TAPPING APPARATUS AND COOLING APPARATUS WITH TWO HEAT EXCHANGERS AND METHOD FOR THE FORMATION OF A TAPPING OR COOLING APPARATUS

Abstract

A tapping apparatus, provided with a first heat exchanger (9) and a second heat exchanger (11), wherein the first heat exchanger has a refrigerant side and a fluid side, and the second heat exchanger comprises a refrigerant side and a fluid side, wherein the fluid side of the second heat exchanger (11) is provided with: a first connection (65) and a second connection (66), for connection of a cooling circuit and/or a contact face (90) to be cooled by-refrigerant in the refrigerant side, for placement of an object to be cooled.

Description

The invention relates to a tapping apparatus. The invention moreover relates to a cooling apparatus.

WO2006/103566 describes a tapping apparatus for beverage, provided with a cooled countermount. The tapping apparatus comprises a cooling space on which the countermount is mounted and in which a beverage container such as a keg can be set up and cooled with the aid of air which is cooled by a first heat exchanger and which is forced through the cooling space by a fan. The countermount is cooled using a cooling liquid which is introduced via an inlet into a chamber in the countermount and is discharged from the chamber again via an outlet. The cooling liquid is cooled in a second heat exchanger, which is integrated with the first heat exchanger in one block. A beverage line extends from the beverage container to a tap and is in thermal contact with the cooling liquid in that the beverage line is pressed against a wall of the chamber. During use, the air to be cooled and the cooling liquid exchange heat with the same cooling element.

In this known tapping apparatus the first and second heat exchanger are integrated and are jointly built in. Both heat exchangers will always be present, and so will the countermount and the cooling space with associated cooling circuits. Such a tapping apparatus is therefore little flexible in the buildup and use.

A further disadvantage of this known tapping apparatus is that the cooling of the countermount and the cooling of the cooling space are thermally coupled to each other, so that change in the temperature of the countermount will affect the temperature regulation of the cooling space and vice versa. This means, for instance, that when the temperature of the environment of the tapping apparatus rises and hence the cold demand of the cooling space rises, the countermount will be cooled harder, which can lead, for instance, to freezing of the beverage in the beverage line.

One object of the invention is to provide an alternative tapping apparatus.

Another object is to provide a tapping apparatus that is flexible in buildup and use.

A further object is to provide a tapping apparatus with which different objects can be cooled independently of each other.

At least one of these and/or other objects can be achieved with a tapping apparatus or cooling apparatus according to the invention.

In a first aspect, a tapping apparatus is characterized in that it is provided with a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger has a refrigerant side and a fluid side, and the second heat exchanger comprises a refrigerant side and a fluid side. The fluid side of the second heat exchanger is provided with:

a first connection and a second connection, for connection of a cooling circuit and/or

a contact face to be cooled by refrigerant in the refrigerant side, for placement of an object to be cooled.

Such tapping apparatuses provide the advantage that a basic buildup of a tapping apparatus can be provided, to which at the time of the assembly or subsequently, objects to be cooled and/or cooling circuits can be coupled, without necessitating substantial adaptations to or conversion of the tapping apparatus. The tapping apparatus can be simply adapted to the wishes of a user, which is economically advantageous.

In a second aspect, an assembly of a tapping apparatus according to the invention and a cooling circuit is characterized in that the second heat exchanger is provided with the first and second connection. The cooling circuit is provided with a first and a second counter connection, for coupling with the first connection and the second connection, respectively, for forming a fluid communication between the cooling circuit and the fluid side of the second heat exchanger.

In yet another aspect, an assembly of a tapping apparatus according to the invention is characterized by a contact face to be cooled by refrigerant in the refrigerant side for placement of an object to be cooled and an object to be cooled which is placeable against or near it.

In another aspect, a method for the buildup of a tapping apparatus is characterized in that a cooling space and an additional space are provided, wherein in the tapping apparatus a cooling apparatus is provided in which at least a first and a second heat exchanger are included. The first heat exchanger can cool the cooling space and the second heat exchanger is at least partly arranged in the additional space. The second heat exchanger is provided with a first and second connection, of which at least one is arranged in the additional space and with which a cooling circuit is coupled without the first or second heat exchanger being demounted.

