Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a device for cooling a beverage. Beer is transported through a dispensing line in the device and cooled in a heat exchanger where it becomes supercooled. Upstream of the heat exchanger, the dispensing line is located in an insulated casing. Delivery and return pipes carrying coolant to the heat exchanger are located in the same casing as the dispensing line.

<CIT> discloses a dispensing system for dispensing a chilled beverage. The system has a dispense point with multiple outlets connected to separate beverage supply lines, each supply line being connected to one side of their own plate heat exchanger. The plate heat exchangers are each connected in parallel to a coolant supply to cool the beverage to a desired temperature.

When the temperature of the coolant in the device of <CIT> decreases below a freezing point of the beverage, beverage inside the dispensing line freezes. The frozen beverage subsequently blocks further flow of beverage through the dispensing line.

In the device of <CIT>, coolant flowing past a plate heat exchanger always directly returns to the coolant supply. As such, circulation of coolant through the heat exchangers is only possible via the coolant supply. The flow path for coolant to the plate heat exchangers, which are connected parallel to the coolant supply, is only a circuit in combination with the coolant supply circuit. A circuit implies the presence of a closed loop flow path, allowing circulation of coolant. Circulation implies that the coolant can follow a course that returns to the starting point, wherein the starting point and the entire flow path is provided by the same circuit.

It is preferred to provide a device for cooling a beverage, which may allow for better control of the temperature of the beverage.

The invention consists of a device for cooling a beverage according to claim <NUM> and a method for cooling a beverage dispense line according to claim <NUM>.

A first aspect provides a first embodiment of a cooling device for cooling a beverage. The cooling device comprises a dispensing line comprising a beverage inlet at a proximal end of the dispensing line for receiving the beverage and a beverage outlet for dispensing the beverage, the dispensing line providing a beverage flow path between the beverage inlet and the beverage outlet.

The cooling device according to the first aspect further comprises a buffer module comprising a buffer circuit arranged to provide a buffer flow path for circulating coolant fluid, a buffer heat exchanger arranged to exchange thermal energy with coolant fluid flowing through the buffer circuit, a buffer container for storing coolant fluid and a buffer flow module controller for controlling a flow of coolant fluid in the buffer circuit.

Further comprised by the cooling device according to the first aspect is a cooling module, comprising a primary cooling circuit providing a primary cooling flow path for circulating coolant fluid, a primary cooling heat exchanger arranged to allow exchange of thermal energy between beverage flowing through the dispensing line and coolant fluid flowing through the primary cooling circuit, a primary cooling flow module for controlling a flow of coolant fluid through the primary cooling circuit. Also comprised by the cooling device are a supply conduit providing a supply flow path for coolant fluid between the buffer circuit and the primary cooling circuit, upstream of the primary cooling flow module; and a return conduit providing a return flow path for coolant fluid between the buffer circuit and the primary cooling circuit, downstream of the primary cooling heat exchanger.

By virtue of the buffer module, an increase amount of cooled coolant fluid may be present in the cooling device, compared to only the amount of coolant fluid present in the buffer circuit. This may increase the cooling capacity of the cooling device, and/or increase the accuracy with which beverage may be cooled to a particular temperature or within a particular temperature window.

Coolant fluid inside the buffer module may be mixed into the cooling module by means of the flow modules, to control the temperature of coolant fluid in the cooling module. In general, since coolant fluid in the cooling module is used to extract thermal energy from the beverage, the temperature of coolant fluid in the cooling module may be higher than the temperature of coolant fluid in the buffer module.

In general, a flow module or cooling flow module may comprise a pump and/or a valve, more than one pump, more than one valve, in any combination thereof. A flow module or cooling flow module is used to constitute a flow of fluid, for example by constituting a pressure difference, for example using a pump, or making use of an already present pressure difference, for example using a valve.

Because coolant fluid in the buffer circuit may not be used to directly cool the beverage, the temperature of the coolant fluid in the buffer circuit may fall below a freezing point of the beverage. With this lower temperature of the coolant fluid, a larger cooling capacity over a longer amount of time may be achieved compared to when all coolant fluid in the cooling device has to be kept above the freezing point of the beverage - to completely prevent beverage from freezing in the dispensing line.

It may be preferred to control the temperature of coolant fluid in the cooling module above a freezing point of the beverage. Such a control strategy may prevent beverage from freezing inside the dispensing line. The skilled person will appreciate that the freezing point or freezing trajectory of the beverage may depend on the composition of the beverage - for example sugar content, dissolved gas content and/or alcohol content - but also on the pressure applied to the beverage.

