Water softener abstract
A two-chamber fluid control valve for a water softener system is
provided. The valve includes a primary chamber having a primary
inlet for passage of a primary fluid into the primary chamber and
a primary outlet for passage of fluid out of the primary chamber,
and a primary valve member disposed for closing the primary outlet.
The valve also includes a secondary chamber having a secondary inlet
and a secondary outlet fluidly communicating with, and for passing
the secondary fluid into, the primary chamber, and a secondary valve
member disposed for closing the secondary outlet to prevent the
passage of air out of the secondary chamber and into the primary
chamber, whereby primary and secondary fluids can be combined in
the primary chamber prior to flowing out of the primary outlet of
the primary chamber. The valve allows a homogeneous brine/secondary
chemical solution to be formed therein and fed to a water softener
tank to regenerate and treat the tank and the ion exchange medium
therein.
Water softener claims
What is claimed is:
1. A two-chamber fluid control valve for a water softening system
comprising:
a primary chamber having a first primary inlet for passage of a
primary fluid into the primary chamber and a primary outlet for
passage of fluid out of the primary chamber;
a primary valve member disposed within and freely movable within
the primary chamber for closing the primary outlet;
a secondary chamber having a secondary inlet for passage of a secondary
fluid into the secondary chamber and a secondary outlet fluidly
communicating with, and for passing the secondary fluid into the
primary chamber; and
a secondary valve member disposed within and freely movable within
the secondary chamber for closing the secondary outlet, whereby
the primary and the secondary fluids can be combined in the primary
chamber prior to flowing out of the primary outlet.
2. The valve of claim 1 wherein the primary and secondary valve
members are floats.
3. The valve of claim 2 wherein the primary and secondary valve
members are float balls.
4. The valve of claim 1 wherein the primary chamber and secondary
chamber respectively have first and second volumes and the first
volume is greater than the second volume.
5. The valve of claim 4 wherein the primary and secondary valve
members are respectively first and second float balls, wherein the
first float ball has a larger volume than the second float ball.
6. The valve of claim 1 wherein the primary chamber has a second
primary inlet fluidly connected to the first primary inlet.
7. The valve of claim 1 wherein the secondary valve member is
disposed for closing the secondary inlet.
8. The valve of claim 1 and further comprising a valve member
disposed outside the primary chamber for preventing the passage
of fluid out of the primary outlet.
9. A water softening system comprising:
a brine tank for forming and storing brine;
a water softener tank for treating water;
a secondary chemical storage tank for storing a secondary chemical;
and
a two-chamber fluid control valve comprising:
a primary chamber having a first primary inlet fluidly coupled
to the brine tank for passage of brine into the primary chamber
and a primary outlet for passage of fluid out of the primary chamber
and into the water softener tank, and a primary valve member disposed
for closing the primary outlet, and
a secondary chamber having a secondary inlet for passage of the
secondary chemical into the secondary chamber and a secondary outlet
fluidly communicating with, and for passing the secondary chemical
into, the primary chamber, and a secondary valve member disposed
for closing the secondary outlet, whereby the brine and the secondary
chemical can be combined in the primary chamber prior to flowing
out of the primary outlet.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the primary chamber and secondary
chamber respectively have first and second volumes and the first
volume is greater than the second volume.
11. The system of claim 9 wherein the primary chamber has a second
primary inlet fluidly connected to a water source and to the first
primary inlet.
12. The system of claim 9 wherein the secondary valve member is
disposed for closing the secondary inlet.
13. The system of claim 9 wherein the primary and secondary valve
members are respectively floatable in the brine and secondary chemical.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein the primary and secondary valve
members are float balls.
15. A process of providing a multi-part regenerant stream to a
water softener tank comprising the steps of:
introducing a primary fluid to a primary chamber of a two-chamber
liquid control valve;
introducing a secondary fluid to a secondary chamber of the two-chamber
liquid control valve;
passing the secondary fluid to the primary chamber from the secondary
chamber;
mixing the primary and secondary fluids in the primary chamber
to form a multi-part regenerant stream; and
passing the multi-part regenerant stream from the primary chamber
to the water softener tank.
16. The process of claim 15 wherein the mixing includes forming
a substantially homogeneous multi-part regenerant stream.
17. The process of claim 15 wherein the primary fluid is brine.
18. The process of claim 15 wherein the step of introducing a
primary fluid to the primary chamber includes controlling the rate
of flow of primary fluid into the primary chamber.
19. The process of claim 15 wherein the step of introducing a
secondary fluid to the primary chamber includes controlling the
rate of flow of secondary fluid into the primary chamber.
20. The process of claim 15 and further comprising the step of
substantially preventing flow of air from the secondary chamber
to the primary chamber.
Water softener description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to water softener systems, and more particularly,
to valves for controlling the flow of fluids to the system's water
softener tank.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The ion exchange media of water softener tanks are typically regenerated
by brine solutions. Additionally, it is often necessary to add a
secondary chemical solution to further treat the ion exchange medium
and/or the tank containing the ion exchange medium. In the past,
the addition of these secondary fluids often was done by manually
inserting a batch-wise plug of fluid directly into the water softener
tank or into the brine being fed to the tank. This method of secondary
chemical solution addition had several problems. Most importantly,
it did not allow a combined mixture of brine and secondary chemical
to continuously flow through and regenerate the water softener tank.
This batch-type addition quickly flowed through the water softener
tank and often did not provide adequate time for the secondary chemical
solution to reside and react in the tank to adequately achieve its
purpose.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved
water treatment system which avoids the disadvantages of prior systems
while affording structural and operational advantages.
An important feature of the invention is the provision of a dual
chamber fluid control valve for controlling the flow of liquids
to and through a water softener tank, which is of relatively simple
and economical construction.
A still further feature of the invention is the provision of a
valve of the type set forth which allows for a homogeneous brine/secondary
chemical solution to be formed therein and fed to the water softener
tank.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a
valve of the type set forth which allows the secondary chemical
solution to remain in the water softener tank long enough to adequately
react therein.
Yet another feature of the invention is the provision of a valve
of the type set forth which requires little manual operation.
Certain ones of these and other features of the invention may be
attained by providing a two-chamber fluid control valve for a water
softener system. The valve includes a primary chamber having a first
primary inlet for passage of a primary fluid into the primary chamber
and a primary outlet for passage of fluid out of the primary chamber,
and a primary valve member disposed and closing the primary outlet.
The valve also includes a secondary chamber having a secondary inlet
and a secondary outlet fluidly communicating with and for passing
the secondary fluid into the primary chamber and a secondary valve
member disposed for closing the secondary outlet, whereby the primary
and the secondary fluids flowing into the primary chamber can be
combined in the primary chamber prior to flowing out of the primary
outlet of the primary chamber.
Other features of the invention may be attained by providing a
water softener incorporating a valve of the type set forth.
The invention consists of certain novel features and a combination
of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it
being understood that various changes in the details may be made
without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages
of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention,
there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment
thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection
with the following description, the invention, its construction
and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood
and appreciated.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the water treatment system of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the dual-chamber
fluid control valve of the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a further enlarged vertical sectional view of the dual-chamber
fluid control valve of FIG. 2 when the primary and secondary chambers
are empty;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating water passing through
the valve to the brine tank to form brine therein;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the valve when
a homogeneous regenerant stream is being passed to the water softener
tank; and
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 after the primary and secondary
solutions have been depleted.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As seen in FIG. 1 a water treatment (or softener) system 10 is
provided, which includes a brine cabinet 12 for storing salt and
for forming (from the salt) and storing brine therein. The water
treatment system 10 also includes a water softener tank 14 disposed
in the brine tank 12 in a known manner. The water softener tank
14 includes an ion exchange medium for treating tap water.
Referring also to FIGS. 2-6 the water treatment system 10 also
includes a dual-chamber fluid control valve 20 which includes a
larger volume primary chamber 22 and a smaller volume secondary
chamber 24. The primary chamber 22 includes a primary inlet/outlet
26 fluidly connected to the brine tank 12 by a conduit 28. As seen
in FIG. 1 conduit 28 terminates at a free end near the bottom of
the brine tank 12. As discussed further below, conduit 28 is used
to suck up brine stored at the bottom of the tank 12 into the valve
20. As best seen in FIGS. 3-6 the primary chamber 22 also includes
a second inlet 30 coupled to a water source by conduit 32. The primary
chamber 22 additionally includes an outlet 34 including an o-ring
35 forming a valve seat. The primary chamber 22 also has a float
ball 36 disposed therein. A conduit 37 fluidly couples the outlet
34 to a main valve (not shown) of the water treatment system 10
and the water softener tank 14.
The secondary chamber 24 includes a secondary inlet 38 fluidly
coupled by a conduit 40 such as a microbore tubing, to a secondary
chemical storage tank 42. This secondary inlet 38 includes an o-ring
44 forming a seat. The secondary chamber 24 also includes a secondary
outlet 46 including an o-ring 48 forming another seat. The secondary
outlet 46 fluidly communicates with the primary chamber 22. The
secondary chamber 24 also has a float ball 50 disposed therein.
