Patent Publication Number: US-11655903-B2

Title: Control valve assembly for fluid treatment apparatus

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/905,038 filed on Feb. 26, 2018 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/464,962, filed on Feb. 28, 2017, the entireties of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to fluid treatment systems such as water treatment systems including water softeners, and more particularly to a control valve for a water softening system. It is recognized that many aspects of the present invention can be applied to other types of fluid treatment systems, such as filtering or de-ionizing systems. 
     Control valve assemblies for fluid treatment systems, such as water softeners, often use pistons equipped with radial ring seals to control the flow of fluids though the control valve assemblies. Such controls are used to periodically seal off certain flow paths and open others, under the control of a timer portion of the control valve. As is known in the art, such water softeners cycle between service, backwash, brine rinse, slow rinse, fast rinse, brine refill, and other operations well known to designers of such equipment. Operation of such valves is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,302,631, 6,644,349, and 6,176,258, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     There is a continuing need and desire for an improved control valve assembly for a fluid treatment apparatus which is easier to manufacture, assemble, install, and service. 
     SUMMARY 
     The above-identified need is met by the present control valve assembly, which is particularly suited for use in water softeners. Features included on the present control valve include a two-part housing secured together with fasteners that provide for a construction that is easier to assemble for installation and disassemble for maintenance and repair. Additionally, unlike some conventional which have machined parts and/or require tools for installation, such a design utilizes molded components which are less expensive, easier to replace, and require only minimal tools for assembly. 
     Another feature is that a blending valve is integrally formed in the housing. Such a blending valve allows for a quicker and easier installation since it eliminates the requirement for a complex, enteral blending valve to be coupled to the control valve assembly. 
     Yet another feature is that a single piston extends through the housing. The cylinder for the piston is formed by a plurality of modular chambers. Such a construction allows for only one piston to be used, reducing the number of moving parts. Additionally, the modular chambers provide for an easier assembly, installation, and maintenance of the control valve assembly. The modular chambers allow for molded components to be utilized. 
     Still another feature is that a modular drain assembly is secured to the housing. Such a feature allows again for a control valve assembly that is easier to assemble, easier to separate for maintenance, and does not require complex parts. Additionally, maintenance and repair is made easier with modular components. 
     A further feature is a flow meter located within the valve body. Such a design utilizes molded components which are less expensive than conventional flow meters which typically have machined components. 
     Another feature is a cavity for an eductor of a brine valve assembly being integrally formed in the housing. A removable cap is utilized to allow for access to the eductor. Such a configuration provides for a control valve assembly that is easier to assemble and separate for maintenance. 
     Finally, an additional feature is that the brine valve assembly is associated with a drive cam that is rotated by a motor. The rotation of the motor can move a brine piston to control fluid flow. The position of the drive cam will control the opening or closing of the brine valve based upon the position of the brine piston. In the present valve, the brine piston cam is integral with the main piston cam assembly which includes an electro-optical sensor. 
     More specifically, a control valve assembly is provided for a fluid treatment system, including a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion secured to the top portion, the housing including an inlet and an outlet. At least two modular chambers are secured in the housing. A first chamber is configured to receive fluid from the inlet and a second chamber is configured to provide fluid to the outlet. A piston is also provided which includes a shaft with a plurality of sealing rings. The piston extends through the housing and through the first chamber and the second chamber. The piston is configured to reciprocate in an axial direction to control the flow of fluid in the control valve assembly. 
     In another embodiment, a control valve assembly is provided for a fluid treatment system, including a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion secured to the top portion, the housing including an inlet and an outlet. At least two chambers are secured in the housing. A first chamber is configured to receive fluid from the inlet and a second chamber is configured to provide fluid to the outlet. A piston, including a shaft with a plurality of sealing rings, extends through the housing and through the first chamber and the second chamber. The piston is configured to reciprocate in an axial direction to control the flow of fluid in the control valve assembly. A blending valve including a channel integrally formed with the top portion of the housing is also provided. 
     In still another embodiment, a control valve assembly is provided for a fluid treatment system, including, a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion secured to the top portion and forming a cavity having a first end and a second end and defining an axis extending between the first end and the second end. The housing further includes an inlet and an outlet. At least two chambers are disposed in the housing. A first chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet and a second chamber is in fluid communication with the outlet. A piston extends through the at least two chambers in the housing and is configured to reciprocate along a longitudinal axis to control the flow of fluid in the control valve assembly through the first chamber and the second chamber. A brine valve assembly, including a brine piston configured to selectively open and close the brine valve assembly, is provided. A main piston drive cam is provided and configured to move the piston. A brine cam is integrally joined to the drive cam. Additional features, aspects, embodiments, and details of the invention, all of which may be combinable in any manner, are set forth in the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a top and front perspective view of the present control valve; 
         FIG.  2    is a top and side perspective view of the control valve shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a drain end view of the control valve shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a top view of the control valve shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a vertical cross-section of the control valve shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  6    is another top perspective view of the control valve shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  7    is another side perspective view of the control valve shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  8    is an exploded perspective view of the present control valve assembly; 
         FIG.  9    is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the motor piston and modular chambers of the present control valve assembly; 
         FIG.  10    is perspective assembled view of the assembly of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  11    is a rear and top perspective view of a blending valve and the top portion of the housing shown in  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  12    is a top perspective assembled view of the assembly of  FIG.  11   ; 
         FIG.  13 A  is a top view of the top portion of the housing of the present control valve assembly; 
         FIG.  13 B  is a cross-section taken along the line B-B of  FIG.  13 A  and in the direction indicated; 
         FIG.  14    is a top view of the top portion of the housing of the present control valve assembly; 
         FIG.  14 A  is a cross-section taken along the line A-A of  FIG.  14    and in the direction indicated; 
         FIG.  14 B  is a bottom view of the top portion of the housing of  FIG.  14   ; 
         FIG.  15    is an exploded view of the present motor and piston drive assembly; 
         FIG.  16    is a perspective assembled view of the assembly of  FIG.  15   ; 
         FIG.  17    is a reverse side perspective assembled view of the assembly of  FIG.  15   ; 
         FIG.  18    is a cutaway view of the brine valve assembly and the eductor assembly; 
         FIG.  19    is a back and top perspective fragmentary view of a drive cam in the present control valve assembly; 
         FIG.  20    is a partial cutaway view of  FIG.  19   ; 
         FIG.  21    is a top view of the drive cam shown in  FIG.  17   ; 
         FIG.  22    is vertical cross-section of the present control valve assembly in a first operational mode; 
         FIG.  23    is a vertical cross-section of the present control valve assembly in a second operational mode; 
         FIG.  23 A  is another fragmentary cross-section the present control valve assembly in the second operational mode; 
         FIG.  24    is vertical cross-section of the present control valve assembly in a third operational mode; 
         FIG.  25    is a vertical cross-section of the present control valve assembly in a fourth operational mode; and 
         FIG.  25 A  shows another fragmentary cross-section of the present control valve assembly in the fourth operational mode. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1  to  8   , a control valve assembly for a fluid treatment system is generally designated  10 . Preferably, the fluid treatment system used with the control valve assembly  10  is a water softening system, which includes a resin tank and a brine tank (both not shown but are well known in the art); however, other fluid treatment systems are contemplated to be used with the present control valve assembly  10 . Also in the present discussion, “fluid” is intended to mean any type of flowing liquid, but preferably refers to water. 
     The control valve assembly  10  includes a housing  12 , a motor assembly  14 , and a drain port assembly  16 . The housing also includes an inlet  18  configured to receive untreated fluid and an outlet  20  configured to pass treated fluid out of the control valve assembly  10 . 
     A bypass valve  22  is releasably attached to the housing  12  via two clips  24   a ,  24   b . Preferably, one clip  24   a  is associated with the inlet  18  and the second clip  24   b  is associated with the outlet  20 . A preferred design for the clips  24   a ,  24   b  is disclosed in detail in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/282,452 filed on Sep. 30, 2016 (U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2017/0114903), the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     As is known in the art, the bypass valve  22  includes an inlet  26  and an outlet  28 . The inlet  26  is typically connected to a source of fluid, for example raw or standard tap water. The outlet  28  is secured to, for example, plumbing or piping to provide fluids downstream of the fluid treatment system. Also included in the bypass valve  22  is an actuating mechanism  30  such as a manually operated plunger to selectively control whether fluids flow through the fluid treatment system or bypass same when treatment is not desired. Such bypass valves  22  are known in the art. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  8   , the control valve assembly  10  also includes a flow meter  32 . The flow meter  32  is preferably disposed directly in the outlet  20  of the control valve assembly  10 . While other configurations are contemplated, a feature of the present control valve assembly is that the flow meter  32  is not required to be in a specialized portion of the housing  12  but is instead located in the existing outlet  20 . 