The cooling device according to the first aspect may comprise a first temperature sensor for sensing a first temperature of coolant fluid flowing through the primary cooling circuit. In particular, the first temperature sensor may be arranged for sensing a temperature of the cooling fluid flowing through the secondary cooling circuit, downstream of the primary cooling heat exchanger.

Embodiments of the cooling device may comprise a processing unit arranged to control the buffer flow module and the primary cooling flow module to perform at least one of decreasing throughput of the buffer flow module and increasing throughput of the primary cooling flow module if the first temperature meets a first requirement and increasing throughput of the buffer flow module and decreasing throughput of the primary cooling flow module if a further requirement is met. This may be executed by controlling the recirculation valve and the connection valve, such that the temperature of the beverage at the beverage outlet may be controlled by controlling a flow rate of coolant fluid through one or more parts of the cooling device - for example through the buffer circuit and the primary cooling circuit.

As an option, embodiments of the cooling device may comprise a secondary cooling circuit providing a secondary cooling flow path for coolant fluid, and a secondary cooling heat exchanger arranged to allow exchange of thermal energy between beverage flowing through the dispensing line and coolant fluid flowing through the secondary cooling circuit, wherein the secondary cooling circuit is connected parallel to the primary cooling circuit, and the secondary cooling heat exchanger is provided in thermally conductive contact with the dispensing line downstream of the primary cooling heat exchanger.

When a cooling device comprises the secondary cooling circuit, even more accurate control of the beverage at the dispensing line may be obtained.

The secondary cooling heat exchanger may be arranged as a sleeve surrounding part of the dispensing line downstream of the primary cooling heat exchanger, and thus insulating this part of the dispensing line. The insulation may prevent the temperature of the beverage in the part of the dispensing line from increasing at an undesired rate due to the ambient temperature surrounding the dispensing line.

When the secondary cooling heat exchanger is arranged as a sleeve surrounding part of the dispensing line, coolant fluid may flow through the sleeve, between an outer wall of the dispensing line and an inner wall of the sleeve.

When a cooling device comprises the secondary cooling circuit, the cooling device may comprise a second temperature sensor arranged for sensing a temperature of cooling fluid flowing through the secondary cooling circuit, and a secondary cooling flow controller arranged to control a flow of coolant fluid through the secondary cooling circuit in response to the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor.

By virtue of the secondary cooling flow controller, a flow rate of coolant fluid through the secondary cooling circuit may be controlled relative to the primary cooling flow controller.

As an option, the secondary cooling circuit is connected to the primary cooling circuit upstream of the primary cooling flow controller and downstream of the primary cooling flow controller. As such, the primary cooling flow controller, for example a pump comprised thereby, may be used to also constitute a flow of coolant fluid through the secondary cooling circuit.

As a further option for embodiments of the cooling device, the cooling device may comprise a tertiary cooling circuit providing a tertiary cooling flow path for coolant fluid, a third or tertiary cooling heat exchanger arranged to allow exchange of thermal energy between beverage flowing through the dispensing line and coolant fluid flowing through the tertiary cooling circuit, and a tertiary cooling flow controller for controlling a flow of coolant fluid through the tertiary cooling circuit, wherein the tertiary cooling circuit is in fluid connection with the buffer circuit.

In general, one circuit being in fluid connection with another circuit may imply that fluid may flow directly between the two circuits. A fluid connection may also be achieved indirectly, for example via one or more additional circuits, conduits and/or other components.

By virtue of the tertiary cooling circuit, an even more accurate control of the temperature of the beverage at the beverage outlet may be obtained.

Embodiments of cooling devices are envisioned comprising only one of the secondary cooling circuit and the tertiary cooling circuit, or both the secondary cooling circuit and the tertiary cooling circuit.

The tertiary cooling circuit may be connected between the supply conduit and the return conduit. Alternatively, the tertiary cooling circuit may be connected between the primary cooling circuit and the secondary cooling circuit.

When the cooling device comprises a secondary cooling heat exchanger, the secondary cooling heat exchanger may be positioned downstream or upstream of the primary cooling heat exchanger.

When the cooling device comprises a third or tertiary cooling heat exchanger, the third or tertiary cooling heat exchanger may be positioned downstream or upstream of the primary cooling heat exchanger.

