Float valve assembly for a water purification system

Abstract

An improved float valve assembly is provided for regulating water inflow to a purification module of a water purification system, such as a reverse osmosis purification module or the like. The float valve assembly is mounted within a reservoir for receiving and storing relatively purified water produced by the purification module, and includes a valve unit defining a vertically extending flow path from a tap water source to the purification module. A primary float carried on a float arm responds to rising and falling water level within the reservoir for respectively closing and opening a primary banjo valve mounted along the flow path. An over-center switch provides snap-action closure of the primary valve in response to rising water level, and the primary float is mounted on the float arm for a limited range of lost motion to accommodate this snap-action valve closure. A secondary banjo valve is mounted along the flow path at a location above the primary valve, and, in the event of primary valve malfunction, is closed by a secondary float carried on a float arm and responsive to rising reservoir water level. In a preferred form, the secondary valve remains closed upon subsequent descent of the water level, and is manually re-opened by depression of a reset button.