Patent GB-260752-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to water softening apparatus
IPC: C02F1/42
Filed: 1925-10-14
Abstract: 260,752. Eisenhauer, C. P. Oct. 14, 1925. Purifying liquids.-An automatic watersoftener comprises a softening tank and a tank, containing a chemical for regenerating the softening material, connected by pipes and valves controlled by a meter actuated by the incoming water, so as to regulate the alternate periods of softening and regenerating. A bye-pass supplies water to the outlet pipe during the regenerating operation. The meter 2 operates cam mechanism which controls the main valve, contained in casing 22, which supplies hydrostatic pressure to operate the valves of the apparatus. During the softening period hard water enters by a pipe 1, passes through the meter 2, a valve 38 which is retained open by a spring, pipe 49 and the softening tank 50, pipes 60, 64, valve 66, and outlet pipe 67. After a predetermined quantity of water has passed, the main valve admits hydrostatic pressure to pipes 35, 40. thus closing valve 38 and opening valves 34, 36. Water now passes through valve 36 and an injector mechanism contained in a casing 61, and draws brine from tank 46 by a pipe 63 and passes with the brine through the pipe 60, the tank 50, the pipe 49, and the valve 34 to the drain. A float 71 falls in the brine tank, causing, when sufficient brine has passed, a needle valve to be opened by links 79, 115, thus admitting pressure water to a valve 45 and closing it against spring action to cut off the brine. A stop 86 is moved simultaneously by the float to retain a valve 43 open thus allowing water to refill the brine tank when the valve 45 opens on relief of the pressure thereon as the apparatus changes over to a softening period. After a certain quantity of washing water has passed through the system the cam mechanism closes the main valve and the valves 34, 36, 38 return to the position for a softening operation. When the brine tank has been refilled the valve 43 is released by the stop 86 and closes. A valve 41 is operated by the water pressure in the pipe 40 to bye-pass water to the outlet pipe 67 through a pipe 65. The water meter, Fig. 9, comprises a swash plate 147 operating a shaft 3 by means of a crank 148. The shaft 3 carries a driving member adjustable according to the hardness of the water, which turns a friction disc. The friction disc by means of worm gear turns cams 11, 12, Fig. 7, mounted on a shaft 9. The cam 12 is in the form of a ring and is mounted on a supporting disc 12<b> eccentrically mounted on the shaft 9 and clamped by screws 13. Thus the length of the high point formed by the overlapping of the high points of the two cams may be adjusted by altering the position of the cam 12. The cams operate the main valve by an arm 16. Fig. 10 shows one of the controlling valves opened by hydrostatic pressure admitted into the diaphragm chamber 111 and closed by a spring 102. Spring 107 is mounted on the washer 108 above the packing 109 surrounding the valve stem. Pressure is drained from the main valve chamber 22, Fig. 1. and from above the valve, 45, by bleed devices and pipes 33, 47. The volume of softening material in the tank 50 may be less than the space between the screens and gratings 53, 56 therein so that the passage of the water may move the material.