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WO2018130837A1 - Appareil et procédé de refroidissement de fluides - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé de refroidissement de fluides Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018130837A1
WO2018130837A1 PCT/GB2018/050076 GB2018050076W WO2018130837A1 WO 2018130837 A1 WO2018130837 A1 WO 2018130837A1 GB 2018050076 W GB2018050076 W GB 2018050076W WO 2018130837 A1 WO2018130837 A1 WO 2018130837A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
insert
wall
cooling medium
fluid
shock
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2018/050076
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
James Simon OLIVER
Daniel Thomas AHEARN
Simon Philip Jelley
Original Assignee
42 Technology Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 42 Technology Limited filed Critical 42 Technology Limited
Priority to US16/477,065 priority Critical patent/US20190331412A1/en
Priority to AU2018208080A priority patent/AU2018208080A1/en
Priority to EP18700948.5A priority patent/EP3568651A1/fr
Publication of WO2018130837A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018130837A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D31/00—Other cooling or freezing apparatus
    • F25D31/006—Other cooling or freezing apparatus specially adapted for cooling receptacles, e.g. tanks
    • F25D31/007—Bottles or cans
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D3/02—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using ice, e.g. ice-boxes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D31/00—Other cooling or freezing apparatus
    • F25D31/006—Other cooling or freezing apparatus specially adapted for cooling receptacles, e.g. tanks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2303/00—Details of devices using other cold materials; Details of devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D2303/08—Devices using cold storage material, i.e. ice or other freezable liquid
    • F25D2303/084—Position of the cold storage material in relationship to a product to be cooled
    • F25D2303/0841—Position of the cold storage material in relationship to a product to be cooled external to the container for a beverage, e.g. a bottle, can, drinking glass or pitcher
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2331/00—Details or arrangements of other cooling or freezing apparatus not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2331/80—Type of cooled receptacles
    • F25D2331/805—Cans
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2331/00—Details or arrangements of other cooling or freezing apparatus not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2331/80—Type of cooled receptacles
    • F25D2331/809—Holders
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
    • F25D2400/28—Quick cooling

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the cooling of fluids through a wall, in particular but not exclusively beverages contained in a package.
  • Cooling packaged fluids presents a challenge.
  • fluids that need to be cooled are flowed in high surface area heat exchangers, with conductive fins and plates for thermal contact and a method of pumping the fluid is used to minimise boundary layers and ensure even temperatures are achieved.
  • packaged fluids are much more difficult to cool quickly, they do not have fins or plates, packages are often cost optimised by minimising wall material and therefore minimising surface area, at least to a degree. Wall materials aren't selected for thermal conductivity, and there is no way to pump or duct the beverage to flow over the cooled surface.
  • Cooling times provided are still slower than many applications require. In order to maximise cooling rate a large temperature difference is used to drive cooling.
  • a fluid comprising a slurry of frozen and unfrozen fluid or even freeze a portion of an unfrozen fluid in order to make a part frozen slurry, for example a slush beverage.
  • frozen layer formation will occur, and without a method of managing the frozen formation it will affect both frozen slurry consistency and cooling rates.
  • apparatus to cool a fluid through a wall, where the apparatus provides a cooling medium to accept heat from a first side of the wall such that the wall is cooled causing heat from the fluid to flow into a second side of the wall, wherein the temperature of the cooling medium is below a freezing point or glass transition temperature of at least a constituent of the fluid, and the apparatus applies a series of shock accelerations for at least a period of time within the time spent cooling the fluid through the wall.
  • the apparatus may be adapted to accept at least one insert comprising a fluid and a wall.
  • the method is preferably applied to at least one insert comprising a fluid and a wall.
  • the insert may further comprise a feature to enable the insert to be opened by hand such as a screw cap or a ring-pull or frangible feature such as a scored feature or a membrane.
  • the insert may be a packaged fluid where the package comprises the wall.
  • the package may be one of a bottle, can, tin, sachet, bag or pouch.
  • the package is one of a bottle, can or tin.
  • the wall may be a flexible, semi-rigid or rigid membrane or other substantially impermeable barrier.
  • the wall may be substantially made of one of aluminium, steel, stainless steel, glass, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or another polymer, or a laminate or other combination of materials comprising at least one of aluminium, steel, stainless steel, glass, PET, PP, PE, or another polymer.
