Draft beer machine

Abstract

A draft beer machine comprising a cabinet and a refrigeration circuit inside the cabinet, including a compressor, a condenser, and refrigeration tubes. Beer pipes are also arranged inside the cabinet and a beer tap is fixed to the outside of the cabinet. The outer end of the beer pipes is connected to the beer tap. The refrigeration tube and the beer pipe are wound into a quick cooler of a round or an elliptic cylindrical shape, in a helical manner. The quick cooler comprises at least one mixing layer, which is formed by winding the refrigeration tube and the beer pipe into a round or elliptic cylinder, in an abreast and helical manner. In the same mixing layer, the adjacent beer pipe and refrigeration tube adhere to each other. The adjacent two mixing layers directly adhere or a thermal conductive medium is filled in between the two layers.

Claims

1. A draft beer machine, comprising: a cabinet; a refrigeration circuit inside the cabinet, the refrigeration circuit includes a compressor, a condenser, and a refrigeration tube; a beer pipe arranged inside the cabinet; a beer tap fixed to an outside of the cabinet; and an outer end of the beer pipe connected to the beer tap; wherein the refrigeration tube and the beer pipe are wound into a quick cooler of a round or an elliptic cylindrical shape, the refrigeration tube and the beer pipe wound in a helical manner; wherein the quick cooler comprises at least two mixing layers in a radial direction of the quick cooler, each of the at least two mixing layers is formed into a round or elliptic cylindrical shape by helically winding the refrigeration tube and the beer pipe which are arranged in an abreast manner; wherein the at least two mixing layers include two adjacent mixing layers, the two adjacent mixing layers abut onto each other in the radial direction of the quick cooler; and wherein in each of the at least two mixing layers, the refrigeration tube and the beer pipeare arranged in an axial direction of the quick cooler and outer walls of the refrigeration tube and the beer pipe abut onto each other.

2. The draft beer machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein a thermal conductive medium is filled between the two adjacent mixing layers.

3. The draft beer machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein a refrigeration layer is arranged inside an innermost layer of the at least two mixing layers; wherein the refrigeration layer is formed by winding the refrigeration tube into a round or elliptic cylinder, the refrigeration layer formed in a helical manner; and wherein the refrigeration layer and the innermost layer of the at least two mixing layers abut onto each other, either directly or with a thermal conductive medium filled in between the refrigeration layer and the innermost layer of the at least two mixing layers.

4. The draft beer machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein a beer pipe layer is sleeved over an outside of an outermost layer of the at least two mixing layers; wherein the beer pipe layer is formed by winding the beer pipe into a round or elliptic cylinder, the beer pipe layer formed in a helical manner; and wherein the beer pipe layer and the outermost layer of the at least two mixing layers abut on each other, either directly or with a thermal conductive medium filled in between the beer pipe layer and the outermost layer of the at least two mixing layers.

5. The draft beer machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein the quick cooler is formed by winding simultaneously the refrigeration tube and the beer pipe which are arranged in a laterally abutting manner.

6. The draft beer machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein the quick cooler is formed by winding simultaneously the refrigeration tube and the beer pipe which are arranged in an above or a below abutting manner.

7. The draft beer machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein the quick cooler is formed by winding the refrigeration tube and at least two beer pipes; or the quick cooler is formed by winding the refrigeration tube and one beer pipe.

8. The draft beer machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein the beer pipe is wound into each of the at least two mixing layers and beer pipe layer continuously, and the refrigeration tube is wound into each of the at least two mixing layers and the refrigeration layer continuously.

9. The draft beer machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein the beer pipe of the innermost layer of the at least two mixing layers is used to connect to a cask; wherein the beer pipe of the beer pipe layer is connected to the beer tap; wherein the refrigeration tube of the outermost layer of the at least two mixing layers is connected to the condenser, and the refrigeration tube of the refrigeration layer is connected to the compressor.

10. The draft beer machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the thermal conductive medium is thermal conductive mud or aluminum powder.