Examples of beverages which may be cooled by the cooling device are alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, for example beer, cider, soft drinks, other brewed beverages, or any other beverage which may be carbonated or non-carbonated.

Embodiments of the cooling device may be arranged to cool the beverage down to a temperature below <NUM>° C, below <NUM>° C, or even below a freezing point of a beverage at ambient pressure, such as below -<NUM>° C or even below -<NUM>° C. Hence, the cooling device may be used to dispense a beverage in a supercooled state if the appropriate pressure is applied to the beverage. The cooling device may thus be a cooling device for cooling a beverage down to a supercooled temperature. A supercooled beverage may be defined as a beverage with a temperature lower than its melting point, while the beverage is still in the fluid phase.

In the context of this description, a fluid may comprise matter which is a liquid or vapour state, or in a combination of these states. Examples of coolant fluids are glycol, carbon-dioxide, alcohol, any other coolant fluid, or any combination thereof.

The dispensing line is used to transport beverage through. The dispensing line may for example comprise tubing with a constant or non-constant flow through area. At the beverage inlet, a coupler may be present to couple the beverage inlet to a beverage container such as a keg or a tank. At the beverage outlet, a coupler may be present to couple the beverage outlet to a beverage dispenser, for example a beer tap.

A circuit, such as a cooling circuit or a buffer circuit, may comprise any number of conduits, tubes, transportation lines, and/or other type of pipe arranged for carrying a flow of fluid therethrough. Different sections of a circuit may have different flow through areas, and a transition in flow through area may constitute a pressure difference in the coolant fluid, following the well-known Bernoulli's principle.

A heat exchanger may be defined as a device arranged to exchange thermal energy between two fluid flows. Thermal energy may be transferred from the fluid flow with the higher temperature to the fluid flow with the lower temperature. Thermal energy may for example be transferred by virtue of conduction through the heat exchanger.

Any heat exchanger may for example be arranged as a parallel or counterflow heat exchanger. Examples of types of heat exchangers which may be used are shell-and-tube, tube-in-tube, helical coil, any other type, or any combination thereof.

A flow controller, for example a cooling flow controller, may comprise one or more pumps and/or one or more valves. Different components of a single flow controller may be provided at different positions along a circuit. A valve may be placed upstream or downstream of a pump comprised by the same flow controller as said valve.

Any valve may be a flow control valve, for example a cooling flow control valve, which can be controlled between a closed state in which flow through the valve is blocked, and an open state in which flow through the valve is allowed. Intermediate positions between open and closed may also be allowed, and in such cases a flow rate through the valve may be controlled more specifically.

Relative to the beverage flow path, the third heat exchanger may be provided downstream of the second heat exchanger. Beverage flowing through the dispensing line may hence first be cooled by the second heat exchanger, and next be cooled by the third heat exchanger. Relative to the dispensing line, the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger may thus be placed in series.

When the cooling device comprises a first temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of coolant fluid flowing through the secondary cooling circuit, the secondary cooling flow controller may be arranged for controlling the flow of coolant fluid through the secondary cooling circuit in response to the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor.

Any temperature sensor may be placed inside a circuit for directly sensing a temperature of fluid present in the circuit. Alternatively, a temperature sensor may be arranged to sense a temperature of a particular section of the circuit itself. The temperature of the section of the circuit may be indicative of the temperature of fluid flowing through said section.

In a particular example, the first temperature sensor may be arranged for sensing a temperature of the cooling fluid flowing through the secondary cooling circuit, downstream of the third heat exchanger.

The secondary cooling circuit may be connected to the primary cooling circuit at two ends of the secondary cooling circuit. The primary cooling flow controller may comprise a pump, and a first of the two ends may be connected downstream of the pump. A second of the two ends may be connected upstream of the pump. As such, the pump of the primary cooling flow controller may be used to constitute a flow of coolant fluid between the two ends of the secondary cooling circuit.

Embodiments of the cooling device may comprise a vapour compression cooling system arranged to withdraw thermal energy from one or more heat exchangers comprised by the cooling device, such as the first heat exchanger.

In further embodiments, the first heat exchanger may comprise a fluid inlet for receiving coolant from a vapour compression cooling system, and a fluid outlet for supply coolant back to the vapour compression cooling system.

In general, a cooling device may comprise any number of cooling heat exchangers with any number of cooling circuits. Cooling heat exchangers and cooling circuits may be embodied corresponding to any other heat exchanger and cooling circuit disclosed in the present description.

