Method and apparatus for an oval carbonator

Abstract

A method and corresponding apparatus for an oval carbonator employ an oblong housing to provide an improved gas/water interaction area within the confines of the carbonator. The increased cross sectional area provides a larger water surface area, whereby an increased amount of the pressurized gas is exposed to the increased surface area. Further advantages of the oval carbonator include a simplification of the tubing bundles that are cast into the cold plate. The oval carbonator consolidates the volumes previously used by the carbonator, thereby allowing the tubing bundles to be consolidated. Consolidation of this type translates into reduced manufacturing time and increased savings due to the simplified design.

1 . A carbonator, comprising: 
 a carbonator housing having a reduced vertical profile defining an interior volume;    a liquid inlet port disposed on the housing for inletting a liquid from a liquid source into the interior volume;    a gas inlet port disposed on the housing for inletting gas from a gas source into the interior volume; and    an exit port disposed on the housing.    
   
   
       2 . The carbonator according to  claim 1 , wherein a vertical dimension of a cross-section of the housing is the shorter dimension of the cross-section.  
   
   
       3 . The carbonator according to  claim 2 , wherein the cross-section is oblong-shaped.  
   
   
       4 . The carbonator according to  claim 2 , wherein the cross-section is oval shaped.  
   
   
       5 . The carbonator according to  claim 2 , wherein the cross-section is wider than tall.  
   
   
       6 . The carbonator according to  claim 1 , wherein the carbonator is disposed within a cold plate.  
   
   
       7 . The carbonator according to  claim 6 , wherein the cold plate is disposed at an incline.  
   
   
       8 . The carbonator according to  claim 7 , wherein the carbonator is disposed parallel with the cold plate along the incline, and further wherein the reduced vertical profile of the carbonator housing creates an increased fluid/gas interaction area when angled.  
   
   
       9 . The carbonator according to  claim 2 , wherein the wider cross-section provides an increased exterior surface area.  
   
   
       10 - 32 . (canceled)  
   
   
       33 . A carbonator, comprising: 
 a carbonator housing defining an interior volume, wherein a width of a cross-section of the housing is greater than a height of the cross section;    a liquid inlet port disposed on the housing for inletting a liquid from a liquid source into the interior volume;    a gas inlet port disposed on the housing for inletting gas from a gas source into the interior volume; and    an exit port disposed on the housing.    
   
   
       34 . The carbonator according to  claim 33 , wherein the cross-section is oblong shaped.  
   
   
       35 . The carbonator according to  claim 33 , wherein the cross-section is oval shaped.  
   
   
       36 . The carbonator according to  claim 33 , wherein the carbonator is disposed within a cold plate.  
   
   
       37 . The carbonator according to  claim 36 , wherein the cold plate is disposed at an incline.  
   
   
       38 . The carbonator according to  claim 37 , wherein the carbonator is disposed parallel with the cold plate along the incline, and further wherein the reduced vertical profile housing creates an increased fluid/gas interaction area when angled.  
   
   
       39 . The carbonator according to  claim 33 , wherein the wider cross-section provides an increased exterior surface area.