HK1163239B - Temperature control system for a liquid - Google Patents

Description

Temperature control system for liquid

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a temperature control system for a liquid, such as a cooling system, which may be used, for example, in an apparatus for dispensing a beverage, such as cooled drinking water.

Background

Various liquid cooling systems are known. Peltier cells are used in some systems. The peltier unit is generally more efficient in terms of energy consumption than the compressor, but has a smaller cooling capacity.

US2006/0075761 describes a device for cooling or heating potable water on demand, the device having: a heat accumulator having an embedded serpentine fluid conduit; a network of independently controlled thermoelectric heat transfer modules; and a network of temperature control modules. The preferred embodiment includes the regenerator as a seamless single die cast heat conducting metal media and the embedded pipe without coupling structures.

WO1997007369 describes a cooling unit suitable for use in a soft drink machine or similar liquid dispenser that is compact and can cool liquid quickly enough to be acceptable in a demand-oriented arrangement, but not to a point where it actually freezes. This application proposes the use of a cooling system that combines the use of a heat pump (typically a peltier effect device) and an output that matches the thermal characteristics and desired processing rate of the liquid to be dispensed coupled to and directly cools an ambient medium in the form of a liquid/solid phase change material that operates within the required temperature range (which will typically be in the range from just above 0 ℃ to around +5 ℃). This considerably reduces the possibility of over-cooling the liquid. Secondly, the application proposes a temperature sensitive switching device, such as a thermistor, thermally coupled to the liquid/solid phase change material (15) and operatively linked to the heat pump, in order to effectively control the pump on or off as required.

US 56324343 describes a thermoelectric cooler capable of cooling a fluid to below 10 ° F. The cooler maximizes the heat transfer path to allow better thermal conductivity and provides space within the cooler to accommodate thermal contraction and expansion of the cooling elements.

US5285718 describes a combination beverage jug with a cold water supply within the housing, wherein a beverage brewing section is provided at one or more locations within the housing, and a water quench or cooling supply arranged in association therewith is provided to supply cold water as required. The cold water section of the plant comprises: a cold water tank; a cooling pin in the cooling tank; a cooling module for operating as a heat pump for extracting heat from water to heat the cooling module; and a transport portion of the extracted heat to a heat sink for dissipation. Various electronic and power controls are provided for regulating the operation of the various components of the device, and include a filtration device for filtering incoming water, and coupled with various indicators to indicate when the filter service or capacity of the apparatus has reached a maximum treated water volume.

US2003188540 describes a fluid cooling device for a beverage dispenser, the fluid cooling device comprising: (a) a fluid accumulation vessel; and (b) a set of thermoelectric devices disposed on at least one exterior surface of the accumulation vessel and having a cooling surface and a heating surface, the cooling surface in thermal communication with the fluid accumulation vessel such that when power is applied to the devices, the cooling surface causes a reduction in thermal energy of the fluid within the accumulation vessel.

The following patents and patent applications also disclose beverage dispensers that rely at least in part on peltier cooling mechanisms: US 2006/096300; US5,50,1077; US6,237,345; US 2006/169720; US5,285,718; US5,209,069; US4,664,292; US 2006/096300; US5,501,077 and US6,237,345.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a temperature control system for a liquid. The system includes two sets of temperature control elements, each set including one or more temperature control elements, the two sets being disposed opposite one another and defining a temperature control zone therebetween. The conduit system within the temperature control zone defines a liquid flow path configured to have one or more first segments in proximity to and in heat-conducting association with one of the two sets of temperature control elements and one or more second segments in proximity to and in heat-conducting association with the other of the two sets of temperature control elements. The temperature control system may be used as a liquid temperature control module in a temperature controlled liquid dispensing device or system, such as a device for dispensing potable water or other beverage dispensing devices.

The present invention, by one embodiment thereof, provides a liquid temperature control system for cooling or heating a liquid as it flows through the system. The liquid may flow from a source to an outlet or may circulate out of and back to a reservoir that maintains an amount of thermally controlled liquid that is cooled or heated for subsequent use. According to a preferred embodiment, the liquid is drinking water to be dispensed from the dispensing outlet. The temperature control system may for example be comprised in a drinking water dispensing apparatus or device. The temperature control system of the present invention has design features that improve the efficiency of temperature control of the liquid. These features include: serpentine flow of liquid through the temperature control zone; and has a segment in heat-conducting association with one set of temperature control elements and a remaining segment in heat-conducting association with another set of temperature control elements.

