| 摘要 |
<p>There is disclosed an apparatus for use as beverage container vending machines (30, 102), beverage dispensers (378, 472, 496), transportable beverage container dispensers (352) and glass door merchandizers (210, 450), all cooled by Stirling coolers (10, 48, 50, 128, 218, 220, 272, 324, 370, 432, 468, 474, 498). The apparatus includes an insulated enclosure (214) and a Stirling cooler (10, 48, 50, 128, 218, 220, 272, 324, 370, 432, 468, 474, 498) having a cold portion (26). A plate (52, 104-116, 142-151, 244, 248, 356, 358, 460, 462) or coil made of a heat-conducting material disposed within the insulated enclosure (214) is connected in heat exchange relationship with the cold portion (26) of the Stirling cooler (10, 48, 50, 128, 220, 272, 324, 370, 432, 468, 474, 498). Heat transfer fluids, heat pipes (78, 196-206, 238, 550) and direct contact are different methods used to transfer heat from the plate (52, 104-116, 142-151, 244, 248, 356, 460, 462) to the cold portion (26) of the Stirling cooler (10, 48, 50, 128, 218, 220,272, 324, 370, 432, 468, 474, 498) The cooled plate (52, 104-116, 142-151, 244, 248, 358, 460, 462) or coil is used to cool a container (36, 120, 246, 322, 362, 464) or a fluid that is, in turn, used to cool either a container or a fluid. Methods of chilling containers and fluids are also disclosed.</p> |
