Water softener abstract
A water softener valve for controlling water flow to and from a
water softener is disclosed that includes a cylindrical shaft extending
from said inner surface of a piston chamber that fits into a pressure
relief port when the piston is in the service position. The shaft
clears the pressure relief port of any debris and closes the pressure
relief port during the service cycle. The water softener valve also
has a flow meter with at least two helically expanding vanes. A
magnet on of the vanes trips a sensor as the turbine rotates, thereby
providing means for calculating the flow of water through the valve.
The valve also has a flow control button located at an inlet of
the valve rather than at the drain, preventing the obstruction of
the water flow by regeneration sediment of the tank at the drain.
The valve also contains an internal piston port for permitting the
free flow of water through the valve during a change in softener
cycles.
Water softener claims
We claim:
1. A water softener valve for controlling water flow to and from
a water softener, comprising:
a water inlet for water to be conditioned to enter the valve;
a water outlet for conditioned water to exit the valve;
a drain port for water to exit the valve;
first and second tank ports;
a chamber for receiving water, said chamber having an inner surface;
a piston movable within said chamber between a service position
and a backwash position, said piston permitting flow of water from
the water inlet to the first tank port and from the second tank
port to the water outlet when in said service position, said piston
permitting flow of water from said water inlet to the second tank
port and from the first tank port to the drain port when said piston
is in the backwash position, said piston having a pressure relief
port permitting flow of water from said chamber into the drain port
as said piston moves from said backwash position to said service
position; and
a flow meter positioned to measure flow through the water outlet
which occurs when the piston is in the service position, said flow
meter having a turbine, said turbine having at least two opposing
vanes, a magnet carried by said turbine, and a sensor for counting
a number of times said magnet passes said sensor, rate of water
flow through said flow meter being directly proportional to the
number of times said magnet passes said sensor, said sensor creating
an electrical impulse in the presence of said magnet, said flow
meter further comprising an axle supporting said turbine, said axle
having a first end disposed within a first bushing and a second
end disposed within a second bushing, said first end being substantially
conical in shape, said first end having a first point, a first conical
base, and a first toroidal bearing at said first conical base, said
second end having a second conical base, and a second toroidal bearing
at said second conical base, wherein the first and second toroidal
bearings are located within the first and second bushings respectively
and form single point contact at tangents of the first and second
toroidal bearings to reduce friction when radial loads are applied
to the flow meter, wherein said first and second points are free
to contact thrust surfaces within said first and second bushings
respectively and form single point contact therebetween to reduce
friction when axial loads are applied to the flow meter, and wherein
said axle is free to axially move within said first and second bushings.
2. The water softener valve of claim 1 further comprising a diaphragm
fitted around a portion of said piston between said piston and said
chamber.
3. The water softener valve of claim 1 further comprising a first
piston seal positioned around a central portion of said piston,
first and second piston seats, said first piston seal being movable
between said first piston seat in said service position and said
second piston seat in said backwash position, and said piston having
a central passage and a piston port communicating the central passage
with an exterior surface of the piston, said piston port being opened
as said first piston seal moves from said first piston seat in said
service position to said second piston seat in said backwash position
so that fluid can flow into said central passage through said piston
port and past said first piston seat through said central passage,
and said piston port being closed as said first piston seal moves
from said second piston seat in said backwash position to said first
piston seat in said service position so that fluid is prevented
from entering the central passage through said piston port and thereby
prevented from flowing past said first piston seat through said
central passage.
4. The water softener valve of claim 3 wherein said piston port
is an opening in said piston having a shape substantially similar
to said first piston seal and located in said piston where said
first piston seal contacts said first piston seat, said opening
being covered by said first piston seal when said first piston seal
contacts said first piston seat in said service position, said opening
being uncovered to allow a flow of water through said piston port
to said drain port as said piston seal is moved to said second piston
seat in said backwash position.