11. The draft beer machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein a shell is arranged outside the quick cooler, the shell used to accommodate the quick cooler; wherein the quick cooler is located inside the shell; and wherein an insulation layer is set up between the quick cooler and an inner wall of the shell.

12. The draft beer machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is a cold storage chamber inside the cabinet, the cold storage chamber used to hold a cask; wherein the cold storage chamber has a single chamber structure; and wherein the quick cooler is located in the cold storage chamber.

13. The draft beer machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the quick cooler is formed by winding the refrigeration tube and at least two beer pipes or the quick cooler is formed by winding the refrigeration tube and one beer pipe; wherein the beer pipe is wound into each of the at least two mixing layers continuously.

14. The draft beer machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein a refrigeration circuit also includes an evaporator, the evaporator and the quick cooler are series connected or parallel connected.

15. A quick cooler, comprising: a refrigeration tube, conducting refrigerant from a refrigeration circuit; and at least one beer pipe, each of the at least one beer pipe having an outer end and an inner end to conduct beer or beverage to a tap; wherein the refrigeration tube and the at least one beer pipe are wound into a quick cooler of a round or an elliptic cylindrical shape, the refrigeration tube and the at least one beer pipe wound in a helical manner; wherein the quick cooler comprises at least two mixing layers in a radial direction of the quick cooler, each of the at least two mixing layers is formed into a round or elliptic cylindrical shape by helically winding the refrigeration tube and the at least one beer pipe which are arranged in an abreast manner; wherein the at least two mixing layers include at least two adjacent mixing layers, the at least two adjacent mixing layers abut onto each other in the radial direction of the quick cooler; and wherein in each of the at least two mixing layers, the at least one beer pipe and the refrigeration tube are arranged in an axial direction of the quick cooler and outer walls of the refrigeration tube and the at least one beer pipe abut onto each other.

16. The quick cooler as claimed in claim 15 wherein a thermal conductive medium is filled between the at least two adjacent mixing layers.

17. The quick cooler as claimed in claim 16 wherein a refrigeration layer is arranged inside an innermost layer of the at least two mixing layers; wherein the refrigeration layer is formed by winding the refrigeration tube into a round or elliptic cylinder, the refrigeration layer formed in a helical manner; and wherein the refrigeration layer and the innermost layer of the at least two mixing layers abut onto each other, either directly or with a thermal conductive medium filled in between the refrigeration layer and the innermost layer of the at least two mixing layers.

18. The quick cooler as claimed in claim 17 wherein a beer pipe layer is sleeved over an outside of an outermost layer of the at least two mixing layers; wherein the beer pipe layer is formed by winding the at least one beer pipe into a round or elliptic cylinder, the beer pipe layer formed in a helical manner; and wherein the beer pipe layer and the outermost layer of the at least two mixing layers abut on each other, either directly or with a thermal conductive medium filled in between the beer pipe layer and the outermost layer of the at least two mixing layers.

19. The quick cooler as claimed in claim 18 wherein the quick cooler is formed by winding simultaneously the refrigeration tube and the at least one beer pipe which are arranged in a laterally abutting manner or in an above or below abutting manner.

20. The quick cooler as claimed in claim 19 wherein the quick cooler is formed by winding the refrigeration tube and a first beer pipe of the at least one beer pipe, or the quick cooler is formed by winding the refrigeration tube, the first beer pipe, and a second beer pipe of the at least one beer pipe; the first beer pipe is wound into each mixing layer of the at least two mixing layers and the beer pipe layer continuously, and the refrigeration tube is wound into each of the at least two mixing layers and the refrigeration layer continuously.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the quick cooler of the First Embodiment.

(2) FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a detailed view of Section A in FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the internal structure of the shell.

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the draft beer machine of the First Embodiment where the casks are in place.

(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the draft beer machine of the First Embodiment where the casks are not placed.

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of FIG. 5 where the shell and insulation layer are removed.

