Abstract: A thermoelectric water chiller system for cooling fluids, and including a cold sink which defines quiescent areas where convection currents are minimized to facilitate ice formation around the cold sink is provided. The cold sink cooperates with water held in a sealed tank. A cover member which covers the cold sink can be employed which would cooperate with the tank to form a fluid-tight seal therewith. Components needing periodic cleaning are preferably removable from the system, but the tank could be permanently installed. A fan-cooled thermoelectric module assembly is used to form the ice block adjacent the bottom of the tank which chills the water. A variable-speed fan and current to the thermoelectric module are controlled by a control circuit with inputs from various temperature sensors positioned on and within various portions of the chiller system, including sensors to monitor ambient air temperature about the chiller system.
Abstract: A thermoelectric water chiller system for cooling fluids, and including a cold sink which defines quiescent areas where convection currents are minimized to facilitate ice formation around the cold sink is provided. The cold sink cooperates with water held in a sealed tank. A cover member which covers the cold sink can be employed which would cooperate with the tank to form a fluid-tight seal therewith. Components needing periodic cleaning are preferably removable from the system, but the tank could be permanently installed. A fan-cooled thermoelectric module assembly is used to form the ice block adjacent the bottom of the tank which chills the water. A variable-speed fan and current to the thermoelectric module are controlled by a control circuit with inputs from various temperature sensors positioned on and within various portions of the chiller system, including sensors to monitor ambient air temperature about the chiller system.
Abstract: A thermoelectric water-chiller system for cooling bottled water, and including a mixing valve which enables dispensing of chilled water, room-temperature water, or a mixture of chilled and room-temperature water. Components needing periodic cleaning are readily removable from the system. A fan-cooled thermoelectric-chip assembly is used to form an ice block which chills the water, and a variable-speed fan is controlled by a temperature sensor to slow the fan speed when chilling to a desired temperature is achieved, and to maintain the ice block at an optimum size.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 27, 1994
Date of Patent:
March 26, 1996
Assignee:
Springwell Dispensers, Inc.
Inventors:
S. Spence Davis, R. Clark Lucas, Michael J. Nagy, Anthony E. Yeargin, Gerald M. Zinnbauer