In yet another aspect, a method is characterized in that a cooling space and an additional space are provided, wherein in the tapping apparatus a cooling apparatus is provided in which at least a first and a second heat exchanger are included. The first heat exchanger can cool the cooling space and the second heat exchanger comprises a contact face which extends at least partly in the cooling space and is cooled by refrigerant. In the cooling space an object to be cooled is placed against or near the contact face, with the cooled object being preferably included in or around a part of a line to be cooled such as a beverage line.

To clarify the invention, exemplary embodiments of a tapping apparatus, assembly and method and parts suitable therefor will be described with reference to the drawing. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows in perspective view a tapping apparatus with two countermounts, built in under a tap counter;

FIG. 2 shows in perspective view a tapping apparatus with two countermounts, without tap counter;

FIG. 3 shows schematically in sectional view a tapping apparatus;

FIGS. 3A and B show a portion of two alternative embodiments of a tapping apparatus;

FIG. 4 shows in perspective view a portion of a cooling apparatus, partly sectioned;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a cooled countermount;

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of a tapping apparatus with different countermounts;

FIGS. 7-9 show three exemplary embodiments of cooling circuits for a tapping apparatus, with second cooling circuit;

FIG. 8A schematically shows a cooling circuit, comparable to FIG. 8;

FIGS. 10-12 show cooling circuits for the embodiments according to FIGS. 7-9, without second cooling circuits coupled thereto;

FIGS. 13-16 show alternative embodiments of a cooling circuit without cooling circuit or object to be cooled coupled thereto;

FIGS. 17-23 show embodiments of cooling circuits with cooling circuits or objects to be cooled coupled thereto.

In this description, like or corresponding parts have like or corresponding reference numerals. The embodiments shown are shown for illustration only and should not be construed as limiting in any way. Tapping apparatuses and parts thereof can be used for eliminating at least one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art or achieving other advantages or offering an alternative. Also embodiments that do not eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art or do not eliminate all disadvantages of the prior art or do not achieve the advantages contemplated or do not achieve all advantages contemplated, can fall within the invention claimed by the claims.

In this description, refrigerant should be understood to mean at least a coolant which in a preferably closed cooling circuit is compressed by a compressor, is guided through a condenser and then through at least an evaporator. Cooling medium should in this description be understood to mean at least a medium that is cooled or heated in a heat exchanger, thereupon to be used to cool or heat a space, object or other medium. Examples of cooling mediums can be, though are not limited to, water, air, glycol or other antifreeze agents and combinations and/or compositions thereof.

FIG. 1 shows a tapping apparatus 1 in built-in condition. FIG. 2 shows a tapping apparatus 1 which can be used for that. The tapping apparatus shown and described here is cited only as an example. Cooling apparatuses according to the invention can also be used in other equipment. The tapping apparatus 1 comprises a cooling apparatus 2 having thereon, in the exemplary embodiment shown, two countermounts 3. In the exemplary embodiment shown, for instance the right-hand countermount 3A can be an extra cooled countermount, for instance an iced countermount, and the left-hand countermount 3B a normal cooled countermount. The countermounts 3 may be carried directly on an upper side of the cooling apparatus 2 but may also, for instance, in case of a built-in cooling apparatus 2, be supported at least partly on a tap counter 4 such as a bar. In the cooling apparatus a beverage container 5 (FIG. 3) such as a beer vat, wine cask or the like, or several, the same of different, containers 5 may be set up, which via one or more beverage lines 6 may be connected with one or more of the countermounts 3 or taps 7 arranged thereon. In this way, beverage from the beverage containers 5 can be dispensed with the aid of the taps 7. In this description, extra cooled countermount should be understood to mean at least, though not exclusively, a countermount 3 of which at least a portion is cooled, in particular to a temperature below the freezing point of water and/or condensation. In an embodiment, the cooled countermount may be cooled such that during use, over practically the whole outer surface 8 thereof, an ice layer is formed. In another embodiment, only a portion of the countermount 3 or a portion of an outer surface 8 thereof may be cooled for forming an ice layer. If multiple countermounts 3 are used, extra cooled should be understood to mean at least, though not exclusively, a tapping column 3 which is cooled to a lower temperature than the other, normal countermount 3, based on the lowest outside temperature thereof.

