Fluid handling – Systems – Programmer or timer
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-16
2001-03-27
Lee, Kevin (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
Programmer or timer
C137S624130, C137S624150, C137S271000, C251S129120, C210S190000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206042
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to water treatment systems, and more particularly to the control assemblies used to regulate the operation of such systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Water treatment systems conventionally include tanks that are used to hold media through which water is directed for treatment. A common water treatment method involves the use of a resin material such as polystyrene divinyl benzene to form small beads which act as a replenishable ion exchange medium. For example, the beads, or media, may be used to exchange sodium ions for calcium and magnesium ions and, after the sodium ions attached to the media have been depleted (being replaced by calcium or magnesium ions), a brinish solution containing sodium is used to exchange the calcium and magesium ions on the media for sodium ions. The media may, alternatively, be utilized in a different ion exchange process and be replenished with an appropriate ionic solution.
Typically, the media is held in a water treatment tank and untreated water is introduced into the tank near its upper end. A center tube is vertically disposed in the tank and withdraws water from near the bottom of the tank. Thus, the untreated water passes through the media held in the tank, ensuring contact between the media and the water and, therefore, treatment of the water.
After the media has been depleted a regeneration cycle is required and typically includes a cleansing backwash cycle prior to the introduction of an ionic solution into the tank to replenish the media. During the normal operations of the tank, the media bed can become compacted as the media beads settle towards the bottom of the tank. It is also possible that bridging can occur in the media bed; this is an undesirable process by which the untreated water entering the tank creates small channels in the media bed leading to the center tube inlet. During the backwash cycle a fluid, such as untreated water, is introduced into the tank through the center tube and then flows upward through the media bed, lifting the media bed counteracting the settling and bridging which has occurred and removing any debris that may have accumulated in the bed.
After the backwash cycle is complete, the brinish solution is introduced into the tank to recharge the media. The brine tank is typically refilled with water after the brining phase of the regeneration cycle is completed. A rinsing cycle which resettles the media within the tank and flushes the brinish solution from the tank is also often used near the completion of the regeneration cycle.
A control valve assembly is typically located on the top of the tank holding the media and is used to regulate the flow of fluid through the tank. These assemblies may include a motorized timer and mechanical gears or a circuit board to regulate the opening and closing of the appropriate valves.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,616,820 (Fleckenstein) discloses a valve body having inlet, outlet, drain, tank connecting and brining passages therein. A slidable piston is disposed in the valve body and is movable to various positions within the valve body to connect the passages for normal service such as backwashing, regeneration, and brine tank filling. The piston is driven by a drive motor, and a crank is operable by the motor for shifting the piston through the various positions. The drive motor, timing motor and switch are mounted in a housing which is attached to the valve body. The disadvantage of such an arrangement is that the various components are difficult to access and service.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a modular water treatment control apparatus which is well-adapted for residential use. The control apparatus has a modular design which provides for the efficient manufacture and repair of the unit. The control apparatus also includes a housing which provides convenient access to the various parts and modules which form the control apparatus.
The present invention comprises, in one form thereof, a modular control apparatus for use in a water treatment system. The apparatus comprises a housing member having a valve body attached thereto. The valve body is adapted for installation on and fluid communication with a water treatment tank. The valve body defines a central opening, and a valve cartridge is disposed in the central opening. The valve cartridge includes a movable valve member therein. A drive mechanism is operatively connected to the movable valve member, and a drive motor module is mounted in the housing. The drive motor module drives the drive mechanism. A first timer module is mounted in the housing member and is removable from the housing member as a unit. The first timer module selectively provides electrical power to the drive motor at a first predetermined interval and thereby initiates a regeneration cycle.
In a preferred form thereof, the invention further comprises a second timer module which is interchangeable with the first timer module. The second timer module selectively provides the electrical power at a second predetermined interval and thereby initiates the regeneration cycle. The second predetermined interval is different in duration from the first predetermined interval. Thus, interchanging the first and second timer modules changes the frequency at which regeneration of the water treatment tank occurs.
The timer module is pre-set to actuate the drive motor, and hence actuate a regeneration cycle, at a predetermined interval, e.g., once every one, two or three days. The timer module is not adjustable, and the appropriate interval between regeneration cycles is chosen when the unit is first installed by selecting that timer module which corresponds to the desired interval. If it is later desired to the change the interval, the timer module is removed and a new module having the desired interval is installed.
In another preferred form, the apparatus further comprises a brine valve module attached to the valve body. The brine valve module is adapted to provide selective fluid communication between the valve body and a brine tank. Conveniently, the brine valve module is removable from the valve body as a unit. Additionally, the brine valve module further includes a sealing module. The sealing module is operatively connected to the drive mechanism to provide selective sealing of a brine tank line. Conveniently, the sealing module is also removable from the brine valve module as a unit.
In yet another preferred form, the drive motor module comprises a drive motor and a switch, both of which are mounted on a plate which is mounted in the housing member. Thus, the switch and the drive motor are removable from the housing as a unit. The switch is electrically connected to the drive motor and is adapted for electrical connection to an electrical power source, such as a wall outlet. Movement of the drive mechanism opens and closes the switch as the drive gear rotates, and correspondingly opens and closes the electrical connection from the power source to the drive motor.
In another preferred form, the present invention provides a convenient mechanism for adjusting the amount of brine used to replenish the media in the water treatment tank. The apparatus comprises a brine tank line in fluid communication with the valve body. A sealing module associated with the brine tank line selectively opens and closes the brine tank line from the valve body. The drive mechanism includes a camming element thereon. A first lever is removably and pivotally mounted in the housing member, and a camming element engages a first distal surface of the first lever as the drive gear rotates. In this manner, the lever is biased against the sealing module and opens the sealing module. During this time, water is allowed to pass through the brine tank line and into the brine tank. An adjustable engagement means is provided for changing the length of time the sealing module remains open as the drive mechanism rotates. In one preferred form, the adjustable engagement means comprises a
Channell Alan B.
Painter Danny J.
Wilfong Robert W.
Wilfong Rudy B.
Baker & Daniels
Chemical Engineering Corporation
Lee Kevin
LandOfFree
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