. The addition of plastic isolating valves, for example, valves <NUM>, allows the waterbath-based heat exchanger with heat exchanger coil <NUM> to be isolated from the supply system, thereby permitting the waterbath in tank <NUM> and refrigeration module <NUM> to be quickly and easily separated. Refrigeration module <NUM> can be removed and replaced using one trained operative, who is not necessarily skilled in the art of refrigeration. This may be done independently of the rest of beverage cooling system <NUM>, minimizing the cost of the service call and replacement parts, and the downtime and loss of sales incurred by the end user.

Beverage cooling system <NUM> has the advantage that a single service operative may quickly and easily replace refrigeration module <NUM> for one more appropriate to the demand, with no downtime to the end user whatsoever. Likewise, beverage cooling module <NUM> also be easily exchanged for one with a greater or smaller capacity icebank, with minimal downtime, by a single service operative.

Beverage cooling system <NUM> permits a change in refrigerant to be accommodated with virtually no disruption to the end user, and at minimal service cost. Refrigeration module <NUM> may be disconnected from the remainder of beverage cooling system <NUM>, and a replacement for refrigeration module <NUM> containing the new refrigerant may simply be connected, by a single service operative, to the remainder of beverage cooling system <NUM> via the quick release/connect fittings, without the need to exchange complete coolers or melt-back and re-produce icebanks.

Beverage cooling system <NUM> may allow refrigeration module <NUM> to be disconnected and sited remotely from the remainder of beverage cooling system <NUM>, in an area more suited to its requirements for optimum performance. Flexible insulated tubes would transport the secondary coolant to and from beverage cooling module <NUM>, with electrical extension wires providing a link to refrigeration controls and power source.

Beverage cooling system <NUM> allows just the failed module of refrigeration module <NUM>, pumping and control module <NUM>, and beverage cooling module <NUM> to be removed from the remainder of the main assembly of beverage cooling system <NUM> and returned, thus saving a substantial amount of factory space, or permitting a higher volume of parts awaiting repair to be stored in the available space.

Claim 1:
A beverage cooling system (<NUM>) comprising: a refrigeration module (<NUM>) with a fan (<NUM>) having a refrigeration system (<NUM>) cooling a first cooling medium; and a beverage cooling module (<NUM>) connected to the refrigeration module (<NUM>), the beverage cooling module (<NUM>) having a cooling tank (<NUM>) that cools at least one beverage ingredient,
characterized in that
the beverage cooling module (<NUM>) has a second cooling medium cooled by the refrigeration system (<NUM>) that is circulated in the cooling tank via a pump (<NUM>), and
said cooling tank (<NUM>) is filled with another cooling medium, the another cooling medium being cooled by the second cooling medium that flows between the refrigeration module (<NUM>) and the beverage cooling module (<NUM>), wherein the pump (<NUM>) and the fan (<NUM>) being operated by the same motor (<NUM>).