5. The water softener valve of claim 4 further comprising a second
piston seal positioned around a distal portion of said piston, and
third and fourth piston seats, said second piston seal being movable
between said third piston seat in said service position and said
fourth piston seat in said backwash position.
6. The water softener valve of claim 1 wherein said two opposing
vanes each expand helically from a first end portion of the turbine
and having a first thickness to a second end portion of said turbine
and having a second thickness, and wherein said second thickness
is greater than said first thickness.
7. A water softener valve for controlling water flow to and from
a water softener, comprising:
a water inlet for water to be conditioned to enter the valve;
a water outlet for conditioned water to exit the valve;
a drain port for water to exit the valve;
first and second tank ports;
a chamber for receiving water, said chamber having an inner surface;
a piston movable within said chamber between a service position
and a backwash position, said piston permitting flow of water from
the water inlet to the first tank port and from the second tank
port to the water outlet when in said service position, said piston
permitting flow of water from said water inlet to the second tank
port and from the first tank port to the drain port when said piston
is in the backwash position, said piston having a pressure relief
port permitting flow of water from said chamber into the drain port
as said piston moves from said backwash position to said service
position;
a fixed cylindrical shaft extending from said inner surface of
said chamber, said shaft fitting into said pressure relief port
when said piston is in said service position to clear said pressure
relief port of any debris, said shaft controlling water flow through
the relief port upon movement of the piston between the service
and backwash positions;
a diaphragm fitted around a portion of said piston between said
piston and said chamber;
a first piston seal positioned around a central portion of said
piston;
first and second piston seats, said first piston seal being movable
between said first piston seat in said service position and said
second piston seat in said backwash position;
said piston having a piston port, said piston port being opened
as said first piston seal moves from said first piston seat in said
service position to said second piston seat in said backwash position,
said piston port being closed as said first piston seal moves from
said second piston seat in said backwash position to said first
piston seat in said service position, wherein said piston port is
an opening in said piston having a shape substantially similar to
said first piston seal and located in said piston where said first
piston seal contacts said first piston seat, said opening being
covered by said first piston seal when said first piston seal contacts
said first piston seat in said service position, said opening being
uncovered to allow a flow of water through said piston port to said
drain as said piston seal is moved to said second piston seat in
said backwash position;
a second piston seal positioned around a distal portion of said
piston;
third and fourth piston seats, said second piston seal being movable
between said third piston seat in said service position and said
fourth piston seat in said backwash position; and
a flow meter positioned to measure flow through the water outlet
which occurs when the piston is in the service position, said flow
meter having a turbine, said turbine having two opposing vanes expanding
helically to an expanded end portion of said turbine, a magnet disposed
within one of said two opposing vanes, and a sensor for counting
a number of times said magnet passes said sensor, rate of water
flow through said flow meter being directly proportional to the
number of times said magnet passes said sensor, said sensor creating
an electrical impulse in the presence of said magnet, said flow
meter further comprising an axle supporting said turbine, said axle
having a first end disposed within a first bushing and a second
end disposed within a second bushing, said first end being substantially
conical in shape, said first end having a first point, a first conical
base, and a first toroidal bearing at said first conical base, said
second end having a second conical base, and a second toroidal bearing
at said second conical base, wherein the first and second toroidal
bearings are located within the first and second bushings respectively
and form single point contact at tangents of the first and second
toroidal bearings to reduce friction when radial loads are applied
to the flow meter, wherein said first and second points are free
to contact thrust surfaces within said first and second bushings
respectively and form single point contact therebetween to reduce
friction when axial loads are applied to the flow meter, and wherein
said axle is free to axially move within said first and second bushings.
8. The water softener valve of claim 1 further comprising a backwash
flow control button located at an inlet opening of said water softener
valve, said backwash flow control button regulating flow of influent
water before passing through said water softener to backwash water
softener media and exiting a drain port of the water softener.
