MXPA00004063A - Float valve assembly for a water purification system - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved float valve assembly having a primary float valve mechanism (42, 46, 64, 66, 68) with an over-center switch mechanism (49, 74, 104, 106, 108, 110), and a secondary float mechanism (44, 48, 76, 78, 80) with a manually reset button (98).

Description

FLOAT VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR A WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM This invention relates generally to improvements in water purification systems of the type that include a purification element or module to produce a relatively purified water supply that is stored in a tank for convenient distribution through a tap valve or something Similary. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved mechanical float valve assembly for controlling the flow of incoming water to the purification element or module in response to the water level within the storage tank. In the state of the art, water purification systems of the type - which include one or more purification elements or modules in the form of filters and / or reverse osmosis units - are well known to produce a relatively purified water supply used to drink, cook, etc. For example, such purification systems typically include a filter or reverse osmosis membrane which, in the presence of an appropriate flow and pressure conditions, separates tap or feed water into the purified water supply and a relatively impure water supply or of waste.

In particular, the reverse osmosis membrane functions to remove particulate matter and a wide range of dissolved solids and other contaminants from a portion of the incoming tap water flow, and to concentrate those contaminants within the wastewater supply, to often called brine, for disposal through a convenient drain. The purified water supply is normally collected for storage inside a tank, and for easy distribution on demand through a tap valve or something similar. A potential disadvantage associated with reverse osmosis purification systems is related to the inherent loss of at least a portion of the inflow of incoming tap water, due to the flow of concentrated brine water to the drain site. This disposal of a part of the incoming tap water flow is generally acceptable during normal operation of the system to produce purified water, during filling of the storage tank. However, when the reservoir reaches a full or nearly full condition, there is usually at least some continuous flow of water through the reverse osmosis membrane to the drain, where the amount of water spent during this condition may be important and undesirable.

In the past, reverse osmosis purification systems have been designed to include an inlet water flow control valve responsive to filling the storage tank to reduce excessive water loss. More specifically, purification systems have been developed that incorporate a pressure sensitive quick-cut valve within a pressurized storage tank to stop the flow of incoming tap water into the system when the tank is full. For example, see United States of America Patent No. 4,776,952. Other purification systems of the type having a non-pressurized storage tank have included float-operated solenoid valves sensitive to the reservoir water level to stop the flow of incoming tap water when the reservoir reaches a practically full condition. Such electric solenoid devices are, however, relatively expensive and include metal components that are susceptible to malfunction caused by corrosion resulting in spillage of the reservoir. The present invention relates to a better and relatively inexpensive and highly reliable mechanical float valve assembly for use in regulating the flow of incoming tap water to a purification system in response to the water level within a storage tank. The improved float valve assembly of the present invention incorporates a center-top switch means to achieve an almost total instantaneous-action closing of an inlet tap water flow control valve in response to the increase in water level within the tank. . According to the invention, an improved float valve assembly is provided for controlling the flow of incoming water to a water purification system, such as a purification system that includes a reverse osmosis module, in response to the water level within a water reservoir. storage. The float valve assembly comprises a valve unit having a housing defining a flow path from a tap water supply or something similar to the reverse osmosis module, with a pair of primary and secondary valves mounted in series along the flow path. The primary and secondary valves are operated respectively by means of primary and secondary floats placed inside the tank for vertical displacement in response to the increase or decrease of the water level of the tank. The primary valve provides primary on-off regulation of incoming water flow to the purification module, and an up-center switch is provided for positive closing and virtually instantaneous action of the primary valve when the reservoir is full. The secondary valve provides a fast backup cutoff in case of malfunction of the primary valve. In the preferred form, the flow path extends vertically through the housing of the valve unit, and the primary and secondary valves are mounted along the flow path so that the primary valve is positioned vertically below of the secondary valve. With this distribution, the primary valve is operated by means of the associated primary float to provide the normal on / off regulation of the incoming water flow to the purification module while the secondary valve remains in the open position. In case of malfunction of the primary valve, the water level of the tank will rise at least slightly above an upper limit enough to close the primary valve, the secondary float responds to such an increase in water level to displace the valve secondary to the closed position. In a preferred arrangement, a valve seat associated with the secondary valve is dimensioned to ensure that the secondary valve remains in the closed position in response to the tap water pressure, in the subsequent descent of the reservoir water level, and is provided a reset button operated manually to open the secondary valve again. The primary and secondary valves comprise a pair of banjo valves in association with a respective valve seat. Each banjo valve comprises a disc or central valve head coupled by means of a radial arm with an annular seal seated coaxially along the flow path through the valve unit. The associated float comprises a light float member and is mounted on an outer end of a float arm, which in turn has an inner end extending through the annular seal and the radial arm related to the head of the float. valve. When the water level inside the tank is increased enough to raise the light float member and thereby move the float arm associated with a substantially horizontal orientation relative to the housing of the valve unit, the inner end of the float arm carries the head of the valve associated with the closed position. Conversely, when the reservoir water level decreases causing the light float member to descend so that the associated float arm extends angularly outwardly and downwardly of the valve unit housing, the inner end of the float arm pivots the head of the associated valve sufficiently to separate from the seat and move to the open position. The center top switch associated with the primary valve comprises, in the preferred form, a magnetic interrupting unit including a first magnet supported on the associated float arm and at least a second magnet mounted on the valve unit housing. The first and second magnets are placed in a separate horizontally and relatively narrow relationship, with similar poles presented face to face so that the magnetic forces of repulsion resist the upward displacement of the magnet of the float arm to a centrally aligned position in the center with the second magnet in the valve unit housing. However, the continuous filling of the tank with the primary valve in the open position eventually applies a sufficient upward force by means of the float to the float arm to cause the magnet of the float arm to move up and up from center relative to the second. magnet with practically an instantaneous or blow type action to positively close the primary valve. This rapid upward displacement of the float arm is allowed by mounting the associated light float therein with at least some movement lost in the vertical direction. The subsequent water distribution of the tank causes the water level to fall and produce downward displacement of the light float eventually to apply a sufficient downward force to the float arm for the downward movement above center of the rapid type of magnet of the float arm to reopen the primary valve to resume the production of purified water. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a water purification system including a reverse osmosis module and describes the use of a float valve assembly to regulate the flow of incoming water in response to the water level within a reservoir of water. storage .