  • PET polyethylene terephthalate
  • PP polypropylene
  • PE polyethylene
  • the fluid may be a liquid or a part frozen slurry of frozen and unfrozen liquid.
  • the fluid may be a beverage.
  • the fluid may be carbonated.
  • the way by which the cooling medium accepts heat may be by at least one of convection, conduction, radiation, most preferably substantially conducting to a medium physically contacting the first side of the wall, the cooling medium may or may not be a fluid that then convects the heat away.
  • the cooling medium may be a fluid, and may be a liquid.
  • the cooling medium may be a solid arranged to substantially contact the wall.
  • the shock accelerations at the wall may be applied by applying acceleration motions to the insert.
  • the apparatus may be configured to hold the wall or insert such that it can apply acceleration motions to the insert or to strike the wall or insert to create the acceleration motions.
  • the apparatus may comprise a feature to hold the insert such that acceleration motions can be imparted to the insert. Holding may be achieved by one or more of clamping, clipping, sliding into a taper fit or friction fit, an elastic grip where the insert at least partially compresses the grip, or applying at least one of suction, air pressure or a magnetic field.
  • the acceleration motions may be applied to the insert in any linear direction or be applied as angular acceleration around any axis, or be applied as a combination of the two.
  • the acceleration motions are applied such that the shock acceleration direction is substantially in a tangential plane locally at the wall.
  • the acceleration motions are applied to the insert as angular accelerations about a central axis of the insert, especially for substantially rotationally symmetric or axisymmetric inserts.
  • the shock acceleration may comprise a peak acceleration of at least 100 m/s 2 at the wall, preferably a peak acceleration of at least 250 m/s 2 at the wall, and most preferably a peak acceleration of at least 1000 m/s 2 .
  • the peak acceleration may occur over an angular travel of 5°, for example up to 5°. Preferably the peak acceleration may occur over an angular travel of less than 1 °.
  • the peak acceleration may occur within a maximum duration of 0.2 seconds.
  • the peak acceleration may be defined as the full width at half maximum (FVVHM) for any waveform representing the series of shock accelerations.
  • the shock accelerations may be applied at least once every 5 seconds. Preferably the shock accelerations may be applied at least once every second. Most preferably the shock accelerations may be applied at least 3 times per second.
  • the shock accelerations may be in any direction relative to the instantaneous motion of the wall including in a retrograde direction (deceleration).
  • the acceleration motion is applied such that it moves the package while leaving the fluid weakly accelerated substantially only by shear from the wall by substantially avoiding applying acceleration to the fluid out of plain of the package wall.
  • the apparatus is adapted to receive an insert of substantially axisymmetric form, and apply angular acceleration motions about the axis of the form of the insert.
  • the apparatus may use an impact to produce the shock acceleration.
  • the impact may be between two or more features or components in the drive mechanism of the apparatus or the impact may comprise striking the insert
  • Also provided is a system comprising the apparatus described and at least one insert comprising a fluid and a wall.
  • apparatus to cool a fluid through a wall, where the apparatus provides a cooling medium to accept heat from a first side of the wall such that heat from the fluid flows into a second side of the wall, wherein the cooling medium is at least one solid body adapted to close to a substantially intimate thermal contact with an insert, the insert comprising the fluid and the wall.
  • the apparatus applies a series of shock accelerations for at least a period of time within the time spent cooling the fluid through the wall.
  • the cooling medium may provide a compressive load to the insert.
  • the cooling medium may comprise a flexible element that can be wrapped or tightened around the insert.
  • the cooling medium may deform to substantially intimately contact at least a region of the first surface of the wall.
  • the cooling medium may deform at least a region of the first surface of the wall.
  • the cooling medium may comprise two or more bodies that together clamp the insert.
  • the closing of the cooling medium around the insert causes a deformation of the wall of the insert such that the first surface of the wall substantially intimately contacts a region of the surface of the cooling medium.
  • the contacting region of the cooling medium may be shaped substantially as a negative of a region of the wall it contacts.
  • the contacting region of the cooling medium may be shaped approximately as a negative of a region of the wall it contacts with variation from the exact negative such that the variation in compressive force over the surface of the wall is lower.
  • the deformation imparted as a result of compressive force may be mostly elastic or preferably substantially entirely elastic.
