Liquid level control system and carbonator

In a liquid supply system of the type including a liquid supply source, a reservoir dispensing means and recirculation means defining a closed loop flow path including a liquid pump, said reservoir and said dispensing means for continuously circulating a liquid to said dispensing means and further including liquid level sensing means and valve means for introducing liquid from said supply source into said reservoir when the liquid level therein recedes below a predetermined level, the improvement comprising:

• conduit means included in said recirculation flow path and extending from said reservoir for a predetermined long distance to said dispensing means and returning to the inlet side of said valve means;
• and bypass means including a flow conduit of a substantially shorter length than said conduit means coupled between a portion of said conduit means adjacent said reservoir and the inlet side of said valve means for providing an adequate supply of liquid to said liquid pump to preclude pump cavitation and for providing an ancillary flow path to said dispensing means by flow through said flow conduit and said conduit means.

In a beverage dispensing system of the type including a liquid supply source, a liquid chilling tank, beverage dispensing means and recirculation means defining a closed loop flow path including a liquid pump, said chilling tank and said dispensing means for continually circulating a chilled liquid to said dispensing means, the combination comprising:

• refrigeration means including a refrigeration coil helically wound about said chill tank;
• conduit means coupled in the return flow portion of said recirculation flow path between said dispenser means and said chill tank and comprising a helical coil centrally supported within said helical refrigeration coil for rapidly recooling the circulating liquid prior to reintroduction into said chill tank;
• and tempering tank means surrounding said chill tank and defining therewith an annular liquid reservoir for precooling liquid by contact with said helical refrigeration coil, said tempering tank means having an inlet coupled to said supply source and an outlet coupled to said conduit means for passing said precooled liquid through said helical coil to effect a rapid, additional cooling of said precooled liquid prior to introduction of said liquid into said chill tank.