9. The water softener valve of claim 1 further comprising a first
solenoid valve, said first solenoid valve allowing water to flow
into said chamber when open, water being forced out of said chamber
by said piston when said solenoid valve is closed, a second solenoid
valve, said second solenoid valve directing flow of water to and
from an associated water softener tank, said second solenoid valve
being closed during surface operation of said water softener and
open during backwash of said associated water softener tank, and
a third solenoid valve for switching between the water inlet when
closed and a source of brine solution when open.
10. A water softener valve for controlling flow to and from a water
softener, comprising:
a water inlet for water to be conditioned to enter the valve;
a water outlet for conditioned water to exit the valve;
a drain port for water to exit the valve;
first and second tank ports;
a chamber for receiving water, said chamber having an inner surface;
a piston movable within said chamber between a service position
and a backwash position, said piston permitting flow of water from
the water inlet to the first tank port and from the second tank
port to the water outlet when in said service position, said piston
permitting flow of water from said water inlet to the second tank
port and from the first tank port to the drain port when said piston
is in the backwash position, said piston having a pressure relief
port permitting a flow of water from said chamber into the drain
port as said piston moves from said backwash position to said service
position;
a first piston seal positioned around a central portion of said
piston;
first and second piston seats, said first piston seal being movable
between said first piston seat in said service position and said
second piston seat in said back wash position; said piston having
a central passage and a piston port communicating the central passage
with an exterior surface of the piston, said piston port being opened
as said first piston seal moves from said first piston seat in said
service position to said second piston seat in said backwash position
so that fluid can flow into said central passage through said piston
port and past said first piston seat through said central passage,
and said piston port being closed as said first piston seal moves
from said second piston seat in said backwash position to said first
piston seat in said service position so that fluid is prevented
from entering the central passage through said piston port and thereby
prevented from flowing past said first piston seat through said
central passage; and
a fixed cylindrical shaft extending from said inner surface of
said chamber, said shaft fitting into said pressure relief port
when said piston is in said service position to clear said pressure
relief port of any debris, said shaft controlling water flow through
the relief port upon movement of the piston between the service
and backwash positions.
11. The water softener valve of claim 1 further comprising a fixed
cylindrical shaft extending from said inner surface of said chamber,
said shaft fitting into said pressure relief port when said piston
is in said service position to clear said pressure relief port of
any debris, said shaft controlling water flow through the relief
port upon movement of the piston between the service and backwash
positions.
12. The water softener valve of claim 6 wherein said second end
portion of at least one of said opposing vanes has an opening therein
and said magnet is located within said opening.
13. A water softener valve for controlling water flow to and from
a water softener, comprising:
a water inlet for water to be conditioned to enter the valve;
a water outlet for conditioned water to exit the valve;
a drain port for water to exit the valve;
first and second tank ports;
a chamber for receiving water, said chamber having an inner surface;
a piston movable within said chamber between a service position
and a backwash position, said piston permitting flow of water from
the water inlet to the first tank port and from the second tank
port to the water outlet when in said service position, said piston
permitting flow of water from said water inlet to the second tank
port and from the first tank port to the drain port when said piston
is in the backwash position, said piston having a pressure relief
port permitting flow of water from said chamber into a drain port
as said piston moves from said backwash position to said service
position; and
a flow meter positioned to measure flow through the water outlet
which occurs when the piston is in the service position, said flow
meter having a turbine comprising at least two opposing vanes, a
magnet carried by said turbine, and a sensor for counting a number
of times said magnet passes said sensor, rate of water flow through
said flow meter being directly proportional to the number of times
said magnet passes said sensor, said sensor creating an electrical
impulse in the presence of said magnet, wherein said at least two
opposing vanes each expand helically from a first end portion of
said turbine and having a first thickness to a second end portion
of said turbine and having a second thickness, and wherein said
second thickness is greater than said first thickness.
14. The water softener valve of claim 13 wherein said second end
portion of at least one of said opposing vanes carries said magnet
entirely within the second thickness.