  • the cooling medium may comprise a feature to hold the insert such that it can apply acceleration motions to the insert as provided in the first aspect of the invention.
  • the cooling medium may be moveable to an open position where the insert is substantially not clamped and can be inserted or removed with relative ease.
  • apparatus for cooling a fluid comprising: a cooling medium arranged to accept, in use, an insert comprising a fluid contained by a wall such that the cooling medium is in thermal contact with a first side of the wall and causes heat from the fluid in contact with a second side of the wall to flow through the wall to the first side to cool the fluid; and a drive mechanism arranged to apply a series of shock accelerations to the wall of the insert for a period of time during cooling of the fluid.
  • the drive mechanism of such apparatus imparts shock acceleration motions to an insert, in use, in a way that is different to any known previously.
  • a series of shock accelerations is a series of short (in duration) and intense (in magnitude) accelerations.
  • the wall tends to move rapidly relative to the body of fluid contained by the wall, due to inertia effects, resulting in local forces at the wall but little or no bulk movement of the contained body of fluid.
  • this has the effect of releasing any ice crystals tending to form at the wall so that an ice layer cannot build up on the second side of the wall and interfere with heat transfer through the wall.
  • the cooling medium may be at a temperature that is below a freezing point or glass transition temperature of at least a constituent of the fluid. This ensures that the cooling medium has a freezing effect on a given fluid, for example the fluid or types of fluid expected to be contained in the insert.
  • the cooling medium may be at temperature of 0° or less, preferably 5° or less, further preferably 10° or less, and further preferably 15° or less.
  • the shock accelerations may be applied to the wall of the insert as linear accelerations, angular accelerations, or any combination of the two. However the Applicant has found it is preferable that the shock accelerations are applied, in use, as primarily angular accelerations. This means that the wall of the insert moves angularly while leaving the fluid in contact with the second side of the wall only weakly accelerated by shear forces at the wall. It is advantageous to avoid apply accelerations to the fluid in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the wall. In various embodiments the shock accelerations are applied, in use, in a direction that is locally substantially tangential to the wall.
  • the shock accelerations are small-range but high-magnitude movements. In one or more embodiments, the shock accelerations are applied, in use, over an angular range of movement of up to 5°. In one or more embodiments, the shock accelerations are applied, in use, over an angular range of movement of less than 1 °.
  • the intense shock accelerations are much larger in magnitude than any acceleration or deceleration that might be experienced by a package when it starts or stops rotation, e.g. in a pulsed rotation regime.
  • the shock accelerations comprise a peak acceleration of at least 10g, 25g, 50g or 100g.
  • the intense shock accelerations are much shorter in duration than any stop-start cycles that might be experienced by a package in a pulsed rotation regime.
  • the shock accelerations comprise a peak acceleration occurring within a maximum duration of 0.2 seconds, preferably a maximum duration of 0.02 seconds and further preferably a maximum duration of 0.002 seconds.
  • the peak acceleration may be defined as the full width at half maximum (FWHM) for any waveform representing the series of shock accelerations.
  • the shock accelerations are applied much more frequently than any cycles of pulsed rotation used to create a collapsing vortex. In one or more embodiments, the shock accelerations are applied, in use, at least once every 5 seconds. In one or more embodiments, the shock accelerations are applied, in use, at least once every second. In one or more embodiments, the shock accelerations are applied, in use, at least 3 times per second.
  • the apparatus may further comprise means to support the insert such that the insert is moveable relative to the cooling medium by the drive mechanism.
  • the drive mechanism applies the series of shock accelerations directly to the insert, causing it to move relative to the cooling medium.
  • the drive mechanism may comprise the means to support the insert.
  • the drive mechanism grips the insert by one or more of clamping, clipping, sliding into a taper fit or friction fit, an elastic grip where the insert at least partially compresses the grip, or applying at least one of suction, air pressure, or a magnetic field.
  • the insert is supported, in use, in a cavity in the cooling medium.
  • the drive mechanism is arranged to apply the series of shock accelerations by imparting angular accelerations to the insert within the cavity.
  • the cavity comprises a wall to separate the cooling medium from the insert.
  • the cavity is sized to provide a close fit with the insert in use.
  • the close fit may allow for linear and/or rotational sliding movement of the insert in the cavity.
  • the cavity is substantially axisymmetric about a central axis. In one or more of these embodiments, the cavity is substantially cylindrical about a central axis. In one or more of these embodiments, the drive mechanism is arranged to apply the series of shock accelerations as angular accelerations about the central axis of the cavity. In one or more of these embodiments, the cavity comprises a low friction surface.
  • the apparatus may further comprise a means for conveying the insert within the cavity.
  • the conveying means may act to draw in or control movement of the insert into the cavity.
  • the conveying means may act to eject, or control ejection of, the insert.
  • the conveying means may use physical contact, such as a moving piston or suction cup.
  • the conveying means may operate by moving air to create a pressure difference on the insert.
  • the means for conveying the insert within the cavity comprises a means of actively moving air in and out of the cavity.
  • the means for conveying is arranged, in use, to pump air out of the cavity such that the insert is pressed against the insert holder by the partial vacuum that is created.
  • the means for conveying is arranged, in use, to pump air into the cavity such that pneumatic pressure below the insert raises the insert at least partially out of the cavity.
  • the means of actively moving air may act to perform both tasks of applying shock accelerations and conveying the insert within the cavity.
  • the drive mechanism may also comprise a or the means of actively moving air in and out of the cavity.
  • the drive mechanism may be arranged to apply the series of shock accelerations to the wall of the insert by pumping air into and/or out of the cavity in short bursts.
  • the cavity comprises an insert holder having a high friction e.g. rubberised surface to support the insert.
  • the cooling medium may comprise at least one solid body defining a cavity arranged to grip the insert, in use, and wherein the drive mechanism is arranged to apply the series of shock accelerations to both the cooling medium and the insert.
  • the solid body may provide a compressive load to the insert in use.
  • the solid body may deform to be in intimate physical contact with at least a region of the first side of the wall in use.
  • the solid body may comprise at least a flexible portion that can be tightened around the insert in use.
  • the cooling medium may comprise two or more solid bodies that clamp together to form the cavity arranged to grip the insert.
  • the cavity is substantially axisymmetric about a central axis. In one or more of these embodiments, the cavity is substantially cylindrical about a central axis. In one or more of these embodiments, the drive mechanism is arranged to apply the series of shock accelerations as angular accelerations about the central axis of the cavity.
  • the apparatus may further comprise means to rotate the insert, in use, at a substantially constant rate.
  • spinning the insert in particular at relatively high speeds, can provide centrifugal ice separation in addition to the effects of the shock accelerations.
  • constant rate is between 300 rpm and 600 rpm, and more preferably between 450 rpm and 600 rpm.
  • the means to rotate the insert applies a rotation about a substantially vertical axis.
  • the insert may be tilted by up to 10-15 degrees relative to the axis of rotation, as any air bubble in the insert (e.g. a beverage package) remains as a headspace above the fluid and does not substantially interfere with the effects at the wall.
  • Such angled rotation works even for carbonated fluids. If the fluid is not carbonated then, in other embodiments, the means to rotate the insert may apply a rotation about a substantially horizontal axis. This may result in chaotic stirring with air bubbles but may not change the effect of the shock accelerations.
  • the means to rotate the insert applies a substantially constant rotation about the same axis as the shock accelerations are applied as primarily angular accelerations.
  • the insert is rotated, in use, while in a or the cavity in the cooling medium.
  • the cavity may be substantially
  • the cavity may be substantially cylindrical about a central axis.
  • the means to rotate the insert may be arranged to rotate the insert about the central axis.
  • the means to rotate the insert is part of the drive mechanism.
  • the inserted is rotated, in use, at the same time as the series of shock accelerations is applied such that the resulting motion of the insert is a superposition of the rotation at a substantially constant rate and the series of shock
  • the apparatus may comprise means to apply the series of shock accelerations for at least a period of time within the time spent cooling the fluid through the wall, and means to spin an insert about a substantially vertical axis, such that any ice crystals that form are pulled away from the wall by action of centrifugal separation.
  • the resulting motion of the insert may be the superposition of a substantially constant rotation and occasional shock angular accelerations around an axis. The superposition may result in instantaneous slowing, stopping, reversal or increase in rotational velocity, depending on the relative magnitude and direction of the constant rotation and the shock accelerations.
