Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 10/033,355, filed on Nov. 1, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,657, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/244,996, filed on Nov. 1, 2000. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a water treatment system. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved brine valve and use thereof in a water treatment system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Household water softeners of the “ion exchange” type typically include a resin tank through which hard water passes to exchange its “hard” ions of calcium and magnesium for “soft” sodium or potassium ions from the resin bed. Regeneration of the resin bed is periodically required to remove the accumulation of hard ions and replenish the supply of soft ions. Regeneration is effected by flushing a solution of salt, i.e., a brine solution through the resin bed. 
     A separate brine tank is conventionally used to form the brine solution for use during the regeneration cycle. When regeneration is initiated in the softener system, the brine solution drawn from the brine tank passes through the bed of ion exchange material in the softener tank to reverse the exchange of ions and revitalize the bed by removing hardness inducing ions and replacing them with sodium or potassium ions from the brine. The regeneration cycle typically lasts about an hour and needs to be done, on average, about three or four times each week. More frequent regenerations are required in periods of greater than normal water usage. No regeneration is required when water usage ceases as typically happens when the occupants of a household go on a holiday or vacation. The cost of operating a water softener system may be reduced by limiting the amount of salt utilized in each regeneration cycle and the frequency of regeneration cycles to only that necessary to regenerate resin particles. Consequently, it is preferred that the brine solution have a concentration near its saturation point to minimize the amounts used for each regeneration cycle. Saturated solutions are less desirable since the salt in these solutions have a tendency to crystallize. 
     Most present day water softeners use a single resin tank for softening and are provided with automatic controls to regenerate the softening tank at periodic intervals. A drum containing a brine solution is typically connected to the resin tank and includes a concentrated aqueous solution of sodium chloride or potassium chloride. As previously discussed, the concentration of sodium chloride or potassium chloride is below the saturation point for the solution. However, the solubility characteristics for sodium chloride and potassium chloride are significantly different. 
     One problem addressed by the present invention is the difference in solubility behavior between various salts used as softeners, e.g., potassium chloride and sodium chloride. Sodium chloride solubility is less sensitive to temperature fluctuations than potassium chloride solubility. For example, at 0° C. the solubility of sodium chloride in water is about 35.7 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc) of saturated solution whereas potassium chloride is about 27.6 g/cc. Increasing the temperature to 10° C. increases the solubility of a saturated sodium chloride solution to 35.8 g/cc and a saturated potassium chloride solution to 31.0 g/cc. Further incremental increases to 20° C. and 30° C. increase solubility of a saturated sodium chloride solution to 36.0 g/cc and 36.3 g/cc, respectively, whereas the solubility of a saturated potassium chloride solution increases to 34.0 g/cc and 37.0 g/cc, respectively. Clearly, the solubility of sodium chloride solutions are less sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Conversely, the solubility of potassium chloride solutions at different temperatures varies greatly. 
     It is important to note that water softener systems are not always operated in controlled environments. The temperatures that household water softeners are exposed can vary significantly. The changes in temperature fluctuations can have a catastrophic effect on potassium chloride brine solutions. Since, it is desirable to have highly concentrated brine solutions below the saturation levels, the changes from higher to lower temperatures can cause re-crystallization of the dissolved potassium chloride. Once initial re-crystallization occurs, crystallization continues and tends to displace the brining solution. As a result, the remaining brine solution cannot be drawn into the resin beds for regeneration of the resin beds causing system failure. 
     The present invention addresses this problem and provides for a process and apparatus for reducing the formation of salt crystals in the brine solution. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention when embodied in a water softening system provides a new and improved brine valve in which system failure is prevented as a result of crystal formation of brine. 
     The brine valve controls the supply of brine to a conditioning tank during a regeneration cycle and the supply of water to the brine tank at the end of the regeneration cycle The brine valve of the present invention includes a conduit in communication with the conditioning tank; means for withdrawing brine from a reservoir including a passageway in communication with the brine; and means for supplying water to the brine tank wherein the brine tank includes a brine well in communication with a brine reservoir, the means for supplying water including a first nozzle and a second nozzle in communication with the supply of water, the first nozzle supplying water to the brine well for diluting the brine in the reservoir after the regeneration cycle, the second nozzle supplying water to a salt material disposed over the reservoir for replenishing brine in the reservoir, the ratio of a flow of water from the second nozzle to the first nozzle is at about 8:1 to about 4:1. More preferably, the ratio of the flow rates of the second nozzle to the first nozzle is from about 6:1. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to an improved check valve in the brine valve assembly. The check valve provides means for withdrawing brine from a reservoir. The check valve includes a flexible membrane, a piston and a spring operatively connected wherein the supply of water causes the flexible membrane to flex and exert a pressure pulse on a volume of liquid in the second conduit whereby the volume of liquid displaces a float from a seat in the air check 
     Other embodiments of the invention are contemplated to provide particular features and structural variants of the basic elements. The specific embodiments referred to as well as possible variations and the various features and advantages of the invention will become better understood when considered in connection with the detailed description that follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of a water softening apparatus incorporating the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded elevational view of the brine valve assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is cross sectional view of a check valve used in the construction of the brine valve assembly; and 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of an air check used in the construction of the brine valve assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, and in particular  FIG. 1 , there is shown a water softening system, generally designated by reference numeral  10 , that incorporates the present invention. The water softening system is designed to soften water when it is delivered to a residence or business. The system as shown, is advantageously designed and operated to prevent system failure as a result of brine crystallization. The system  10  includes two resin tanks  12 ,  14  proximally positioned near an upstanding brine tank  16  and a valve assembly  18  that is supported atop the tanks. 
