Table top refrigerated beverage dispenser

Abstract

A self-contained beverage chilling apparatus including a refrigerant cooling system comprising a refrigerant reservoir in a fluid communication with a cold plate, a refrigerator accumulator, a compressor and a refrigerant condenser mounted within a housing unit. The housing unit further included beverage inlet means in fluid communication with the cooling system cold plate, and beverage dispenser means in fluid communication with the cold plate wherein the beverage to be dispensed is chilled to a desired temperature as it passes through the cold plate to the beverage dispensing means.

1. A beverage dispensing cooling system for dispensing chilled beverages comprising:
 a refrigerant condenser;   a cold plate;   a heat exchanger;   an accumulator;   a compressor; and   a bypass valve positioned within a bypass line positioned between the heat exchanger and the cold plate, wherein said cooling system is filled with a critical charge of refrigerant and further wherein said cooling system operates continuously with the refrigerant circulating through the system and wherein said bypass valve is set to a predetermined back pressure and upon aid pressure being reached said bypass valve opens and diverts the flow of refrigerant from the cold plate to the condenser.   
     
     
       2. The beverage dispensing cooling system of  claim 1  further including a pressure regulator to control the pressure of the refrigerant as it exits the cold plate. 
     
     
       3. The beverage dispensing cooling system of  claim 2  further including means for controlling said pressure regulator and said bypass valve. 
     
     
       4. A beverage dispensing cooling system for dispensing chilled beverages comprising:
 a refrigerant condenser;   a beverage cooling unit;   an accumulator;   a compressor;   a receiver tank;   a pressure switch;   an evaporator valve in fluid communication with the accumulator and the beverage cooling unit; and   a line valve in fluid communication with the refrigerant condenser and the receiver tank;   wherein the pressure switch monitors pressure of refrigerant between the beverage cooling unit and the accumulator, and the pressure switch causes the evaporator valve and the line valve to open and close in response to the monitored pressure, to control circulation of refrigerant within the cooling system.   
     
     
       5. A beverage dispensing cooling system as defined in claim 4, wherein the system further comprises a time delay relay in communication with the evaporator valve and the line valve. 
     
     
       6. A beverage dispensing cooling system as defined in claim 4, wherein the system further comprises a defrost valve in between the compressor and the beverage cooling unit. 
     
     
       7. A beverage dispensing cooling system as defined in claim 6, wherein the system comprises a defrost switch which, when deployed, causes the defrost valve to open. 
     
     
       8. A beverage dispensing cooling system as defined in claim 7, wherein the defrost switch is a manually-operable switch. 
     
     
       9. A beverage dispensing cooling system as defined in claim 4, wherein the system further comprises a thermal expansion valve in between the receiver tank and the beverage cooling unit. 
     
     
       10. A beverage dispensing cooling system as defined in claim 4, wherein the system further comprises a compressor pressure switch in communication with the compressor, the compressor pressure switch causing the compressor to turn on and off as pressure of refrigerant flowing into the compressor falls and rises. 
     
     
       11. A beverage dispensing cooling system as defined in claim 4, wherein the cooling system is contained within a housing. 
     
     
       12. A beverage dispensing cooling system as defined in claim 4, wherein when the evaporator valve and the line valve close, gaseous refrigerant is pumped from the accumulator into the compressor until the compressor pressure switch shuts off the compressor.