The term "temperature control" herein refers to heating or cooling.

The liquid temperature control system of one embodiment of the present invention includes a first set of one or more temperature control elements and a second set of one or more temperature control elements disposed opposite the first set. A temperature control zone is defined between the two sets, the temperature control zone housing a conduit system defining a liquid flow path configured to have one or more first segments proximate to and in heat-conducting association with the first element and one or more second segments proximate to and in heat-conducting association with the second element.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the conduit system defines a single flow path through the temperature control zone that leads from the liquid inflow to the liquid outflow. In other embodiments, the conduit system defines two or more flow paths linking the inflow and outflow. With certain embodiments of the present invention, the flow path has a serpentine geometry.

The term "temperature control element" is used herein to denote an element that can transfer heat or cold, either locally generated in the element, such as a peltier element, or transferred from a heating or cooling unit, for example via a circulating temperature transfer liquid.

In certain embodiments, the liquid temperature control system of the present invention is intended for use in cooling liquids. The system of this embodiment will be referred to as a "liquid cooling system". In other embodiments, the liquid temperature control system is a liquid heating system intended for heating a liquid. In still other embodiments of the present invention, the system of the present invention may be a hybrid liquid heating/cooling system that can be changed from a cooling mode to a heating mode.

The term "temperature controlled zone" is used herein to denote a zone defined by a temperature control system and thereby heated or cooled. The temperature controlled zone may be a zone with a heat controlling element on the sides or surrounded by a heat controlling element.

In the context of the liquid cooling system embodiments, the temperature control element and the temperature control zone may be referred to as a "cooling element" and a "cooling zone," respectively.

The term "conduit system" is used herein to denote, inter alia, a system of pipes, channels or other conduits that are part of a flow path of a liquid to be heated or cooled that is contained within a temperature controlled zone. The duct system can be formed by tubes or trough-like segments.

The term "thermally conductively associated" is meant to denote a physical association that allows heat (or cold) to be transferred between the associated media (e.g., between the cooling element and the conduit). The term "thermal communication" may also sometimes be used to refer to such a heat transfer association.

The terms "first" and "second" are used herein for convenience of description and do not have any structural or functional significance. The sleeves, segments, etc. referred to as "first" and "second" may be the same or may be different from each other.

The temperature control system of the present invention thus includes a conduit system that is heated or cooled (as the case may be) by a temperature control element. The conduit system is associated with the temperature control element in a thermally conductive manner; that is, the temperature control element heats or cools the conduit system to thereby vary the temperature of the liquid flowing through the system. The conduit system has segments including segments associated with the first set of temperature control elements in a thermally conductive manner and remaining segments associated with the second set of temperature control elements in such a thermally conductive manner.

According to a preferred embodiment, the conduit system is configured such that at least some (and sometimes all) of the first and second segments are arranged in an alternating manner along the flow path. As a result, the liquid to be cooled flows in the section adjacent to the first set of elements, then in the section adjacent to the second set of elements, and so on.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the temperature control element is a thermoelectric cooling element, such as a planar peltier element having opposing cold and hot faces. Although a peltier element may also be used in the case of the liquid heating system of the invention, it is particularly applicable for use in the liquid cooling system of the invention (the cold side of the peltier element then lines the cooling zone). However, the invention is not limited by the use of these cooling elements, and other cooling arrangements are possible. An example of another cooling arrangement is a cooling arrangement that uses a refrigeration unit that cools a coolant fluid that is in turn delivered to the cooling element. Heating elements useful in the liquid heating system of the present invention may be, for example, joule heating elements (also known as resistive heating or ohmic heating elements).

By one embodiment, the cooling system of the present invention comprises: a first set of one or more peltier elements arranged at one side of the cooling zone; and a second set of one or more peltier elements arranged at an opposite side of the cooling zone. The peltier elements of the first set may be the same as the peltier elements of the second set or may be different from the peltier elements of the second set. Furthermore, the different peltier elements within a set may all be the same or may be different (different shape or size, different power and different cooling generation capacity, etc.).

According to one embodiment, the conduit system comprises a tube made of a thermally conductive material, typically a metal, having a plurality of segments extending through the cooling zone. The system of this embodiment includes first and second sets of tubular conduit segments made of a thermally conductive material. The segments of the first group are proximate to and in heat-conducting association with the temperature control elements of the first set, and the segments of the second group are proximate to and in heat-conducting association with the temperature control elements of the second set.

