Regeneration system for water conditioners such as water softeners

A regenerating control system for liquid conditioners includes ball valves positioned and sized so that they do not cause any flow restriction during the normal operation of the conditioner. The valves are operated by low voltage D.C. motors which require power only while moving the valves from one position to another position. An electronics control system and timer control the operation of the valves and require very small amounts of power. Consequently, a battery backup system can operate for extended periods of time when a commercial power outage occurs. A two-piece housing assembly provides improved seals for sealing between the two housing halves and between the housing assembly and the valve.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to a control for a regeneration system of 
a water conditioning system, and more particularly to a novel and improved 
automated valve system particularly suited for regenerating water 
conditioning systems such as water softeners and the like. 
PRIOR ART 
Water softeners often provide a tank containing an ionic exchange resin 
which must be regenerated from time to time so that it can continue to 
function. During such regeneration cycles, it is customary to first 
conduct a backflush or backwash operation to cleanse the resin bed and 
then introduce brine into the resin bed for regeneration of the resin. 
Thereafter, a fast rinse is normally provided to wash the brine from the 
resin and the system is then returned to normal service. 
Typically, in automated regeneration systems, a valve network is provided 
to sequentially perform each of these operations. Further, it is typical 
to use spool valves or plunger valves in the network which impose a 
substantial flow restriction and therefore cause a substantial pressure 
drop in the system when high flow rates are required. 
In many systems, it is known to provide a motordriven timer which functions 
through cams to operate the various valves and to time both the period 
between regeneration cycles and also the duration of each phase of the 
regeneration cycle. Since the motors of such timers have a substantial and 
constant power requirement, such systems are not provided with a backup 
power source and interruptions in the electrical power supplied to the 
regeneration system affect the timing when the cycle is performed and also 
can affect the timing of the various phases of the actual regeneration 
cycle. 
It is also known to provide solenoid-operated valves in regeneration 
systems. Such valves require a constant current flow to maintain the valve 
actuated and, therefore, are generally unsatisfactory for use in systems 
providing a battery backup power source. 
The flow restriction provided by many of the prior art valve systems, such 
as spool valve systems, is particularly objectionable in commercial 
installations, which often require very substantial flows. Further, when a 
constant source of power is required for reliable operation, excessive 
standby power requirements tend to prohibit the use of standby battery 
power for reliable operation. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
There are a number of important aspects of the present invention. In 
accordance with one important aspect, a novel and improved valve system is 
provided for liquid conditioning systems, such as water softeners or the 
like, which does not produce a significant pressure drop even when high 
flow rates occur. 
The illustrated embodiment provides four ball valves sized and 
interconnected to provide a completely unrestricted flow when the unit is 
in normal service. The four ball valves are interconnected for 
straight-through flow when the conditioner is in normal service. 
Therefore, the flow is completely unrestricted by the valves when the unit 
is in normal service operation. Further, the valves are mounted in a 
housing which provides flow passages arranged to minimize the number of 
turns, and therefore minimize the number of restrictions to flow. 
In accordance with another aspect of this invention, a novel and improved 
valve system for liquid conditioning systems is provided in which the 
valves are actuated by electric motors which require power only during the 
actual movement of the valves between their various operating positions. 
Further, the electronic control circuit for sequencing the valves for the 
regenerating cycle requires very low current drain. Consequently, the 
system can function for extended periods of time on battery backup power 
without requiring substantial battery capacity. Also, the electronic 
control circuit itself requires only low voltage direct current, making 
operation in a wet environment and operation in foreign countries simpler. 
In accordance with another aspect of this invention, the electronic control 
circuit provides indication of failure of the valves to operate. 
Additionally, reconditrioning cycles may be initiated by real-time clock, 
liquid use, or the availability of an alternate conditioner. 
