GB2031614A - Controlling an apparatus for conditioning a liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for conditioning a liquid includes a plurality of machine functions cyclically operative during a regenerative mode of operation. A control circuit for the apparatus comprises a microcomputer having a ROM with a fixed programme of operations stored therein and a RAM within which data is stored for determining the time and frequency of activation and the periods of each cycle of operation of the machine functions. The RAM may be updated by the operator of the apparatus by the use of two momentarily operable devices, one for stepping through each instruction held in the ROM and for retrieving, and displaying, data stored in the RAM for each instruction and the other for entering new data into the RAM.

Description

SPECIFICATION Means and method for controlling an apparatus for conditioning a liquid The present invention relates to liquid conditioning apparatus, as for example a water softening apparatus, and to a means and method for controlling such apparatus.

Conventional liquid conditioning apparatus, such as a water conditioner or water softening unit, typically has three modes of operation associated therewith. A regeneration mode of operation includes one or more cycles during which the liquid is conditioned and usually involves the activation and deactivation of various apparatus or machine functions for various time periods for each cycle. Typically, a household liquid conditioner or water softener will require less cycles of operation than a commercial liquid conditioner or water softener. Examples of liquid conditioner machine cycles are back wash, brine rinse, fast rinse, service and refill.

A program mode of operation typically allows the operator of the liquid conditioner to set the time of day and set the time and frequency of activation of the regeneration mode of operation of the apparatus.

A service mode of operation is commonly consi dened to be the normal operation mode of the conditioner. In the conventional liquid conditioner the regeneration mode is periodically activated during the service mode of operation in accordance with settings made by the operator of the apparatus during the program mode of operation.

Typically, the modes of operation described hereinabove have been controlled by an electromechanical control device or unit. These electromechanical devices have allowed the operator of the liquid conditioner to set the time of day by rotating a dial and aligning a marker with the appropriate time. Furthermore, the operator has been able to set the time of day when it is desirable for the apparatus to enter the regeneration mode of operation by again appropriately locating a marker or dial. In addition, the operator may be able to determine the frequency of activation of the regeneration mode by again appropriately locating a marker or dial. For example, the operator may set the electromechanical control unit such that the apparatus regenerates once a day, twice a day, every other day, every three days, etc. at the set time of day.

Some of the major disadvantages associated with the conventional electromechanical control devices for liquid conditioners are (1 ) the inability of the operator to control the period for each cycle of the regeneration mode of operation (2) the difficulty of the manufacturer of the control device in manufacturing one control device which may be adaptable for use in any liquid conditioner whether it be a household, commercial, top-of-the-line or bottom of-the-line unit (3) the inability of the operator to variably program the apparatus so that the regeneration mode is activated for peak priods of liquid usage and (4) the failure rate of mechanical parts associ ated with an electromechanical control device and associated therewith service time to replace faulty parts.

Since the conventional electromechanical control device uses a plurality of gears and cams to establish periods for each cycle of the regeneration mode of operation, such periods are necessarily set at the factory during assembly of the control device.

Accordingly, for the operator of the conditioner to change such periods in the field would require either a major overhaul of the control device or a complete replacement of the device.

Furthermore, because of the limited variability and flexibility of electromechanical devices, the manufacturer of an electromechanical control device for use in a liquid conditioner is limited as to the use of such control device. As previously discussed, commercial liquid conditioners must operate substantially different from household liquid conditioners. In addition, the manufacturer may have a top-of-theline conditioner which is capable of performing more functions than a bottom-of-the-line conditioner. Accordingly, the manufacturer must manufacture one electromechanical control device for each different liquid conditioner. This requirement results in added cost, lower production, and substantial maintenance training of service individuals.

It is many times desirable, especially in commercial usage, that a liquid conditioner only regenerate during periods of sustained usage of the liquid. As an example, for a business which is closed on Saturday and Sunday it may be desirable to have the liquid conditioner regenerate on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday but not on Saturday or Sunday. Furthermore, it may be desirable to have the conditioner regenerate twice on Monday and Wednesday during heavy usage of the liquid and regenerate only once on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Again the limited variability of the electromechanical control device precludes such flexibility in programming the liquid conditioner operation.

As an added feature of a control system for a liquid conditioning apparatus, it may be desirable to delay the activation of the regeneration mode of operation until after the completion of some other event to for example, allow the apparatus to operate more efficiently and/or reduce the cost associated with operation of the apparatus. Conventional electromechanical control devices have been incapable of providing this desirable feature without further modification of the control device.

Afurther problem experienced by manufacturers of liquid conditioning apparatus is how to manufacture a control system having the greatest degrees of variability but which precludes the untrained end user of the apparatus from tampering with data programmed for their particular usage of the apparatus. Again the electromechanical control devices have been unable to adequately provide both of these featues simultaneously in one control system.

As will become apparent, the control system described hereafter solves or at least mitigates these and other problems associated with electromechanical control devices for liquid conditioning apparatus.

The present invention provides an apparatus for conditioning a liquid comprising: a plurality of machine functions for conditioning said liquid wherein said machine functions have a plurality of cycles of operation associated therewith; and control means for controlling time and frequency of activation and for controlling periods of each cycle of operation of said machine functions; said control means including a central control element having a plurality of instructions programmed therein and a memory within which data is stored for determining said time and frequency of activation and said periods of each cycle of operation of said machine functions, said memory having stored therein fixed data for a resident mode of operation of said apparatus means for stepping through each instruction programmed in said control element and retrieving said data stored in said memory for each instruction, and means for entering new data into said memory thereby updating said fixed data in accordance with liquid conditioning requirements whereby said time and frequency of activation and said periods of each cycle of operation of said machine functions are independently and variably programmable.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the central control element comprises a microprocessor or microcomputer, the apparatus further including two momentarily operable devices and a display. A plurality of instructions are programmed into the central control element and predetermined data is stored in a memory associated therewith whereby the control element has programmed therein a resident program for operation of the apparatus. Accordingly, without additional programming by the operator, the apparatus will operate in accordance with the resident program. One of the momentarily operable devices may be used to step through the programmed instructions whereby data stored in the memory of the control element is retrieved and displayed to the operator for each programmed instructions.The other momentarily operable device may be used by the operator to enter desired new data for each displayed instructions so that the program of operation can be updated in accordance with liquid conditioning requirements. The control means is preferably arranged to be programmed for use in a plurality of different liquid conditioning apparatus such as any household liquid conditioning apparatus or any commercial liquid conditioning apparatus. Cyclical periods associated with the operation of various machine functions of the apparatus may be controllably varied by the control means in accordance with liquid conditioning requirements. Preferred apparatus is capable of being programmed for regeneration on a day calendar basis, and for each calendar day the apparatus can be controllably programmed to regenerate up to twice during such day.

The two momentarily operable devices provide means for stepping through a programmed set of instructions associated with the operation of the apparatus, for retrieving stored data from the control means, and for entering new data to update the programmed instructions in accordance with liquid conditioning requirements.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling a liquid conditioning apparatus having a plurality of operation variables associated therewith which are a function of time including the steps of continuously updating a time of day clock, an elapsed day clock and a day calendar clock; continuously comparing stored data indicative of a desired frequency of regeneration to the elapsed day clock and the time of day clock whereby the apparatus regenerates if the elapsed day clock and time of day clock coincide with the stored data; continuously comparing stored data indicative of the frequency of regeneration to the day calendar clock and the time of day clock whereby the apparatus regenerates if the day calendar clock and the time of day clock coincide with the stored data; and control ing the activation and deactivation of a plurality of machine functions associated with the regeneration mode of operation of the apparatus by contuously comparing stored data indicative of desired cycles of operation of said machine functions to the time of day clock.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic functional block diagram of a control system constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a listing of fixed instructions and data programmed into the control system shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 (a, b, and c) is a flow diagram charting the functions of the control system shown in Figure 1.

illustrated in Figure 1 is a schematic functional block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention which for purposes of this disclosure will be described with respect to its adaptation to controlling the operation of a water conditioning apparatus such as a commonly used household or commercial water softener unit. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after reading the description of the invention provided hereinafter that it and/or the method associated with its functions may be adapted to control liquid conditioning apparatus in general and therefore it is not intended that the present invention be limited to any particular liquid conditioning apparatus.

Referring now to Figure 1, a control system 8 includes a control means 10 for controlling various operation variables of a liquid conditioning apparatus (not shown) of the type having a plurality of machine functions 50 for conditioning the liquid and various modes of operation associated therewith such as a household or commercial water softener unit and an optional liquid condition sensor 40 which may be included to activate the machine functions 50 for various cycles in response to a condition of the liquid. As will be further described hereinafter, the control means 10 determines the mode of operation of the liquid conditioning apparatus. For example; during a program mode of operation, data stored within the central control element 12 may be displayed and changed as desired by the operator of the apparatus.During a service mode of operation, the control element 12 determines when the apparatus should enter a regeneration mode of operation in accordance with the stored data; and during the regeneration mode the various machine functions are activated and deactivated by the control means 10 for cycles 52,54,56,58, 60, time periods of which have been established during the program mode, to condition the liquid.

As illustrated in Figure 1, control means 10 includes the central control element 12 referred to previously; a power supply source 14 electrically coupled to the control element 12; a display 16 also electrically coupled to the control element 12; a function control means 18 electrically interposed between the control element 12, the display 16, and the machine functions 50 of the liquid conditioning apparatus (not shown); and a programming means 20 electrically coupled to the control element 12 which includes three momentarily operable devices or switches 22,26, and 30.