The term "tubular conduit" refers to a tube or other type of liquid conduit having a hollow interior with a circular, elliptical, polygonal, irregular, or asymmetric cross-section or any other type of cross-section.

The tubular conduit typically has a rectangular cross-section. In one embodiment, the conduit is flat.

Typically, each segment spans a length of the temperature controlled zone. The different segments are in fluid communication with each other whereby the liquid repeatedly flows through the temperature controlled zone. The flow path is typically configured with alternating first and second sets of segments, whereby in its flow path liquid alternately flows through segments adjacent to and in heat-conducting association with one set of temperature control elements and then through segments adjacent to and in heat-conducting association with the other set of temperature control elements. By one embodiment, the ends of the tubular segments are fitted to one or more connector elements that internally define a flow path linking the segments (i.e., provide flow communication between the segments).

By one embodiment, the temperature control zone comprises a heat exchange chamber having a liquid inlet and outlet, the heat exchange chamber being defined between first and second thermally conductive walls and a side wall, the first thermally conductive wall being arranged in thermally conductive association with a first set of temperature control elements, the second thermally conductive wall being arranged in thermally conductive association with a second set of temperature control elements. The thermally conductive wall is typically made of metal. A channel arrangement is formed within the chamber defining one or more continuous flow paths leading from the inlet to the outlet. A first set of one or more of the channels is adjacent to and in thermally conductive association with the first wall, and a second set of one or more of the channels is adjacent to and in thermally conductive association with the second wall.

For these heat conducting associations, the channel may be formed such that one face of the channel is constituted by a portion of one heat conducting wall.

The channels may be arranged as interconnected segments of a three-dimensional curvilinear flow path. In certain embodiments of the invention, at least some of the channels of the first set alternate with the channels of the second set along the flow path.

By one embodiment, the channels are formed by dividing panels disposed within the chamber.

Typically, the thermally conductive walls are substantially parallel to each other. By one embodiment, the heat exchange chamber comprises a main partition panel arranged between the two heat conducting walls and extending substantially parallel thereto, thereby dividing the chamber into a first compartment adjacent to the first wall and a second compartment adjacent to the second wall. Each of the two compartments is further divided by an auxiliary panel extending from the main dividing panel to the heat conducting wall and defining a substantially U-shaped channel section having two ends. An opening is formed in the main partition panel to link an end of the U-shaped channel segment in the first compartment with an end of the U-shaped channel segment in the second compartment, thereby forming a flow path from the inlet to the end of the U-shaped channel segment of the outlet. As a result, the flow path is formed by alternating the U-shaped channel segments of one compartment with the U-shaped channel segments of the other compartment.

According to the invention, the main partition panel, the auxiliary partition panel and the side wall are made of a single piece of material.

In the case of the liquid cooling system of the invention, wherein the temperature control system is one or more thermoelectric elements, the system may comprise a heat sink arrangement for transporting and dissipating heat generated by said elements. The heat sink arrangement may comprise a closed loop heat transfer conduit system containing a coolant fluid (which may be a liquid or a gas) fitted between a heat absorption module and a heat dissipation module, the heat absorption module being in heat transfer association with one or more thermoelectric elements. A coolant fluid is circulated between the heat absorption module and the heat dissipation module to thereby remove heat generated by the elements. The heat sink arrangement may typically comprise two heat absorbing modules, one heat absorbing module being associated with the first set of cooling thermoelectric elements and one heat absorbing module being associated with the second set of cooling thermoelectric elements.

The invention also provides a liquid (e.g. beverage or drinking water) dispensing device comprising the temperature control system. An example of a liquid dispensing device is a drinking water dispensing device with a liquid cooling system and/or a liquid heating system according to the invention. Sometimes, more than one liquid cooling and/or heating system of the invention may be included in a single device, or arranged in series, whereby the liquid to be cooled or heated flows in a series of two or more of these systems; or arranged in parallel flow paths.

Drawings

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical or similar structures, elements or components that appear in more than one figure are generally indicated by identical or similar reference numerals as in the figures in which they are included. The dimensions of the components and features shown in the figures are chosen primarily for convenience and clarity and are not necessarily to scale. The attached drawings are as follows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary liquid cooling system according to certain embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conduit system and associated liquid flow elements;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the catheter system of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are additional views of the exemplary heat exchange device of FIG. 3 depicting an exemplary connector element in greater detail in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B and 5A and 5B are schematic views of an exemplary flat tube depicting an aspect ratio W: H in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, wherein FIGS. 4A and 4B show examples having the same cross-section throughout, and FIGS. 5A and 5B show examples wherein different tubes have different cross-sections;

6A, 6B, and 6C are schematic views of an exemplary flow path through a set of six flat tubes according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a liquid cooling system according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken through plane VIII-VIII in FIG. 7;

fig. 9 shows the cooling system of fig. 7 with the heat sink block removed, depicting the heat exchange chamber with an associated peltier element.