In accordance with another aspect of this invention, a novel and improved 
seal system is provided for the valves and the housing. Such seal system 
includes a sealed assembly for each ball valve having a seal ring engaging 
the valve element which is formed to mate fully with the ball valve and 
which does not allow for the accumulation of debris, which can cause 
leakage or wear. Therefore, each valve functions reliably for extended 
periods and through repeated cycles of operation with little or no 
maintenance. 
Further, the valve housing is formed from two mating housing halves which 
cooperate to define the valve housing and the flow passages. Here again, 
novel and improved seals are provided to interconnect the housing halves 
and also seal the valves within the housing assembly. 
In order to prevent corrosion, and to minimize machining costs, the system 
is formed of noncorrosive, molded plastic components. Further, the housing 
is structured so that only three connections are required to connect the 
entire conditioning system to the water system. 
Still further, the housing is structured for mounting on the resin tank in 
a manner which permits the control system to be disconnected from the 
resin tank without disturbiing the piping system connecting the housing to 
the water system. 
These and other aspects of this invention are illustrated in the 
accompanying drawings, and are more fully described in the following 
specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a typical water softening conditioning 
system incorporating the present invention. The particular illustrated 
embodiment may be used, for example, in commercial installations where 
substantial flow rates are required, and provides a system where a minimum 
pressure drop occurs even at high flow rates. In some such systems, two or 
more conditioning systems may be provided which work in parallel and are 
interconnected so that only one system is placed in a regenerating cycle 
at a time. When combined in such a manner, the total system provides an 
uninterrupted supply of conditioned water since one conditioner functions 
to continue to supply conditioned water while the other conditioner is 
being regenerated. The illustrated conditioning system can also be used as 
a stand-alone system in which a bypass is provided to continue to supply 
water, although untreated, during the regeneration cycles. 
The illustrated conditioning system is described in connection with a water 
softener utilizing an ion exchange resin well known to persons skilled in 
the art which is regenerated at intervals by brine. It should be 
understood, however, that within its broader aspects the present invention 
can be applied to other types of liquid conditioning systems such as 
industrial liquid treatment systems, swimming pool filtering systems, and 
the like. 
The illustrated system includes a closed vessel or tank 10 containing a bed 
of resin 11 which operates to condition liquid flowing through the tank 
between regeneration cycles. Mounted on the upper end of the tank 10 is a 
control system 12 through which liquid (water in the instance of a water 
softener) is supplied to the tank 10. The control system 12 provides a 
plurality of valves, discussed in detail below, which are operated to 
automatically establish a regenerating cycle for regenerating the resin 
bed 11. 
The valves are operated by an electric motor 13 associated with each of the 
valves to sequence the system through a regenerating cycle in response to 
signals produced by a control circuit, schematically illustrated at 14. 
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the 
control circuit 14 is normally powered by a low voltage direct current 
source 15 (e.g., 12-volt power supply that mounts directly onto a 
commercial 110-volt A.C. power receptacle for both power and mechanical 
attachment), as are the electric motors 13. Further, a standby source of 
electrical power is provided by a battery, schematically illustrated at 
17, to ensure continued proper operation of the overall system in the 
event of a power failure. In accordance with the present invention, the 
electrical power requirements for the operation of the total system are 
minimized so that a relatively small source of standby power, i.e., a 
relatively small 12-volt battery, can function to continue the operation 
of the system in a reliable manner even if power outages continue for a 
relatively long period of time. Because only low voltage D.C. is required 
to power the conditioner, operation in countries with different A.C. 
commercial power requires only changing the D.C. source 15. Operating in a 
potentially wet environment is also made easier by the use of low voltage. 
The control circuit 14 is provided with a time-of-day and day-of-week clock 
input 18, a water meter input 19, and a lockout input 20. Initiation of a 
reconditioning cycle is begun by combination of inputs 18, 19, 20. The 
clock input 18 is intended to be connected to a real-time clock (not 
shown) that periodically permits a reconditioning cycle (e.g., 2-6 a.m. on 
Saturdays). The water meter input 19 is intended to be connected to a 
water meter (not shown) that signals when a given quantity of water has 
been used (e.g., 10,000 gallons), and therefore a reconditioning cycle is 
needed. The lockout input 20 is intended to be connected to an alternate 
liquid conditioner (not shown) that would provide a signal indicating that 
the alternate liquid conditioner was in a reconditioning cycle and as a 
result "lock-out" the initiation of a reconditioning cycle in the present 
invention until the alternate was in service mode. If any of the inputs 
18, 19, 20 were not desired, they could be connected to the proper fixed 
voltage in a manner within the knowledge of one skilled in the art. 
The control circuit 14 may, for example, be made up of a microprocessor, 
electronic memory, display means, input means, a program, and solid state 
drivers as would be within the capabilities of one skilled in the digital 
electronics art. Control circuit 14 controls operation of the conditioner 
by the sequencing of motors 13, which in turn operate valves 12. Control 
circuit 14 drives valves 12 into the position required for each cycle of 
the conditioner and determines how long each valve 12 remains in a given 
position according to the circuits contained therein. 
In normal operation between regenerating cycles, liquid enters the tank 10 
from the control system 12 at the upper end of the tank, as indicated by 
the arrow 21. Such liquid passes down through the bed resin 11 into a 
manifold, schematically illustrated at 22, at the lower end of the tank. 
Such manifold is constructed so that liquid can enter the manifold, but 
the surrounding material of the filter bed or resin bed 11 cannot. During 
normal conditioning operation of the system, the liquid then flows up 
along the conduit 23, as indicated by the arrow 24, to the control system 
12, which delivers the conditioned (softened water in the illustrated 
embodiment) to the distribution system serviced by the conditioner. 
The conditioner also includes a brine tank 26 containing liquid brine 27 
for the regeneration of the resin 11 during the regeneration cycle. During 
the regeneration cycle, the control system 12 initially performs a 
backflush or backwash operation in which untreated water is delivered down 
through the conduit 23 and passes out through the manifold into the resin 
bed 11. Such water then passes up through the resin bed and passes out of 
the system to a drain. Such backwash or backflush operation operates to 
clean the resin bed, but does not actually regenerate the resin itself. 
After the backflush or backwash phase of the regeneration cycle, a second 
phase of operation occurs in which brine 27 from the brine tank 26 is 
delivered to the top of the tank 10 and passes down through the resin bed 
to regenerate the resin bed 11. During such operation, the brine enters 
the manifold 22 and passes up the conduit 23 to the control system 12 and 
is discharged through a drain. As discussed below, the illustrated 
embodiment is structured so that a reverse direction brine flow can be 
provided. 
In order to transfer the brine from the brine tank 26 to the tank 10 during 
the regenerating cycle, water is delivered from the control system 12 
through a pipe or conduit 28 to a venturi 29 and then passes back through 
a second conduit or pipe 31. The action of the venturi 29 causes the brine 
to be drawn up along a pipe 32 to the venturi and to be delivered to the 
control system 12 through the pipe 31. 
The illustrated embodiment also provides for a fast rinse at the end of the 
brine cycle, during which the control system 12 operates to introduce 
untreated water from the supply down through the resin bed and to then 
deliver the flush water to a drain. 
This basic regenerating cycle is known in the prior art, and is set forth 
only to provide background for the present invention. 
Reference should now be made to FIGS. 2 through 2c and 3, which illustrate 
the structural detail of the control system 12. The control system 12 
includes a housing assembly 33 defined primarily by upper and lower 
housing halves 34 and 36, which cooperate to define a passage network, 
best illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 2c. Also located within the housing 
are four ball valves 37, 38, 39, and 40. 
In FIG. 2, the valves 37 through 40 are illustrated in position for normal 
conditioning operations in which untreated water enters the housing 
through an inlet 41 and is discharged from the housing through an outlet 
42. In operation, the inlet 41 is connected to a source of untreated water 
and the outlet 42 is connected to the distribution system supplied with 
the treated water by the conditioning system. 