In the preferred embodiment of control means 10, control element 12 is a single large scale integrated (LSI) chip microcomputer of the type manufactured by Rockwell International Corporation and identified as PPS-4/1 MM75. The PPS-4/1 MM75 microcomputer includes a self-contained clock generator circuit which may be used for any internal logic functions to be performed by the microcomputer, a program memory or read only memory (ROM) which provides the storage for program instructions and constants (e.g. a resident program) required to operate the microcomputer, a program counter for addressing the various program instructions stored in the ROM, a data memory or random access memory (RAM) which provides storage for variable data enterablethrough a programming means, and a central processing unit for implementing the program instructions in accordance with the stored data by accumulating the program instructions and data and performing either binary or decimal arithmetic.

Power supply source 14 may include any conventional circuit means for regulating and filtering an alternating reference waveform such as an AC signal. Typically, the circuit means will at least include a resistor-diode combination electrically coupled in series with the AC signal source and a capacitor electrically coupled in parallel with the AC signal source. As will be discussed in more detail hereinafter, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, power supply source will also include a DC (battery) power supply which serves as a backup power supply source in the event of an AC power failure in order to maintain the data stored in the memory of the control element 12.Continuing to refer to Figure 1, the central control element 12 is shown to be electrically coupled to power supply source 14 utilizing a plurality of electrical interconnecting means thereby supplying the source of power for operation of control element 12.

Display 16 may be any conventional electronic display means such as a light emitting diode display or vaccum fluorescent display. Preferrably, the display 16 will have the capacity to display four (4) alpha numeric digits simultaneously to the operator of the liquid conditioning apparatus. In the preferred embodiment of control means 10, display 16 is a four (4) digit light emitting diode display of the type manufactured by National Semiconductor Corporation and identified as NSA 1541. As shown in Figure 1, the display 16 is electrically coupled to the central control element 12 utilizing a plurality of electrical interconnecting means.

Function control means 18 includes as integrated circuit package having associated therewith a plurality of inverter circuit means for driving the display 16 and the machine functions 50. For example, the integrated circuit package utilized may be of the type manufactured by National Semiconductor Corporation and identified as DS8872N. As shown in Figure 1,function control means 18 is electrically interposed between the central control element 12 and the display 16 and machine functions 50.

Typically, a number of load switching devices equal to the number of machine functions 50 will be included in function control means 18 to activate the machine functions 50 in response to appropriate signals from the control element 12. These load switching devices may be triacs, relays, etc. The number of electrical interconnecting means coupling the control element 12 to the display 16 through function control means 18 will equal the number of digits associated with display 16 e.g. four (4), and the number of electrical interconnecting means coupling the control element 12 to the machine functions 50 through function control means 18 will equal the number of cycles 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 associated with the operation of machine functions 50 being controlled e.g. five (5).

Continuing to refer to Figure 1, programming means 20 includes three (3) momentarily operable switching devices 22, 26, and 30 which hereinafter will be referred to as the SET button, STEP button, and ADVANCE button respectively. Each of these momentarily operable devices is electrically coupled to a negative voltage (-V) such that when one of the devices 22, 26, and 30 is depressed by the operator of the liquid conditioning apparatus an appropriate signal is entered into the control element 12 causing a desired change in the operation of the apparatus.

Each momentarily operable device 22,26, and 30 is individually electrically coupled to control element 12 and through a resistor 24,28, and 32 respectively to ground potential 34to provide necessary transient protection. As will be discussed in more detail hereinbelow, by using the SET and STEP buttons (22 and 26 respectively) the operator of the liquid conditioning apparatus may step through the programmed instructions stored in the control element 12, enter and store new data for each programmed instruction in accordance with liquid conditioning requirements, and place the apparatus in the regeneration mode of operation at any time desired.

Furthermore, by utilizing the ADVANCE button 30 the operator is able to rapidly advance the apparatus through the various cycles of operation associated with the machine functions 50 once the control element 12 has either automatically entered or been placed into the regeneration mode of operation.

During the regeneration mode of operation of a water conditioning apparatus such as a water softener, a plurality of machine functions 50 are activated and deactivated for various cycles, for example, 52, 54,56, 58, and 60. In a commercial water conditioner, there will typically be five (5) cycles of operation, e.g.

back wash, brine rinse, fast rinse, service, and refill.

