Patent GB-1047636-A (GB)
Title: Multiple port rotary disc valve
IPC: F16K11/072
Filed: 1963-07-24
Abstract: 1,047,636. Valves. MEADOWBROOK CO. July 24, 1963 [July 30, 1962], No. 29374/63. Heading F2V. [Also in Division B1] The service, backwash and regenerating cycles of a water-softening system are automatically performed through a time clock controlled rotary disc valve wherein a rotary fluid controlling manifold member has a plurality of ports therein and a sealing and lubricating element thereon maintained in face-to-face sealing engagement between the rotary manifold member and a stationary ported seat member. Rotary fluid controlling manifold or disc 13 has separate chambers 69 and 70 communicating with ports 65, 66 and 67, 68 respectively in face 24 to provide intercommunication, via a number of ports in the face 15 of stationary valve seat 11, between hard water inlet passage 16, soft water service outlet 17, water softener connection 18 and 19, brine supply tank pipe 20 and drain outlet 21. A polytetrafluoroethylene sealing-lubricating facing 14 is adhered to the face 24 of disc 13, which rotates upon spindle 12 by engagement of pinion 33 with ring gear 26, and the assembly is urged into contact with the face 15 by circumferentially disposed coil springs 30a, which abut a piston 28 within a chamber 27, are positioned by a spacing member 31 and are of adjustable tension by means of nut 29 on shaft 12. Pressure fluid admitted to the chamber 27, via passages 23a, 12c, 12b and 13a balances the pressure within chambers 69 and 70. An 0-ring 22 circumscribes the ports in the face 15 of stationary member 11. Rotation of disc 13 is controlled from a clock I (Fig. 5A, not shown), wherein circumferential time pins 34 initiate one complete rotation of a normally stationary control cam 35 which engages electrical contacts 36 three times in succession to initiate the three phases of the cycle. On each phase, the contacts 36 initiate rotation of motor H (Fig. 5, not shown), which effects closure of a second roller cam-controlled switch member 37, before contacts 36 open, for one complete rotation of the cam 37a and hence of a pinion 33 which thereby rotates the disc 13 one-sixth of a revolution. Openings 51, 59, 57, 55 in member 11 are of the same shape as and are aligned with openings 65, 66, 67, 68 in disc 13 during the service cycle. Hard water from inlet 16 is conveyed (Fig. 6, not shown), via ports 51, 65, chamber 69 and ports 66, 59 to softener inlet 18 and, from softener outlet 19, via ports 55 and 68, chamber 70 and ports 67 and 57 to service outlet 17. Upon further rotation of member 13 to the backwash position (Fig. 7, not shown), hard water from inlet 16 enters chamber 70 through opening 52 and a proportion by-passes, via port 53, to service outlet 17 and the remainder passes, via port 56, to counter-current cleansing flow through the water softener from outlet 19 to inlet 18, reentering chamber 69 via ports 60 and 65 for discharge to drain 21 via ports 66 and 58. In the regeneration position (Fig. 8, not shown), a proportion of the water from inlet 16 passes, via ports 61, 68 and chamber 70, to port 53 for connection to the service outlet 17 and the remainder passes, via port 54, through a Venturi system V which draws fresh brine into the circuit from diametric passage 32C connected to the brine inlet 20. The brine is deposited in passing through the water softener from inlet 18 to outlet 19 and the remaining liquid passes, via ports 56 and 66, chamber 69 and ports 65, 58 to drain outlet 21. The p.t.f.e. facing 14 is etched with activated sodium solution and adhered to disc 13 by epoxy based adhesive and is afterwards lapped to the stationary surface 15.