CPC F25B 21/02 (2013.01) | 20 Claims |
1. A multi-functional device configured for supporting, cooling, insulating, and dispensing a liquid contained in a Cornelius keg arranged with inlet and outlet ports on an upper end, the device comprising:
a frame arranged to enclose, support, insulate and anchor the Cornelius keg in a vertical orientation;
a refrigeration system comprising a cooling block and two thermoelectric coolers, wherein:
(i) the cooling block is arranged to contact the Cornelius keg from near a top to near a bottom of an effective height of the keg, and
(ii) the cooling block is further arranged with a concave contact surface with a radius selected to fit a contour of the Cornelius keg;
a controller comprising a temperature sensor, wherein:
(a) the controller is configured to vary a power to the refrigeration system to maintain a temperature based on a temperature setting by a user, and
(b) the sensor comprising a wire routed from a location of the controller to a location on a surface of the Cornelius keg, the surface remote from the refrigeration system;
a strap arranged to secure the Cornelius keg to the cooling block and to hold the temperature sensor against the surface of the Cornelius keg; and
a first insulating member arranged between the cooling block and the thermoelectric coolers such that a cool side of each thermoelectric cooler is in contact with both the insulation member and the cooling block.
|