Autotrol Corporation

General Electric Company

Jeffrey G Franks

Kenneth J Sieth

J David Seal

John D Stolz

Mark Wittig

Arlen E Clauer

A flow control valve controls a flow of water through a passage to a brine tank of a water treatment apparatus. A valve seat is between first and second sections of the passage. The valve seat has a first end with a concave surface facing the first section and an aperture extending from the concave surface to a second end that faces the second section. A groove in the concave surface extends from the first end to the aperture. A valve element moves within the first section in response to pressure of the water in the first section thereby varying the size of a path through the passage by an amount that varies as a function of the water pressure. The action of the valve element maintains a substantially constant flow rate through the flow control valve regardless of water pressure variation.

Constant flow valve for a water softener control assembly

A method of treating fluid in a bed of ion exchange resin wherein in one embodiment the resin is of a high kinetic type and water is introduced upwardly through the bed to effect a complete fluidized resin bed. The high kinetic resin is of a fine mesh type and preferably can be monospheric. An apparatus for carrying out the method is devoid of any elements which effect a compacting of the resin during normal operation. The method and apparatus is particularly directed to water treatment. In another embodiment, cocurrent proportional regeneration of a resin bed is effected using resins with nonoverlapping terminal velocities in two different ionic forms.

Resin bed for liquid treatment

An improved resin sensor which senses a change in the condition of the resin by forces acting on a receptacle for the resin. The sampling resin is utilized to indicate a change of ion or equilibrium condition of the resin when employed as an indicator for resin regeneration or end of a rinse cycle in a water softening or deionization system. The sampling resin is placed in a receptacle which will confine the expansion in volume of the resin as the resin is acted upon by a sampling or indicator liquid causing the resin to exert a force on the receptacle. The receptacle for the resin allows water to freely flow in and out while entrapping the resin therein. In one embodiment, the container is composed of screened walls and the pressure sensor is a strain gauge which is attached thereto. In another embodiment, the pressure sensor is the container and in the form of a multiapertured Bourdon tube in a fluid compartment. In both embodiments, the pressure sensor will measure the change in internal pressure of the resin as it is contacted by an indicator liquid. In utilizing the resin pressure as an indication of resin regeneration or depletion, a more accurate determination can be made. Further, by employing a sensor container in a compartment water pressure is equalized and pressure differentials for the water inside and outside of the container do not have to be compensated.

Resin pressure sensor for water treatment

A water quality monitor receives water that has passed through a water softener treatment tank. The monitor contains a sample of ion exchange resin that is exposed to the water and which shrinks in volume when the water quality deteriorates to the point where it is no longer being softened. Shrinking of the resin sample signals that corrective action should be taken, such as regenerating the softener. Signaling may be a visual or audible signal or it may involve closing a valve preventing the flow of service water to one or more points of use, or restricting the flow to the extent that the restricted flow constitutes a signal to the user. The sample ion exchange resin is contained in a replaceable cartridge that can be inserted into the monitor and replaced after the monitor has functioned to signal deteriorating quality.

Water quality monitor

A water softener control includes a cell of sampling resin which received periodic samples of water which has passed through a major portion of the softening bed. The sampling resin changes volume when it becomes exhausted and the change in volume is employed to initiate regeneration of the softening bed. At the start of the regeneration cycle, regenerative fluid is delivered directly to the sampling resin as well as to the softening bed. The delivery to the sampling resin is through a control valve which is piloted by pressures at a venturi injector which is used to withdraw regenerative fluid from a brine tank. A vacuum operated control valve which is responsive to the closing of an air check valve in the connection between the injector and the brine tank may be employed to positively close the connection from the sampling cell to the injector when the supply of regenerative fluid is exhausted.

Growing community of inventors

Menomonee Falls, WI, United States of America

Jeffrey G Franks