In a household water conditioner, there will typically be four (4) cycles of operation, e.g. back wash, brine rinse, fast- rinse, and refill. The times for each of these cycles have typically been invariably set in an electromechanical control unit at the manufacturing level by utilizing fixed cams and gears. Furthermore, because of the different cycles associated with the househould and commercial conditioners it has heretofore been necessary to manufacture at least two substaintially different electromechanical control units for each different water conditioner. In accordance with the present invention the control means 10 may be utilized by the operator to variably control either household or commercial water conditioners and furthermore, the times for each cycle may be programmed from 0 to 99 minutes by the operator via programming means 20.

As an optional feature of the control system 8 illustrated in Figure 1, any conventional liquid condition sensor 40 may be located in proximity to the liquid to be conditioned and in turn electrically coupled to the central control element 12 whereby in response to a condition of the liquid e.g. unsoftened water, a signal would be provided to control element 12 and the liquid conditioning apparatus would enter the regeneration mode of operation to condition the liquid. This feature would allow conditioning of the liquid at times other than those stored in the memory of control element 12 in response to a condition but would not necessarily replace or supersede programmed times for the apparatus to enter the regeneration mode of operation.Accordingly, if the sensor 40 should sense a condition between times when the control element 12 has been programmed to enter the regeneration mode, control element 12will enter the regeneration mode in response to the condition; however, control element 12 will also enter the regeneration mode at the programmed times.

Having described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the operation of control system 8 will now be described. The theory of operation hereinafter described is that which is presently believed to be applicable to the embodiment described above; however, it is not intended to be limiting in nature. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various programmed instructions may be added and/or deleted from the instructions of the present invention to allow the apparatus to functionally operate in a different manner than described below.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is stored within the read only memory (ROM) of the central control element 12 a fixed or resident program, a series or repertoire of twenty (20) steps or instructions, and various constants associated with each instruction whereby upon application of power from power supply source 14 the liquid conditioning apparatus will operate without the requirement for external programming by the operator using programming means 20 (Figure 1). During an AC power failure or interruption, the DC power supply, previously referred to, is used to maintain in memory any data stored via programming means 20; however, in the event of both an AC power failure and DC power failure the resident program provides a program for operation of the liquid conditioning apparatus once AC power is restored.Accordingly, the fixed program serves as a basic program which may be changed via programming means 20 and also assures that the liquid conditioning apparatus will operate once power has been restored after a power failure.

By utilizing the STEP button (26) of programming means 20 (Figure 1) the operator may step through each of the twenty (20) instructions of the program and the data stored for each instruction will be retrieved from memory and displayed on display 16.

The data displayed on display 16 may be changed by the operator for each instruction by utilizing the SET button (24) of programming means 20 (Figure 1).

Once the displayed data has been changed as desired, the new data may be entered into the data memory or random access memory (RAM) of control element 12 by again depressing the STEP button (26). Furthermore, by utilizing the SET button (24) without first depressing the STEP button (26), control element 12 enters the regeneration mode of operation of the liquid conditioning apparatus.

Continuing to refer to Figure 2, the program mode of operation of control means 10 will be described in detail. Upon application of power (POWER UP) to control element 12, display 16 will show a blank in digit 1 (D1), a zero in digit 2 (D2), a blank in digit 3 (D3), and a zero in digit 4 (D4). Digits D1 and D2 of display 16 indicate to the operator the program step or instruction being displayed and digits D3 and D4 of disply 16 indicate to the operator the value of the data presently stored in the memory of control element 12. The operator will next depress the STEP button (26) and the display 16 will show the time of day stored in the control element 12. Upon applying initial power to the control element 12, the time shown in the digits on the display 16 will be zero.The operator may change the time of day to reflect the accurate time by depressing the SET button (22). Digit D1 will begin to change at one second intervals from 0 thru 9 while the SET button (22) is being depressed. When the proper digit is displayed in D1 the operator releases the SET button (22). The operator again depresses the SET button (22) to similarly change the next digit D2 and continues the same procedure for digits D3 and D4 until the proper time of day is set. Accordingly, by utilizing a single button the operator is able to set the proper time of day. This is accomplished by slewing the data entry from digit to digit.The operator now depresses the STEP button (26) whereby the set time is stored in the control element 12 which thereafter will continuously update the time of day utilizing its internal clock generator circuit at every cycle of the alternating reference signal and either an A or P is displayed for A.M. or P.M.

respectively. The operator next depresses the SET button (22) to set the proper A.M. or P.M. for the time set and then depresses the STEP button (26) to store the A or P setting in control element 12. At this point in the program mode the letters EP, indicating end of program, will be displayed. The control element will return to the service mode of operation automatic in 1 to 2 minutes or if the operator again depresses the STEP button. However, included in the present invention is a means or method for limiting access to the remaining instructions of the program to authorizzed persons thereby allowing only such authorized person to enter new data for each such instruction.If the proper security code is entered by the authorized individual, such as the apparatus serviceman, this allows the STEP button (26) to be depressed by the serviceman to step through to instruction three (3) of the stored program which as shown in Figure 2 is TIME OF REGENERATION. The appropriate security code is entered by depressing the SET button (22) when the letters EP appear on the display until the appropriate numbers representing the security code the display. In the fixed program, the control element 12 is set to enter the regeneration mode of operation at 2:00 o'clock; accordingly, the number 2 appears in digit D4for instruction three (3), TIME OF REGENERATION. Any number from 0 to 12 may be entered and stored by utilizing the SET and STEP buttons (22 and 26) respectively.If the number 0 is entered, the regeneration mode will be activated only upon demand, i.e. either in response to the operator depressing the SET button (22) or in response to a liquid condition sensor 40 (Figure 1).

Each time the authorized individual depresses the STEP button (26) the number displayed in D2 (and D1) is increased by one (1) up to twenty (20) and the data displayed in digits D3 and D4 for each previously displayed instruction is store in the memory of control element 12. Accordingly, the authorized individual is able to step through each of the twenty (20) instructions and change or not change the data retrieved from memory and displayed for that instruction. At the conclusion of the twentieth (20th) instruction or after each instruction is displayed and the STEP button (26) is not again depressed, the control element 12 will automatically return to the service mode of operation in 1 to 2 minutes and wait for the proper time, determined by the program and data, to enter the regeneration mode of operation.

Accordingly, the control system 8 is controllably variable in accordance with particular liquid conditioning requirements by merely entering appropriate data via the STEP and SET buttons (26 and 22) of programming means 20.

As illustrated in Figure 2, program instruction or step 4, AM-PM, allows the authorized individual to determine whether the time of regeneration will be A.M. or P.M. In the fixed program the regeneration mode will be activated at 2 A.M. In step 5, FREQUEN CY OF REGENERATION, the control element 12 may be programmed to activate the regeneration mode from every day to every 9 days in accordance with an internal elapsed day clock or a value of zero (0) may be programmed whereby the control element 12 controls the activation of the regeneration mode in accordance with a seven (7) day calendar clock. In the fixed program, the frequency of regeneration is every 2 days; accordingly, the elapsed day clock of control element 12 is utilized.

Steps 6 through 11 are instructions-associated with the various cycles of the regeneration mode of operation. It is these cycles which may be rapidly stepped through by depressing the ADVANCE button (30) during a regeneration mode of operation.

Step 6, SENSOR DELAY, allows the authorized individual to set a delay time period from 0 to 99 minutes for delaying the activation of the regeneration mode of operation. In each of the other steps 7 through 11, time periods from 0 to 99 minutes may also be set for the various cycles associated with the liquid conditioning apparatus. In the fixed program the settings for steps 6 through 11 are as follows: step 6, SENSOR DELAY, 0 minutes; step 7 BACK WASH, 15 minutes; step 8, REGENERATION, 70 minutes; step 9 FAST RINSE, 5 minutes; step 10 SERVICE, 2 minutes; and step 11, REFILL, 30 minutes. As shown in Figure 2, each of these settings will be displayed in digits D3 and D4 as the authorized individual steps through the instructions thereby allowing for entry of new data for each instruction.

Steps 12 through 19 are instructions associated with the seven (7) day calendar clock of the control element 12. If the data displayed in step 5, FRE QUENCY OF REGENERATION, is 1 through 9 thereby indicating that the regeneration mode will be activated frm every day to every 9 days, then each setting for steps 12 through 19 will be zero (0) because the elapsed day clock of control element 12 is being utilized to determine the frequency of regeneration. Only if the data displayed for step 5 is zero (0) can data be effectively entered for steps 12 through 19; accordingly, for the fixed program, zero (0) is displayed for each step 12 through 19. Assuming that step 5, FREQUENCY OF REGENERATION, is set at zero (0), the liquid conditioning apparatus may be programmed to regenerate on a particular day of each week, i.e.Monday (1), Tuesday (2), Wednesday (3), Thursday (4), Friday (5), Saturday (6), or Sunday (7) by first setting the appropriate number 1-7 for step 12, DAY OF WEEK SETTING, thereby indicating the present day of the week and starting the internal day calendar clock of control element 12. Furthermore, by setting steps 13 through 19, the liquid conditioner may be programmed to regenerate from 0 to 2 times every day of the week by setting the value for each step at 0, or 2.

The self-contained clock generator circuit of the control element 12 continuously updates the time of day clock which is displayed by display 16 when the apparatus is in the program mode of operation and continuously updates the elapsed day clock and the calendar day clock ifthe calendar clock has been set by setting step 12, every day at 12 A.M. Accordingly, the time of day clock serves as a basis for both the elapsed day clock and the calendar day clock. The elapsed day clock indicates when a day has elapsed and by setting a value for step 12 indicating the present day, the control element 12 is able to determine the day of the week from the elapsed day clock.