(8) FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the refrigeration circuit of the First Embodiment.

(9) FIG. 9 is a schematic view of FIG. 8 from another perspective.

(10) FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the interior of the quick cooler of the Second Embodiment.

(11) FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the interior of the quick cooler of the Fourth Embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(12) The embodiments of this invention will be described below and the technical solutions of the invention will be further illustrated in connection with the accompanying figures. However, the present invention shall not be limited to these embodiments.

First Embodiment

(13) As shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 9, one embodiment of a draft beer machine comprises a cabinet (1). The cabinet (1) is overall in a cube shape, and inside the cabinet (1), there is a cold storage chamber (11) used to hold casks (10). A door (12) is also arranged on the cabinet (1) to open or close it conveniently. The cold storage chamber (11) has a single cavity structure, and a refrigeration circuit is arranged inside the cold storage chamber (11). The refrigeration of beer in the beer pipe (5) is achieved by the refrigeration circuit. The refrigeration circuit comprises conventional refrigeration units like a compressor (2), a condenser (3), etc. These refrigeration units are connected to a quick cooler (7) formed by winding refrigeration tubes (4), and can continuously transfer cooling capacity to the refrigeration tubes (4). There are also beer pipes (5) arranged in the cabinet (1). There is a beer tap (6) connected to the outside of the cabinet (1). The outer end of the beer pipes (5) are connected to the beer tap (6), and the discharge of beer is controlled by the beer tap (6). Further, conventional refrigeration unit also includes an evaporator (9), the evaporator (9) is series connected or parallel connected with the quick cooler (7) to form double refrigeration.

(14) As shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, the quick cooler (7) is formed by winding the refrigeration tubes (4) and beer pipes (5) in the present invention in a helical manner, and hence the quick cooler (7) is located in the cold storage chamber (11). The existing draft beer machines generally have a dual cavity structure. The cavity to hold the cask (10) is separated from the cavity used for refrigeration. For example, the refrigeration cavity used for water tank refrigeration is separated from the cavity to hold the cask (10). Therefore, the excessive cooling capacity in the water tank cannot be fully utilized and hence the cooling capacity is wasted. However, in the present invention, by changing the structure, the whole draft beer machine is designed as a single cavity structure. The cask (10) and the quick cooler (7) are all arranged inside the cold storage chamber (11). Cooling capacity which is not fully utilized yet by the quick cooler (7) can disperse to the residual cavity of the cold storage chamber (11), and reduces the overall temperature of the cold storage chamber (11). It can refrigerate the cask (10) placed in the cold storage chamber (11). Specifically, the quick cooler (7) comprises at least one mixing layer (72), which is formed by winding the laterally abutting refrigeration tube (4) and beer pipe (5) in an abreast and helical manner simultaneously. In the same mixing layer (72), adjacent beer pipe (5) and refrigeration tube (4) adhere to each other. With the tight contact, the cooling capacity is transferred between the refrigeration tube (4) and the beer pipe (5) in the form of dry contact cooling. Compared to water cooling, dry contact cooling has an advantage of high efficiency of cooling capacity transfer, and can further expedite the refrigeration process. Both of the quick cooler (7) and the mixing layer (72) may be round or elliptic cylindrical. Both shapes can present smooth flow transport everywhere on the refrigeration tubes (4) and the beer pipes (5). This ensures that the fluid in the beer pipes (5) and the refrigeration tubes (4) flows fluently, can further ensure a uniform distribution of cooling capacity, prevents the tubes from being clogged by ice due to non-uniform local cooling capacity, and is also convenient for the manufacturing. Of course, it is acceptable that the quick cooler (7) has more mixing layers (72), but ensures that each mixing layer (72) is wound with few coils. Namely, it is applicable that the whole quick cooler (7) is in an approximate disk shape. Furthermore, here the two adjacent mixing layers (72) directly adhere, to ensure that cooling capacity is transferred quickly.