In a tapping apparatus 1 according to this description, preferably two heat exchangers can be used, as schematically shown in FIG. 3. A first heat exchanger 9 is provided for cooling a cooling space 10 in which the containers 5 are or can be set up. A second heat exchanger 11 may be provided, with which at least the first, extra cooled countermount 3A can be cooled. At least one of the two heat exchangers 9, 11 may be provided such that a cooling circuit or element to be cooled can be coupled thereto and can be uncoupled therefrom, without requiring the tapping apparatus 1 to be largely taken apart. A cooling circuit or element to be cooled can be placed afterwards, depending on, for instance, a client's wish, changing wishes or technical specifications. In an example, a tapping apparatus is thus flexible in buildup and use, and no special STEK mechanic or STEK-certified company is necessary and the apparatus can be adapted to specific wishes relatively simply and in a situation of use, for instance in a bar, pub, restaurant or other catering establishment. Further, the tapping apparatus can be adapted to the wishes of a new user.

The first and second heat exchanger 9, 11 can use a same cooling medium, such as air. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, with the first heat exchanger 9 air is cooled, for cooling of a cooling space 10, with the second heat exchanger 11 a liquid, for instance glycol or a glycol-containing liquid, is cooled. With the second heat exchanger 11, preferably a different temperature can be regulated than with the first heat exchanger 9, preferably a lower one. In the embodiments shown, the first heat exchanger 9 is a finned heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger 11 a tube-in-tube type heat exchanger. However, also other types of heat exchangers can be used as first and/or second heat exchangers 9, 11.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a single countermount 3 is shown, which may be designed as an extra cooled countermount 3A or may be operated as such. The countermount 3 comprises a jacket 13, a supply 14 and a discharge 15. A passage 16 is provided within the jacket 13, which extends between an inlet 17 and the tap 7. The inlet 17 may be situated near a lower end 18 of the jacket 13, but the passage 16 may also extend farther than said lower end 18, into the cooling space 10, such that the inlet 17 is provided in the cooling space 10. The passage 16 may be provided with a side inlet 19 through which the beverage line 6 may be introduced into the passage 16, at least during use. However, the beverage line 6 may also be introduced via the inlet 17. The beverage line 6 can be a disposable beverage line, which is replaced, for instance, when changing a container 5, or is changed after a number of containers 5, but may also be provided permanently. Disposable should herein be understood to mean at least, though not exclusively, a beverage line which is so designed that it is thrown away after use. To this end, the beverage line may for instance be of relatively cheap design in plastic, for instance as known from the David® system offered by Heineken®, from the DraughtMaster® system offered by Carlsberg®, the SmartDraft® system offered by Micromatic or as described in EP1289874. The beverage line 6 extends through the passage 16 as far as or into the tap 7. In an embodiment, the tap 7 may be designed as a tap 7 of a known countermount, with the beverage line 6 being connected to an end thereof and the tap 7 having its own shut-off (not shown). Such an embodiment is especially suitable when a (semi)permanent beverage line is used. In another embodiment, the beverage line 6 may be provided with a shut-off (not shown) which can be laid in the tap 7 or can cooperate therewith, as for instance known from the David® system offered by Heineken®, from the DraughtMaster® system offered by Carlsberg®, or the SmartDraft® system offered by Micromatic or as described in EP1289874. In yet another embodiment, the beverage line may be provided with a compressible end 20, which by the tap 7 can be squeezed shut and/or can be opened or whose passage 21 can be released, as for instance known from the PerfectDraft® system offered by Philips® and InBev®. The above-mentioned systems and patent application are mentioned only for illustration and should not be construed as limiting in any way.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, between a wall 22 of the passage 16 and the outside 23 of the beverage line 6 within the passage 16 at least partly a space 24 is provided which, via the inlet 17, is in fluid communication with the cooling space 10. Near the inlet 17 a fan 25 may be provided, which can be driven for passing air from the cooling space 10 into the space 24 and/or drawing air from the space 24 into the cooling space. In this way, the temperature in the space 24 can be regulated and the space 24 can form a temperature regulating space. In another embodiment, the fan 25 is omitted and for feed-through of air through the countermount use is made of natural or forced convection under the influence of pressure differences, which can for instance result from temperature differences between the cooled space 10 and the environment of the tapping apparatus.

