US3894719A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water softener valve
Assignee: RAYTEC WATERGROUP COMPANY LP
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Filing: 1973-12-17
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Granted: 1975-07-15
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Expires: 1993-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A water softener control valve has a number of cam operated valves each of which includes a ball located at a port. A lever is associated with each ball and lever movement by the cams unseats the balls to open the ports. The ports are located in a common, generally horizontal wall and internal generally vertical walls associated with the ports define channeling through which water is directed in achieving the service, backwash, brine slow rinse, and fast rinse cycles of the water softener, and in addition the brine tank water refill after the mineral bed of the water softener has been regenerated. Water pressure urges the balls toward their respective ports and holds the balls seated in the ports. One port is exposed, during the regeneration portion of the water softener program, to both return flow from the mineral tank on one side of the port and service flow to the service outlet on the other side. That port has a ball on both sides of the port to insure closure of the port and isolation of the flow on both sides of the port.
Inventors
- 👤 John F Horvath
- 👤 Chester R Nickols
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:42
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K11/00; F16K11/10; F16K11/20; F16K11/22; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/42; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S137/00; Y10S137/901; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87056; Y10T137/87064
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A fluid valve comprising in combination, means defining a housing, a source inlet and a service outlet each opening into the interior of said housing, at least one port within said housing, the fluid flow through said fluid valve depending on the selective opening of said port, a generally spherical valve member freely positioned at said port and positioned on that side of said port so that normal flow through the valve urges said valve member against its respective port, and deflection means protruding through said housing, said deflection means having an end portion within said housing said end portion being movable from a first position spaced apart from said valve member to a second position, movement of said end portions from said first to said second position causing unseating of said valve member to a position spaced laterally from the axis of said port, movement of said end portions from said second to said first position permitting release of said valve member to the influence of fluid flow through said housing to cause reseating of said valve member, whereby the port sealing surface of said valve member is reoriented relative to said port when said valve member is reseated against its port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A fluid valve comprising in combination, means defining a housing, a source inlet and a service outlet each opening into the interior of said housing, at least one port within said housing, the fluid flow through said fluid valve depending on the selective opening of said port, a generally spherical valve member freely positioned at said port and positioned on that side of said port so that normal flow through the valve urges said valve member against its respective port, and deflection means protruding through said housing, said deflection means having an end portion within said housing said end portion being movable from a first position spaced apart from said valve member to a second position, movement of said end portions from said first to said second position causing unseating of said valve member to a position spaced laterally from the axis of said port, movement of said end portions from said second to said first position permitting release of said valve member to the influence of fluid flow through said housing to cause reseating of said valve member, whereby the port sealing surface of said valve member is reoriented relative to said port when said valve member is reseated against its port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The fluid valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein said end portion of said deflection means is adapted to contact said valve member at a point spaced laterally from the axis of said port when said end portion is moved from said first to said second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fluid valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein said end portion of said deflection means is located on the valve member side of said port.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The fluid valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein said valve member deflection means includes an elongated means and means biasing said elongated means to said first position and opposing movement of said end portion of said elongated means to said second position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fluid valve as claimed in claim 4 wherein said elongated means consists of a lever.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The fluid valve as claimed in claim 5 wherein said biasing means is a resilient member mounted on a wall of said housing and said elongated means extends through said resilient member.
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) | 1978-07-14 | 1979-01-13 | 1979-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-14 | 1983-01-13 | 1983-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-14 | 1987-01-13 | 1987-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |