Improvements in or relating to Beverage Dispensing Apparatus

17,752. Jones, A. D. July 30. Single-acting multiple-suction beer pumps ; actuating by hydraulic motors.-An air-pressure beverage-dispensing apparatus is provided with means for returning the beer from the cooling-coils to the casks, means for automatically maintaining sufficient pressure to force the beverage to the taps, and means for cleaning the coils and taps. The beer or other beverage is forced by compressed air, led from the reservoir 5, from the casks 1 through pipes 2 and a multiple-way cock 10 to the cooling-coils 4 and dispensing-taps 3. The pump 21, 22, Fig. 4, for compressing the air and for forcing liquid is arranged within the plug of the valve 10 and is operated by a water motor 119 having a reversing-gear, the supply of liquid to which is regulated by a valve 98, Fig. 13, automatically controlled through electro-magnets 86, 87 arranged in electric circuits made and broken through the medium of a pressure gauge 82. The stem of the valve 98 is connected to the armature 89 and a locking-piece for engaging the stem to the armature 88. Fig. 4 shows the pump and multi-way valve consisting of a casing 11, into which the feed and the delivery pipes are screwed, and a rotary tapered plug 14, suitably ported to register in certain positions with certain ports in the casing, and having a pump cylinder and piston. In certain positions of the plug, the beverage from one of the delivery pipes is pumped through the branch pipes and forced back to the cask ; in another position, water or cleansing-liquid is pumped into the coils ; or air is pumped to the chamber 5. The rotation of the plug is effected by a worm-sector 17, a worm 19, and a hand-wheel 71, an indicating-dial 78 worked by a screw and a rack and pinion being provided.