Aspects and embodiments thereof will be elucidated in conjunction with figures. In the figures,.

In general, in the figures, the following legend is adhered to:.

Arrows drawn on ends of circuits and lines in the figures indicate a preferred flow direction for coolant fluid or beverage. However, cooling states may be envisioned which do not comply with one or more of the arrow directions as indicated in the figures. Hence, the arrows are not to be construed as limiting to the scope of aspects and embodiments described herein.

<FIG> depicts an embodiment of a device for cooling a beverage <NUM> according to the second aspect, comprising the dispensing line <NUM>. This particular embodiment comprises, as an option, a buffer module <NUM>, comprising a buffer circuit <NUM> arranged to provide a buffer flow path for circulating coolant fluid.

The buffer module <NUM> comprises a buffer heat exchanger <NUM> arranged to exchange thermal energy with coolant fluid flowing through the buffer circuit <NUM>. The buffer heat exchanger <NUM> may for example be placed in thermal contact with a separate cooling system, such as a vapour compression cooling system <NUM>, arranged to extract thermal energy from the buffer heat exchanger <NUM>. In another alternative, the buffer heat exchanger <NUM> is arranged for exchange of thermal energy between the cooling fluid and another medium, preferably an external medium, like air surrounding the device <NUM>.

A buffer container <NUM> is provided, which buffer container <NUM> is arranged for storing a particular volume of coolant fluid. For example, the storage volume of the buffer container <NUM> may exceed the volume of coolant fluid which may be present inside the buffer circuit <NUM>, or be at least half of the volume of cool fluid present inside the buffer circuit <NUM>.

The buffer container <NUM> may be insulated to reduce transfer of thermal energy between the buffer container <NUM> and its surroundings. As a further option, the buffer container <NUM> may comprise or consist of or at least comprises one or more materials with a high thermal storage capacity, such as aluminium.

As an option, the cooling device <NUM> of <FIG> comprises a buffer pump <NUM> as a buffer flow controller for controlling a flow of coolant fluid in the buffer circuit. The cooling device <NUM> further comprises a recirculation valve <NUM> arrange to control circulation of coolant fluid through the buffer circuit <NUM>.

When the recirculation valve <NUM> is in an open position, and the pump <NUM> is controlled to create a pressure difference in the coolant fluid in the buffer circuit <NUM>, coolant fluid may flow from the buffer reservoir <NUM>, through the pump <NUM>, through the recirculation valve <NUM>, past the buffer heat exchanger <NUM>, and back into the buffer reservoir <NUM>.

An optional buffer temperature sensor <NUM> may be provided, arranged for sensing a temperature of cooling fluid in the buffer circuit <NUM>. In particular, the buffer temperature sensor <NUM> may be provided downstream of the buffer container <NUM> or inside the buffer container <NUM>. A sensor signal of the buffer temperature sensor <NUM> may be used to control at least one of the pump <NUM> and the recirculation valve <NUM>.

Depending on the flow rate of coolant fluid circulating through the buffer circuit <NUM>, and the amount of the thermal energy exchanged at the buffer heat exchanger <NUM>, the temperature of coolant fluid in the buffer container <NUM> may be controlled. For example, it may be a control objective to maintain the temperature of coolant fluid in the buffer container <NUM> inside a particular temperature window. The temperature window may depend on the desired dispensing temperature of the beverage, and a freezing point of the beverage.

The cooling module <NUM> of <FIG> further comprises a primary cooling circuit <NUM> providing a primary cooling flow path for circulating coolant fluid. Also comprised by the cooling module <NUM> is a primary cooling heat exchanger <NUM>, arranged to allow exchange of thermal energy between beverage flowing through the dispensing line <NUM> and coolant fluid flowing through the primary cooling circuit <NUM>. Hence, via the primary cooling flow path, coolant fluid may be circulated through the primary cooling heat exchanger <NUM>, as visible in <FIG>. A primary cooling flow pump <NUM> is provided as a primary cooling flow controller comprised by a primary cooling flow module for controlling the flow of coolant fluid circulated through the primary cooling circuit <NUM>.