     The valve assembly  18  is programmed to selectively maintain one of the tanks on-line with a household water supply system. The off-line tank is subjected to a regeneration cycle and then held off-line until the on-line tank is exhausted. The frequency with which the valve assembly  18  switches the tanks  12 ,  14  from on-line operation to regeneration is controlled by metering the usage of softened water or the like. The valve assembly  18  is operative to connect one of the tanks to the household water supply and also controls regeneration of an exhausted tank. The valve assembly maintains a regenerated tank “off-line” until the “on-line” tank becomes exhausted. Descriptions of the construction and operation of a control valves suitable for use in the present invention along with a complete description of a dual tank water softening system are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,891,522 to Prior et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,025 to Prior et al., the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     The softener tanks  12 ,  14  are of known configuration and utilize common water softening chemicals. Each tank typically includes cylinders  20  of glass fiber construction. The upper ends of the cylinders  20  are threaded with female 2½ inch N.P.T. threads for connection to the valve assembly  18 . Riser pipes  24 ,  26  depend centrally through the cylinders  20 . A pair of screens  28 ,  30  communicate with the lower ends of the riser pipes  24 ,  26 . Suitable ion exchange softening chemicals, indicated by reference numeral  40  are positioned in the cylinders  20 ,  22  surrounding the riser pipes  24 ,  26  and the screens  28 ,  30 . Other resin tanks suitable for use in the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure. A complete description of the construction and operation of a resin tank suitable for use in the present invention can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,153 to Prior, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     The water softening process takes place as hard water passes through the tanks  12 ,  14 . The water is channeled into the tanks  12 ,  14  and is softened during its passage downwardly through the ion exchange chemicals  40 . Hard water is hereinafter defined as water that contains certain multivalent salts, such as those of calcium or magnesium, which can form insoluble deposits in boilers and precipitates with soap. The resin  40  in the tanks  12 ,  14  replaces or exchanges the hard ions in the source water with soft ions. Softened water then enters the risers pipes  24 ,  26  through the screens  28 ,  30  and is directed back out of the tanks  12 ,  14 . 
     The brine tank  16  is an open ended cylindrical drum formed of suitable metal or plastic capped by a removable cover  50 . The brine tank provides a brine supply system that utilizes common ion replacement salts to regenerate the softening chemicals  40 . An upstanding brine well  52  is laterally positioned against a wall  53  in the brine tank  16 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the brine well could easily be positioned in other locations within the brine tank, e.g., centrally. The brine well is an open ended top tubular member formed from suitable metal or plastic. The lower region of the brine well  52  includes apertures  54  such that the brine solution from a brine reservoir  56  extends into the brine well wherein the level of solution in the well  52  is at about the same level contained in the reservoir  56 . 
     A screen  58  extends horizontally from wall to wall in the brine tank and around the brine well  52 . The screen is position about one-fourth of the way up the walls of the brine tank  16 . The screen includes support members  60  of a fixed length for positioning the screen off the floor of the brine tank and for supporting the weight of a granular salt material disposed thereon. The granular salt material  62  is deposited in the brine tank  16  and rests atop the screen  58 . The brine solution reservoir  56  is then defined below the screen  58 . The reservoir communicates with the valve assembly  18  through a conduit  70 , the fluid communication being controlled by a brine valve, generally designated by reference numeral  80 . 