The housing is structured and the valves are positioned so that water 
entering the inlet 41 passes straight through the first two valves 37 and 
38 along a straight flow path 43 extending from the inlet 41 to a bend or 
corner 44 in the passage network. Such straight flow path through the 
valves 37 and 38 is indicated by the arrows 46 and the centerline of the 
flow path 43. From the bend 44, the incoming water passes along a passage 
portion 47, as indicated by the arrows 48, through a downwardly extending 
passage 49 into the upper end of the tank 10. 
After passing through the resin bed 11, as discussed above, the conditioned 
water flows up along the conduit 23, illustrated in FIG. 3, into a passage 
portion 51. The passage portion 51 is connected at one end ot a second 
passage bend 52 around which the conditioned water flows, as indicated by 
the arrows 53, to a second straight flow path 54, indicated by its 
centerline. This second straight flow path 54 is aligned with the outlet 
42 and contains the third and fourth ball valves 39 and 40. 
The openings 37a, 38a, 39a, and 40a, respectively formed in the ball valves 
37 through 40, are aligned with the associated straight flow paths 43 and 
54. Therefore, the flow through each of the valves is not deflected in any 
way by the presence of the valves during the normal operation of the 
conditioner. Further, such openings 37a through 40a are sized to provide 
substantially the same cross-sectional area as the adjacent passage 
portions. Consequently, the valves 37, 38, 39, and 40 do not themselves 
produce any flow restriction during the normal conditioning operation of 
the system. Consequently, the control system 12 operates in normal service 
without producing any material pressure drop, even when high flow rates 
are provided through the system. 
The housing assembly 33 also defines a passage portion 57, indicated by its 
centerline, which extends parallel to the flow path 43 but is laterally 
offset therefrom. This passage portion is connected to the inlet 41 at one 
end and the sides of the valves 37 and 38 intermediate its ends. 
The housing assembly also provides a passage portion 59 laterally offset 
from and substantially parallel to the flow path 54. This passage portion 
59 connects with the two valves 39 and 40 and also with a drain outlet 61. 
In order to permit the system to be used without a second similar system 
which continues to condition the water during the regenerating cycle, the 
housing assembly 33 provides a port 62 in communication with the valve 37 
and a port 63 in communication with the outlet 42. The ports 62 and 63 are 
located in the upper housing half 34 and are shown in phantom in FIGS. 2, 
2a, 2b, and 2c. When the conditioning system is used as a stand-alone 
system without a parallel conditioner, external piping is connected 
between the ports 62 and 63 to provide a bypass during the regeneration 
cycle, as discussed in greater detail below. On the other hand, when two 
parallel conditioning systems are provided so that one conditioning system 
continues to condition the water while the other is regenerating, such 
ports are plugged and a bypass is not provided. A port 58 is provided near 
the outlet 42. The port 58 may provide the connection for the pipe 28 
(illustrated in FIG. 1) to the control system 12. Because, in operation, 
the outlet 42 is connected to conditioned water from the flow path 54, 
bypass water from the port 63 or water from a parallel conditioner, the 
port 58 is always supplied with a water source. 
Referring specifically to FIG. 3, the housing assembly 33 is removably 
mounted on the tank 10 with an adapter 66 which is threaded into a 
threaded opening 67 in the tank 10. A seal 68 provides a fluidtight joint 
between the tank and the adapter. The conduit 23 which supports the 
manifold 22 at its lower end (see FIG. 1) extends up into the adapter 66 
through a seal 69, which provides a fluidtight joint between the conduit 
23 and the adapter 66. 
The lower housing half 36 provides a cylindrical skirt 71 which fits with a 
mating skirt 72 on the adapter 66 around a seal 73, which provides a 
fluidtight joint between the two skirts 71 and 72. The two skirts are 
releasably held in the assembled position by a ring nut 74 which threads 
onto the exterior surface of the skirt 72 and engages a key ring 76 
positioned within a groove on the skirt 71. 