  • apparatus for cooling a fluid comprising: a cooling medium arranged to accept, in use, an insert comprising a fluid contained by a wall such that the cooling medium is in thermal contact with a first side of the wall and causes heat from the fluid in contact with a second side of the wall to flow through the wall to the first side to cool the fluid; and a drive mechanism arranged to apply a series of shock accelerations to the wall of the insert, and arranged to rotate the insert at a substantially constant rate, in use, for a period of time during cooling of the fluid.
  • the cooling medium is a fluid.
  • the cooling medium may be air.
  • the cooling medium may be a chilled aqueous solution of propylene glycol.
  • the cooling medium is below a freezing point or glass transition temperature of at least a constituent of the fluid, e.g. below 0 degrees.
  • the cooling medium may be at temperature of 0° or less, preferably 5° or less, further preferably 10° or less, and further preferably 15° or less.
  • the cooling medium comprises at least one solid body comprising channels through which a cooling fluid is circulated in use.
  • the cooling medium may comprise one or more solid bodies defining a cavity to accept the insert in use.
  • the cavity is substantially axisymmetric. In one or more of these embodiments, the cavity is substantially cylindrical.
  • a system comprising the apparatus according to any of the embodiments and aspects of the invention disclosed hereinabove, and further comprising an insert accepted in the cooling medium, the insert comprising a fluid contained by a wall such that the cooling medium is in thermal contact with a first side of the wall and causes heat from the fluid in contact with a second side of the wall to flow through the wall to the first side to cool the fluid.
  • the wall of the insert is a substantially impermeable barrier for the fluid contained by the wall.
  • the fluid is a liquid or a part-frozen slurry of ice and liquid.
  • the insert is a drinks package, such as a can, bottle or tin.
  • the insert has a substantially axisymmetric form and the series of shock accelerations is applied as angular accelerations about the central axis of the insert.
  • a method of cooling a fluid comprising: providing an insert comprising a fluid contained by a wall and placing a cooling medium in thermal contact with a first side of the wall so as to cause heat from the fluid in contact with a second side of the wall to flow through the wall to the first side to cool the fluid; and using a drive mechanism to apply a series of shock accelerations to the wall of the insert for a period of time during cooling of the fluid.
  • Figure 1 is a diagrammatic cross-section of a first embodiment
  • Figure 2 is a view of a beverage can that has been cooled without shock acceleration, and then cut open after pouring out all flowable contents to show an ice layer adhered to the wall;
  • Figure 3 is a graph showing a comparison of the cooling rate provided by an embodiment of this invention in comparison to the prior art approach of intermittent spinning at different starting temperatures, showing the gain in performance achieved when cooling near the fluid freeze-point;
  • Figure 4 is a diagram to show the effect of different acceleration motions on an insert
  • Figure 5 is a diagrammatic cross-section of the insert when cooled in an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 6 is a diagrammatic side projection of another embodiment (in open and closed positions;
  • Figure 7 is a diagrammatic cross-section of the embodiment of Figure 6;
  • Figure 8 is a diagrammatic cross-section of another version of the embodiment of Figure 6;
  • Figure 9 is a diagrammatic top projection of another embodiment;
  • Figure 10 is a diagrammatic cross-section of the embodiment of Figure 9.
  • Figure 11 is a schematic graph showing a series of shock accelerations to be applied by a drive mechanism in use.
  • a first embodiment of apparatus (1) to cool a fluid (2) through a wall (3) where the apparatus provides air as a cooling medium (4) to accept heat from a first side (21) of the wall such that heat from the fluid flows into a second side (20) of the wall, wherein the temperature of the cooling medium (4) is below a freezing point or glass transition temperature of at least a constituent of the fluid (2), and the apparatus applies a series of shock accelerations for at least a period of time within the time spent cooling the fluid (2) through the wall (3).
  • the apparatus (1) is adapted to accept a canned beverage as an insert (5) comprising a beverage fluid (2) enclosed in an aluminium or steel wall (3) with a ring-pull opening.
  • the beverage (2) enclosed in the can (5) starts as a liquid, and during cooling ice is generated such that the can contains a part frozen slurry of frozen and unfrozen liquid at the end of the cooling.
  • a drive mechanism (6) is provided to avoid a build-up of an ice layer (13) adhered to the walls, such as is shown in Fig. 2, which would both be difficult to pour from the can and would prevent efficient cooling of the bulk of the liquid due to the insulating properties of the layer.