     The brine valve  80  is positioned in the brine well  52 . The brine valve serves a dual function in that it controls both the outflow of brine solution from the reservoir  56  to the valve assembly  18  during tank regeneration and controls the inflow of water to replenish the brine solutions used during replenishment. Use of the brine control valve in accordance with the present invention prevents system failure caused by crystallization of salt in the brine. For example, crystals formed as a result of inactivity, temperature fluctuation, salt saturation or in any manner are prevented from causing system failure. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown an exploded side elevational view of the brine control valve  80  in the well  52 . The brine control valve assembly  80  includes the brine conduit  70  that is connected to the valve assembly  18  via a port  72  in the wall of the tank  16  and provides passage of water during brine replenishment and also permits brine to be withdrawn during regeneration of the tanks  12 ,  14 . Connected to conduit  70  is a tee  82 . An opening  84  of tee  82  is connected to an assembly that is used to draw brine solution from the reservoir  56  to the tank  12  or  14  selected for resin regeneration. The tee opening  84  is laterally connected by conduit  86  to an elbow  88 . The elbow  88  is further connected by conduit  90  to a check valve  100 . A rigid tube  102  extends from the check valve  100  and is connected to an air check  104 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a cross sectional view of the check valve  100 . The check valve  100  includes a cylindrical body  110  with upper and lower openings,  112 ,  114  respectively. The conduit  90  is connected to the upper opening  112  by conventional compression fittings  116 . Located within the body  110  is a piston assembly that includes an umbrella check  116 , a piston  118 , a quad ring  120  and a spring  122 . The umbrella check  116  is a flexible umbrella shaped silicone seal that is positioned in the body  110  as shown. As seen best in  FIG. 3 , the piston  118  includes a plurality of bores  118   a.  In the preferred embodiment, the piston  118  includes eight bores  118   a  each having a diameter of 0.027 inches. The umbrella check  116  allows fluid flow form the bores  118   a  into the conduit  90 . However, flow from the conduit  90  into the bores  118   a  is substantially inhibited. An umbrella check valve  116  suitable for this application is available from Vernay Laboratories under the designation VL 2287-101. In the preferred embodiment, the seal  116  is formed from flouro silicone and has a durometer of 57. 
     The piston assembly functions to allow unidirectional passage of brine solution in the reservoir  56  through the air check  104  and then through conduits  102 ,  90 ,  86  and  70  during the regeneration cycle. During regeneration, the piston assembly decompresses the spring and the umbrella check unseats allowing passage of solution from the reservoir. It has been found that as long as the umbrella check unseats during regeneration, passage of brine will occur. The lower opening  114  is adapted to receive a compression fitting  124  for seating the piston assembly and for connecting to rigid tube  102 . A screen, not shown, is optionally positioned within the fitting to prevent any particulate from passing through the assembly. 
     The air check assembly  104  includes a base portion  130  and a body portion  132 . The base portion includes a fluid passageway  134  to the body portion and is connected to conduit  102 . A tubular chamber  136  is disposed interiorly along a longitudinal axis of the body and is in communication with the passageway  134 . A buoyant ball bearing  138  is disposed in the chamber  136 . A series of horizontal slots  140  extend from an exterior surface of the body and are in communication with the chamber  136 . The diameter of the passageway at the interface between the boy and base portions is of a smaller diameter than the diameter of the ball bearing thereby providing a seat  142  for the ball bearing  138  such that when the ball bearing makes contact with the seat the passage of solution is prevented. An example of a suitable air check valve for use in the present invention is Model No. FL500, commercially available from Fleck Controls, Inc. 
     In operation, the ball bearing  138  disposed in the chamber  136  floats in the brine solution in the reservoir  56 . During tank regeneration, the valve assembly  18  causes a pressure change within the assembly that causes brine to be withdrawn from the reservoir. Once the level of the brine reservoir  56  is at about the height of the lowest horizontal slot  140 , the ball bearing will become seated within the seat  142  of the chamber thereby preventing further passage of brine from being drawn. Once the ball bearing is seated, a slight vacuum on the ball bearing  136  prevents the ball bearing from being dislodged and as such, prevents further withdrawal of brine from the reservoir. After the selected tank,  12  or  14 , is regenerated with brine, the valve assembly signals the system  10  to replenish the brine expended during regeneration. 
     During brine replenishment, the valve assembly  18  directs pressurized water into conduit  72  which causes a brief pulse of pressure to be exerted on the umbrella check  116  of the check valve  100 . The umbrella check seats and causes the piston assembly to move downward compressing the spring and exerting a counter-pressure of a small volume of solution in conduit  102 . Consequently, the solution in conduit  102  pulses through the air check assembly  104 , thereby releasing the vacuum on the ball bearing  136  in seat  142 . Once the vacuum is removed, the ball bearing  136  is free to float in the chamber. As such, the ball bearing  136  will rise to the height of the brine solution in the reservoir  56  as it is being replenished or to the ceiling in the air check chamber depending on the height of the reservoir. The actual brine replenishment will be discussed in greater detail below. The Applicants have found that without the back pulse provided by the check valve, the water treatment system would lock up during subsequent regeneration cycles. For example, simple ball check valves have been found to be inadequate and prone to hydraulic failure during multiple regeneration cycles. 
