Abstract: A valve trim for a pressure reduction valve containing a plurality of high hydraulic flow resistance flowpaths therethrough. Each flowpath comprises at least two inlets (208, 209) and at least one impingement zone (210) having two zone inlets (211, 212) and two zone outlets (213, 214). The zone inlets (211, 212) communicate with the inlets (208, 209) and are arranged substantially 180 degrees to one another. The two zone outlets (213, 214) are arranged substantially perpendicular to the zone inlets (211, 212) such that flow entering the two zone inlets (211, 212) mutually impinges on itself creating an area of high energy loss, and thereafter separates and exits through the zone outlets (213, 214).

Abstract: A valve having a trim comprising a plurality of a vortex flowpaths, each flowpath comprising a central vortex chamber and having three tangential inlet passages is provided. As the fluid flows through the inlet passages and enters the vortex chamber the flows start to turn and impinge upon one another, i.e., the flow entering via inlet passage will impinge upon the flow entering via inlet, the flow entering inlet will impinge on the flow entering inlet and the flow entering inlet will impinge on the flow entering inlet. As the flow entering vortex chamber impinges on another fluid flow as opposed to a wall of the flowpath the vortex can be used to create a flowpath with reduced erosion. The flow from the inlets combine in a radial flow within the vortex chamber and exit via the outlet which is substantially axial to the vortex chamber.

Abstract: A valve having a trim comprising a plurality of impingement flowpaths, each flowpath comprising a central impingement chamber and having three radially directed inlet passages is provided. As the fluid floes through the inlet passages and enters the impingement chamber the flow starts to turn and impinge upon one another at a substantially central point within the impingement chamber and exit together via the outlet which is substantially axial to the impingement chamber. As the flows entering the impingement chamber impinge on one another as opposed to a wall of the flowpath, the impingement can be used to create a flowpath with reduced erosion.

Abstract: A dispense tap for a frozen beverage machine has a transition section defining a tapered bore with an inlet for frozen beverage from a freeze barrel of the machine and an outlet for frozen beverage controlled by a valve operable by a handle. The handle is rotatable to allow frozen beverage to flow from the transition section through a dispense cavity in the valve for exiting the tap. The outlet has a cross-section greater than the cross-section of the inlet which prevents ice conglomerating and forming a plug in the bore of the transition section.

Abstract: A valve having a trim comprising a plurality of a vortex flowpaths, each flowpath comprising a central vortex chamber and having three tangential inlet passages is provided. As the fluid flows through the inlet passages and enters the vortex chamber the flows start to turn and impinge upon one another, i.e., the flow entering via inlet passage will impinge upon the flow entering via inlet, the flow entering inlet will impinge on the flow entering inlet and the flow entering inlet will impinge on the flow entering inlet. As the flow entering vortex chamber impinges on another fluid flow as opposed to a wall of the flowpath the vortex can be used to create a flowpath with reduced erosion. The flow from the inlets combine in a radial flow within the vortex chamber and exit via the outlet which is substantially axial to the vortex chamber.

Abstract: A valve having a trim comprising a plurality of impingement flowpaths, each flowpath comprising a central impingement chamber and having three radially directed inlet passages is provided. As the fluid floes through the inlet passages and enters the impingement chamber the flow starts to turn and impinge upon one another at a substantially central point within the impingement chamber and exit together via the outlet which is substantially axial to the impingement chamber. As the flows entering the impingement chamber impinge on one another as opposed to a wall of the flowpath, the impingement can be used to create a flowpath with reduced erosion.

Abstract: A valve trim for a pressure reduction valve containing a plurality of high hydraulic flow resistance flowpaths therethrough. Each flowpath comprises at least two inlets (208, 209) and at least one impingement zone (210) having two zone inlets (211, 212) and two zone outlets (213, 214). The zone inlets (211, 212) communicate with the inlets (208, 209) and are arranged substantially 180 degrees to one another. The two zone outlets (213, 214) are arranged substantially perpendicular to the zone inlets (211, 212) such that flow entering the two zone inlets (211, 212) mutually impinges on itself creating an area of high energy loss, and thereafter separates and exits through the zone outlets (213, 214).

Abstract: A dispense tap for a frozen beverage machine has a transition section defining a tapered bore with an inlet for frozen beverage from a freeze barrel of the machine and an outlet for frozen beverage controlled by a valve operable by a handle. The handle is rotatable to allow frozen beverage to flow from the transition section through a dispense cavity in the valve for exiting the tap. The outlet has a cross-section greater than the cross-section of the inlet which prevents ice conglomerating and forming a plug in the bore of the transition section.

Abstract: A valve 100 comprising a magnetic circuit comprising a first member 101 and a pivotably mounted armature 102 the armature being movable between a position in which the valve seal 104 engages the valve seat 105 of valve port 103 to block the valve port 103, and a position away from the first member 101. A coil 106 surrounds the armature 102 which, when supplied with an electric current, creates a magnetic field in the armature 102 attracting the free end to the first member 101. Dampening pads 110 are provided on the armature 102. Each dampener pad 110 comprises a layer of viscoelastic material covered by a protective layer of polyetheretherketone (PEEK). During use, as there is wear between the armature 102 and the first member 101, and/or non magnetic section 107, the dampening pad 110 is compressed on impact by an increasing degree, thus the more worn the valve becomes, the more the dampening and thus the greater the protection against further wear.

Abstract: An electronic control for the operation of a beverage dispenser of the refrigerated ice bank type is shown. The control provides for reliable determinations of when ice production is needed and when it is not needed. A microprocessor receives information from an ice bank probe and from a temperature probe located within the ice bank. Data collected by the microprocessor from both the ice bank probe and the temperature probe is used to determine if the ice bank is either insufficient in size and should be increased or is of sufficient size such that the compressor can be turned off. A carbonator level probe is also shown and connected to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed whereby the carbonator probes are sampled in a manner to accurately determine the level of water in the carbonator and therefore the need for turning on or turning off any water pump connected thereto.