The service mode of operation is the normal mode of operation of control element 12 and from such mode the control element 12 can be entered into the program mode of operation by the operator by depressing the STEP button (26) of programming means 20 or it can be placed in the regeneration mode of operation by the operator by depressing the SET button (22) of programming means 20 without first depressing the STEP button (26).

Referring now to Figures 3a, 3b, and 3c there is illustrated a flow diagram charting the functions of the central control element 12 during the service 200, program 300, and regenera-tion 100 modes of operation. Again it will be understood by those skilled in the art that by adding or deleting various instructions to/from the repertoire of programmed instructions listed in Figure 2; the functions charted in Figures 3a, 3b, and 3c may be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

When power is being applied to the control element 12, it continuously checks the alternating reference (A.C.) signal to determine if a half cycle of the waveform has elapsed. For each half cycle of the AC waveform (i.e. everytime the AC waveform equals zero (0)) the control element 12 updates the display showing the time of day if the apparatus is in the program mode of operation. Internally, the time of day clock, the elapsed day clock and the calendar day clock are continuously being updated after each cycle of the AC waveform.

In the service mode 200 of operation the control element 12 continuously makes comparisons of programmed or stored data to the time of day clock, the elapsed day clock, and the calendar day clock (if step 12 has been properly programmed). For example, the control element 12 first determines whether the elapsed day clock or calendar date clock is to be used by determining whether the data stored for step 5 (Figure 2) is zero (0) or 1 through 9. If the stored data for step 5 is zero (0) the calendar day clock may be used, and if the stored data for step 5 is 1 through 9 the elapsed day clock is used. Assuming that step 5 has been programmed for 1 through 9, the control element 12 continuously compares the stored value for step 5 to the elapsed day clock to determine if the number of stored days have elapsed.If the number of programmed or stored days (step 5) have elapsed the control element 12 continuously compares the time of day clock with the stored data for step 3 (Figure 2) and the stored data for step 4 (Figure 2). Only if the stored data of steps 3 and 4 coincide with the time of day clock will the control element 12 enter the regeneration mode 100 of operation; otherwise the various day clocks are continuously updated internally within the control element 12.

Assuming that step 5 (Figure 2) has been programmed for zero (0) indicating that the calendar day clock of control element 12 may be utilized, the control element 12 determines if the calendar day clock has been set by determining the stored data for step 12 (Figure 2). If the stored data for step 12 is zero (0) the calendar day clock has not been set; however, if the stored data for step 12 is 1 through 7 the calendar day clock has been set with the data stored indicative of the day of the week when the calendar day clock was set.If the calendar day clock has not been set, the control element 12 continues to update the time of day clock; however if the calendar clock has been set, the control element determines, for the present day (e.g. if the setting day was 2, Tuesday, and 2 days have elapsed as determined by the elapsed day clock then the present day is 4, Thursday), the stored data for that day for usage. Usage for a particular day of the week can be programmed for 0, 1 or 2 regeneration modes of operation. If the stored data for usage has been programmed for 1, the control element 12 determines whether the time of day clock corresponds with the data stored for steps 3 and 4 (Figure 2). If the answer is yes, the control element 12 enters the regeneration mode 100 of operation.If the stored data for usage has been programmed for 2, the control element 12 determines whether the time of day clock corresponds with the data stored for step 3 (Figure 2). If the answer is yes, the control element 12 enters the regeneration mode 100 of operation. When the comparison of the time of day clock to the stored data for steps 3 and 4 or step 3 does not coincide, the control element 12 continues to update the time of day clock and continues to compare the stored data with the updated time of day.

Referring more particularly to Figure 3C, two conditions must exist in order for control element 12 to enter the program mode 300 of operation. First, the liquid conditioning apparatus must not be operating in the regeneration mode 100 and second the STEP button (26) of programming means 20 must have been depressed. If the SET button (22) of programming means 20 has been depressed without previously depressing the STEP button (26) the control element 12 will enter the regeneration mode 100 of operation. In the program mode 300 of operation each time the STEP button (26) is depressed by the operator, the display 16 steps to the next programmed step, the stored data for that step is retrieved from the memory of the control element 12 and displayed by display 16, and data entered for the previous displayed step is returned and stored in the memory.By depressing the SET button (22) after depressing the STEP button (26), the operator is able to incrementally slew and display new data to be entered for the programmed step displayed. As soon as the operator has completed stepping through the twenty (20) instructions of the program, the control element 12 will automatically depart from the program mode 300 of operation and reenter the service mode 200 of operation.