Within the jacket 13, around at least a part of the passage 16, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a space 26 is provided, for instance a chamber which is in fluid communication with the supply 14 and the discharge 15. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the supply 14 is arranged low in the space 26 and the discharge 15 high, so that venting of the space 26 is relatively simple. However, this can also be carried out differently or depend on a chosen flow direction of the second cooling fluid. The supply 14 is connected with a first line 27 which extends through the second heat exchanger 11 as far as a delivery side of a pump 28. The suction side of the pump 28 is connected via a second line 29 with a vat 30, which vat 30 is connected via a line 31 with the discharge 15. The lines 27, 29, 31, the space 26, the pump 28 and the vat 30 form a second cooling circuit C₂ and during use may be filled with the second cooling medium, for instance glycol 32, which can be pumped round with the aid of the pump 28. Between the delivery side of the pump 28 and the supply 14, around the first line 27 a portion 33 of the second heat exchanger 11 is arranged, through which during use refrigerant can be passed, for cooling the second cooling medium.

During use, beverage is passed via the beverage line 6 to the tap 7, to be dispensed thereby. In the cooling space 10, the temperature is measured with the aid of a first temperature sensor 34. If the temperature rises above a desired temperature, the first heat exchanger 9 will come into operation to supply cold to the cooling space 10 and thereby re-adjust the temperature below the desired temperature mentioned. With the aid of the second heat exchanger, the second cooling medium is cooled and pumped through the second cooling space C₂ by the pump 28. Within the jacket 13 cold is thereby exchanged with at least the outer wall 35 of the jacket 13 or a part thereof, such that on the outer side of the jacket 13 condensation freezes and an ice layer forms. A second temperature sensor 36, for instance in the vat 30, will measure the temperature of the second cooling medium 32 returned. From this, with the aid of a control device 37, it can be determined how much heat has been supplied to the second cooling medium 32 in the jacket 13, on the basis of which the temperature of the second cooling medium 32 can be regulated and adjusted with the aid of the second heat exchanger 11.

The temperature of the second cooling medium 32 can be considerably lower than that of the first cooling medium with which the cooling space 10 is cooled and/or the temperature of the cooling space 10. In particular, the temperature of containers 5 present therein and beverage received therein can be considerably higher than that of the second cooling medium 32 in the space 26. By passing air, with the aid of the fan 25 and/or through convection or pressure difference, through the space 24 along at least a part of the beverage line 6 within the jacket, regulation is enabled so that the temperature of the beverage line 6, or at least beverage therein, is kept above the freezing point of the beverage, also when the beverage stands still in the respective part of the beverage line 6, while the temperature of the second cooling medium 32 and in particular of the jacket 13 can be kept (considerably) lower. Without wishing to be bound by any theory, it seems the air is used for at least partly heating the beverage line 6, so that the beverage is prevented from freezing, while the jacket 13 and in particular the outer wall, in whole or parts thereof, can be cooled such that ice formation can occur thereon and/or an ice layer formed thereon can be maintained. Incidentally, in a more general sense, as a result, a temperature difference between the cooling space 10, the beverage line 6 within the jacket 13 and the jacket 13 and/or the outer wall thereof can be achieved.

FIG. 4 shows schematically in perspective view a portion of a cooling apparatus with countermount 3, in particular an extra cooled countermount 3A, and a portion of the cooling space C₂. The pump 28 is here provided directly at an underside of the vat 30, which vat 30 has a wholly or partly closed cover 39. The vat 30 constitutes a buffer, so that the temperature regulation is sufficiently constant and reliable and there is a sufficient cooling capacity. A line 40 is shown, which extends from the cooling space 10 as far as the passage 16 and can bring air from the cooling space 10 into the passage 16 or can discharge air therefrom to the cooling space 10. Actually, this air line 40 forms a part of the passage 16 as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows in exploded view a portion of the tapping apparatus 1, especially the countermount 3 and a part of the lines for connection thereof. The countermount 3 with the jacket 13 is provided, at a lower end 18, with connections for the passage 16 and the supply 14 and discharge 15. A first connector 41 is provided for cooperation with the connections of the countermount 3. A second connector 42 is provided which can fit into an opening 43 in the upper side of the cooling space 10, which is for instance formed by or is included in a refrigerator. A connecting box 44 is provided at the underside of the second connector 42. The connecting box 44 is provided with a first opening 45 for connection of the air line 40 and a second opening 46 for feed-in and/or feed-through of the at least one beverage line 6 (not shown in FIG. 5). At the top side, the connecting box 44 is provided with a connection for a feed-through tube 46 which forms part of or can link up with the passage 16, via the first connector 41. The first line 27 and third line 31 have been guided alongside the feed-through tube 46. An insulation tube 47 may be arranged around the feed-through tube 46 and the two lines 27 and 31. In the example shown, the feed-through tube 46 and the lines 27, 31 are slightly bent, in particular slightly S-shaped. As a result, the countermount 3 can be arranged in displaced relation with respect to the opening 43 and a greater freedom is obtained for placement thereof on a tap counter. In an embodiment, the feed-through tube 46 and the lines 27, 31 can be slightly flexible, for a still greater freedom of placement.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a tapping apparatus 1, with different countermounts 3 that can be used therewith. In this embodiment, the cooling apparatus is provided with at least three compartments. A first compartment 48 constitutes the cooling space 10. A second compartment 49 comprises technical elements 50 of the cooling apparatus, in particular at least a compressor 51, a condenser 52 and a fan 53. Additionally, electronic elements such as the control device 37 may be provided therein. The third compartment 54 can comprise at least the vat 31, with the pump 28. The second compartment 49 and third compartment 54 are arranged one above the other and may be closed off by a plate 55. The first compartment 48 can in addition be provided with and be closable with a door 56. The third compartment 54 is preferably thermally insulated, for instance inter alia through a plate 57. In the partition wall 59 between the first compartment 48 and the second compartment 49, an opening 60 may be provided for passing air cooled by the first heat exchanger 9 to the cooling space 10. Optionally, the partition wall 59 can function as evaporator of the first heat exchanger 9. In the cooling space 10 a cooling element 61 may be provided, in which for instance water or beverage can be cooled. The cooling element 61 can for instance comprise a line or channel between an input 62 and an output 63, to which lines (not shown) can be connected, which can extend to outside the cooling space. Water can thereby be passed into the cooling element 61, can therein be cooled through heat exchange with the air and/or a wall in the cooling space 10, and thereupon be delivered again. In an alternative embodiment, the cooling element may also be designed differently, for instance as a bag, vat, cask or the like. The cooling element 61 is preferably not placed against the coldest wall of the cooling space 10, in order to prevent freezing thereof. More particularly, it is advantageous to place the cooling element 61 against a least cold wall, for instance the wall opposite the partition wall or at least opposite an entrance of cooled air.

In an embodiment represented in FIG. 3A, around a part of the beverage line 6 within a countermount 3, for instance the extra cooled countermount 3A, a heating element 70 is arranged, connected to the control device 37. With this, heat can be supplied to the beverage line, and hence to beverage therein, when the temperature of the beverage line and/or the beverage falls below a desired temperature. Such a temperature fall can for instance be determined on the basis of the change in temperature of cooling medium in the first and/or second heat exchanger 9, 11, in the cooling space 10 and/or through direct measurement of the temperature of the beverage line 6. Such regulations will be immediately clear to those skilled in the art.

In FIG. 3B, a further alternative embodiment is shown, wherein the circuit C2 extends substantially as a line 26A through the countermount 3B, while a limited space or chamber 26 may be provided. Against a wall of that chamber or directly against the line 26A, a side of for instance a thermoelectric element, for instance a Peltier element 80 or similar active cooling element may be arranged, while the opposite side of the Peltier element is arranged, for instance, against a side of the wall of the jacket 13. An element to be cooled, as for instance a logo L, may be arranged against it. Since in this way a greater temperature difference ΔT is obtained between element L to be cooled and the heat emitting side of the Peltier element 80, in an energetically effective manner a strong cooling of the element L is obtained, for instance for freezing it. Moreover, with this, in a simple manner a partial freezing can be obtained.