Figure 10 shows a heat exchange chamber and a frame housing it;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a frame housing a heat exchange chamber;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken through plane VII-VII in FIG. 10;

fig. 13A is a cross-sectional view of the channel-only forming block taken along the same plane as that of fig. 12;

FIGS. 13B and 13C are perspective views of the channel forming block depicting the faces of FIG. 13A indicated by arrows B and C, respectively; and

fig. 14A, 14B and 14C show a heat absorption module, wherein fig. 14A is a sectional view taken through the same plane VIII-VIII in fig. 11, and fig. 14B and 14C are perspective views of two main elements of the module.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to liquid temperature control systems. Although the embodiments described below refer to liquid cooling systems, the principles described may apply equally (mutatis mutandis) to heating.

The principles and operation of a temperature control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details set forth in the following description of the particular embodiment. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary cooling apparatus 200 for installation in a dispenser, such as "on demand chilled water". The apparatus 200 includes a liquid management component, generally indicated at 220, a temperature control system 400 associated with the heat sink arrangement 240.

Fig. 2 depicts the fluid management component 220 in greater detail. Specifically, peltier thermoelectric cooling element 250 is visibly mounted in direct thermal communication with the upper three of the six flat tubes 300 and 302. Corresponding elements are also mounted in direct thermal communication with the lower three of the six flat tubes. In the exemplary embodiment shown, configured for cooling, electrical leads 252 are connected to a power source (not shown) in order to bring the cold side of the peltier element 250 into contact with the tubes 300 and/or 302. The hot side of the peltier device 250 faces upward in this figure. The exemplary liquid management components shown also include a reservoir 222, a reservoir inlet 224, and a pump 228. During use, pump 228 circulates water through tubes 230 and 232 so that there is heat exchange between accumulator 222 and temperature control system 400. Quench water may be drawn from reservoir 222 via outlet 226.

Referring again to fig. 1, peltier thermoelectric cooling element 250 (fig. 2B) and an opposing peltier thermoelectric cooling element (not shown) define a cooling zone 252 therebetween, the cooling zone 252 housing the flattened tubes 230 and 232. Element 250 and its opposing elements are mounted in direct thermal communication with flat tubes 300 and 302 and serve to cool the fluid flowing through these tubes. The thermoelectric cooling elements are in thermal communication with the heat sink module 610 and its corresponding portion (not shown) associated with the opposing thermoelectric element. The module 610 is cooled by a supply of coolant fluid. Coolant fluid flows from reservoir 242 to the interior cavity of module 610 via tube 243 and out to the heat dissipation unit (depicted as fan 260) through tubes 246 and 345 and back to reservoir 242 for recirculation. The cooling fluid pump 248 may be installed at any position in the recirculation path.

In other exemplary embodiments of the invention, the module 610 is cooled by a flow of unrecovered cooling fluid.

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of an exemplary conduit system 402, the conduit system 402 defining a liquid flow path between an inlet 416 and an outlet 418. The conduit system 402 includes a plurality of flattened tube segments (six in this exemplary embodiment) 300 and 302. In the depicted embodiment, the tubes 302 are connected in series such that the lumen of the tubes 302 forms a continuous flow path.

The exemplary connector element 410 includes a fluid inlet 416 and a fluid outlet 418. The connector element 410, which is comprised of the inner connector element 412 and the outer connector element 414, is one exemplary way to provide flow communication between the lumens of the tube 300/302. Each of the ports is in flow communication with the lumen of one of the tubes. The connector element 410 is provided at the other end of the pipe section, having an inner connector element 422 and an outer connector element 424. The flow path through tube 300/302 is a continuous serpentine path through the six illustrated tubes 300 and 302 and caps 410 and 420 from inlet 416 to outlet 418. Flow communication between the inlet 416, outlet 418 and one tube segment and between the tube segments is provided by appropriate channel arrangements within the connector elements 410 and 420.

