Patent GB-346287-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in apparatus for softening water
IPC: C02F1/42
Filed: 1930-01-04
Abstract: 346,287. Softening water. EISENHAUER, C. P., 530, Grafton Avenue, Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A. Jan. 4, 1930, No. 423. Convention date, March 11, 1929. [Class 46.] Means for regenerating material used for softening water comprises a manually operated device for initiating the regeneration and timing means for automatically terminating the regeneration treatment at the end of a predetermined period. The control means is adapted to be operated at a point remote from the softening-apparatus. The passage through a water-softener 6, Fig. 1, of water to be softened and of brine for regenerating the softening-material is controlled by a rotary valve 2 turned by means of a lever 32, pitman 30 and diaphragm 29 which is subjected to the pressure of the water in the main supply pipe 1 when a needle valve 18 has been opened. The needle valve is normally held closed by a spring but it can be opened by means of a cable or rod 22, the operating end of which may, in the case where the softening apparatus is located in the cellar of a dwelling, be placed, for instance, in the kitchen. The end of the cable 22 is pivotally connected to a disc 40, Fig. 11, which, to open the needle-valve, can be turned manually to a position in which it is locked by a finger 56 connected to clockwork timing mechanism. The timing mechanism can be set to release the finger after a desired period has elapsed. The needle-valve 18 then closes, water below it passing away through a small orifice to a drain 38. The pitman 30 is then withdrawn by a spring 31 and the valve 2 returned to its normal position. In the normal position water from the main 1 passes, as shown in Fig. 5, through the valve to a pipe 5 leading to the bottom of the softener 6. The water passes upward through the softener, returns through a pipe 14 to the valve 2, which it enters through an aperture 7, and is directed to a service main 11. On operation of the cable 22 the valve 2 is turned to the position illustrated in Fig. 6, which shows the valve in longitudinal section. In this position water from the main 1 is directed through an injector 13, by means of which brine is drawn through a pipe 15 from a tank 57 and passed through the pipe 14 to the softener 6. The waste brine leaves the softener through the pipe 5 and is directed by the valve 2 to a drain pipe 16. The connection between the brine tank 57 and the pipe 15 includes two valves 63, 83, Fig. 3. The valve 83 is normally open, and the valve 63 is opened by a diaphragm 66 which by means of a pipe 39 is subject to the pressure in the main 1 when the needle-valve 18 is opened. When the amount of brine necessary for a regeneration has been drawn away by the ejector, the arm 71 of a float 72 in the tank 57 moves a lever 70, a pitman 74, a lever 75, and a valve stem 78 to open a ball valve 79 and admit the pressure on the diaphragm 66 to a diaphragm 81, which then closes the valve 83 and thus cuts off the flow of brine to the pipe 15. When the needle-valve closes, the pressure on the diaphragm 81 is released through a restricted drain pipe 85 and the valve 83 opens. The valve 63 is retained in its open position by a spring-pressed catch 69. Softened water then passes from the pipe 14 through the valves 63, 83 to the tank 57. When the brine in the latter is thus brought back to its original level, the float 72 again turns the lever 70, which withdraws the catch 69 and thus allows the valve 63 to close.