The primary cooling circuit <NUM> is provided in fluid connection with the buffer circuit <NUM> by virtue of a supply conduit <NUM> and a return conduit <NUM>. A connection valve <NUM> is as an option provided in the supply conduit <NUM>, but may in other embodiments be provided in the return conduit <NUM>. As a further option, both the supply conduit <NUM> and the return conduit <NUM> may be provided with a valve. In yet another alternative, the connections valve <NUM> and the recirculation valve <NUM> are implemented as a single three-way valve having the functionality of two valves. In yet another alternative, only one valve is provided in at least one of the primary cooling circuit <NUM> and the buffer circuit <NUM> to control distribution of coolant fluid from the primary cooling circuit <NUM> to the buffer circuit <NUM> and vice versa.

When the connection valve <NUM> is in an open state, a flow of coolant fluid may be constituted from the buffer container <NUM>, via the supply conduit <NUM> to the primary cooling heat exchanger <NUM>, and back to the buffer container <NUM> via the return conduit <NUM>. As such, coolant fluid may be used to transfer thermal energy between the buffer heat exchanger <NUM> and the primary cooling heat exchanger <NUM>.

By controlling at least one of the buffer pump <NUM>, the primary cooling flow pump <NUM> and/or the connection valve <NUM>, mixing of coolant fluid from the buffer circuit <NUM> into the primary cooling circuit <NUM> may be controlled. With this mixing, the temperature of coolant fluid in the primary cooling circuit <NUM> may be controlled, and in turn the amount of cooling of the primary cooling heat exchanger <NUM> may be controlled. The amount of coolant fluid mixed into the primary cooling circuit <NUM> may be returned to the buffer circuit <NUM> via the return conduit <NUM>. By mixing coolant fluid from the buffer circuit <NUM> into the primary cooling circuit <NUM>, with coolant fluid in the primary cooling circuit <NUM>, temperature decrease of the coolant fluid in the primary cooling circuit <NUM> may be accurately controlled, by mixing in small amounts of (cooler) coolant fluid from the buffer circuit <NUM>.

It may for example be preferred to keep the temperature of coolant fluid provided to the primary cooling heat exchanger <NUM> - or any other heat exchanger - above a freezing point of the beverage. Otherwise, beverage may freeze inside the dispensing line <NUM> at a heat exchanger, which may inhibit the flow of beverage through the dispensing line <NUM>. In another scenario, it may be preferred to cool the temperature of a beverage in the dispensing line to a temperature to provide a supercooled beverage in the dispensing line.

As can been seen for example in <FIG>, the primary cooling circuit <NUM> comprises or forms a closed loop cooling flow path for circulating coolant fluid through, in particular independent of the buffer circuit. The closed loop is closed by virtue of conduit section <NUM>'. As such, the primary cooling circuit <NUM> may be connected in parallel with the buffer circuit <NUM> via the supply conduit <NUM> and the return conduit <NUM>. The supply conduit <NUM> and the return conduit <NUM> may be bypassed by virtue of conduit section <NUM>', for example when one or both of the recirculation valve <NUM> and the connection valve <NUM> are closed.

A closed loop in general means that at least part of a fluid flowing over the closed loop stays in the closed loop after the closed loop has been flown through fully. Only in particular embodiments, closed loop shall mean that all of the fluid flowing over the closed loop stays in the closed loop after the closed loop has been flown through fully.

For example when one or both of the recirculation valve <NUM> and the connection valve <NUM> are closed, the primary cooling flow pump <NUM> may be operated independently from the pump <NUM>, or more in general, the primary cooling flow module may be operated at least partially independent from the buffer flow module.

As an option, a first temperature sensor <NUM> is provided for sensing a first temperature of coolant fluid flowing through the primary cooling circuit. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the first temperature sensor <NUM> is provided downstream of the primary cooling heat exchanger <NUM>.

To control the recirculation valve <NUM> and the connection valve <NUM>, the cooling device <NUM> may comprise a processing unit. This processing unit may be arranged to at least partially close the recirculation valve <NUM> and/or at least partially open the connection valve <NUM> if the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor <NUM> exceeds a first temperature threshold. As such, colder coolant fluid from the buffer circuit may be mixed into the primary cooling circuit <NUM>.

The processing unit may be further arranged to at least partially open the recirculation valve <NUM> and at least partially close the connection valve <NUM> if a further requirement is met. Such a further requirement may for example be that the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor <NUM> falls below a second temperature threshold. As such, less of the colder coolant fluid from the buffer circuit may be mixed into the primary cooling circuit <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another embodiment of a cooling device <NUM> according to the second aspect, wherein the cooling module <NUM> further comprises a secondary cooling circuit <NUM> providing a secondary cooling flow path for coolant fluid. Provided in the secondary cooling flow path is a secondary cooling heat exchanger <NUM> arranged to allow exchange of thermal energy between beverage flowing through the dispensing line <NUM> and coolant fluid flowing through the secondary cooling circuit <NUM>.