     In addition, the housing  12  of the control valve assembly  10  includes a top portion  34  and a bottom portion  36 . Upon assembly, the top portion  34  and the bottom portion  36  are secured in a sealing engagement via, for example, threaded fasteners  38 . The housing  12 , and more specifically, the top portion  34  and the bottom portion  36 , defines a cavity  40  that includes an axis A 1  ( FIG.  8   ) extending from one end  42  of the housing  12  to a second end  44 . In the depicted embodiment, the motor assembly  14  is secured to the housing  12  at the first end  42  and the drain port assembly  16  is secured to the housing  12  at the second end  44 . Other configurations are contemplated. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  8 - 10   , a piston  46  extends through the housing  12 . As will be discussed in more detail below, the piston  46  is configured to reciprocate in a direction parallel with or along the axis A 1  of the cavity  40  to provide various fluid flow paths through the control valve assembly  10 . 
     Disposed in the housing  12 , preferably in the cavity  40 , are a plurality of modular chambers  48 ,  50 ,  52 . The various chambers are configured to receive and direct fluid, as will be discussed in more detail below. In the depicted embodiment, there are three modular chambers  48 ,  50 ,  52 . While any number of modular chambers are contemplated, preferably there are at least two chambers. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  5 ,  8 ,  9  and  10   , when assembled, as discussed below, the modular chambers  48 ,  50 ,  52  form a cylinder  51  with axial apertures  56  (discussed below) for the piston  46 . As shown in  FIGS.  9  and  10   , O-rings  53 , or other similar gaskets or seals, are used between the chambers  48 ,  50 ,  52 , as well as between other components of the control valve assembly  10  to provide for a sealing engagement as is known in the art. It should be noted that the O-rings  53  are each located in an associated groove in the respective modular chamber  48 ,  50 ,  52  so that when the chambers are removed from the housing  12 , which is easily accomplished without the use of tools once the housing is opened, the O-rings  53  are replaced along with the respective chamber. 
     The modular chambers  48 ,  50 ,  52  engage slots  54   a  and pins  54   b  located on adjacent chambers to form the cylinder  51 . The modular chambers  48 ,  50 ,  52  also engage with the pins  54   b  on the motor assembly  14  and pins  54   b  on the drain port assembly  16  (specifically a drain port module  86  discussed below) to form a sub-assembly. Once the sub-assembly is formed, it is inserted into the housing  12  and in the housing  12 , the chambers  48 ,  50 ,  52  include engagement portions  54   c ,  54   d  configured to engage one of the top and bottom housing portions  34 ,  36 . 
     The modular chambers  48 ,  50 ,  52  include axial apertures  56  arranged along the axis A 1  of the cavity  40 . These apertures  56  are configured to be selectively sealed by sealing rings  58  such as O-rings, disposed on a shaft  57  of the piston  46 . The position of the piston  46 , and thus the sealing rings  58 , provides the various fluid flow paths through the modular chambers  48 ,  50 ,  52  and the control valve assembly  10  depending on which apertures  56  are open and which are closed by the various sealing rings  58 . At least one sealing ring  58  is in association with the drain port assembly  16 . 
     Lateral flow apertures  60  are constructed and arranged for defining paths for fluids to flow in and out of the chambers  48 ,  50 ,  52  in a direction that is orthogonal to the axis A 1  of the cavity  40 , as well as a longitudinal axis A 2  of the piston  46 . In the preferred embodiment, the axes A 1  and A 2  are co-linear, although variations are contemplated. One of these lateral flow apertures  60  is preferably associated with the inlet  18 , and another of these lateral flow apertures  60  is preferably associated with the outlet  20 . Additionally, some of these apertures  60  allow fluids to flow out of the chambers  48 ,  50 ,  52  and into channels integrally formed in the housing  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  11 - 14 B , in some operational modes of the treatment system, particularly water softeners, it is often desired to blend the raw, or untreated, fluid entering the control valve assembly  10  with fluid, or treated fluid, leaving the control valve assembly  10 . Accordingly, the control valve assembly  10  preferably includes a blending valve  62 . The blending valve  62  is configured to provide for selective fluid communication between various chambers  48 ,  50 ,  52 . Preferably, the blending valve  62  is integral with the housing  12 , most preferably the top portion  34  of the housing  12 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  11  and  12   , the blending valve  62  includes a channel  64  in the top portion  34  of the housing  12  and a shaft or spindle  66  that extends through the channel  64 . The channel  64  defines a longitudinal axis A 3  arranged parallel to the axis A 1  of the cavity  40 . The shaft  66  extends through the channel  64  and is displaceable along the longitudinal axis A 3  of the channel  64 . A threaded portion  68  on the shaft  66  is configured complimentarily to an inner surface  69  of a knurled wheel  70 . A cover  72  extends over the knurled wheel  70  and is movably secured to apertures  74  in the top portion  34  of the housing  12  via posts  76 . As will be appreciated, rotation of the knurled wheel  70  will displace the shaft  66  along the longitudinal axis A 3  of the channel  64 . A removable stop  78  prevents the shaft  66  from unintentionally being withdrawn from the channel  64 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  10 ,  13 A,  13 B,  14  and  14 A , the channel  64  includes two apertures  80   a ,  80   b  in the top portion  34  of the housing  12  which are disposed to be associated with blending valve ports  82   a ,  82   b  in the chambers  48 ,  52 , shown in  FIG.  10   . More specifically, when the present valve  10  is assembled, a first aperture  80   a  is associated with a blending valve port  82   a  on the first chamber  48 , and a second aperture  80   b , is associated with a blending valve port  82   b  on the third chamber  52 . 
     In the depicted embodiment, the first chamber  48  is associated with the inlet  18  and the third chamber  52  is associated with the outlet  20 . Depending on the position of the shaft  66  of the blending valve  62 , a selective amount of fluid bypasses treatment and flows through the first blending valve port  82   a , through the channel  64 , into the third chamber  52 , via the second blending valve port  82   b , and out the control valve assembly  10  through the outlet  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  8   , in some operational modes, fluids are drained from the control valve assembly  10  via the drain port assembly  16 . As shown, the drain port assembly  16  is includes a drain port  84  secured to a drain port module  86  via a clip  88 , which has the same configuration as clips  24   a ,  24   b , discussed above. The drain port module  86  includes a flange  90  which is configured to be received in an associated slot in the housing  12 . Preferably, the drain port assembly  16  includes a flow restrictor  92  disposed in the drain port module  86 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  18 - 21   , in various operational modes of the control valve assembly  10 , fluids are directed either to or from a brine tank (not shown). Accordingly, the control valve assembly  10  preferably further comprises a brine valve assembly  94 . The brine valve assembly  94  includes a brine valve  96 . 
     An eductor  98  and the brine valve assembly  94  are at least partially disposed in an eductor cavity  100  integrally formed in the housing  12 . A nozzle  102  and a distributor  104  are disposed on top of the eductor  98 . A cap  106 , covering the eductor  98 , the nozzle  102 , and the distributor  104 , is secured to the housing  12 . The cap  106  is preferably a separate component, but is optionally integrally formed with the top portion  34  of the housing  12 . 
     The brine valve  96  includes a brine valve housing  110  with a port  112  and a brine piston  114  extending thorough the brine valve housing  110 . A first end  116  of the brine piston  114  extends into the housing  12  of the control valve assembly  10 . A second, opposite end  118  of the brine piston  114  extends out of the brine valve housing  110 . A biasing element  120 , such as a coiled spring, is provided to bias the brine piston  114 . The brine piston  114 , as will be described in more detail below, is displaceable in a direction along a longitudinal axis A 4 , ( FIG.  18   ) which is parallel with the axis A 1  of the cavity  40 . 