In certain exemplary embodiments of the invention, flattened tube segments 300, 302 have an interior cavity characterized by an aspect ratio of width to height (W: H) of at least 2: 1. Optionally, increasing W provides a larger surface for contacting peltier cell 250. Although fig. 4 depicts tubes 300 and 302 having a substantially rectangular cross-section, fig. 4A, 4B, and 5A and 5B illustrate larger W: H ratios that may be obtained using other cross-sectional shapes.

The continuous flow path through the lumen of the tube provided by the arrangement of channels in the connector element may be configured differently according to different exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 6A, 6B, and 6C depict schematic cross-sectional views of three exemplary flow paths through an arrangement of six tubes. These three exemplary flow paths are clearly depicted by arrows.

Other embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to fig. 7 to 14C.

The liquid cooling system 500 includes a temperature control module 502 and a liquid inlet 504 and a liquid outlet 506 flanked by two heat absorption modules 510 and 512, all held together by screws 514. As can be seen from fig. 8 and 9, disposed between each of the modules 510 and 512 and the module 502 are two sets of cooling elements 520 and 522, each set of cooling elements in this exemplary embodiment comprising two peltier elements 524, the two peltier elements 524 being connected to a power supply module (not shown) by associated electrical leads 526. It should be noted that a set of two peltier elements is merely an example, and a set of cooling elements may comprise one or any number of a plurality of peltier elements. In this particular example, all the peltier elements are identical, it being understood that in some embodiments the peltier elements may differ from each other in their shape, size and cooling capacity.

The two sets of cooling elements define a cooling zone 530 therebetween, said cooling zone 530 accommodating a heat exchange chamber 532. The liquid inlet 504 and outlet 506 are in flow communication with the interior of the chamber 532.

The chamber 532 is defined between first and second thermally conductive walls 534 and 536 and side walls 538 and 540, the side walls 538 and 540 being integral parts of a channel forming block 550, shown in fig. 13A through 13C and described further below.

The channel forming block 550 and the two heat conducting walls 534, 536 are held together by two frame elements 552 and 554, said two frame elements 552 and 554 being seen in an exploded view in fig. 11 and snap-fitted together by cooperating fastening means generally indicated by 560. The channel forming block 550 has two circumferential grooves 562 and 564, one on each side, which two circumferential grooves 562 and 564 accommodate O-rings 566, 568. As best seen in fig. 12, a fluid-tight engagement is obtained between the walls 534, 536 and the block 550, thereby defining a confined fluid-tight chamber within the block 550.

As can be seen in fig. 13A, 13B and 13C, the block 550 is patterned on both of its inner surfaces 570 and 572. Once fitted between the thermally conductive walls 534, 536, the patterned surface defines a three-dimensional curvilinear flow path, which will be further described below.

The block 550 has a main divider panel 574 that substantially divides the chamber into two compartments at opposite sides of the panel 574 between the panel and the thermally conductive walls 534, 536. Extending from the main partition panel 574 toward the respective walls 534, 536 are two rows of secondary panels 576 and 578, the secondary panels 576 extending from the side wall 538 toward the opposite side wall with a gap left; and the auxiliary panel 578 extends completely between the sidewalls. These secondary panels are patterned on the inner surface of the block 550 to define U-shaped channel segments 580, the U-shaped channel segments 580 each having two ends 582, the ends 582 each having an opening 584, the openings 584 providing flow communication between the ends of the U-shaped channel segments in both faces of the block.

The three-dimensional serpentine flow path thus formed is clearly shown by the arrows in fig. 13A to 13C. Thus, it can be seen that the flow paths of successive U-shaped channel segments alternate between these segments in both compartments.

The inlet 504 and outlet 506 are in fluid communication with two respective end channel segments 586 and 588 that open linearly (rather than U-shaped) into the opening 584 between the inlet and outlet.

Referring now to fig. 14A-14C, fig. 14A-14C illustrate a heat absorption module 510 (identical to module 512) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The module includes a block 590, the block 590 defining a coolant fluid inlet 592 and a coolant fluid outlet 594, the coolant fluid outlet 594 being in fluid communication with an internal cavity 596, the internal cavity 596 being defined by a recess 598 in the block 590 and the face plate 600 of the metal block 602. The block 590 has a groove 604 along the circumference of the groove 598, the groove 604 receiving an O-ring 606, the O-ring 606 cooperating with the face plate 600 to seal the inner cavity 596 in a fluid-tight manner. The metal block 602, typically made of copper, includes a plurality of spikes 610 that provide a larger heat exchange surface for coolant liquid flowing through the internal cavity 596 as indicated by the block arrows in fig. 14A.