The central portion of the adapter member 66 provides a central skirt 77 
which extends up into a tube 78 through a seal 79 which provides a 
fluidtight joint therebetween. The skirt 77 is aligned with the conduit 23 
and defines a continuation of the passage of such conduit. A tubular stem 
81 extends down through an opening in the upper housing half 34 through 
the passage portion 51 and an opening in the lower housing half 36. The 
tubular stem 81 is provided with lateral parts 82 which interconnect the 
ends of the passage portion 51 with the passage in the conduit 23. The end 
of the tubular stem 81 is threaded into the other end of the tube 78. The 
upper end of the stem 81 is shown in FIG. 4. With this structure, the 
interior of the conduit 23 is in fluid communication with the passage 
portion 51. The passage portion 47 communicates with the upper end of the 
tank 10 around the conduit 23 through the vertically extending passage 49 
and aligned passageways 83 formed in the adapter 66. 
In the event that it becomes necessary to disconnect the housing assembly 
33 from the tank, it is merely necessary to rotate the ring nut relative 
to the adapter member to release the threaded connection between them and 
separate the housing assembly from the adapter and tank. With such 
structure, it is not necessary to produce rotation of the tank relative to 
the housing, or vice versa. Consequently, it is normally not necessary to 
remove the piping connecting the housing assembly to the water system 
being serviced when the housing assembly and tank are disconnected. 
The lower housing half 36 is provided with a threaded port 83 communicating 
with the passage portion 51 and a second threaded port 84 communicating 
with the passage portion 47. If the brine wash phase of the regenerating 
cycle is to be arranged so that the brine enters the top of the tank and 
flows down through the resin bed to the manifold 22, the conduit or pipe 
31 (illustrated in FIG. 1) is connected to the port 84. In such instance, 
a plug is inserted in the port 83. The provision of the port 83, however, 
permits a possible alternative operation in which the brine wash phase of 
the regenerating cycle is conducted so that the brine enters the tank 
through the manifold, rather than at the top of the tank, and flows up 
through the resin. In such event, the valve sequence must be altered from 
the illustrated sequence. 
FIG. 5 illustrates the actuator 85 for the valve 39. It should be 
understood that a similar type of actuator 85 is provided for each of the 
valves. The actuator 85 includes an electric motor 13 connected through a 
first worm drive speed reducer 86. The output of the first worm drive 
speed reducer 86 powers a second worm drive speed reducer 87, providing an 
output worm wheel 90 connected to rotate the associated ball valve 39 
through a connector described below. With this two-stage, series-connected 
speed reduction, the motor 13 associated with each valve can rotate at a 
relatively high speed and provide low speed operation of the associated 
valve. Further, the speed reduction connection provides torque 
magnification of the motor and ensures that ample power is available for 
the operation of the associated valve. 
A microswitch 88 is operated by cam 89 on the worm wheel 90 of the worm 
drive 87 to generate a signal to stop the motor operation when the valve 
is rotated from one operative position to another. Such microswitch can 
also advantageously provide a signal indicating that the valve has moved 
to its proper operative position. The signal from the microswitch 88 is 
provided to the control circuit 14. Upon operation of the microswitch 88, 
the control circuit 14 deenergizes the motor 13 until the next operation 
is required. If the microswitch 88 is not operated within a fixed time 
(e.g., 12-15 seconds) after energizing the motor 13, the control circuit 
14 indicates an error. This indication, for example, may be a light 95 on 
the control circuit 14 or at a remote location. This allows ready 
indication of a malfunction in the conditioner. As discussed below, the 
valve 37 is rotated through three positions during the regenerating cycle, 
but the valves 38 through 40 are normally rotated only through 90 degrees 
each time they are operated. The worm wheel for the valve 37 may be 
provided with an additional cam and switch to provide for indexed rotation 
of 180 degrees. 