     Turning to  FIGS.  19 - 21   , the positioning of the brine piston  114  is controlled by a brine cam  122  driven by a motor (not shown) of the motor assembly  14 . The brine cam  122  is formed by a wall  124  extending outwardly away from a first surface  126  of a disk  128  of a main piston drive cam  129  disposed on an axle  130  that is driven by the motor (not shown). Thus, the brine cam  122  and the main piston drive cam  129  are preferably a single component. The wall  124  extends completely around the disk  128 , i.e.,  360  rotational degrees about the axle  130 , and includes flat portions  132  that have a constant distance from the axle  130  (or point of rotation). The wall  124  also includes sloped portions or lobes  134  that are formed by increasing or decreasing a distance from the axle  130  (or point of rotation). As the disk  128  rotates, the second end  118  of the brine piston  114  will ride along the wall  124 , and is biased towards the cam by the biasing element  120 . The brine piston  114  will be moved reciprocally within the brine valve housing  110  depending on which of the various flat portions  132  and sloped portions  134  of the wall  124  are contacted by the brine piston  114 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  21   , also included on the main piston drive cam  129  is a second surface  136  of the disk  128  including a second wall  138  that has one or more gaps  140 . The gaps  140  preferably have different circumferential or peripheral widths. More specifically, an electro-optical sensor  142  is disposed on the motor assembly  14  and is configured to generate an electrical signal based upon the presence of the second wall  138 , the presence of a gap  140 , or both. Since the second wall  138  is on the disk with the brine cam  122 , the presence of the second wall  138  or the presence of the gap  140  will be among other things, representative of a rotational position of the disk  128  (or axle  130 ) as well as the rotational position of the brine cam  122 . Preferably, the electrical signal generated by the electro-optical sensor  142  is communicated, via means known in the art, to a controller (not shown) which controls a motor (not shown) driving the piston  46  in the housing  12 . 
     Turning to  FIG.  22   , the piston  46  is driven by a motor (not shown) in the motor assembly  14  via a scotch yoke  144 . The scotch yoke  144  includes a slotted portion  146  on one end of the piston  46 . A drive member  148  that is rotated, via gears (not shown), by the motor is disposed within the slotted portion  146 . As the motor rotates about an axis that is orthogonal to the axis A 1  of the cavity  40 , the position of the drive member  148  will change. The movement of the drive member  148  will be translated to the piston  46  which moves in a direction along its longitudinal axis A 2 . As mentioned above, sealing rings  58  disposed along the piston will interact with various apertures  56  of the chambers  48 ,  50 ,  52 , as well as the drain port  84 , to define different fluid flow paths through the control valve assembly  10 . 
     Exemplary operation modes or cycles are shown in  FIGS.  22 - 25 A  and will be briefly described. In  FIG.  22   , when the brine cam  122  is positioned for a service operational mode, the brine piston  114  is positioned to close the brine valve  96 . As shown by the arrows in  FIG.  18   , raw or untreated fluid (lighter arrows) is received into the control valve assembly  10  via the inlet  18 , and flows through the modular chambers  48 ,  50 ,  52  and out of the control valve assembly  10  through a tank distributor  150  into a tank for treatment (not shown). Treated fluid (darker arrows), isolated from the untreated fluid, is returned to the control valve assembly  10  via the tank distributor  150 . The treated fluid flows out of the control valve assembly  10  though the outlet  20 . Although not depicted as such, the blending valve  62  can be utilized to mix a desired amount of untreated or raw fluid with the treated fluid. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  23  and  23 A , when the brine cam  122  is positioned for a brining or a slow rinse operational modes, the brine piston  114  is displaced by the brine cam  122  to open the brine valve  96 , allowing for brine fluid to be drawn from a separate brine tank (not shown) into the control valve assembly  10 . Based upon the position of the brine cam  122 , and, the electro-optical sensor  142  ( FIGS.  19  to  21   ) operating in conjunction with the main piston drive cam  129 , an appropriate signal is sent to the motor, depending on the presence of the second wall  138  or a gap  140 , to position the piston  46  to provide the desired fluid flow path through the control valve assembly  10 . 
     As shown by the arrows in  FIGS.  23  and  23 A , brine from the remote brine tank is received into the valve control assembly  10  via the inlet  18  and flows from the first chamber  48 , through the second chamber  50 , and to the third chamber  52 . The spent treated fluid from the treatment tank (not shown) flows out of the control valve assembly  10  through the drain port assembly  16 . In  FIG.  23 A , the specific path of the brine into the control valve assembly  10  is shown. Specifically, in the brine valve assembly  94 , the brine flows through the nozzle  102  and eductor  98 . As the untreated fluid flows through the eductor  98 , as is known, the passing fluid will draw brine fluid from a brine tank (not shown) via the port  112  (see,  FIG.  19   ) of the brine valve  96 . The mixture of the brine fluid and untreated fluid flows through the tank distributor  150  into the treatment tank. 
     The treated fluid (meaning fluid different from the untreated/brine mixture) remaining in the treatment tank from the prior service mode returns to the control valve assembly  10  from the treatment tank through the tank distributor  150  and flows out of the control valve assembly  10  through the drain port assembly  16 . 
     Turning now to  FIG.  24   , when the brine cam  122  is positioned for a fast rinse operational mode, the brine piston  114  is positioned to close the brine valve  96 . Based again upon the position of the brine cam  122 , and, the electro-optical sensor  142  ( FIGS.  19  to  21   ) on the main piston drive cam  129  has sent another signal to the motor, depending on the presence of the second wall  138  or a gap  140 , to position the piston  46  to provide the desired fluid flow path through the control valve assembly  10 . 
     As represented by the arrows in  FIG.  24   , the fluid flow path through the control valve assembly  10  in the fast rinse operational mode is similar to the brining or a slow rinse operational modes described above. Specifically, raw or untreated fluid is received by the control valve assembly  10  via the inlet  18 . The raw or untreated fluid flows from the first chamber  48 , through the second chamber  50 , and to the third chamber  52 . A portion of the untreated or raw fluid flows out of the control valve assembly  10  through the drain port assembly  16  to flush the brine from the treatment tank. 
     In the fast rinse operational mode, a second portion of the untreated or raw fluid flows directly through the tank distributor  150  into the treatment tank. The treated fluid (meaning fluid different from the untreated fluid) returns to the control valve assembly through the tank distributor  150  and flows out of the control valve assembly  10  through the drain port assembly  16 . 
     Turning to  FIGS.  25  and  25 A , when the brine cam  122  is positioned for a fill operational mode, the brine piston  114  is displaced by the brine cam  122  to open the brine valve  96 , allowing for fluid to flow out of the control valve assembly  10  and into the brine tank via the port  112  (see,  FIG.  19   ). Based upon the position of the brine cam  122 , and the main piston drive cam  129 , the electro-optical sensor  142  ( FIGS.  19 - 21   ) has sent another signal to the motor, depending on the presence of the second wall  138  or a gap  140  on the main piston drive cam, to position the piston  46  to provide the desired fluid flow path through the control valve assembly  10 . 
     As shown by the arrows in  FIGS.  25  and  25 A , raw or untreated fluid is received into the control valve assembly  10  via the inlet  18 , and flows out of the control valve assembly  10  through the tank distributor  150  to the tank for treatment. Treated fluid (meaning that it is different than the untreated fluid), isolated from the untreated fluid, is returned to the control valve assembly  10  via the tank distributor  150 . From the third chamber  52 , a first portion of the treated fluid flows out of the control valve assembly  10  through the outlet  20 . A second portion of the treated fluid flows to the brine valve assembly  94 . 
     As seen in  FIG.  25 A , the fluid flows downward both through the distributor  104 , nozzle  102 , and eductor  98  and upward (based upon the orientation of the drawing) through the eductor  98 . The fluid flows out of the brine valve assembly  94  and the control valve assembly  10  via the port  112  ( FIG.  19   ), and to the brine tank to fill same. 
     Upon rotation of the brine cam  122 , the brine piston  114  will close the brine valve  96  and the piston  46  will be displaced based upon a signal generated by the electro-optical sensor  142  and the control valve may return to, for example, the service operational mode. 
     It should be appreciated and understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various other components such as various clips, fasteners, couplings, interfaces, sealing elements, O-rings, and other elements, some of which are shown in drawings, were not specifically discussed as it is believed that the specifics of same are well within the knowledge of those of ordinary skill in the art and a description of same is not necessary for practicing or understanding the embodiments of the present invention. 
     While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description for a control valve assembly, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the control valve assembly in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the control valve assembly, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the control valve assembly as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.