(15) As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the quick cooler (7) is formed by wrapping two cylindrical mixing layers (72), so a cylinder-like cavity is formed inside the innermost mixing layer (721). This cavity is the core of the whole quick cooler (7), and cooling capacity gathering here reaches the peak. In this embodiment, a refrigeration layer (71) is also arranged inside the innermost mixing layer (721). By arranging, inside the innermost mixing layer (721), one refrigeration layer (71) which is formed only by the refrigeration tubes (4), the refrigeration fluid in the refrigeration tubes (4) can fully absorb the cooling capacity inside the cavity, and transfers cooling capacity to beer through the refrigeration fluid, so as to fulfill the purpose of improving the refrigeration efficiency of beer. The refrigeration layer (71) is formed by winding the refrigeration tubes (4) into a round or an elliptic cylindrical shape, in a helical manner, presenting smooth flow transport everywhere on the refrigeration tubes (4). This ensures that the fluid in the refrigeration tubes (4) flows fluently, prevents the tubes from being clogged by ice due to non-uniform local cooling capacity and ensures a uniform distribution of cooling capacity. In this embodiment, the quick cooler (7) is formed by winding one refrigeration tube (4) and two beer pipes (5) (for easy understanding, in the appended drawings, the two beer pipes (5) are displayed with different hatches in order to highlight the quantity). Each beer pipe (5) is successively wound into each mixing layer (72) continuously, so each beer pipe (5) will be gradually refrigerated when passing each mixing layer (72). This ensures a long refrigeration route, and hence improves the refrigeration effect. In addition, the refrigeration layer (71) here and the innermost mixing layer (721) directly adhere to transfer cooling capacity. Of course, the quantity of beer pipes (5) may be 3 or more, and the quantity of refrigeration tubes (4) may not be limited to 1. It is applicable to arrange more refrigeration tubes (4).

(16) As shown in FIG. 3, in the present invention, a beer pipe layer (73) is sleeved over the outside of the outermost mixing layer (722). This can further prevent cooling capacity in its inner mixing layer (72) from dissipating, and can ensure that the refrigeration fluid always has a low temperature, so as to achieve the quick refrigeration of beer. Specifically, all beer pipes (5) are wound into the beer pipe layer (73), which can ensure that the outermost beer pipe layer (73) of the whole quick cooler (7) achieves a good effect of sealing and cooling capacity storage. This can fully take advantage of the residual cooling capacity in the mixing layer (72), prevents too much cooling capacity from dissipating to the outside of the quick cooler (7), and further improves the refrigeration effect. Also, the beer pipe layer (73) is formed by winding the beer pipes (5) into a round or an elliptic cylindrical shape, in a helical manner, so a fluent beer flow in the beer pipes (5) can be ensured. In addition, the beer pipe layer (73) here and the outermost mixing layer (722) directly adhere to transfer cooling capacity.

(17) Furthermore, in this embodiment, the beer pipe (5) of the innermost mixing layer (721) is used to connect to the cask (10), and the beer pipe (5) of the beer pipe layer (73) is connected to the beer tap (6). The refrigeration tube (4) of the outermost mixing layer (722) is connected to the condenser (3), and the refrigeration tube (4) of the refrigeration layer (71) is connected to the compressor (2). The refrigeration fluid which outflows from the condenser (3) has a fairly low initial temperature. Namely, the end connected to the condenser (3) is the inlet end of the refrigeration tube (4). In the present invention, the refrigeration tube (4) in the outermost mixing layer (722) is connected to the condenser (3), ensuring that the temperature in the outermost mixing layer (722) is always fairly low. Namely, the inlet end of the refrigeration fluid in the quick cooler (7) is located in the outermost mixing layer (722), and the outlet end is located in the innermost refrigeration layer (71) of the whole quick cooler (7). Also, the inlet end of beer in the present invention is located in the innermost mixing layer (721), and the outlet end is located in the outermost beer pipe layer (73) of the whole quick cooler (7). Therefore, the outlet end of beer is next to the inlet end of the refrigeration fluid, and the inlet end of beer is next to the outlet end of the refrigeration fluid. Beer and the refrigeration fluid form a relative counter-flow formation, ensuring that the outlet end of beer can always has a fairly low temperature and this further improves the refrigeration efficiency of discharged beer. Of course, with this arrangement, cooling capacity in the deeper refrigeration tube (4) becomes less and less, resulting in a worse refrigeration effect in the deeper interior. However, in this embodiment, an extra one refrigeration layer (71) is arranged inside the innermost mixing layer (721) to ensure an enhanced refrigeration effect.