As can be seen in fig. 8, when assembled, the panel 600 abuts against the outer surface of the peltier elements 520, thereby transferring the generated heat to the pegs, which heat is in turn removed by the coolant fluid flowing into a refrigeration unit of the type shown, for example, in fig. 1.

Claims (22)

1. A temperature control system for regulating the temperature of a liquid as it flows through the system, the temperature control system comprising:

a first set of one or more temperature control elements and a second set of one or more temperature control elements disposed opposite the first set, a temperature control zone being defined between the first set of one or more temperature control elements and the second set of one or more temperature control elements;

a conduit system defining a single flow path through the temperature control zone leading from a liquid inflow to a liquid outflow, the liquid flow path being a three-dimensionally curvilinear flow path defined by interconnected and alternating first and second segments, one or more of the first segments being proximate to and in thermally conductive association with the first set of one or more temperature control elements, and one or more of the second segments being proximate to and in thermally conductive association with the second set of one or more temperature control elements.

2. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein the conduit system defines two or more flow paths linking the inflow and outflow.

3. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein the flow path has a serpentine geometry.

4. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein the temperature control element is a thermoelectric cooling element.

5. The temperature control system of claim 4, wherein the thermoelectric cooling element is a planar peltier element having opposing cold and hot faces, the cold face of the planar peltier element lining the temperature control zone.

6. The temperature control system of any of claims 1-5, comprising: a heat exchange chamber defined between first and second thermally conductive walls and a side wall, the first thermally conductive wall arranged in thermally conductive association with the first set of one or more temperature control elements, the second thermally conductive wall arranged in thermally conductive association with the second set of one or more temperature control elements; a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet; an arrangement of channels formed within a chamber defining one or more continuous flow paths leading from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet, a first set of one or more of the channels being adjacent to and in heat-conducting association with the first heat-conducting wall and a second set of one or more of the channels being adjacent to and in heat-conducting association with the second heat-conducting wall.

7. The temperature control system of claim 6, wherein the channel is formed by dividing a panel disposed within the chamber.

8. The temperature control system of claim 6, wherein at least some of the channels of the first set alternate with the channels of the second set along the flow path.

9. The temperature control system of claim 6, wherein the thermally conductive walls are substantially parallel to each other.

10. The temperature control system of claim 6, wherein the heat exchange chamber comprises a main partition panel disposed between and extending substantially parallel to a first thermally conductive wall and a second thermally conductive wall, thereby dividing the heat exchange chamber into a first compartment adjacent the first thermally conductive wall and a second compartment adjacent the second thermally conductive wall; each of the compartments being separated by a secondary panel extending from the primary separation panel to the first and second thermally conductive walls and defining a substantially U-shaped channel segment having two ends; an opening is formed in the main partition panel to link an end of the U-shaped channel segment in the first compartment with an end of the U-shaped channel segment in the second compartment, thereby forming a flow path from the liquid inlet to the U-shaped channel segment of the liquid outlet.

11. The temperature control system of claim 10, wherein the main divider panel, the auxiliary divider panel, and the side walls are made from a single block of material.

12. The temperature control system of any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising first and second sets of tubular conduit segments made of a thermally conductive material, each of the first and second sets of tubular conduit segments having a rectangular cross-section and extending through the temperature control zone, the first set of tubular conduit segments being proximate to and in thermally conductive association with the first set of one or more temperature control elements and the second set of tubular conduit segments being proximate to and in thermally conductive association with the second set of one or more temperature control elements.

13. The temperature control system of claim 12, wherein the conduit section is made of metal.

14. The temperature control system of claim 12, wherein the flow path comprises alternating segments of the first and second sets.

15. The temperature control system of claim 14, wherein ends of the tubular segments fit into connector elements defining flow paths within the connector elements linking the tubular segments.

16. The temperature control system of claim 6, wherein the temperature control element is a thermoelectric element.

17. The temperature control system of claim 16, wherein the temperature control element is a peltier element.

18. The temperature control system of claim 16, wherein the thermoelectric element is associated with a heat sink device for transferring and dissipating heat generated by the thermoelectric element.

19. The temperature control system of claim 18, wherein the heat sink device comprises a closed loop heat transfer conduit system containing a coolant fluid, the heat transfer conduit system fitted between a heat absorption module and a heat dissipation module, the heat absorption module being in heat transfer association with one or more thermoelectric elements.

20. A device for dispensing a temperature controlled liquid, the device comprising a temperature control system according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the liquid is a beverage.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the liquid is potable water.