Relative to the dispensing line <NUM>, the secondary cooling heat exchanger <NUM> is provided downstream of the primary cooling heat exchanger <NUM>. The primary cooling circuit <NUM> with the primary cooling heat exchanger <NUM> and the secondary cooling circuit <NUM> with the secondary cooling heat exchanger <NUM> may be operated as discussed in conjunction with <FIG>; the primary cooling circuit <NUM> may be operated to provide temperature of beverage in the dispensing line <NUM> within a particular temperature window and the secondary cooling circuit <NUM> may be operated to provide beverage at a target temperature.

As shown in <FIG>, the secondary cooling circuit <NUM> is connected parallel to the primary cooling circuit <NUM>. In particular, at a first end, the secondary cooling circuit <NUM> is connected upstream of the primary cooling flow pump <NUM>, and at a second end, the secondary cooling circuit <NUM> is connected downstream of the primary cooling flow pump <NUM>.

The secondary cooling circuit <NUM> may form a closed loop circuit, optionally together with part of another circuit, such as the primary cooling circuit <NUM>. Fluid flowing through the secondary cooling circuit <NUM> as a closed loop circuit, for example when one or both of the recirculation valve <NUM> and the connection valve <NUM> are closed, may flow independent of the buffer circuit <NUM>. When an embodiment of a cooling device <NUM> comprises a tertiary cooling circuit, the tertiary cooling circuit may also form a closed loop circuit, optionally together with part of another circuit.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, a secondary cooling flow valve <NUM> is provided as a secondary cooling flow controller arranged to control a flow of coolant fluid through the secondary cooling circuit. In an at least partially opened state, and the primary cooling flow pump <NUM> active, a flow of coolant fluid may be constituted through the secondary cooling circuit <NUM>. As such, the secondary cooling heat exchanger <NUM> may be used to cool beverage flowing through the dispensing line <NUM>, or at least maintain a temperature of beverage flowing through the dispensing line <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally, the secondary cooling circuit <NUM> is provided with a dedicated pump.

As an example, the secondary cooling flow valve <NUM> is positioned downstream of the secondary cooling heat exchanger <NUM>. In other examples, the secondary cooling flow valve <NUM> may be positioned upstream of the secondary cooling heat exchanger <NUM>.

A second temperature sensor <NUM> may be provided, arranged for sensing a temperature of cooling fluid flowing through the secondary cooling circuit <NUM>. As an example, as shown in <FIG>, the second temperature sensor <NUM> is position downstream of.

The secondary cooling flow valve <NUM> may be controlled based on the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor <NUM>. In a particular controller state, when the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor <NUM> exceeds a particular threshold, the secondary cooling flow valve <NUM> may be opened further to increase the flow rate of coolant fluid through the secondary cooling circuit <NUM>.

Because the secondary cooling circuit <NUM> is connected to the primary cooling circuit <NUM>, mixing of coolant from the buffer circuit <NUM> into the primary cooling circuit <NUM> may also result in mixing of coolant from the buffer circuit <NUM> into the secondary cooling circuit <NUM>.

3A and 3B depict further embodiments of a cooling device <NUM> according to the second aspect. These particular embodiments both comprise an optional tertiary cooling circuit <NUM> providing a tertiary cooling flow path for coolant fluid. In both embodiments, the secondary cooling circuit <NUM> is optional.

The cooling device <NUM> in the embodiments of Figs. 3A and 3B further comprises a tertiary cooling heat exchanger <NUM> arranged to allow exchange of thermal energy between beverage flowing through the dispensing line <NUM> and coolant fluid flowing through the tertiary cooling circuit <NUM>.

Relative to the dispensing line <NUM>, the tertiary cooling heat exchanger <NUM> is provided upstream of the primary cooling heat exchanger <NUM>. The primary cooling circuit <NUM> with the primary cooling heat exchanger <NUM>, the secondary cooling circuit <NUM> with the secondary cooling heat exchanger <NUM> and the tertiary cooling circuit <NUM> with the tertiary cooling heat exchanger <NUM> may be operated as discussed in conjunction with <FIG>.

