GB946585A - Fluid flow control valve assembly for water treating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A valve assembly comprises a valve <PICT:0946585/C1/1> <PICT:0946585/C1/2> body formed by three sections 200a, 200b, 200c, Fig. 6, having at least one through passageway 201 which contains a seat 201c for a reciprocating valve element 206 having a closure surface 206a. The valve element is mounted on a stem 207 which is secured to a pressure actuator portion 302 of a gasket 300 secured between the body portions 200a, 200b. The pressure actuator portion 302 extends across a chamber 205 and is formed with an annular Ushaped section, this portion being clamped between washers 304, 305. The valve element is normally held in the position shown by the resilience of the gasket, in which position a second closure surface 206b co-operates with a second seat 201d, and is moved on to the seat 201c by fluid pressure admitted to a cavity 222d above the gasket. The fluid pressure to actuate the valve is supplied from the inlet 201a, port 216a, through filter 217 to a chamber 216 from whence it flows to a channel 218, Fig. 10. The channel 218 communicates with an annular cavity 220 normally closed by a valve member 225, controlled by a solenoid-operated valve 224b. Fluid from cavity 220 passes through passages 225b in the valve member and acts in a valve closing direction, but when the solenoid is operated this pressure is relieved through passage 225c allowing the valve to open, and the fluid to pass from cavity 220 to passage 221 from where part of the fluid flows through a restriction 229 and the remainder passes through a channel 222 to the cavity 222d to actuate the valve element. Fluid flowing through the restriction to a drain outlet 226a creates a suction in a drain passage 226. The valve assembly is described for use in a water treatment apparatus in which the passage 201 supplies water to a softener (not shown) and a second passage controlled by a similar valve 236, Fig. 11, actuated by a valve 254 controls the flow from the softener through passageway 202, to a service line. The solenoid valves are actuated in timed sequence to control the rinsing, recharging and flushing of the softener. When the solenoid valve 224 is energized the valve 206 closes the passageway 201 and the fluid pressure in channel 222 for actuating the valve also flows to a channel 222b, Fig. 11, and passes through a non-return valve 234 formed by a spherical elastic port 234a having a slit 234b. The fluid then flows back past valve 236 and in a reverse direction through the softener and re-enters the valve assembly through an outlet portion 201b of passages 201 and flows past the valve elements 206 to a by-pass passage 203 and to the drain 226 which is under suction as explained above. After a certain time the solenoid valve 254 is energized and the valve 236 is closed. The actuating pressure for this valve is also supplied to a chamber 266b to actuate a valve element 213 to close the by-pass passageway 203. The actuating fluid supplied by solenoid-controlled valve 254 passes through a restriction 257 and a nonreturn valve 260, similar to 234, to the softener and creates a suction in a passage 256 connected to a brine tank thereby brine is fed to the softener. The valves 224, 254 are then deenergized in timed sequence to provide rinsing of the softener and opening of the passageway for water treatment.