  • this embodiment utilises an impact driver (7) acting on a drive clip (8) that is firmly clipped to the can (5).
  • a brake (9) is applied to the drive clip (8) in order to engage the impact action from the impact driver (7).
  • the braking torque may be adjusted between high torque, which gives a predominantly stationary can with angular accelerating-decelerating shocks applied approximately 5 times a second, to a lower torque where the can rotates as well as receiving the shock accelerations.
  • the rotating mode allows the additional advantage of stirring the fluid using the bubble (10) trapped in the can (5), but is not necessary to remove the ice layer.
  • the cooling medium (4) in this embodiment is highly turbulent air being flowed through a close fitting gap according to WO 201 1042698, using a fan (1 1 ) to recirculate it over cooling coils (12), to cool down to -40°C, and then over the first side (21 ) of the wall (3) to accept heat from the wall.
  • a second embodiment uses the impact driver-brake drive mechanism from the first embodiment but the can is directly submerged in a tank of chilled aqueous solution of propylene glycol at -15°C to closely replicate the cooling method used in the patent EP2459840 that describes the intermittent spinning approach, allowing a direct performance comparison.
  • shock accelerations are imparted that are able to remove ice crystals forming on the inside of the can wall but little stirring of the bulk occurs.
  • Fig. 3 it was shown in our tests that at higher temperatures (e.g.
  • shock angular accelerations (19) about the axis of a substantially axisymmetric insert (d, e) is it allows the acceleration to be in the tangential plane of the package wall in all locations on the wall, meaning the wall is not accelerated into (15) or away from (14) the fluid.
  • cavitation will occur which is detrimental because it will dissipate significant amounts of energy as heat, may risk leaking by causing damage to the wall, and, if the fluid is carbonated, is likely to cause carbonation to come out of solution, making the insert likely to spill over if subsequently opened.
  • any linear acceleration motions (a, b) will have an entire side (a, b: 15) where the wall is accelerating into the fluid and an entire side (a, b: 14) where the wall accelerates away from the fluid.
  • Rotary acceleration motions that do not act around the axis of the package also have regions (c: 15) where the wall is accelerating into the fluid and regions (c: 14) where the wall accelerates away from the fluid.
  • shock acceleration (19) of the wall (3) tangential to the wall that causes it to move to position (17') where it would have been in position (17") without such an acceleration creates a shear (18) acting to accelerate the body of fluid (2), but due to the high acceleration the fluid (2) will not accelerate immediately, creating a relative slip (22) at the wall (3).
  • a particle of frozen fluid (16) initially on the second surface (20) of the wall (3) will be encouraged to slip both due to its own inertia and also due to the drag it would receive if it were to move through the fluid (2) to follow the wall (3).
  • FIG. 6 Another embodiment is provided using a solid cooling medium.
  • This embodiment comprises a cooling medium comprising three rigid solid cooling bodies (4a, 4b, 4c) that move together between an open position (a), where clearance (24) allows insertion and removal of a semi rigid insert (25) (e.g. a beverage can), and a closed position (b), where there is intimate thermal contact between the cooling bodies (4a, 4b, 4c) and the first or outer wall (21 ) of the insert (25).
  • a cooling medium comprising three rigid solid cooling bodies (4a, 4b, 4c) that move together between an open position (a), where clearance (24) allows insertion and removal of a semi rigid insert (25) (e.g. a beverage can), and a closed position (b), where there is intimate thermal contact between the cooling bodies (4a, 4b, 4c) and the first or outer wall (21 ) of the insert (25).
  • the cooling bodies (4a, 4b, 4c) form a solid body adapted to close to intimate thermal contact with the insert (25).
  • over-centre toggle clamp linkages (23) apply high force to close the cooling bodies (4a, 4b, 4c) together in order to apply compression to the insert (25).
  • Any mismatch between the internal form of the cooling bodies (4a, 4b, 4c) and the shape of the wall of the insert (25) is taken up as small elastic deformations of the insert wall.
  • the toggle clamp linkages (23) are driven by a collar (28) to make the drive tolerant to angular misalignment from the angular acceleration motion freedom. In this drive mechanism the cooling medium, i.e.
  • each of the cooling bodies (4a, 4b, 4c) is clamped onto the insert 25 and they are moved together to impart a series of shock accelerations.