When the control element 12 enters the regeneration mode 100 of operation either from the service mode 200 by continuously comparing stored data to the time of day clock, the elapsed day clock, and the calendar day clock or from the program mode 300 by depressing the SET button (22) of programming means 20 without first depressing the STEP button (26), the control element 12 determines whether activation of the regeneration cycles is to be delayed by checking the data for program instruction 6 (Figure 2). If the data stored for program instruction 6 is zero (0), no delay occurs; however, if the data stored is from 1 to 99 minutes the regeneration cycles are delayed for the time programmed.Once the regeneration cycles have been completed, the control element 12 again returns to the service mode 200 of operation and the control elememt 12 continues to update the internal day clocks.

Importantly, the sensor delay feature may be utilized to allow controllability of a plurality of cycles.

(i.e. more than the five shown in the Figures) by electrically coupling in series a plurality of control means 10 and delaying the activation and operation of the various machine functions controlled by each control means 10 until previous cycles have been completed.

In view of the above description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained and that further modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Importantly, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the programmed instructions and functional operations associated with control element 12 as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 (a, b, and c) respectively are exemplary in nature and therefore the present invention is not intended to be limited to those programmed instructions and functional operations described hereinabove.

Claims (34)

1. An apparatus for conditioning a liquid comprising: a plurality of machine functions for conditioning said liquid wherein said machine functions have a plurality of cycles of operation associated therewith; and control means for controlling time and frequency of activation and for controlling periods of each cycle of operation of said machine functions; said control means including a central control element having a plurality of instructions programmed therein and a memory within which data is stored for determining said time and frequency of activation and said periods of each cycle of operation of said machine functions, said memory having stored therein fixed data for a resident mode of operation of said apparatus, means for stepping through each instruction programmed in said control element and retrieving said data stored in said memory for each instruction, and means for entering new data into said memory thereby updating said fixed data in accordance with liquid conditioning requirements whereby said time and frequency of activation and said periods of each cycle of operation of said machine functions are independently and variably programmable.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said control element includes a clock generator circuit for continuously updating a time of day clock whereby the time of day is stored in said control element.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said apparatus further includes means for displaying said time of day clock.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said display means further displays said stored data retrieved from said memory of said control element for each programmed instruction and said new data entered into said memory of said control element.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said control element includes a clock generator circuit for continuously updating a time of day clock and an elapsed day clock whereby said cycles of operation are activated for periods and at times and frequencies determined by continuously comparing said elapsed day clock and said time of day clock to said data stored in said memory of said control element.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said control includes a clock generator circuit for continuously updating a time of day clock, an elapsed day clock and a day calendar clock whereby said cycles of operation are activated for periods and at times for each calendar day determined by continuously comparing said time of day clock, said elapsed day clock, and said day calendar clock to said data stored in said memory of said control element.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein data associated with the frequency of activation of said cycles of operation is enterable for each calendar day whereby said cycles of operation may be activated by said control element from zero to two times each calendar day as desired.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for stepping through each programmed instruction includes at least one momentarily operable device which when activated steps to each successive programmed instruction and retrieves said data stored in said memory for each programmed instruction.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said means for entering new data in said memory of said control element includes at least one momentarily operable device which when activated slews new data into said memory of said control element for each programmed instruction.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein said apparatus further includes means for displaying each stepped programmed instruction, said data retrieved from said memory for each programmed instruction, and said new data entered in said memory for each programmed instruction.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein said display includes at least four digits, two of which display said programmed instruction and two of which display retrieved and new data.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said apparatus further includes means for limiting access to at least some of said programmed instructions for purposes of entering new data.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein said means for limiting access includes a security code enterable to said control element through said momentarily operable devices.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said apparatus further includes means for rapidly advancing operation of said machine functions through said plurality of cycles.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein said means for rapidly advancing operation of said machine functions includes at least one momentarily operable device.

16. A method of controlling a liquid conditioning apparatus having a regeneration mode of operation during which a liquid is conditioned and a plurality of operation variables associated therewith which are a function of time, comprising the steps of: continuously updating a time of day clock, an elapsed day clock and a day calendar clock; continuously comparing stored data indicative of a desired frequency of regeneration to said elapsed day clock and said time of day clock whereby said regeneration mode of operation is activated if said elapsed day clock and time of day clock coincide with said stored data; continuously comparing stored data indicative of said desired frequency of regeneration to said day calendar clock and said time of day clock whereby said regeneration mode of operation is activated if said day calendar clock and said time of day clock coincide with said stored data; and controlling the activation and deactivation of a plurality of machine functions associated with said regeneration mode of operation by continuously comparing stored data indicative of a desired cycle of operation for each machine function to said time of day clock.

