US 4,070,133 AGranted

Pump compressor unit for use with pumping draft beer

OwnerHomer McCormickinventor

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Abstract

An air supply unit provides high pressure moisture-free air in the dispensing of beverages. Components are housed in a portable cabinet and include a compressor and an automatic air pressure switch to switch on the compressor and begin air flow when system pressure falls below a pre-set level. A check valve is located in the high pressure line adjacent the compressor to maintain line pressure when the compressor is off. A small air bleed opening is located between the check valve and the compressor to allow compressed air to move through the air line yet bleed residual pressurized air to prevent stalling of the compressor which could occur if high pressure air was present in the compressor when it is restarted. The high pressure air discharge line includes a dump-check valve to permit high pressure air to be manually bled from the system before the air lines are disconnected and to prevent back flow of fluid into the air supply unit.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A portable, compact air supply unit for providing a controlled amount of pressurized air in the dispensing of beverages or fluids, and including:

a container adapted to be portably transported;
and having disposed therein the following:
a compressor;
air distribution line means connected to said compressor means for feeding pressurized air to at least one outlet means located on said container;
a check valve located in a first portion of the distribution line means and having means for allowing air flow in one direction and preventing air flow in the opposite direction through the check valve;
air bleed means including an opening upstream of the check valve for releasing residual pressure from the first portion of the air distribution line means;
pressure switch means located in a second portion of the distribution line means and including means electrically coupled with the compressor to cycle the compressor on and off in response to air pressure in the air distribution line means;
and
filter means located in a third portion of the air distribution line means and having means for removing moisture from the pressurized air.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.