US3676336A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for water softening
Assignee: Ecodyne Corp
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Filing: 1971-01-11
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1991-01-11
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides an improved method and apparatus for controlling the provision of regenerated resin to an ion-exchange column. In carrying out the method, the conductivity of the raw water flowing to the column and the flow of water delivered to the column are measured. The conductivity is then multiplied by the flow, and the product of the conductivity and flow is totalized. The column is provided with regenerated resin when the total of this product reaches a pre-determined amount. The apparatus comprises an improvement in a conventional ionexchange system having a service column containing ion-exchange resin and raw water delivery means for delivering raw water to the service column. Generally, the invention comprises an improved control system having conductivity means for measuring the conductivity of the water in the raw water delivery means and flow measuring means for measuring the flow of water through the service column. Multiplier means are provided for multiplying the conductivity by the flow, and totalizer means totalize the product of these functions. Means are provided for automatically providing the service column with regenerated resin responsive to a signal from the totalizer means indicating that the total of the product has reached a pre-determined amount.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis M O'brien
- 👤 Cole R Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/04; G01N27/06; B; B01; B01J; B01J49/00; B01J49/80; B01J49/85
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said ion exchange resin is a mixed bed of anion and cation exchange resins.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for controlling the regeneration and transfer of ion exchange resins in an ion exchange system having a service column and a regeneration column comprising: measuring the conductivity of the raw water flowing to said service column; measuring the flow of water through said service column; multiplying said conductivity by said flow; totalizing the product of said conductivity and said flow; supplying regenerated resin to said service column when the total of said product reaches a predetermined level; delivering exhausted resin to said regeneration column when said total reaches a predetermined level; and regenerating said resin in said regeneration column.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as defined in claim 3 wherein said ion exchange resin is a mixed bed of anion and cation exchange resins, and wherein said ion exchange system includes a resin separation column, an anion exchange resin regeneration column, and a cation resin regeneration column.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
115 words
In an apparatus for treating water by ion exchange having a service column containing ion exchange resin and raw water delivery means for delivering raw water to said service column, an improved control system comprising: conductivity measuring means for measuring the conductivity of the water in said raw water delivery means; flow measuring means for measuring the flow of water through said service column; multiplier means for multiplying said conductivity by said flow; totalizer means for totalizing the product of said conductivity and said flow; and means for automatically providing said service column with regenerated resin responsive to a signal from said totalizer indicating that the total of said product has reached a predetermined level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said flow measuring means comprises a flow meter producing a signal proportional to the square root of the flow through said service column and square root extractor means for converting said signal to a signal that is linearly proportional to said flow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said flow meter and said square root extractor means produce a pneumatic signal, and wherein said conductivity measuring means comprises a conductivity cell and a conductivity indicator that produce an electrical signal together with transducer means for converting said electrical signal to a pneumatic signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7 further comprising means for producing electronic pulses responsive to a signal from said mUltiplier means, each pulse being proportional to a predetermined value of the product of said signal from said square root extractor and from said transducer means; and means for transmitting said pulses to said totalizer means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said flow meter measures the flow in said raw water delivery means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
231 words
In an apparatus for treating water by ion exchange having a service column containing a mixed bed of anion and cation exchange resins, separation means for separating said resins, an anion resin regeneration column, a cation resin regeneration column, and raw water delivery means for delivering raw water to said service column, an improved control system comprising: conductivity measuring means for measuring the conductivity of the raw water in said raw water delivery means; flow measuring means for measuring the flow of water through said service column; multiplier means for multiplying said conductivity by said flow; totalizer means for totalizing the product of said conductivity and said flow; means for automatically terminating the delivery of raw water and for initiating the delivery of regenerated resins to said service column responsive to a signal from said totalizer indicating that said product has reached a first predetermined level; timer means for resuming delivery of raw water to said service column a predetermined time after said termination; means for automatically delivering exhausted resin to said regeneration columns responsive to a signal from said totalizer indicating that said product has reached a second predetermined level; timer means for terminating said delivery of exhausted resin to said regeneration column; means for automatically initiating the delivery of regenerant to said regeneration column; and regenerant timer means for terminating the delivery of said regenerant after a predetermined interval.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said flow measuring means comprises a flow meter producing a signal proportional to the square root of the flow through said service column and square root extractor means for converting said signal to a signal that is linearly proportional to said flow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said flow meter and square root extractor means produce a fluidic signal, and wherein said conductivity measuring means comprises a conductivity cell and a conductivity indicator that produces an electrical signal together with transducer means for converting said electrical signal to a fluidic signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 12 further comprising means for producing electronic pulses responsive to a signal from said multiplier means, each pulse being proportional to a predetermined value of the product of said signal from said square root extractor means and from said transducer means; and means for transmitting said pulses to said totalizer means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said flow meter measures the flow in said raw water delivery means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |