Patent GB-1250078-A (GB)
IPC: C02F1/42
Filed: 1969-02-11
Abstract: 1,250,078. Ion-exchange; valve assembly for water softening apparatus. ECODYNE CORP. 11 Feb., 1969 [12 Feb., 1968], No. 7369/69. Heading B1J. An actuator valve assembly for controlling a main valve assembly of water conditioning apparatus, for example ion-exchange apparatus for softening water, comprises an actuator valve body having disposed therein four valves each of which includes a valve chamber having formed therein a valve seat dividing the valve chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber; each valve further includes a valve core which is movable in the actuator valve body by actuator means and which comprises a valve member adapted to seat on the corresponding valve seat to close communication between the first chamber and the second chamber of the corresponding valve chamber. Such an actuator valve assembly comprising four valves, designated A, B, C and D, is illustrated in Figure 1 which shows a valve assembly for controlling liquid flow in water softening apparatus, the main valve assembly being flanked by the actuator valve assembly which, for purposes of illustration, is shown split into two halves; the main valve assembly essentially is conventional and comprises an inlet port for water to be treated in a treatment tank containing ion exchange material, an outlet port for water which has been treated in the treatment tank, an inlet passage connecting the inlet port and the treatment tank, an outlet passage connecting the treatment tank and the outlet port, a by-pass passage connecting the inlet passage and the outlet passage, a two-way inlet valve located in the inlet passage and adapted to provide communication between the inlet port and either the treatment tank or the by-pass passage and a one-way outlet valve located in the outlet passage for controlling communication between the treatment tank and the outlet port. The actuator valve body is formed with a first passage for connecting the first chamber of valve A to a tank of regenerant, for example brine, for the ion exchange material, a second passage for connecting the first chamber of valve B to the tank of regenerant, a third passage for connecting the first chambers of valves C and D to drain means, a fourth passage for connecting the second chambers of valves A, B and D to the main valve assembly, a fifth passage for connecting the first chamber of valve C to the main valve assembly and a sixth passage for connecting the first chamber of valve B to the main valve assembly. The valve core of valve B includes a further valve member adapted to seat on a secondary valve seat formed between the second chamber of valve B and the fourth passage thereby to close communication between the second chamber of valve B and the fourth passage when the valve core of valve B is positioned to provide communication between the second chamber of valve B and the second passage; as illustrated, the further valve member may comprise a pin section which terminates in a conical tip and which is encircled by an O-ring seal adapted to seal against the secondary valve seat. The actuator valve assembly is operated by a cam arrangement (not shown) controlled by a timing device (not shown).