  • each of the cooling bodies (4a, 4b, 4c) is provided with internal flow paths (29) connected by flexible hoses (30) to a coolant circulation loop where coolant such as an aqueous solution of propylene glycol can be circulated at low temperature to cool the cooling bodies.
  • coolant such as an aqueous solution of propylene glycol
  • braided flexible hoses could be used to connect the flow paths as the evaporator in a vapour compression refrigeration circuit, for example using R404A refrigerant adding challenges to sealing due to a higher operating pressure, but increasing the cooling capacity available.
  • Fig. 8 shows that for a two body version of this embodiment, the edges (26) don't achieve compression without extra interference (27, exaggerated) that may scratch the insert.
  • An alternative embodiment for cooling fully rigid inserts could use a flexible cooling medium body such as a wrap that is tightened around the insert like a wide hose clip with a means of cooling on the outer surface, such as fins in a cold air flow.
  • a drive mechanism similar to the internal workings of an impact driver, where two sprung pairs of inclined planes meet in impact every half revolution and then spring away, acting against an elastic static mount is stiffly coupled to drive shaft (31) in order to apply angular acceleration motion to both the insert and the cooling medium and therefore to give shock acceleration to the cooled wall of the insert.
  • the insert is fitted slidably within the cooling medium sleeve, such that at least a region of the first surface of the wall of the insert is in close proximity for heat transfer, while the slidable fit enables the insert to rotate with shock accelerations separate from the cooling medium such that the cooling medium sleeve does not move with the shock accelerations.
  • the total accelerated moment of inertia (rotational inertia) to which accelerations are applied is thereby greatly reduced, minimising harm from vibrational damage and maximising amplitude of ice removal acceleration achieved.
  • a detailed embodiment of apparatus using a solid cooling medium (32) in sliding contact with an insert (36), is provided.
  • a beverage can may be used as the insert (36), although other packages with cylindrical walls may also be used.
  • an aluminium beverage can is used.
  • This embodiment provides a cylindrical cavity (35) through the cooling medium (32) to accept an insert (36) with a matching cylindrical external first side of a wall, such that the cavity (35) and the first side of the wall are close for substantially intimate thermal contact while the relative sizing leaves sufficient but minimal clearance (34) for sliding with little friction.
  • the clearance (34) is a very small air gap between the surfaces. If too much friction is present, heat build-up may occur, preventing cooling of the insert (36).
  • the insert (36) is free to slide in any direction relative to the cavity (35) in the cooling medium (32).
  • the insert (36) is supported in the cavity (35) by an insert holder (39).
  • the apparatus in this embodiment comprises means of supplying chilled coolant to the cooling medium (32).
  • this provides chilled coolant in cooling channels (33) within the cooling medium (32) thereby cooling the cooling medium (32) such that it accepts heat from a first side of the wall, leading to heat from the fluid in the insert (36) flowing into a second side of the wall.
  • the cooling medium (32) extends approximately as high as the insert's cooled wall, and is surrounded by a thermally insulating casing (42), through which the cavity (35) also passes.
  • the cavity (35) is sized for a close sliding fit with the insert (36) such that the insert (36) may be slid axially, and in rotation, relative to the cooling medium (32) with little friction, but is constrained to be coaxial with the cavity (35) and cannot rattle.
  • the cooling medium (32) may be a solid block of a material having high thermal conductivity, such as aluminium.
  • the cooling channels (33) may be formed directly in the cooling medium (32) or embedded, for example in the form of copper coils to carry the coolant fluid.
  • a means of moving air is provided to move air in and out of an air space (43) below the insert (36).
  • a partial vacuum is created in the air space (43) below the insert (36) such that the insert (36) is pressed against the insert holder (39) by the differential pressure of atmospheric air over the partial vacuum created below the insert (36).
  • the insert holder (39) may be a suction cup with the air channel (40) passed through a rotary seal directly to the suction cup, such that the partial vacuum is applied locally, or, as illustrated, the entire cavity below the insert (36) may be pumped to a partial vacuum where a passage (41) is included for air to escape from directly beneath the insert (36) past the insert holder (39) to maximise the area over which the pressure differential acts. While this means the vacuum needs more air to be pumped, due to leakage through the sliding clearance (34), it can simplify the drive train to move the insert holder (39).
  • the internal wall is machined smooth and then polished.
  • a smooth low friction and/or hard coating may improve performance and/or life but has not been found to be essential.