Abstract: An electronic control for the operation of a beverage dispenser of the refrigerated ice bank type is shown. The control provides for reliable determinations of when ice production is needed and when it is not needed. A microprocessor receives information from an ice bank probe and from a temperature probe located within the ice bank. Data collected by the microprocessor from both the ice bank probe and the temperature probe is used to determine if the ice bank is either insufficient in size and should be increased or is of sufficient size such that the compressor can be turned off. A carbonator level probe is also shown and connected to the microprocessor.

Abstract: An electronic control for the operation of a beverage dispenser of the refrigerated ice bank type is shown. The control provides for reliable determinations of when ice production is needed and when it is not needed. A microprocessor receives information from an ice bank probe and from a temperature probe located within the ice bank. Data collected by the microprocessor from both the ice bank probe and the temperature probe is used to determine if the ice bank is either insufficient in size and should be increased or is of sufficient size such that the compressor can be turned off. A carbonator level probe is also shown and connected to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed whereby the carbonator probes are sampled in a manner to accurately determine the level of water in the carbonator and therefore the need for turning on or turning off any water pump connected thereto.

Abstract: An electronic control for the operation of a beverage dispenser of the refrigerated ice bank type is shown. The control provides for reliable determinations of when ice production is needed and when it is not needed. A microprocessor receives information from an ice bank probe and from a temperature probe located within the ice bank. Data collected by the microprocessor from both the ice bank probe and the temperature probe is used to determine if the ice bank is either insufficient in size and should be increased or is of sufficient size such that the compressor can be turned off. A carbonator level probe is also shown and connected to the microprocessor.

Abstract: An electronic control for the operation of a beverage dispenser of the refrigerated ice bank type is shown. The control provides for reliable determinations of when ice production is needed and when it is not needed. A microprocessor receives information from an ice bank probe and from a temperature probe located within the ice bank. Data collected by the microprocessor from both the ice bank probe and the temperature probe is used to determine if the ice bank is either insufficient in size and should be increased or is of sufficient size such that the compressor can be turned off. A carbonator level probe is also shown and connected to the microprocessor.

Abstract: A water system for a beverage dispenser connected to a conventional water source. The water system includes a water tank with a volume of water and a volume of air. The water tank is connected to the conventional water source. A pump is connected to water tank so as to provide the water to the beverage dispenser.

Abstract: A mounting block for use with a beverage dispenser system having a pump and a pump accessory. The mounting block includes a frame and a manifold. The manifold includes a number of ports and a line connecting the ports, such that the pump and the pump accessory can plug into the ports for fluid flow therebetween via the line.

Abstract: An automated system for preparing and delivering postmix beverages in response to one or more drink orders being entered from a remote point of sale unit or a local keypad and including: a postmix beverage preparation assembly for dispensing ice and a selected postmix beverage into a cup; an oblong carousel type conveyor assembly including a plurality of upwardly open cup holders which are driven by a motor driven belt so as to pass beneath a cup dispensing station, an ice dispensing station, a beverage dispensing station, and a plurality of pick-up stations; a cup storage and dispenser assembly including a bi-directionally rotatable turret upon which is mounted a plurality of different sized cup supply tubes for holding a respective stack of beverage cups; and a pneumatic vertically driven cup gripper/extractor mechanism having a pair of pneumatically operated gripper arms which operate to remove a cup from a selected supply tube on the turret and placing the extracted cup into an empty cup holder which is t

Abstract: An automated system for preparing and delivering postmix beverages in response to one or more drink orders being entered from a remote point of sale unit or a local keypad and including: a postmix beverage preparation assembly for dispensing ice and a selected postmix beverage into a cup; an oblong carousel type conveyor assembly including a plurality of upwardly open cup holders which are driven by a motor driven belt so as to pass beneath a cup dispensing station, an ice dispensing station, a beverage dispensing station, and a plurality of pick-up stations; a cup storage and dispenser assembly including a bidirectionally rotatable turret upon which is mounted a plurality of different sized cup supply tubes for holding a respective stack of beverage cups; and a pneumatic vertically driven cup gripper/extractor mechanism having a pair of pneumatically operated gripper arms which operate to remove a cup from a selected supply tube on the turret and placing the extracted cup into an empty cup holder which is th

Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes an outer housing having a water bath tank therein and a refrigeration retaining component area therein positioned directly adjacent and next to the water bath tank. A refrigeration chassis provides for retention and carrying of a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser and powered cooling fan and an evaporator. The chassis and refrigeration components form a U-shape wherein one "leg" thereof consists of a rectangular sheet metal frame for retaining the compressor and condenser and the other leg consists of the evaporator. The bridge or end portion of the U-shape consists of a horizontal top plate portion of the chassis and the fluid connection between the evaporator and the condenser. The evaporator is suspended from the horizontal top plate. The U-shape of the chassis and refrigeration components facilitates a method of manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a tubing end fitting and a method of forming thereof wherein the fitting is formed out of the tubing itself. In a first step, the tubing end is compressed in a linear direction and shortened forming a first annular ridge extending around the tubing spaced from the end of the tube by a small tube portion. At the same time, the small tube portion diameter is reduced slightly. The small tube end portion is again compressed slightly in a linear direction initiating the formation of a second annular ridge spaced from the first annular ridge, while at the same time again slightly reducing the diameter of the remaining tubing end portion. In a third step the tubing end is again compressed in a linear direction completing the formation of the second annular ridge. In a fourth step the remaining tube end portion is flared outwardly forming an o-ring receiving groove between the second annular ridge and the tube end.