     The brine replenishment system is connected to the other opening  140  of tee  82 . The brine replenishing assembly includes a rod and float assembly. The rod and float assembly, which will be described in detail below, is connected to the tee opening by means of an adapter  143  having a threaded end portion and a stem portion The stem portion is conventionally connected to the tee  82 . Preferably, a metal screen (not shown) is inserted in the tee prior to attaching the stem to the tee. A press-in check valve (not shown) is inserted into the threaded end of the adapter  143 . The threaded end of the adapter  143  is then connected to the rod and float assembly. A suitable press-in check valve is available from Flomatic Systems, Inc. and has a designation of RC-256. 
     The rod and float assembly  160  includes a refill valve  162 . The refill valve includes a cylindrical body  164  with a lower opening  166  and an upper opening  168 . A rod  170  extends through openings in the sidewall of the body and controls the opening and closing of a valve body (not shown) disposed in the refill valve. The rod  170  is pivotally attached to a rigid tube  174  wherein the distal end of the tube includes a buoyant float  176 . As the height of the reservoir  56  changes during regeneration cycles, the float  176  causes the rod  170  to move the valve body  172  upwardly or downwardly in the body thereby opening or closing the refill valve depending on the height of brine solution in the reservoir  56 . For example, if the brine reservoir is low, the float and the corresponding angle of the rod will cause the valve body to rise and provide passage of water thereby permitting replenishment of the brine. In contrast, as the brine reservoir is replenished, the valve body lowers and slowly closes the passageway, whereby passage of water is prevented. The predetermined height of the rigid tube  124  and the float  176  are factors that control the amount of brine to be replenished. 
     The lower opening  166  of the refill valve is connected to a dual nozzle assembly by means of conduit  180 . The dual nozzle assembly includes a first spray nozzle  190  that is positioned to release water in the brine well and a second spray nozzle  200  that is positioned to release water directly onto the granular salt bed. The conduit  180  is connected to tee  182 . A threaded reducer bushing  183  is connected to the one opening of the tee  184 . The first spray nozzle  190  is connected to the bushing  183  and as such, is positioned to spray water during brine replenishment cycles within the brine well  52 . An elbow  188  is connected to an other opening  186  of tee  182 . A flexible conduit  192  is connected to the elbow  188  and extends to a port  194  in the brine well  52 . The port  194  is located above height of the granular salt material  62 . The conduit  192  is connected to a connector  196  and elbow  198  that are secured to the port  194  in the brine well wall. A threaded reducer bushing  202  is attached to the elbow. The second spray nozzle  200  is threaded into the bushing  202  and is positioned to release spray directly onto the granular salt  62 . Spray nozzles suitable for this application are available from Hago Manufacturing Company, Incorporated. 
     During the time when brine is being drawn from the reservoir, the press-in check valve (not shown) located within the fitting  143  inhibits the flow of air into the brine conduit  70  via the nozzles  190 ,  200 . 
     The flow rates of each individual nozzle  190 ,  200  are preferably controlled wherein a flow ratio at the second nozzle  200  compared to the first nozzle  190  is from about 4:1 to about 8:1. More preferably, the flow ratios are at about 6:1. The first nozzle  190  sprays pressurized water directly into the brine well  52  and as such, dilutes the residual brine in the reservoir with water and/or dissolves any salt crystals formed. Simultaneously, the second nozzle  200  sprays water over the granular salt  62  to replenish the brine reservoir  56  to a level determined by positioning of the rod and float assembly  160 . Since the water from the spray material must first pass through the granular salt material  62 , it is believed that the water from the first nozzle preferentially dilutes the brine reservoir to ensure that the solution is definitely lower in saturation. The Applicants have found the preferred ratio of flow rates of each nozzle are important to maintain a target concentration of brine in the reservoir and be effective in preventing recrystallization. The aforementioned range of flow rates have been found to be effective for preventing system failure as a result of salt formation in the reservoir. 
     The granular salt material  62  preferably includes soft ion donors including, but not limited to, salts such as potassium chloride and sodium chloride. Other salts suitable for use in water softening systems will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure. The use of the dual nozzle assembly with the aforementioned flow rates dilutes and/or dissolves the brine reservoir during the brine replenishment cycle prior to or simultaneous with brine replenishment. The present invention is especially advantageous with those softening salts that exhibit solubility differences over a range of temperatures, e.g., potassium chloride. 
     Many modifications and variations of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention can be practiced otherwise than has been specifically shown and described.

Technology Category: 7