Liquid purification or separation – With external supply means for regenerating medium – e.g.,...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-26
2001-09-18
Cintins, Ivars (Department: 1724)
Liquid purification or separation
With external supply means for regenerating medium, e.g.,...
C210S275000, C210S284000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290845
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses for softening water, and more specifically to methods and apparatuses for providing a two-chambered water softener tank permitting water to be treated by two separate treatment media and a bi-directional valve that allows pressurized water to flow into one of the tanks during the regeneration cycle of the water softener.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the past, single-chambered tanks that contained a single medium, typically an ion exchange resin, were used to soften water. Many of the past water softener tanks used valves to close liquid paths completely. Water softeners with valves were operated by mechanical equipment or required the support of springs.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,179 to DeVoe et al. describes the use of a plurality of liquid treatment containers. Water is cycled through one direction for removal of materials in the water, and then water is cycled in the opposite direction for regeneration of the treatment medium. However, the purifying apparatus is a series of containers which overflow from the first to the second and so on. There is no valve for controlling the back flow of water during the regeneration cycle. This use of overflow containers limits the effectiveness of regeneration of relatively heavy ion exchange resins.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,243 to Kaplan discloses a two-chamber water filtering system. Kaplan describes the use of an active pump to pump water from a first chamber through a flow to a second chamber under pressure. Turning off the pump causes a pressurized back flow to regenerate the filter and the apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 4,3,5992 to Clauer et al. discloses the use of a vacuum operated control valve for delivering back wash regeneration fluid at pressure. The control valve requires active control from a vacuum force. However, active pumps may require additional service.
The present invention contemplates a new and improved two-chambered water softener tank 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 tank is provided which contains two chambers and two water treatment media for improved treatment of water. The water softener tank also provides a bi-directional valve for providing pressurized backwash to one of the chambers and treatment media during the regeneration cycle.
According to one aspect of the invention, a water softener tank for use with a water softener is disclosed. The tank includes an outer shell, an upper chamber located within the outer shell containing a redox medium, a lower chamber located within the outer shell and beneath the upper chamber that contains an ion exchange resin, a first port allowing water to flow into the upper chamber, a second port allowing water to flow into the lower chamber, and a third port for allowing water to flow between the upper chamber and lower chamber. The water softener tank also includes a bi-directional valve engageable with the third port for regulating flow of water through the third port from the upper chamber to the lower chamber during service of the water softener and from the lower chamber to the upper chamber during regeneration of the water softener. The bi-directional valve remains open as water flows from the upper chamber to the lower chamber. The bi-directional valve floats upwards to restrict the flow of water through the third port from the lower chamber to the upper chamber during regeneration, thereby creating a high pressure flow of water during the regeneration of the water softener to clean and regenerate the redox medium.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method of softening water using a water softener tank is disclosed which includes the steps of passing water through the first port into the upper chamber, treating the water by reduction with the redox medium, permitting flow of water through the third port and the bi-directional valve to the lower chamber, softening the water by exchanging ions with the ion exchange resin, permitting flow of water through the second port to a distributing valve, and regenerating the redox medium and the ion exchange resin.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a water softener tank for use with a water softener is disclosed which includes an outer shell, an upper chamber located within the outer shell containing a redox medium, a lower chamber located within the outer shell below the upper chamber containing an ion exchange resin, an apparatus for allowing water to flow in and out of the upper chamber, an apparatus for allowing water to flow in and out of the lower chamber, an apparatus for allowing water to flow between the upper chamber and the lower chamber, an apparatus for permitting a flow of water through the third port between the upper chamber and the lower chamber. The water softener tank also includes an apparatus for pressurizing the flow of water from the lower chamber to upper chamber during regeneration of the water softener.
One advantage of the present invention is that water may be treated by two separate treatment media for removing various contaminants from the water supply.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the buoyant bi-directional valve allows the free flow of water from the upper chamber to the lower chamber of the water softener during the service cycle and pressurized flow of water from the lower chamber to the upper chamber during regeneration of the water softener, thereby allowing the heavier redox medium to be thoroughly cleaned and regenerated.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the water softener tank may be used with any new or existing water softener valve or system.
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.
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patent: 5882531 (1999-03-01), Cohen
Brane Earl
Cornell Boyd
Cintins Ivars
iNetWater LLC
Porter Wright Morris & Arthur
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