15. The water softener valve of claim 13 wherein said second end
portion of at least one of said opposing vanes has an opening therein
and said magnet is located within said opening.
Water softener description
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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement
of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail
in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings
which form a part hereof and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a top, cross-sectional view of a water softener valve;
FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the water softener valve;
FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of the water softener
valve in the service position;
FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of a water softener valve
in the backwash and/or brine position;
FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of the cylindrical shaft and pressure
relief port;
FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the flow meter; and,
FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the flow meter turbine.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes
of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and
not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 shows a top, cross-sectional
view of a water softener valve 30 that controls the flow of water
to and from an associated water softener tank (not shown), and FIG.
2 shows an exploded view of the water softener valve 30. The water
softener valve 30 is controlled by three solenoid valves 81718
that open and close ports 1619207073 within the water softener
valve 30. The pertinent solenoid valve 8 for discussion of the present
invention is the solenoid valve 8 that, when closed, as shown in
FIG. 1 places the water softener in the service and refill position.
When solenoid valve 8 is open, as shown in FIG. 3 the water softener
valve 30 is in the backwash and brine position.
With continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 FIGS. 3 and 4 show
a cross-sectional side view of the water softener valve 30 on top
of water softener tank 36. Specially, FIG. 3 shows the water softener
valve 30 with solenoid valve 8 in the closed position. When solenoid
valve 8 is in the closed position, the water softener 30 allows
water to flow through tank port 73 into the water softener tank
36. FIG. 4 shows the water softener valve 30 with solenoid valve
8 in the open position. When solenoid valve 8 is in the open position,
the water flow is reversed, with water flowing into water softener
36 through tank port 70.
During operation of the water softener, solenoid valve 18 remains
in the closed position, allowing water to flow from a water source
into water softener valve 30 through inlet 26. During the service
cycles, shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 solenoid valves 8 and 17 remain
closed. Water that has entered the water softener valve 30 through
inlet 99 moves through valve port 20 and port 73 into the water
softener tank 36. The water then passes through at least one ion
exchange resin where it is softened, i.e., where calcium and magnesium
ions in the water are exchanged for sodium ions. The water then
returns to the water softener valve 30 through port 70 and port
19. The water then exits the water softener valve 30 at port 98
and is directed toward the residential or industrial use for which
it is intended.
Often times, the ion exchange resins in the water softener tank
36 require regeneration. Regeneration may occur with a simple backwash
of water, or regeneration may require a brine solution from a brine
storage tank. FIG. 4 shows the water softener valve 30 during backwash
and brine cycles. During a backwash cycle, water enters through
inlet 99. However, solenoid valve 8 opens, allowing the water to
enter into chamber 21. The water in chamber 21 forces the piston
6 to the backwash/brine/rinse position. The piston seals 1011 move
off piston seats 1214 and contact piston seats 1315. When in this
position, solenoid valve 17 is open to allow inlet water pass through
port 19 and port 23 into port 70 and back up into the water softener
valve 30 through port 73 and port 20. The water then continues through
piston port 16 to drain port 7. Piston port 16 allows the backwash
water to flow through to drain port 7 at fill flow and unobstructed.
Piston port 16 is preferably semicircular in shape to conform with
the piston 6. When a brine solution is required, solenoid valve
18 opens allowing brine solution into the water softener valve 30
which then travels through port 19 into port 70 and back up into
the water softener valve 30 through port 73 and port 20 and continues
through piston port 16 to drain port 7. At the end of the backwash
and brine cycles, solenoid valve 8 is closed, stopping the flow
of water into chamber 21. The release of water pressure caused by
cessation of flow of water into chamber 21 allows the piston 6 to
return to the service position, with the piston seals 1011 in contact
with piston seats 1214. Inlet pressure caused by the closing of
solenoid valves 1718 which allows water to flow through the inlet
99 into the water softener valve 30 also forces the piston 6 back
into the service position. It is a feature of the present invention
that each of the solenoid valves 81718 are closed during the service
cycle. This allows for operation of the water softener during a
power outage.