  • the embodiment comprises means to apply a series of shock rotary accelerations for at least a period of time within the time spent cooling the fluid through the wall.
  • the means to apply shock accelerations comprises a shock accelerations generator (37) that generates angular shock accelerations, and a transmission means (38) to transmit shock accelerations to the insert holder (39).
  • a rotary seal is provided around the transmission means (38) to facilitate pneumatic functionality described above.
  • the shock accelerations generator (37) can be one of a number of options. If rotational separation of ice is not required, a motorised eccentric bearing acting on a lever (such as an oscillating multi-tool head) works very well, as does the impact driver and brake combination previously described.
  • Figure 1 1 is a schematic graph showing a series of shock accelerations to be applied by a drive mechanism.
  • the shock accelerations are for a 10.000RPM drive of a +/- 1.6 degree oscillator acting at 26mm radius. Acceleration is shown on the Y axis (44) in m/s 2 and time is shown on the X axis(45) in ms.
  • the peak acceleration referred to elsewhere in the application, is given by the full width half maximum (FWHM (46)), which in this case occurs over a period of 2ms, as shown in Figure 11.
  • the shock accelerations generator (37) may create the accelerations using a variable drive ratio system such as a gearbox with non-circular gears, which may reduce noise.
  • the resulting motion of the insert (36) is a superposition of a substantially constant rotation and occasional shock angular accelerations around an axis. The superposition may result in instantaneous slowing, stopping, reversal or increase in rotational velocity, depending on the relative magnitude and direction of the constant rotation and the shock accelerations.
  • shock accelerations to the insert are available. These include but are not limited to reciprocating rotary mechanisms (such as oscillating multi-tool type), variable ratio drive mechanisms, impact mechanisms (such as impact driver type), hydraulic actuators and impulse generators (such as used in the Rigid Stealth Force product), pneumatic actuators, oscillators and vibrators, vibrations applied by solenoids or high torque motors such as stepper motors, eccentric mass vibrators, and induction motors applying pulses of force electromagnetically.
  • reciprocating rotary mechanisms such as oscillating multi-tool type
  • variable ratio drive mechanisms such as impact driver type
  • hydraulic actuators and impulse generators such as used in the Rigid Stealth Force product
  • pneumatic actuators oscillators and vibrators
  • vibrations applied by solenoids or high torque motors such as stepper motors, eccentric mass vibrators, and induction motors applying pulses of force electromagnetically.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil de refroidissement de fluide qui comprend un milieu de refroidissement (32) et un mécanisme d'entraînement (37). Le milieu de refroidissement (32) est conçu pour accepter, lors de l'utilisation, un insert (36) comprenant un fluide contenu par une paroi de telle sorte que le milieu de refroidissement soit en contact thermique avec un premier côté de la paroi et provoque la chaleur du fluide en contact avec un second côté de la paroi pour s'écouler à travers la paroi vers le premier côté afin de refroidir le fluide. Le mécanisme d'entraînement (37) est conçu pour appliquer une série d'accélérations de choc à la paroi de l'insert pendant une période de temps durant le refroidissement du fluide.
PCT/GB2018/050076 2017-01-11 2018-01-11 Appareil et procédé de refroidissement de fluides WO2018130837A1 (fr)

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US16/477,065 US20190331412A1 (en) 2017-01-11 2018-01-11 Apparatus and method of cooling fluids
AU2018208080A AU2018208080A1 (en) 2017-01-11 2018-01-11 Apparatus and method of cooling fluids
EP18700948.5A EP3568651A1 (fr) 2017-01-11 2018-01-11 Appareil et procédé de refroidissement de fluides

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GBGB1700511.7A GB201700511D0 (en) 2017-01-11 2017-01-11 Apparatus and method of cooling fluids

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US11910815B2 (en) 2019-12-02 2024-02-27 Pepsico, Inc. Device and method for nucleation of a supercooled beverage
CN116321985B (zh) * 2023-04-07 2024-02-27 江阴市富仁高科股份有限公司 一种带冷却结构多媒体屏

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GB201700511D0 (en) 2017-02-22
EP3568651A1 (fr) 2019-11-20
GB2560792A (en) 2018-09-26
GB201800499D0 (en) 2018-02-28
AU2018208080A1 (en) 2019-08-22

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