The dual chamber fluid control valve 20 also includes a moveable
poppet 52 having a substantially frustoconical-shaped upper end
54 a lower end 56 and a groove 58 disposed therebetween. An o-ring
60 is disposed in the groove 58. The main valve of the water treatment
system 10 via an eductor thereof, or the like, can create suction
or pressure in conduit 37 to move the poppet 52 to or from a closed
position with respect to outlet 34 in a known manner, such as discussed
in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3380590 and 3363642 the specifications of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIGS. 3-6 illustrate the valve 20 in various modes of operation.
FIG. 3 illustrates the valve 20 when it is not being used. In this
mode, the main valve is exerting pressure in the conduit 37 such
that the poppet 52 is disposed in the closed position against the
bottom of the outlet 34 so that the o-ring 60 and poppet 52 form
a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween. The chambers 22 and
24 are empty and the float ball 36 rests on the upper end 54 of
the poppet 52 while the float ball 50 rests on the o-ring 48 closing
the outlet 46.
FIG. 4 illustrates the valve 20 when water is being fed into primary
chamber 22 through conduit 32 and inlet 30 and then out of the primary
chamber 22 through primary inlet/outlet 26 and conduit 28 to the
brine tank 12 to form brine. During this mode of operation, when
water enters the secondary chamber 24 float ball 50 floats upward
on the water and, if necessary, forms a seal with o-ring 44 to prevent
water from flowing through secondary inlet 38 and into the secondary
chemical storage tank 42. Simultaneously, the o-ring 60 of the poppet
52 maintains a seal with the bottom of the outlet 34 to prevent
water from flowing into the water softener tank 14.
After the brine tank 12 has been filled with water and after brine
has been formed in the brine tank 12 in a known manner, the brine
may be used, as necessary, to regenerate the ion exchange medium
in the water softener tank 14. Additionally, a secondary chemical
solution stored in the secondary chemical storage tank 42 may be
passed to the water softener tank 14. The secondary solution may
include a solubilizing reducing agent to solubilize any solid iron
in the tank or a sanitizing agent, such as a chlorine, iodine or
chloramine solution, to kill and prevent the formation of bacteria.
As seen in FIG. 5 the valve 20 is in a mode to provide the water
softener tank with a homogeneous mixture of brine and secondary
chemical solution to regenerate the tank. The primary chamber 22
of the valve 20 is being fed with brine 12A from brine tank 12 through
conduit 38 and primary inlet/outlet 26. Simultaneously, the primary
chamber 22 is being fed with a secondary chemical solution 42A through
the secondary outlet 46 of the secondary chamber 24 which is being
fed from the secondary chemical storage tank 42 through conduit
40 and secondary inlet 38. The secondary solution 42A and brine
12A form a homogeneous mixture 22A in the primary chamber 22 which
is then fed out of outlet 34 to the water softener tank 14 to regenerate
the ion exchange medium and react otherwise, as necessary. In this
mode, the main valve has created suction in conduit 37 which, together
with gravity, has moved the poppet 52 away, in a known manner, from
the bottom of outlet 34 to allow passage of the mixture (via the
created suction) through outlet 34 conduit 37 and into the water
softener tank coupled therewith. The rates of flow of the secondary
fluid 42A, brine 12A and homogeneous mixture 22A into and out of
the primary chamber 22 is controlled by the eductor of the main
valve and the length and internal dimensions of conduits 28 37
and 40 in a known manner.
Typically, the flow rates of the brine 12A and secondary fluid
42A and conduit dimensions are determined as follows. The size of
conduits 28 and 37 are maintained as constants to obtain a constant
flow rate of brine 12A. Based upon this flow rate, the length of
time the brine 12A must be sucked into the water softener tank 14
to regenerate the ion exchange medium therein can be determined.
Then, based upon the amount of secondary solution necessary to treat
the water softener tank 14 (and the concentration of the active
ingredients of the secondary solution), the flow rate of the secondary
solution 42A is determined and the length and internal dimensions
of conduit 40 are adjusted to achieve this flow rate.
FIG. 6 illustrates the valve 20 after the primary and secondary
chambers 22 and 24 have been substantially emptied of fluids. The
float ball 50 in the secondary chamber 24 is disposed on o-ring
44 and forms a seal therewith preventing air from flowing into the
primary chamber 22 and float ball 36 is disposed on o-ring 35 and
forms a seal therewith preventing air from flowing into the water
softener tank.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been
shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing
from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in
the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications
as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The matter
set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings
is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation.
The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the
following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on
the prior art. |