(18) As shown in FIG. 4, a shell (8) used to accommodate the quick cooler (7) is also arranged outside the quick cooler (7). The quick cooler (7) is located inside the shell (8). By arranging the shell (8) and placing the quick cooler (7) in the shell (8), the dissipation of cooling capacity is further prevented, and it is ensured that much cooling capacity gathers in the shell (8) and gets fully utilized. Moreover, an insulation layer (81) is set up between the quick cooler (7) and the inner wall of the shell (8). The arrangement of the insulation layer (81) can enhance the effect of insulation and cooling capacity storage and prevents cooling capacity from further dissipating, so as to further improve the refrigeration effect.

Second Embodiment

(19) The structure and principle of this embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. The differences are:

(20) As shown in FIG. 10, the quick cooler (7) is formed by winding one refrigeration tube (4) and one beer pipe (5). The refrigeration tube (4) adheres both sides of each beer pipe (5) inside the wound helical coil. The refrigeration effect is better.

Third Embodiment

(21) The structure and principle of this embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. The differences are:

(22) The two adjacent tube layers do not directly adhere; instead, a thermal conductive medium is filled in between the two layers. The thermal conductive medium is thermal conductive mud. Namely, the thermal conductive mud is filled in between the beer pipe layer (73) and the outermost mixing layer (722), between the adjacent mixing layers (72), and between the innermost mixing layer (721) and the refrigeration layer (71). The thermal conductive mud can be kneaded into various shapes as required, and be filled in between two adjacent tube layers. This allows two tube layers to adhere tightly, reduce the thermal resistance and transfer cooling capacity quickly and effectively to refrigerate beer, so as to improve the refrigeration efficiency of beer. Of course, aluminum powder has a fairly good thermal conductivity and it can effectively transfer cooling capacity, so it is applicable to this situation.

Fourth Embodiment

(23) The structure and principle of this embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. The differences are:

(24) As shown in FIG. 11, the mixing layer of the quick cooler (7) is formed by winding one above or below abutting refrigeration tube (4) with each beer pipe (5) simultaneously. The refrigeration tube (4) adheres both sides of each beer pipe (5) inside the wound helical coil and the refrigeration tube (4) and the beer pipe (5) is in dislocation arrangement. The refrigeration effect is also better.

(25) The description of the preferred embodiments thereof serves only as an illustration of the scope of the invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes or supplements in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

(26) Although the terms of Cabinet (1), Cold Storage Chamber (11), Door (12), Compressor (2), Condenser (3), Refrigeration Tube (4), Beer Pipe (5), Beer Tap (6), Quick Cooler (7), Refrigeration Layer (71), Mixing Layer (72), Beer Pipe Layer (73), Shell (8), Insulation Layer (81), Evaporator (9), Cask (10), etc. are often used herein, it does not exclude the possibility to use any other terms. Using such terms is only to describe or explain the nature of the present invention more conveniently. Any additional restrictions are contrary to the scope of the present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(27) 1 Cabinet 11 Cold Storage Chamber 12 Door 2 Compressor 3 Condenser 4 Refrigeration Tube 5 Beer Pipe 6 Beer Tap 7 Quick Cooler 71 Refrigeration Layer 72 Mixing Layer 721 Innermost Mixing Layer 722 Outermost Mixing Layer 73 Beer Pipe Layer 8 Shell 81 Insulation Layer 9 Evaporator 10 Cask