Fluid handling – With cleaner – lubrication added to fluid or liquid sealing... – Cleaning or steam sterilizing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-26
2001-09-25
Walton, George L. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
With cleaner, lubrication added to fluid or liquid sealing...
Cleaning or steam sterilizing
C073S198000, C073S861790, C073S861910, C073S861920, C137S486000, C137S487500, C137S599130, C137S599150, C137S625290, C137S625500, C210S190000, C210S278000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293298
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses for controlling the flow of water to and from a water softener, and more specifically to methods and apparatuses for providing a valve that controls water flow to and from a water softener while at the same time measuring the water flow.
2. Description of the Related Art
Household water softeners that use ion exchange resins typically include an ion exchange resin tank through which hard water passes to exchange its hard ions of calcium and magnesium for soft sodium ions from the resin bed. Regeneration of the bed is required periodically to remove the accumulation of hard ions and replenish the supply of soft ions. Regeneration is effective by flushing the tank with a solution of salt, i.e., a brine solution, to replenish the sodium ions in the resin bed.
The water softener typically requires a valve to control the flow of water to and from the water softener tank during the service and regeneration cycles. Past water softener control valves have typically included small passageways through which water must travel during operation of the valve. However, because inlet water and backwash water typically contains mineral deposits and other contaminants, small and narrow passageways in the water softener valve tend to become blocked.
During operation of the water softener, it is also important to measure the flow of water through the water softener. The water flow may be used to more accurately time the regeneration cycle of the water softener The flow meters in past water softeners have typically either operated in a manner that disturbs the flow of water through the water softener tank or required tight tolerances during the production of the water softener valve, which increased the time and cost of production of the water softener valve.
Some water softener valves also operate with the assistance of electrical power. Water softeners in the past have often shut down and remained stuck in a particular cycle during power outages.
The present invention contemplates a new and improved water softener valve which is simple in design, effective in use, and overcomes the foregoing difficulties and others while providing better and more advantageous overall results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a new and improved water softener valve is provided that includes an apparatus for cleaning specific small passageways within the water softener valve, a flow meter which does not obstruct the flow of water through the water softener tank and may be produced without tight tolerances, and is designed to operate efficiently and under situations where electrical power is interrupted.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a water softener valve for controlling water flow to and from a water softener is disclosed. The water softener valve includes a chamber for receiving water that has an inner surface, a piston moveable within the chamber between a service position and a backwash position, and a pressure relief port within the piston permitting the flow of water from the chamber to a drain port as the piston moves from the backwash position to the service position. The water softener valve also includes a cylindrical shaft extending from the inner surface of the chamber. The shaft fits into the pressure relief port when the piston is in the service position, and the shaft clears the pressure relief port of any debris.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a water softener valve for controlling the water flow to and from a water softener is disclosed that includes a flow meter The flow meter has a turbine with two opposing vanes expanding helically to an expanded portion of the turbine. The flow meter also includes a magnet exposed within one of the two opposing vanes and a counting apparatus for counting the number of times the magnet passes the counting apparatus. A rate of water flow through the flow meter is directly proportional to the number of times the magnet passes the counting apparatus. The counting apparatus creates an electrical impulse in the presence of the magnet.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a water softener valve controlling water flow to and from the water softener is disclosed which includes a chamber for receiving water that has an inner surface, a piston moveable within the chamber to a service position and a backwash position, and a pressure relief port in the piston permitting the a flow of water from a chamber into a drain port as the piston moves from the backwash position to the service position. The water softener valve also includes a diaphragm fitted around a portion of the piston between the piston and the chamber, a first piston seal positioned around a central portion of the piston, first and second piston seats, and a piston port. The first piston seal is movable between the first piston seat in the service position and the second piston seat in the backwash position. The piston port is opened as the first piston seal moves from the first piston seat in the service position to the second piston seat in the backwash position. The piston port is closed as the first piston seal moves from the second piston seat in the backwash position to the first piston seat in the service position.
One advantage of the present invention is that the cylindrical shaft extending from the inner surface operates to clear the pressure relief port in the piston of the any debris. Debris in the pressure relief port would prevent water flowing through the pressure relief port, thereby preventing the piston from returning to the service position.
Another advantage of the present invention is that each solenoid valve is in the closed position during the standard service cycle of the water softener. In the event that there is a power outage, inlet water continues to flow through the water softener valve and through the water softener tank, providing continuous water service.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the flow meter does not obstruct the flow of water through the water softener valve. The flow meter may also be inserted into a valve port without tight tolerances, thereby reducing the time and cost associated with assembling the water softener valve.
Another advantage of the present invention is the inclusion of a piston port in the valve that allows backwash water to move through the valve to drain port at full flow and unobstructed.
Another advantage of the present invention is the placement of a backwash flow control button at an inlet opening rather than at the drain port. The positioning of the backwash flow control button at the inlet opening allows influent water to be regulated before passing through the water softener tank and exiting the drain, thereby reducing the chance of obstruction of water flow through the water softener valve by debris exiting the drain during backwash.
Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1707692 (1929-04-01), Ter Beest
patent: 1751061 (1930-03-01), Ter Beest
patent: 1811890 (1931-06-01), Lindsay
patent: 2902155 (1959-09-01), Lundeen
patent: 2935092 (1960-05-01), Stoner
patent: 2997177 (1961-08-01), Cleary
patent: 3006376 (1961-10-01), Schulze et al.
patent: 3049237 (1962-08-01), Whitlock et al.
patent: 3083728 (1963-04-01), Schulze et al.
patent: 3111486 (1963-11-01), Soriente
patent: 3181564 (1965-05-01), Rudelick
patent: 3183933 (1965-05-01), Whitlock et al.
patent: 3208476 (1965-09-01), Clack
patent: 3219046 (1965-11-01), Waugh
patent: 3225789 (1965-12-01), Thompson
patent: 3225790 (1965-12-01), Laughlin
patent: 3237640 (1966-03-01), Whitlock et al.
patent: 3272217 (1966-09-01), Young
patent: 3298396 (1967-01-01), Gressman et al.
patent: 3335752 (1967-08-01), Hiers et al.
patent: 3369561 (1968-02-01), Zimmerman et al.
patent: 3396845 (1968-08-01), Bous
Brane Earl
Cornell Boyd
iNetWater LLC
Porter Wright Morris & Arthur
Walton George L.
LandOfFree
Water softener valve does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Water softener valve, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Water softener valve will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2448281