US3788090A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid control systems
Assignee: Fluid Device Corp
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Filing: 1972-04-05
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1992-04-05
Abstract
Abstract Temperature control of fluid flowing within a system is accomplished by sensing a change in fluid pressure loss in the system, as occurs on transition of the fluid in state, e.g., from liquid to solid or gas, or vice versa. In the preferred form, a refrigeration means cools fluid flowing through a conduit within the system. A pressure responsive control includes a pressure sensor coupled to the conduit for detecting a change in pressure loss attendant a change in fluid state and a signal developing element for regulating operation of the refrigeration unit according to the sensed pressure change.
Inventors
- 👤 G Richards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:59
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23G; A23G9/00; A23G9/04; A23G9/045; F; F25; F25D; F25D31/00; F25D31/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
In a beverage dispensing system of the type including a liquid supply source, a liquid chilling tank, beverage dispensing means and recirculation means defining a closed loop flow path including a liquid pump, said chilling tank and said dispensing means for continually circulating a chilled liquid to said dispensing means, the combination comprising: refrigeration means including a coolant fluid and a refrigeration coil for circulating said coolant fluid; conduit means serially coupled in said recirculation flow path and positioned closely adjacent and in intimate thermal contact with said refrigeration coil for normally effecting a cooling of the liquid flowing through said conduit means to a temperature below the freezing point of said flowing liquid; and pressure responsive control means having a pressure sensor coupled to the upstream end of said conduit means and having a signal developing element coupled to said refrigeration means for effecting a reduction in the cooling influence of said refrigeration means in accordance with a sensed increase in pressure attendant transition of said liquid within said conduit means from a liquid to a partially frozen condition for maintaining the temperature of said liquid at a temperature near the freezing point of said liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
In a beverage dispensing system of the type including a liquid supply source, a liquid chilling tank, beverage dispensing means and recirculation means defining a closed loop flow path including a liquid pump, said chilling tank and said dispensing means for continually circulating a chilled liquid to said dispensing means, the combination comprising: refrigeration means including a coolant fluid and a refrigeration coil for circulating said coolant fluid; conduit means serially coupled in said recirculation flow path and positioned closely adjacent and in intimate thermal contact with said refrigeration coil for normally effecting a cooling of the liquid flowing through said conduit means to a temperature below the freezing point of said flowing liquid; and pressure responsive control means having a pressure sensor coupled to the upstream end of said conduit means and having a signal developing element coupled to said refrigeration means for effecting a reduction in the cooling influence of said refrigeration means in accordance with a sensed increase in pressure attendant transition of said liquid within said conduit means from a liquid to a partially frozen condition for maintaining the temperature of said liquid at a temperature near the freezing point of said liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said signal developing element regulates flow of said coolant in accordance with the sensed pressure to maintain the circulating liquid in said conduit means at a predetermined temperature near the freezing point of said liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
The combination of claim 1 and including a temperature sensing means communicating with said conduit means at the downstream end thereof and having a signal developing element coupled to said refrigeration means for effecting a reduction in the cooling influence of said refrigeration means in accordance with a sensed decrease in temperature below a predetermined value, said temperature sensing means inherently having a predetermined long time constant of operation and said pressure responsive control means having a short time constant of operation for responding to rapid temperature reductions in said circulating liquid thereby to preclude freezing of said circulating liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
133 words
A fluid control system, comprising: conduit means for conveying fluid through said system; refrigeration means including a refrigeration coil in intimate thermal contact with said conduit means for normally cooling the conveyed fluid within said conduit means to a temperature below the state transition temperature of said conveyed fluid; and pressure responsive control means having a pressure sensor coupled to said conduit means and having a signal developing element coupled to said refrigeration means for applying a control signal to said refrigeration means to regulate the cooling influence of said refrigeration means on the conveyed fluid within said system according to a sensed change in fluid pressure attendant a transition in state of the fluid in said conduit means for maintaining said fluid in said conduit means slightly above its state transition temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
133 words
A fluid control system, comprising: conduit means for conveying fluid through said system; refrigeration means including a refrigeration coil in intimate thermal contact with said conduit means for normally cooling the conveyed fluid within said conduit means to a temperature below the state transition temperature of said conveyed fluid; and pressure responsive control means having a pressure sensor coupled to said conduit means and having a signal developing element coupled to said refrigeration means for applying a control signal to said refrigeration means to regulate the cooling influence of said refrigeration means on the conveyed fluid within said system according to a sensed change in fluid pressure attendant a transition in state of the fluid in said conduit means for maintaining said fluid in said conduit means slightly above its state transition temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fluid control system of claim 4 in which said pressure responsive control means is coupled to said conduit means at a location immediately upstream of the lowest fluid temperature portion of said conduit means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The fluid control system of claim 5 wherein the fluid is a liquid and said pressure responsive control means senses the pressure change attendant a transition of said liquid between liquid and solid states.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The fluid control system of claim 6 in which said pressure responsive control means is of a pressure differential responsive type including a pair of pressure sensors coupled to said conduit means in predetermined spaced relation and signal developing element for developing a control signal representative of a predetermined differential in sensed pressure between said sensors.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |