Modular electronic carbonator fluid level control mechanism

A carbonator tank assembly comprising:

• a carbonator tank including walls defining a carbonator tank interior and a mounting plate;
• a probe assembly configured for removable, gaseous and fluid-tight coupling using elastomeric members to the mounting plate of the carbonator tank, the probe assembly without float elements, but including a multiplicity of elongated probes, each having a near end and a removed end, each having a different length, and a base, the multiplicity of probes fixedly and fluid sealingly engaging the base such that most of the probes length extends into the interior of the carbonator tank to different points when the probe assembly is engaged with the carbonator tank and the near ends project through the base;
• an electronics module adapted to receive electricity from a remote source through an electrical cable, the electronics module having an interior, the electrical cable engaging the walls in fluid sealing relation;
• an electronics assembly configured to fit within the interior of the electronics module for receiving electrical energy from the cable and generating signals responsive to an immersed/exposed condition of the removed ends of the probes;
• multiple electrodes for engaging the walls of the electronics module in fluid sealing relation and for engaging the electronics assembly, the multiple electrodes having removed ends adapted to form electrical engagement with the multiple near ends of the probes when the electronics module engages the probe assembly;
• wherein the electronics module and probe assembly include coupling members to electronically and removably couple the probe assembly to the electronics module, without affecting the gaseous and fluid tight coupling of the probe assembly with the tank;
• wherein the coupling members of the probe assembly and the electronics module include walls adapted to receive fasteners for removably fastening the probe assembly to the electronics module while leaving the probe assembly in removable, gaseous and fluid tight couple with the carbonator tank;
• wherein the electronics module includes a housing and a base, the housing removably coupled to the base in fluid sealing relation with fasteners;
• wherein the base and housing of the electronics module include walls to removably attach the base to the housing with fasteners and walls to removably attach the electronics module to the base of the probe assembly;
• and
• wherein the base and housing of the electronics module are configured to receive sealing members to fluidly seal the surfaces therebetween and to fluidly seal the electronical cable where it enters the electronics module.

A beverage dispensing apparatus comprising:

• a water source;
• a pump engaging the water source;
• a source of high pressure CO2 gas;
• a dispensing head;
• a source of beverage concentrate;
• a carbonator tank assembly comprising:
• a carbonator tank including walls defining a carbonator tank interior and a mounting plate;
• a probe assembly configured for removable, gaseous and fluid-tight coupling using elastomeric members to the mounting plate of the carbonator tank, the probe assembly without float elements, but including a multiplicity of elongated probes, each having a near end and a removed end, each having a different length, and a base, the multiplicity of probes fixedly and fluid sealingly engaging the base such that most of the probes length extends into the interior of the carbonator tank to different points when the probe assembly is engaged with the carbonator tank and the near ends project through the base;
• an electronics module adapted to receive electricity from a remote source through an electrical cable, the electronics module having an interior, the electrical cable engaging the walls in fluid sealing relation;
• an electronics assembly configured to fit within the interior of the electronics module for receiving electrical energy from the cable and generating signals responsive to an immersed/exposed condition of the removed ends of the probes;
• multiple electrodes for engaging the walls of the electronics module in fluid sealing relation and for engaging the electronics assembly, the multiple electrodes having removed ends adapted to form electrical engagement with the multiple near ends of the probes when the electronics module engages the probe assembly;
• wherein the electronics module and probe assembly include coupling members to electronically and removably couple the probe assembly to the electronics module, without affecting the gaseous and fluid tight coupling of the probe assembly with the tank;
• wherein the pump provides water to the carbonator tank responsive to signals from the electronics assembly;
• and
• wherein the source of high pressure CO2 gas maintain pressure in the carbonator tank and wherein an outline from the carbonator tank to the dispensing head and lines from the beverage concentrate allows a carbonate of beverage to be dispensed therefrom.