A seal assembly is provided to seal the joint between the upper and lower 
housing halves 34 and 36, and also to seal between the housing assembly 
and the respective valves 37 through 40. 
As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 2c, the seal assembly for sealing 
between the two housing halves includes a first molded seal member 91 
shaped to fit in grooves formed at the interface between the two housing 
members and extending from the location 92 along the upper periphery of 
the joint between the housings, as illustrated in FIG. 2, around the 
passage portion 57 to the location 93. From such locations, the seal also 
extends along the periphery of the passage portion 47 to a location 94, 
and therefrom, past the port 63 to the location 96. In addition, a branch 
of the seal 91 extends from the location 93 to an end at 97 and from the 
location 94 to an end at 98. 
A second seal member 99 extends along mating grooves in the housing halves 
from the location 101 along the side of the passage portion 59 to a 
location 102 adjacent to the ball valve 39, and then along the bend 52 to 
a location 103. From the location 103, the seal member 99 extends past the 
port 62 to a location 104 adjacent to the ball valve 37, and therefrom to 
an end 106 adjacent to the inlet port 41. From the location 103, the seal 
99 also provides a branch extending along the passage portion 51 to an end 
at 107 essentially midway between the two valves 37 and 38. A third seal 
member 108 extends from an end 109 between the valves 39 and 40 and along 
the passage portions 47 and 51 to an end at 111 adjacent to the valve 38. 
In addition, two similar seal elements 112 and 113 are respectively 
positioned in grooves formed in the housing between the valves 37 and 38 
and the valves 39 and 40, respectively. The seal assembly also includes 
another pair of similar seals 114 and 115 adjacent to the valves 37 and 
39, respectively. In addition, two seal elements are provided at each of 
the inlets and outlets. At the inlet 41, a pair of seal members 116 and 
117, respectively, extend from the end of the inlet 41 along the opposite 
sides thereof to the ends of the seals 91 and 99 at the locations 92 and 
106. At the junction between the seal 91 and 116, the end of the seal 91 
is provided with a generally hook-shaped end which interfits with a 
lateral projection on the end of the seal 116 to ensure a fluidtight 
connection therebetween, as best illustrated in FIG. 2. Similarly, the 
junction at the location 106 between the seal 99 and the seal 117 provides 
a hook and projection connection for proper sealing. 
Another molded seal 118 extends along one side of the flow path 54 from a 
location 119 to a location 121 and back along the inner side of the 
passage portion 59 to the location 122. Two seals 123 and 124 extend along 
opposite sides of the outlet opening 42 and provide a hook and projection 
interconnection with the ends of the seals 91 and 118 at the locations 96 
and 119, respectively. 
A pair of similar seals 126 and 127 extend along opposite sides of the 
drain opening 61 to the locations 122 and 101, respectively, where a hook 
end projection connection is provided with the seals 118 and 99, 
respectively. All of these seals cooperate with the two housing halves to 
provide a fluidtight joint therebetween and to separate the various flow 
paths and passage portions. When the two housing halves 34 and 36 are 
bolted together by bolts (not illustrated), the various seals are 
compressed between the two housing halves and function to provide the 
necessary seals therebetween. By providing a hook and projection interface 
between the various seals, it is not necessary to produce continuous seals 
along any particular portion and the seal assembly is assembled from 
individual seal elements. 
FIGS. 6, 6a, and 6b illustrate a seal system directly associated with the 
valves 37 through 40. Since the seal systems involved with each valve are 
identical, only the seal system associated with the valve 39 is discussed 
in detail, with the understanding that this description applies to all of 
the valves. 
The ball valve 39 includes a spherical valve element 131 having a lateral 
passage 39a therethrough. Connected to the valve element 131 is a driver 
133 (illustrated in FIG. 6b) providing a rectangular stud 134 which fits 
into the worm wheel 90, illustrated in FIG. 5, to connect the drive to the 
valve element 131 for rotation thereof. Positioned around the valve 
element 131 ninety degrees apart are four seal assemblies 136 through 139. 
