US3687289A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water softener system
Assignee: Ecodyne Corp
•
Filing: 1970-09-04
•
Granted: 1972-08-29
•
Expires: 1990-09-04
Abstract
Abstract A water softener system including a metering device associated with the soft water line to meter a predetermined proportion of water from the soft water line. This water is directed to a chamber having an adjustable water storage capacity. The proportion of water metered from the soft water line is directly proportional to the storage capacity of the chamber. The water stored in the chamber is periodically directed to the brine storage tank. A timer actuating means is provided to actuate the timer when the liquid level in the brine tank reaches a predetermed level. A float valve is provided to prevent brine from being withdrawn below a predetermined low level in the tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward J Tischler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:50
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J49/00; B01J49/75; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7313; Y10T137/7323
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
399 words
In an automatic water softening system comprising a tank of water softening mineral adapted to be connected to a hard water flow line, a soft water distribution line from said tank of water softening mineral and a regeneration tank in communication with said tank of water softening material adapted to contain material for generation of regenerant for intermittent regeneration of said mineral, the improvement which consists in meter means for metering a predetermined proportion of water from a soft water flow line of said system into a regeneration tank, said meter means including: a. a first valve means in fluid communication with said soft water line such that the volume of water passing therethrough is proportional to the volume of water passing through said soft water line, said first valve means having an open position permitting fluid flow therethrough and a closed position preventing fluid flow therethrough; b. chamber means in fluid communication with said First valve means so as to collect the water passing through said first valve means; c. second valve means in fluid communication with said chamber means, said second valve means having an open position permitting fluid flow therethrough and a closed position preventing fluid flow therethrough; d. said first valve means cooperating with said second valve means such that when said first valve means is in its open position said second valve means is in its closed position and when said first valve means is in its closed position said second valve means is in its open position; e. means associated with said chamber means to force water collected in said chamber means through said second valve means when said second valve means is in its open position; f. passage means associated with said second valve means to direct water passing through said second valve means to said regeneration tank; g. drive means positioned in communication with the soft water line having a shaft associated therewith such that said shaft rotates at a rate proportional to the volume of water passing through said soft water line; h. cam means rotatable by said shaft; and i. cam follower means associated at one end with said cam means and at the other end with said first valve means such that rotation of said cam means transmits an oscillatory motion to said cam follower means thereby moving said first valve means between its first and second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
399 words
In an automatic water softening system comprising a tank of water softening mineral adapted to be connected to a hard water flow line, a soft water distribution line from said tank of water softening mineral and a regeneration tank in communication with said tank of water softening material adapted to contain material for generation of regenerant for intermittent regeneration of said mineral, the improvement which consists in meter means for metering a predetermined proportion of water from a soft water flow line of said system into a regeneration tank, said meter means including: a. a first valve means in fluid communication with said soft water line such that the volume of water passing therethrough is proportional to the volume of water passing through said soft water line, said first valve means having an open position permitting fluid flow therethrough and a closed position preventing fluid flow therethrough; b. chamber means in fluid communication with said First valve means so as to collect the water passing through said first valve means; c. second valve means in fluid communication with said chamber means, said second valve means having an open position permitting fluid flow therethrough and a closed position preventing fluid flow therethrough; d. said first valve means cooperating with said second valve means such that when said first valve means is in its open position said second valve means is in its closed position and when said first valve means is in its closed position said second valve means is in its open position; e. means associated with said chamber means to force water collected in said chamber means through said second valve means when said second valve means is in its open position; f. passage means associated with said second valve means to direct water passing through said second valve means to said regeneration tank; g. drive means positioned in communication with the soft water line having a shaft associated therewith such that said shaft rotates at a rate proportional to the volume of water passing through said soft water line; h. cam means rotatable by said shaft; and i. cam follower means associated at one end with said cam means and at the other end with said first valve means such that rotation of said cam means transmits an oscillatory motion to said cam follower means thereby moving said first valve means between its first and second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
In the combination defined in claim 1 wherein said means associated with said chamber means being adjustable to limit the volume of water that may enter said chamber means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
chamber means in fluid communication with said first valve means so as to collect the water passing through said first valve means;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
chamber means in fluid communication with said first valve means so as to collect the water passing through said first valve means;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
a chamber positioned within said body having apertures therein in fluid communication with said regenerating solution;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
a chamber positioned within said body having apertures therein in fluid communication with said regenerating solution;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
a conduit having one end in fluid communication with said enclosure and the other end in fluid communication with a cavity having a diaphragm therein;
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
a conduit having one end in fluid communication with said enclosure and the other end in fluid communication with a cavity having a diaphragm therein;
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