In such scenario, the tertiary cooling circuit <NUM> may be operated to provide temperature of beverage in the dispensing line <NUM> within a particular temperature window and the primary cooling circuit <NUM> may be operated to provide beverage at a target temperature. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the secondary cooling circuit <NUM> may be advantageous for maintaining temperature of beverage in the dispensing line <NUM> or even further cooling of the beverage during transport to the tap <NUM>. This is particularly advantageous in case the dispensing line <NUM> is relatively long, in particular between the primary cooling heat exchanger <NUM> and the beverage outlet <NUM> and the tap <NUM>.

A tertiary cooling flow valve <NUM> is provided as a tertiary cooling flow controller for controlling a flow of coolant fluid through the tertiary cooling circuit <NUM>. As depicted respectively in Figs. 3A and 3B, the tertiary cooling flow valve <NUM> may be provided upstream or downstream of the tertiary cooling heat exchanger <NUM>.

As an option depicted in <FIG>, the tertiary cooling flow controller may comprise a tertiary pump <NUM>, additionally to or as an alternative to the tertiary cooling flow valve <NUM>.

The tertiary cooling circuit <NUM> is provided in fluid connection with the buffer circuit <NUM> to receive coolant fluid from the buffer circuit <NUM> and to return coolant fluid to the buffer circuit <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the tertiary cooling circuit <NUM> is at a first end connected to the supply conduit <NUM>, for example upstream of the connection valve <NUM>. At a second end, the tertiary cooling circuit <NUM> is connected to the return conduit <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the tertiary cooling circuit <NUM> is at a first end connected to the primary cooling circuit <NUM>, for example downstream of the primary cooling flow pump <NUM>. At a second end, the tertiary cooling circuit <NUM> is connected to the secondary cooling circuit <NUM>, for example downstream of the secondary cooling flow valve <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG>, as an option, a tertiary temperature sensor <NUM> may be provided, arranged to sense a temperature of coolant fluid flowing through the tertiary cooling circuit <NUM>. Based on this sensed temperature, the tertiary cooling flow controller may be controlled to increase or decrease the flow rate of coolant fluid through the tertiary cooling circuit <NUM>.

As an option which may be present in any embodiment of a cooling device <NUM>, a flow sensor may be used for providing a sensor signal indicative of a flow of beverage through the dispensing line. Such a flow may for example be expressed in litres/minute. The flow may be indicative of the amount of cooling required, where a higher flow will typically require a larger cooling capacity. The cooling capacity of the cooling device may be temporarily decreased when the sensor signal is indicative of substantially no flow of beverage through the dispensing line, for example by controlling one or more flow controllers comprised by the cooling device.

Different cooling states may be achieved by controlling the flow controllers comprised by the cooling device <NUM>. In embodiments of the cooling device <NUM>, in a primary cooling state, only the primary cooling circuit <NUM> with the primary cooling heat exchanger <NUM> may be used for cooling beverage flowing through the dispensing line <NUM>. In further cooling states, one or both of the secondary cooling circuit <NUM> with the secondary cooling heat exchanger <NUM> and the tertiary cooling circuit <NUM> with the tertiary cooling heat exchanger <NUM> may be used for cooling beverage flowing through the dispensing line <NUM>.

For example using a second embodiment of a cooling device, for example depicted in <FIG>, a method of cooling a dispensing line <NUM> is envisioned. The method comprises the steps of cooling a coolant fluid in a buffer circuit, transporting the cooled coolant fluid from the buffer circuit into a primary cooling circuit via an at least partially opened connection valve, circulating the coolant fluid through a closed loop cooling flow path of the primary cooling circuit, and while the coolant fluid circulates through the closed loop cooling flow path, passing the coolant fluid to flow through a primary cooling heat exchanger to allow exchange of thermal energy between beverage in the dispensing line and the coolant fluid.

It will be appreciated that the method may be used with different examples of the second embodiment of the cooling device, with any combination of the optional features as disclosed herein.

In the method, during at least part of the circulating of the coolant fluid through the closed loop cooling flow path of the primary cooling circuit, the connection valve may be closed. With the connection valve closed, it may be essentially prevented that coolant fluid flows between the buffer circuit and the primary cooling circuit.

The connection valve may be controlled based on a determined temperature of the coolant fluid circulating in the primary cooling circuit, and the method may hence comprise a step of determining said temperature.

In the method, the coolant fluid may be circulated through the closed loop cooling flow path of the primary cooling circuit using a pump positioned in the closed loop cooling flow path of the primary cooling circuit. This pump, for example primary cooling flow pump <NUM>, may be controlled independently of buffer pump <NUM>.

In general for controlling one or more valves and/or pumps comprised by any embodiment of the cooling device (<NUM>), the cooling device may comprise a control unit, for example comprising an electronic processing unit and a memory comprising instruction, which, when executed by the control unit, cause the control unit to carry out at least parts of the method of cooling the dispensing line.

Regardless of which cooling heat exchangers are used for cooling beverage flowing through the dispensing line <NUM>, using the buffer flow controller, coolant fluid may be circulated through the buffer circuit <NUM> in any cooling state.

In summary, firstly, a device is provided for cooling a beverage, comprising a dispensing line, and a cooling module comprising a primary cooling circuit for providing a primary cooling flow path for coolant fluid, a first heat exchanger for exchanging thermal energy with coolant fluid flowing through the primary cooling circuit, a primary cooling flow controller for controlling a flow of coolant fluid in the primary cooling circuit, a second heat exchanger for allowing exchange of thermal energy between beverage flowing through the dispensing line and coolant fluid flowing through the primary cooling circuit, a secondary cooling circuit, providing a secondary cooling flow path for coolant fluid parallel to the primary cooling circuit, a secondary cooling flow controller for controlling a flow of coolant fluid in the secondary cooling circuit, and a third heat exchanger, allowing exchange of thermal energy between beverage flowing through the dispensing line and coolant fluid flowing through the secondary cooling circuit.

Secondly, a device is provided for cooling a beverage, comprising a dispensing line, a buffer module comprising a buffer circuit arranged to provide a buffer flow path for circulating coolant fluid, a buffer heat exchanger arranged to exchange thermal energy with coolant fluid flowing through the buffer circuit, a buffer container for storing coolant fluid, a buffer flow controller for controlling a flow of coolant fluid in the buffer circuit, and a recirculation valve arranged to control circulation of coolant fluid through the buffer circuit, and a cooling module for receiving coolant fluid from the buffer circuit and arranged to us the coolant fluid for cooling a beverage flowing through the dispensing line.

In summary, various aspects and implementations thereof relate to a cooling device comprising a buffer circuit comprising a cooling unit for cooling coolant and a reservoir for buffering cooled coolant and a primary cooling circuit for providing coolant to a first heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger is arranged for exchange of thermal energy between the coolant and beverage in a dispensing line. The primary cooling circuit and the buffer circuit are connected to enable exchange of coolant. The cooling device comprises a coolant distribution module arrange to control exchange of coolant between the primary cooling circuit and the buffer circuit. The coolant distribution module may control at least one of valves as passive components and pumps as active components, in at least one of the primary cooling circuit and the buffer circuit. The coolant distribution module may operate based on coolant temperature in the primary cooling circuit.

Claim 1:
Device (<NUM>) for cooling a beverage, the device comprising:
- a dispensing line (<NUM>) comprising a beverage inlet (<NUM>) at a proximal end of the dispensing line for receiving the beverage and a beverage outlet (<NUM>) for dispensing the beverage, the dispensing line providing a beverage flow path between the beverage inlet and the beverage outlet;
- a buffer module (<NUM>) comprising:
- a buffer circuit (<NUM>) arranged to provide a buffer flow path for circulating coolant fluid;
- a buffer heat exchanger (<NUM>) arranged to exchange thermal energy between coolant fluid in the buffer circuit and an external medium;
- a buffer container (<NUM>) for storing coolant fluid; and
- a buffer flow module (<NUM>, <NUM>) for controlling a flow of coolant fluid in the buffer circuit;
- a cooling module (<NUM>), comprising:
- a primary cooling circuit (<NUM>) providing a primary cooling flow path for circulating coolant fluid;
- a primary cooling heat exchanger (<NUM>) arranged to allow exchange of thermal energy between beverage in the dispensing line and coolant fluid in the primary cooling circuit;
- a primary cooling flow module for controlling a flow of coolant fluid through the primary cooling circuit;
- a supply conduit (<NUM>) providing a supply flow path for coolant fluid between the buffer circuit and the primary cooling circuit, upstream of the primary cooling flow module; and
- a return conduit (<NUM>) providing a return flow path for coolant fluid between the buffer circuit (<NUM>) and the primary cooling circuit (<NUM>), downstream of the primary cooling heat exchanger;
wherein the primary cooling circuit (<NUM>) comprises a closed loop cooling flow path arranged to circulate coolant fluid therethrough, in particular independently of the buffer circuit.