17. The method as recited in claim 16 further including the step of digitally displaying said time of day clock.

18. The method as recited in claim 17 further including the step of subsequent to said steps of continuously comparing said stored data indicative of said desired frequency of regeneration but before activation of said regeneration mode of operation, continuously comparing stored data indicative of a desired delayed activation of said regeneration mode of operation to said time of day clock whereby after a time period has elapsed which coincides with said stored data indicative of said desired delayed activation said regeneration mode of operation is activated.

19. The method as recited in claim 18 further including the step of subsequent to said step of continuously comparing said stored data indicative of said desired frequency of regeneration to said day calendar clock, checking said stored data to determine a desired frequency of regeneration for the present calendar day.

20. The method as recited in claim 16 further including the steps of preprogramming a plurality of program instructions and fixedly storing data associated with said program instructions in said liquid conditioning apparatus whereby said apparatus includes a resident program of operation.

21. The method as recited in claim 20 further including the step of successively displaying each program instruction and stored data associated therewith.

22. The method as recited in claim 21 further including the steps of entering new data for each desired program instruction displayed and storing said new data for each program instruction in said liquid conditioning apparatus.

23. The method as recited in claim 22 wherein said step of entering new data includes entering a numberfrom one to ninefora program instruction associated with frequency of regeneration whereby said liquid conditioning apparatus regenerates from everyday to every ninth day.

24. The method as recited in claim 22 wherein said step of entering new data includes entering zero for said program instruction associated with frequency of regeneration, a number from one to seven corresponding to a calendar day, and from zero to two for each calendar day whereby said liquid conditioning apparatus regenerates from zero to two times during each calendar day.

25. The method as recited in claim 22 wherein said step of entering new data includes entering from zero to ninety-nine for each program instruction associated with cycles of operation of said machine functions whereby periods of each cycle are variably controllable.

26. The method as recited in claim 25 wherein said step of entering new data includes entering from zero to twelve and an indicator for AM and PM for each program instruction associated with time of regeneration whereby time of regeneration is variably controllable for any desired time of day.

27. A method of controlling the operation of a liquid conditioning apparatus of the type which includes at least one machine function which is periodically activated and deactivated, comprising the steps of: stepping a contrdl element through a plurality of programmed instructions associated with the operation of said liquid conditioning apparatus, displaying stored values for each programmed instruction, and setting desired data for each programmed instruction whereby said machine function of said liquid conditioning apparatus is periodically activated and deactivated at times and for periods controlled by said desired data set and stored for said programmed instructions.

28. In a liquid conditioning apparatus having a regeneration mode of operation including at least one cycle during which a liquid is conditioned, a service mode of operation whereby said regeneration mode is periodically activated, and a program mode of operation during which time and frequency for activation and operation of said regeneration mode are set, the improvement comprising: control means for controlling a plurality of operation variables of said apparatus wherein said control means includes a central control element and associated therewith means for storing data and a fixed program of operation for said apparatus, means for retrieving stored data associated with said operation modes and variables from said means for storing said data, and means for entering new data into said control element to update said fixed program in accordance with liquid conditioning requirements whereby periodic activation and deactivation of said regeneration mode of operation is centrally controlled by said control element in accordance with said stored data and said program.

29. The improved apparatus as recited in claim 28 further including means for displaying said stored data retrieved from said control element and said new data entered into said control element.

30. In a liquid conditioning apparatus having a regeneration mode of operation including at least one cycle during which a liquid is conditioned, a service mode of operation whereby said regeneration mode is periodically activated, and a program mode of operation during which time and frequency for activation and operation of said regeneration mode are set, the improvement comprising: a programmable control system for controlling a plurality of operation variables of said apparatus, said control system including means for stepping through each programmed instruction associated with said service mode of operation and said regeneration mode of operation and means for setting a desired value for each operation variable of said service and regeneration modes of operation while stepping through said programmed instructions whereby said regeneration mode is periodically activated and deactivated and each cycle thereof operates in accordance with said desired values.

31. A control system for controlling a plurality of operation variables of a liquid conditioning apparatus of the type having a regeneration mode of operation including at least one cycle during which a liquid is conditioned and a service mode of operation whereby said regeneration mode is periodically activated, comprising: a control element which includes a resident program and a memory having predetermined data associated with said operation variables stored therein, said resident program including a plurality of programmed instructions whereby said control element continuously provides an updated program and compares said updated program to data stored in said memory, means for stepping through each programmed instruction of said program and for retrieving stored data from said memory for each programmed instruction, and means for entering new data into said memory thereby updating said predetermined data in accord ante with liquid conditioning requirements whereby activation and duration of said regeneration mode of operation of said apparatus is variably controllable through said control element in accordance with said program and data entered and stored in said memory.

32. Apparatus for conditioning a liquid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

33. A method of controlling a liquid conditioning apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

34. A control system for controlling a plurality of operation variables of a liquid conditioning apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.