lever means associated with said diaphragm to tRanslate motion of said diaphragm to said timer having a time activating position and a neutral position; and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
lever means associated with said diaphragm to tRanslate motion of said diaphragm to said timer having a time activating position and a neutral position; and
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
a passageway in fluid communication with the lower end of said chamber;
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
a passageway in fluid communication with the lower end of said chamber;
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
second valve means in fluid communication with said chamber means, said second valve means on open position permitting fluid flow therethrough and a closed position preventing fluid flow therethrough.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
second valve means in fluid communication with said chamber means, said second valve means on open position permitting fluid flow therethrough and a closed position preventing fluid flow therethrough.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
167 words
In the combination defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second valve means being associated with a first end of said chamber means and said means being associated with a second end of said chamber means, said means including a disk member in fluid sealing engagement with the side walls of said chamber means having a first position wherein said disk being adjacent said second end of said chamber means and a second position wherein said disk member being adjacent said first end of said chamber means, said disk being biased towards its second position such that the pressure of the water entering said chamber means when said first valve means is in its open position moves said disk member from its first position towards its second position and when said second valve means is in its open position said bias moves said disk member from its second position towards its first position forcing the water contained in said chamber means through said second valve means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
In the combination defined in claim 3 wherein additional means being provided to adjust the distance said disk member is spaced from said second end of said chamber means when said disk member is in its second position thereby permitting adjustment of the water holding capacity of said chamber means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
said first valve means cooperating with said second valve means such that when said first valve means is in its open position said second valve means is in its closed position and when said first valve means is in its closed position said second valve means is in its open position;
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
51 words
said first valve means cooperating with said second valve means such that when said first valve means is in its open position said second valve means is in its closed position and when said first valve means is in its closed position said second valve means is in its open position;
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
a first seat means, positioned at a predetermine low level of said regenerating tank, adjacent the lower end of said chamber in fluid communication with said passageway;
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
a first seat means, positioned at a predetermine low level of said regenerating tank, adjacent the lower end of said chamber in fluid communication with said passageway;
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
79 words
said enclosure having apertures therein below said predetermined level in fluid communication with said regenerating solution such that as said regenerating solution reaches said predetermined level air trapped in said enclosure above said apertures is forced up said conduit so as to exert a force on said diaphragm moving said lever means from said neutral position to said timer activating position; c. float valve means positioned within said regeneration tank to control the removal of said regenerating solution, comprising:
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
79 words
said enclosure having apertures therein below said predetermined level in fluid communication with said regenerating solution such that as said regenerating solution reaches said predetermined level air trapped in said enclosure above said apertures is forced up said conduit so as to exert a force on said diaphragm moving said lever means from said neutral position to said timer activating position; c. float valve means positioned within said regeneration tank to control the removal of said regenerating solution, comprising:
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
a second seat means positioned below said first seat means within said passageway;
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
a second seat means positioned below said first seat means within said passageway;
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
means associated with said chamber means to force water collected in said chamber means through said second valve means when said second valve means is in its open position; and
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
means associated with said chamber means to force water collected in said chamber means through said second valve means when said second valve means is in its open position; and
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
226 words
In an automatic water softening system, apparatus comprising: a. a softening tank for containing water softening material; b. a regeneration tank for containing a body of water soluable regenerating material for which when dissolved in water forms a regenerating solution for such water softening material; c. a soft water distribution line from said softening tank to service; d. means for directing water into said regeneration tank; e. timer means which upon activation initiates delivery of said regenerating solution to said softening tank; and f. activating means for activating said timer means when said regenerating solution reaches a predetermined level in said regeneration tank; g. said activating means comprising an enclosure positioned within said regeneration tank, a conduit having one end in fluid communication with said enclosure and the other end in fluid communication with a cavity having a diaphragm therein, arm means associated with said diaphragm to translate motion of said diaphragm to said timer having a timer activating position and a neutral position, and said enclosure having apertures therein below said predetermined level in fluid communication with said regeneration solution such that as said regenerating solution reaches said predetermined level air trapped in said enclosure above said aperture is forced up said conduit so as to exert a force on said diaphragm moving said arm means from said neutral position to said timer activating position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
226 words
In an automatic water softening system, apparatus comprising: a. a softening tank for containing water softening material; b. a regeneration tank for containing a body of water soluable regenerating material for which when dissolved in water forms a regenerating solution for such water softening material; c. a soft water distribution line from said softening tank to service; d. means for directing water into said regeneration tank; e. timer means which upon activation initiates delivery of said regenerating solution to said softening tank; and f. activating means for activating said timer means when said regenerating solution reaches a predetermined level in said regeneration tank; g. said activating means comprising an enclosure positioned within said regeneration tank, a conduit having one end in fluid communication with said enclosure and the other end in fluid communication with a cavity having a diaphragm therein, arm means associated with said diaphragm to translate motion of said diaphragm to said timer having a timer activating position and a neutral position, and said enclosure having apertures therein below said predetermined level in fluid communication with said regeneration solution such that as said regenerating solution reaches said predetermined level air trapped in said enclosure above said aperture is forced up said conduit so as to exert a force on said diaphragm moving said arm means from said neutral position to said timer activating position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
207 words
In a float valve of the type adapted to be submerged in a liquid in a container, said valve having a closed position preventing flow of said liquid therethrough and an open position permitting flow of said liquid therethrough, said valve comprising: a. a valve body; b. a chamber positioned within said body having apertures therein in fluid communication with said liquid in said container; c. a passageway in fluid communication with the lower end of said chamber; d. a first seat means positioned adjacent the lower end of said chamber in fluid communication with said passageway; e. a second seat means positioned below said first seat means within said passageway; f. a float ball positioned within said chamber having a first position above said first seat means and a second position adjacent said first seat means closing off fluid communication between said container and said passageway; and g. valve system means having a first position wherein said valve system means closes off fluid flow through said second seat means and extends through said first seat means to force said float ball off said first seat means and a second position wherein said valve system means is spaced from said second seat means permitting fluid flow therethrough.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
207 words
In a float valve of the type adapted to be submerged in a liquid in a container, said valve having a closed position preventing flow of said liquid therethrough and an open position permitting flow of said liquid therethrough, said valve comprising: a. a valve body; b. a chamber positioned within said body having apertures therein in fluid communication with said liquid in said container; c. a passageway in fluid communication with the lower end of said chamber; d. a first seat means positioned adjacent the lower end of said chamber in fluid communication with said passageway; e. a second seat means positioned below said first seat means within said passageway; f. a float ball positioned within said chamber having a first position above said first seat means and a second position adjacent said first seat means closing off fluid communication between said container and said passageway; and g. valve system means having a first position wherein said valve system means closes off fluid flow through said second seat means and extends through said first seat means to force said float ball off said first seat means and a second position wherein said valve system means is spaced from said second seat means permitting fluid flow therethrough.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
passage means associated with said second valve means to direct water passing through said second valve means to said regeneration tank; b. activating means for activating said timer means when said regenerating solution reaches a predetermined high level in said regeneration tank comprising:
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
43 words
passage means associated with said second valve means to direct water passing through said second valve means to said regeneration tank; b. activating means for activating said timer means when said regenerating solution reaches a predetermined high level in said regeneration tank comprising:
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
a float ball positioned within said chamber having a first position above said first seat means and a second position adjacent said first seat means closing off fluid communication between said container and said passageway; and
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
a float ball positioned within said chamber having a first position above said first seat means and a second position adjacent said first seat means closing off fluid communication between said container and said passageway; and
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
58 words
valve stem means having a first position wherein said valve stem means closes off fluid flow through said second seat means and extends through said first seat means to force said float ball off said first seat means and a second position wherein said valve stem means is spaced from said second seat means permitting fluid flow therethrough;
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
58 words
valve stem means having a first position wherein said valve stem means closes off fluid flow through said second seat means and extends through said first seat means to force said float ball off said first seat means and a second position wherein said valve stem means is spaced from said second seat means permitting fluid flow therethrough;
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
76 words
In an automatic water softening system having a tank for containing water softening material, a regeneration tank for containing a body of water soluable regenerating material for which when dissolved in water forms a regenerating solution, and a timer means which upon activation initiates delivery of said regenerating solution to said tank; the improvement comprising: a. meter means for metering a predetermined proportion of water from a soft water flow line into said regeneration tank, comprising:
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
76 words
In an automatic water softening system having a tank for containing water softening material, a regeneration tank for containing a body of water soluable regenerating material for which when dissolved in water forms a regenerating solution, and a timer means which upon activation initiates delivery of said regenerating solution to said tank; the improvement comprising: a. meter means for metering a predetermined proportion of water from a soft water flow line into said regeneration tank, comprising:
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
said second seat means being in fluid communication with a conduit which directs regenerating solution from said regenerating tank to said tank containing water softening material.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
said second seat means being in fluid communication with a conduit which directs regenerating solution from said regenerating tank to said tank containing water softening material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3048274A
Cited
US3442136A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |