Multiple barrel frozen product dispenser
US8701435B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 14, 2011 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 7, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2400/075
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A frozen product dispenser is characterized by at least two product freeze barrels for receiving product therein and for freezing the product for dispensing, and a refrigeration system for chilling the at least two barrels. The refrigeration system has at least two evaporators for and heat transfer coupled to each barrel, separate and controllable expansion valves each having an outlet coupled to an inlet to an inlet to an associated one of the evaporators, at least two compressors having outlets coupled to inlets to the expansion valves and inlets coupled to outlets from the evaporators, and at least one condenser in fluid circuit between outlets from the compressors and inlets to the expansion valves. The refrigeration system is controllable to selectively operate one or more of the compressors and one or more of the expansion valves in accordance with the cooling requirements of the barrels to provide an improved turndown ratio for improvements in efficiency of operation of the refrigeration system in response to changing cooling load requirements of the product barrels.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.