The seal assemblies 136, 137, and 138 are identical, so only one is 
illustrated in FIGS. 6a and 6b. The seal assembly 139 differs from the 
other seal assemblies in one minor respect, and is therefore separately 
illustrated in FIGS. 6a and 6b. 
Each of the seal assemblies 136 through 138 includes a seal ring 141 having 
a forward face 142 which is a portion of a sphere having the same diameter 
as the spherical valve element 131. The forward face 142 mates with the 
spherical surface of the spherical valve element 131 and provides a 
fluidtight joint therewith. Preferably, the seal ring is formed of Teflon 
or the like, which is wear-resistant and capable of establishing a 
reliable, dynamic seal with the surface of the valve element, and which 
does not wear during extended use. The outer edge of the forward face is 
chamfered at 143 to eliminate a weak, thin section at the periphery of the 
forward face. With this structure, which provides full mating contact with 
the valve element 131, debris does not tend to collect which could cause 
wear during the life of the valve. 
Positioned immediately behind the ring seal 141 is a resilient ring 144 
which resiliently urges the ring seal into sealing engagement with the 
valve element 131. The resilient ring 144 is positioned within its annular 
groove 146 in a seal holder 147. The rearward end of the ring seal 141 
also projects into the annular groove 146 and is positioned and supported 
by the seal holder 147. 
Positioned immediately to the rear of the seal holder 147 is an O-ring like 
seal 148 which, however, is formed with diametrically opposed, L-shaped 
projections 149. The annular or circular ring portion of the seals 148 
mates in a step groove 150 formed in the seal holder 147 and the L-shaped 
projections extend into mating, hook-like recesses formed in the seal 113 
and in the seal 99 at the location 102. These L-shaped projections ensure 
that a fluidtight connection is made between the seals 148 and the 
adjacent portion of the seals between the two housing halves. A backup 
ring 151 is positioned within the housing and presses the seal 148 into 
tight sealing engagement with the seal holder and provides for the 
location of the entire seal assembly in a direction toward the valve 
element 131. 
The seal assembly 139 provides a seal ring 141, a resilient ring 144, and a 
seal holder 147 identical with the corresponding elements in the other 
seal assembly. However, in this seal assembly 139, a simple O-ring 152 is 
positioned along the rearward side of the seal holder 147 to provide a 
seal between such assembly and the housing halves. Since the seal 113 and 
the end 149 of the seal 148 bridge between the two valves 39 and 40, it is 
not necessary to provide a seal 148 of the type having the L-shaped 
projections. 
Referring again to FIGS. 2 through 2c, FIG. 2 illustrates the valve in the 
position for normal service operation of the conditioner. Untreated water 
from the water supply system enters the housing 33 through the inlet 41 
and passes without restriction through the two valves 37 and 38, with a 
straight-line flow path. The passages formed in all of the ball valves are 
sized with a cross-sectional area substantially equal to the 
cross-sectional area of the entire flow system, so the straight-line flow 
path through the valves 37 and 38 does not create any flow restriction 
even at high flow rates. 
In the position of FIG. 2, the valve 37 isolates the port 62 so bypass flow 
cannot occur even if a bypass connection is provided between the two ports 
62 and 63. The valve 38 also isolates the passage portion 51 from the 
incoming flow, so all of the incoming flow passes along the passage 
portion 47 and down into the upper end of the tank through the passage 49. 
This causes the supply water to pass through the resin bed 11, which 
conditions the water. The conditioned water subsequently flows into the 
manifold 22 and up the conduit 23 into the passage portion 51. The flow of 
the treated or conditioned water then continues around the bend 52 and 
through the two valves 39 and 40 with straightline, unrestricted flow to 
the outlet 42. During this phase of the operation, the valves 39 and 40 
isolate the passage 59 and the valve 40 also isolates the flow path 54 
from the passage portion 47. Because the two sides of the venturi 29 are 
at the same pressure, no brine is introduced into the system. 