In the following figures, embodiments of cooling circuits are shown which can be used in a tapping apparatus, while in some cases a cooling circuit to be connected to the second heat exchanger and/or element to be cooled thereby has been omitted. In an embodiment of a method, a tapping apparatus, or at least a cooling apparatus therefor, is built up, whereby at least the first heat exchanger 9 and the evaporator or a part thereof of the second heat exchanger 11 are placed. In such a build-up, the tapping apparatus 1, or at least the cooling apparatus therefor, is suitable for use. In some cases the second heat exchanger can be directly completed, for instance through placement of an appropriate cooling circuit or connection of an object to the cooled, while in other cases this is not done until afterwards, or is actually omitted throughout the service life of the apparatus. Coupling can for instance be done through connection of the second heat exchanger with a refrigerant circuit or through coupling of a cooling circuit for fluid communication for pumping round cooling medium or through arrangement of an object to be cooled near or against the second heat exchanger.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a cooling circuit C, or at least a refrigerant-side part thereof. Clearly visible in this cooling circuit C are the first heat exchanger 9 and the second heat exchanger 11, series-connected and coupled via a line section 64. Coupled to the second heat exchanger 11 are the vat 30 and the pump 28. The countermount 3A is drawn-in only schematically, in the form of a circle. In the first line 27 and the third line 31, respectively, a first coupling 65 and a second coupling 66 is arranged, for coupling of the circuit C₂ with the heat exchanger 11. As a result, the circuit C₂ can be uncoupled and, for instance, be omitted if no extra cooled countermount 3A is used, or if a different object to be cooled is to be linked up. Thus, the tapping apparatus can be flexibly built up and, if desired, be configured differently in the course of time. In FIG. 7 there is included in the vat 30 a cooling coil 67, which is connected with or integrated in a line 68 which can extend from a beverage container 5A into a countermount 3, in particular a normal countermount 3B.

The circuit C is accommodated partly in the cooling apparatus 2 and partly outside the cooling apparatus 2 or in open communication with the atmosphere outside the cooling apparatus 2. The circuit C comprises an accumulator 69 and a compressor 70. Moreover, a condenser 71 and a capillary 72 are included. Of the first heat exchanger 9 an evaporator 73 is included in the circuit C, and of the second heat exchanger an evaporator 74. The evaporator can herein be regarded as a refrigerant side R of a heat exchanger. Conversely, a part of a heat exchanger 9, 11 along which and/or through which a cooling medium flows, can be designated as the fluid side F. The refrigerant side R and the fluid side F can be disposed next to each other, or can extend wholly or partly around each other, may be interwoven or be positioned relative to each other in other ways, as long as heat exchange can take place between them. It is clearly visible that for the two heat exchangers 9, 11, only one compressor 70, one accumulator 69, one condenser 71 and one capillary 72 are included. This makes the apparatus relatively simple and little costly. The compressor 70 can be of modulating design, so that it can be controlled on the basis of, for instance, the cold demand in the cooling space, for which the first heat exchanger 9 may be provided, and/or the cold demand of the second heat exchanger and/or an object to be cooled, such as the countermount 3A, 3B, connected thereto.

In FIG. 8 a cooling circuit C is shown, where the first heat exchanger 9 and the second heat exchanger 11 are connected in parallel between the capillary 72 and the accumulator 69. Here, the first 9 and the second heat exchanger 11 can be jointly driven. The refrigerant (coolant) in the cooling circuit C will be divided over the first heat exchanger 9 and the second heat exchanger 11, for instance on the basis of the flow resistance of the evaporators 73, 74 of the two heat exchangers 9, 11. In an embodiment not shown, a regulating valve may be included, in flow direction before or behind at least one of the two heat exchangers 9, 11 and preferably before or behind both heat exchangers 9, 11, so that the division of the refrigerant over the two heat exchangers can be controlled, for instance on the basis of the cold demand of the two heat exchangers 9, 11. To this end, for instance a valve controlled by a temperature sensor can be used. Such a sensor can for instance be included in the cooling space 10 and/or in or at the countermount 3A, 3B and/or in or at the vat 30. Moreover, the compressor 70 can be controlled on the basis of the temperatures. Again, a first coupling 65 and a second coupling 66 are used for coupling of the second cooling circuit C₂.

FIG. 8A shows an exemplary embodiment of a cooling circuit, comparable to FIG. 8, where, however, the container 5A has been omitted. A connection 67A is provided, to which for instance such a container 5A can be connected, but which can also form a connection, for instance, with a water mains, cask, cellar beer installation or other source for beverage.

In FIG. 9 a further embodiment of a part of a cooling apparatus with a cooling circuit C is shown, where two separate circuits C₁, C_r are shown. In the partial circuit C_r shown on the right-hand side in FIG. 9, a first compressor 70A, a first condenser 71A, a first capillary 72A and the evaporator 73 of the first heat exchanger 9 are included. In the partial circuit C₁ shown on the left-hand side, a second compressor 70B, a second condenser 71B, a second capillary 72B and the evaporator 74 of the second heat exchanger 11 are included. In an embodiment, the first and second condenser 71A, B may be accommodated in a housing or be combined as one condenser. In an embodiment with two compressors, the advantage can be achieved that the two partial circuits C₁, C_r can be controlled at least partly and preferably wholly independently of each other, while the control is relatively simple and may be arranged on the basis of separate temperature sensors for the two partial circuits. Again, a first coupling 65 and a second coupling 66 are used for coupling of the second cooling circuit C₂.

In FIGS. 7-9, exemplary embodiments are given of cooling circuits C to which a secondary or second cooling circuit C₂ is coupled. These are only examples. FIGS. 10-12 show the cooling circuits of FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, respectively, without such secondary cooling circuits. Clearly seen, however, are the first coupling 65 and a second coupling 66. The second cooling circuit C₂ in each case is provided with counter couplings 75, 76, for forming a fluid communication between the fluid side F of the second heat exchanger 11 and the second cooling circuit C₂.

FIG. 13 shows schematically a cooling circuit C with a first and a second heat exchanger 9, 11 or at least a refrigerant part R thereof, included in parallel. Further, a compressor 70, condenser 71 and capillary 72 are included, and optionally an accumulator 69. No “load” has yet been included against the second heat exchanger 11, which has at least one side 90 against which a “load” such as an object to be cooled can be placed. “Load” should here be understood to mean at least a circuit or object to be cooled.

In FIG. 14 a cooling circuit C is shown, comparable to that according to FIG. 13, where the first 9 and second heat exchanger 11 or at least a refrigerant side R thereof are connected in series with the compressor 70, the condenser 71 and the capillary 72 and optionally the accumulator. Again, no “load” has yet been brought against or near the at least one face 90. It is noted that the face 90 in all embodiments shown can be both an internal and an external face of the heat exchanger 11, as well as a combination thereof and moreover can have any desired shape or configuration.

FIG. 15 shows a cooling apparatus or a cooling circuit thereof, comparable to FIG. 12, where, however, the second heat exchanger 11 or the refrigerant side thereof is designed as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment where the first and second heat exchanger 9, 11 are in fact combined, to the extent that a double or multiple heat exchanger has been obtained. A first part 9 or side of the heat exchanger is here, for instance, finned and arranged for cooling a gas, while a second part 11 or side is designed as a plate heat exchanger or a refrigerant side R of a heat exchanger or a face 90 as described earlier, against which or at which an object to be cooled or “load” can be placed.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of a portion of a tapping apparatus 1, where the cooling circuit C is designed as described and shown in FIG. 11. The second cooling circuit C₂ coupled to the couplings 65, 66 comprises a pump 28, glycol bath 30 and cooled or extra cooled countermount 3A, 3B. The second heat exchanger is designed as a tube-in-tube type heat exchanger where both the refrigerant side R and the fluid side F have already been pre-assembled. After coupling of the cooling circuit C2 with the heat exchanger 11, the cooling circuit C2 can be filled with glycol, as far as necessary, after which the cooling can commence.

FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of a tapping apparatus with a cooling circuit C according to FIG. 14, where a second cooling circuit C2 has been placed against the face 90 of the second heat exchanger or at least the refrigerant-side part R thereof, in direct contact. To this end, for instance a wall of the buffer vat 30 or a line 27 can be placed against it. The second cooling circuit further comprises the pump 28 and the countermount 3A, 3B.

In FIG. 19, an embodiment of a tapping apparatus 1 is shown, again with a cooling circuit C according to FIG. 14, where, however, against the face 90 an in-line cooler-type cooler has been placed, connected to a line 68 between a container 5, 5A and a countermount 3A, 3B and/or a tap 7.

In FIG. 20, a tapping apparatus 1 according to FIG. 19 is shown, where, however, a connection 67A is arranged as shown and described in FIG. 8A instead of the container 5, 5A. FIG. 21 shows an embodiment comparable to FIG. 16, where a second cooling circuit C2 has been placed against the face 90, for instance by bringing a buffer vat 30 into thermal contact therewith. With this, a countermount 30 can then be cooled, for instance for the formation of an iced countermount.

FIG. 22 shows an embodiment comparable to FIG. 21, where, however, the second heat exchanger 11 or at least the refrigerant side R thereof has been placed in a buffer vat 30 of a second cooling circuit C2. As a result, the second coolant 32 is cooled directly by at least the face 90.

FIG. 23 shows an embodiment of a tapping apparatus 1 where the cooling circuit C is substantially designed as shown and described in FIG. 14, where against the face 90 a “warm” side 91 of an active cooling element such as a Peltier element 92 has been arranged. Against the other, “cold” side 93, a part of a second cooling circuit C2 has been placed, for instance a wall of a buffer vat 30. Through this arrangement the “warm” side of the element 92 will be able to give off the heat relatively simply and properly, so that the cooling by the element 92 can be improved.

It will be clear that in the Figures, and especially in FIGS. 7-23, only exemplary embodiments are shown. These are not limiting. Combinations of the second cooling circuits C2 and primary circuits C and/or heat exchangers 9, 11 shown therein are understood to be also included herein, as well as variants thereon.

The invention is not limited in any way to the embodiments shown and described in the description and drawings. Many variations thereon are possible within the framework of the inventions outlined by the claims. These include at least all combinations of the embodiments shown and parts thereof.

Claims

1. A tapping apparatus, provided with a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger has a refrigerant side and a fluid side, and the second heat exchanger comprises a refrigerant side and a fluid side, wherein the fluid side of the second heat exchanger is provided with:

a first connection and a second connection, for connection of a cooling circuit and/or

a contact face to be cooled by refrigerant in the refrigerant side, for placement of an object to be cooled.

2. A tapping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid side of the first heat exchanger is a gas side and the fluid side of the second heat exchanger is a liquid side.

3. A tapping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first connection and the second connection respectively comprise a first and second rapid coupling.

4. A tapping apparatus, provided with a cooling space and an additional space, wherein the first heat exchanger is arranged for cooling of the cooling space and at least one of the first and the second connection is provided in the additional space.

5. An assembly of a tapping apparatus, according to claim 1 and a cooling circuit, wherein the second heat exchanger is provided with the first and second connection and the cooling circuit is provided with a first and a second counter connection, for coupling with the first connection and the second connection, respectively, for forming of a fluid communication between the cooling circuit and the fluid side of the second heat exchanger.

6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein the cooling circuit comprises a countermount.

7. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein the cooling circuit comprises a buffer, in particular a buffer in which a cooling element is included.

8. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein the cooling circuit comprises a countermount, through which extends a beverage line for connection of a container in a cooling space to be cooled by the first heat exchanger and a tap arranged on the countermount.

9. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein a second countermount is provided, through which extends a beverage line for connection of a container in a cooling space to be cooled by the first heat exchanger and a tap arranged on the countermount, wherein the beverage line comprises a cooling element, to be cooled by the fluid side of the second heat exchanger and preferably by a part of the cooling circuit.

10. An assembly of a tapping apparatus according to claim 1 and an object to be cooled, wherein the second heat exchanger is provided with the contact face and the object to be cooled is placed near or against the contact face and is included in or around a cooling circuit.

11. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein the cooling circuit comprises a countermount.

12. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein the cooling circuit comprises a countermount, through which extends a beverage line for connection of a container in a cooling space to be cooled by the first heat exchanger and a tap arranged on the countermount.

13. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein a countermount is provided, through which extends a beverage line for connection of a container in a cooling space to be cooled by the first heat exchanger and a tap arranged on the countermount, wherein the beverage line comprises the object to be cooled or is guided therethrough.

14. A method for the buildup of a tapping apparatus, wherein a cooling space and an additional space are provided, wherein in the tapping apparatus a cooling apparatus is provided in which at least a first and a second heat exchanger are included, such that the first heat exchanger can cool the cooling space and the second heat exchanger is arranged at least partly in the additional space, wherein the second heat exchanger is provided with a first and second connection of which at least one is arranged in the additional space and with which a cooling circuit is coupled without the first and/or second heat exchanger being demounted.

15. A method for the buildup of a tapping apparatus, wherein a cooling space and an additional space are provided, wherein in the tapping apparatus a cooling apparatus is provided in which at least a first and a second heat exchanger are included, such that the first heat exchanger can cool the cooling space and the second heat exchanger comprises a contact face which extends at least partly in the cooling space and is cooled by refrigerant, wherein in the cooling space an object to be cooled is placed against or near the contact face, wherein the cooled object is preferably included in or around a part of a line to be cooled such as a beverage line.