As shown in FIG. 5 with continuing reference to FIGS. 1-4 a cylindrical
shaft 1 is located within the inner surface 28 of the valve wall
4 in chamber 21 in water softener valve 30. The cylindrical shaft
1 extends inwardly from the inner surface and fits into a pressure
relief port 2 within the piston 6 that moves back and forth when
solenoid valve 8 opens and closes. The pressure relief port 2 is
used to relieve pressure within chamber 21. When pressure is applied
to chamber 21 side of diaphragm 3 by open solenoid valve 8 water
flows into the chamber 21. The cylindrical shaft 1 disengages the
pressure relief port 2 of the piston 6 as the piston 6 moves away
from the chamber 21 and allows a small amount of water to run to
the drain 7. When solenoid valve 8 is closed, the constant pressure
on the chamber 21 side of the diaphragm 3 is removed. Water escapes
through the pressure relief port 2 as the piston 6 returns to the
service position. The cylindrical shaft 1 then prevents materials
from obstructing the pressure relief port 2 thereby allowing the
piston 6 to operate normally. If the pressure relief port 2 would
become obstructed, the pressure on the chamber 21 side of the diaphragm
3 would not be relieved, therefore preventing the piston 6 from
returning to the service position.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 with continuing reference to FIGS. 1-5
the water softener valve 30 preferably within valve port 98 has
a flow meter 48. The flow meter 48 has at least two opposing, helically
expanding vanes 50 that form a turbine 56. FIG. 7 shows a perspective
view of a preferred embodiment of the turbine 56. The turbine 56
spins as water flows through valve port 98. The flow meter 48 has
a magnet 53 located on one or the two opposing vanes 50. A sensor
54 detects when the magnet passes the sensor 54 as the magnet 53
spins within the port 98. The flow of water through port 98 from
the water softener tank 36 is metered by the number of times the
magnet 53 passes the sensor 54. The metered rate may then be used
to schedule the regeneration cycles of the water softener.
The turbine 56 is supported within the port 98 by axle 58 that
is engaged with bushings 6566 within the port 98. The axle 58 preferably
has a conical shape coming to a point at each end 6061. The points
6061 contact a thrust service 62 within the bushings 6566 when
an axial load is applied. By having a single point contact, friction
is greatly reduced. The axle 58 also has toroidal bearings 6364
just past the conical ends 6061 that contact the bushings 6566.
When radial loads are applied to the turbine 56 friction is greatly
reduced by having single point contacts with the tangents of the
toroidal bearings 6364 and the bushings 6566. Further, by having
an axle 58 free to move axially inside the bushings 6566 at each
end 6061 there is no need to hold tight tolerances during production
of the water softener valve.
To improve flow and flow characteristics, placement of a backwash
flow control button 22 is placed at opening 23 therefore allowing
influent water to be regulated before passing through the water
softener tank 36 and exiting through the drain port 7. A typical
placement in prior water softeners was at the drain opening 7. The
advantage of placing flow control button 22 at opening 23 as opposed
to drain port 7 is that during the backwash cycle, sediment that
is being flushed from the water softener tank 36 and exiting at
drain port 7 does not become entangled with the flow control button
22. At drain port 7 there is no restriction caused by the flow control
button 22. The small opening at control button 22 if placed at
drain port 7 can cause sediment to be trapped, therefore creating
reduced flow rate. This may cause the control button 22 to malfunction,
keeping the ion exchange resins in the water softener tank 36 from
being cleaned properly. Also, placing the flow control button 22
at opening 23 removes back pressure caused by the flow control button
22 that may have occurred if the flow control button was placed
at drain port 7 during the brine cycle. This back pressure can cause
a malfunction of the venturi effect which is used during the brine
cycle.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, all of the valve components,
except where materially restricted, i.e. the magnet 53 are made
of plastic.
The preferred embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods
may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from
the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all
such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within
the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
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