FIG. 2a illustrates the valve positions during the backwash phase of the 
regenerating cycle. In such position, the valve 37 has rotated 90 degrees 
in an anticlockwise direction from its position illustrated in FIG. 2. 
Similarly, the valves 38 and 40 are rotated through 90 degrees, but the 
valve 39 remains in its former position. During this phase of the 
regenerating cycle, untreated water enters the housing through the inlet 
41 and may flow to the port 62 if a bypass is provided. From the port 62 
external piping carries the bypass water to the port 63 from which the 
untreated water is delivered to the outlet 42. If a parallel system is 
provided including two conditioners, such a bypass connection is not 
provided and the conditioner which is not regenerating continues to supply 
conditioned water to the connected system. 
The incoming untreated water also flows through the passage portion 57 and 
through the valve 38 to the passage portion 51. However, since the valve 
40 has been moved, the incoming water cannot reach the outlet and must 
pass down through the conduit 23 and out the manifold 22 to the bottom of 
the tank. Such backwash water then flows up through the resin bed and up 
the vertically extending passage 49 into the passage portion 47. Such 
water is then discharged through the valve 40 to the drain outlet 61. 
At the completion of the backwash phase of the regenerating cycle, the 
valves are again operated by the control system to a position illustrated 
in FIG. 2b for the brine rinse phase of the regeneration cycle. During 
such phase of the regenerating cycle, the supply of untreated water 
entering the inlet 41 continues to be connected to the port 62 for bypass 
operation if the ports 62 and 63 are externally connected. The valves 37 
and 38 prevent any direct connection between the supply and either the 
passage portion 51 or the passage 49. The manifold 22 at the bottom of the 
tank is connected through the conduit 23 to the passage portion 51, which 
is in turn connected through the valve 39 to the drain 61. 
During this phase of the regenerating cycle, the supply pressure is 
connected to the port 58 and the pipe 28 to the venturi 22. Consequently, 
brine 27 is drawn up through the pipe 32 and is delivered through the pipe 
31 to the port 84 into the passage portion 47. From the passage portion 47 
the brine enters the top of the tank and is carried down through the resin 
bed 11 and is exhausted to the drain 61. 
At the completion of the brine rinse phase of the regenerating cycle, the 
valves are operated by the control circuit to the positions of FIG. 2c to 
provide the fast rinse. In the valve positions of FIG. 2c, the bypass port 
62 is again connected to the source of untreated water from the inlet 41 
through the valve 37. However, the untreated water is also supplied to the 
top of the tank through the valves 37 and 38 which connect the inlet port 
to the passage portion 47. The two valves 39 and 40 isolate the rinse 
water flowing up through the manifold 22 from the outlet 42, but allow 
flow from the manifold to pass out through the drain 61. 
At the completion of the fast rinse, the valves are again operated to 
return them to the position of FIG. 2 to return the conditioner to normal 
service operation. 
A conditioner in accordance with the present invention provides a valve 
system which does not introduce any material pressure drop, even at high 
flow rates, and which can be operated for extended periods of time with 
battery backup power because the electrical drain on such a backup power 
source is minimized. The only power requirement for the operation of the 
valves occurs during the actual movement of the valves. Further, the 
timing and control circuit is selected for low power requirements. 
Additionally, an improved seal structure is provided to ensure reliable 
operation of the ball valves, with a minimum of maintenance even when the 
system is operated for an extended period of time. Since all of the parts 
contacted by the liquid being conditioned or treated are formed of molded 
plastic, a minimum amount of machining is required and corrosion problems 
are non-existent. 
Although the preferred embodiment of this invention has been shown and 
described, it should be understood that various modifications and 
rearrangements of the parts may be resorted to without departing from the 
scope of the invention as disclosed and claimed herein.