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the float valve assembly of the present invention installed within the storage tank. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the float valve assembly. Figure 4 is a plan view of a float arm for use in the float valve assembly. Figure 5 is a plan view of the float arm of Figure 4, assembled with a banjo type valve. Figure 6 is a longitudinal and vertical sectional view taken generally on line 6-6 of Figure 5. Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a valve unit forming a portion of the float valve assembly, and showing primary and secondary valves in an open position. Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 7, showing the primary valve in the closed position and the secondary valve in the open position. Figure 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view similar to Figure 7, showing the primary valve in the open position and the secondary valve in the closed position. Figure 10 is a fragmented and enlarged perspective view illustrating a reset button for reopening the secondary valve, subsequent to the water level in response to its closure. Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a switch above center to provide positive closure of the primary valve. Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken generally on line 12-12 of Fig. 11, and showing the switch above center in an open position. Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 12, but showing the center top switch in a closed position. Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken generally on line 14-14 of Figure 12.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments _ As shown in the exemplary drawings, reference is made to a water purification system generally referred to in Figure 1 by reference numeral 10 and includes an improved float valve assembly 12 for controlling the flow of incoming water to an element or purification or filtration module, such as the exemplary reverse osmosis module 14. The float valve assembly 12 is mounted within a reservoir 16 within which relatively purified water 18 is produced by means of the reverse osmosis module 14 and collected and stored where it is ready for use by distribution through a faucet. 20 or something similar. The float valve assembly 12 includes a pair of float operated valves (not shown in Figure 1) sensitive to the water level within the reservoir 16 for regulation on / off of the incoming water flow to the purification system. In addition, an up-center switch (also shown in Figure 1) for positive closed, substantially instantaneous action of a primary valve operated by float is provided when the water level of the tank rises to a full condition. The water purification system 10 is designed particularly for residential applications and other domestic applications to provide a ready supply of relatively purified water 18 produced from ordinary tap water or the like. As is known in the medium, the purification system 10 uses filtration and / or reverse osmosis principles to convert the incoming tap water supply into dual water outlets comprising relatively purified water having contaminants practically removed from it and a Waste or rejected water supply that has contaminants or impurities concentrated in it. The purified water produced is normally coupled via a pure water conduit 22 for flow of the reverse osmosis module 14 to the storage tank 16, while the waste or rejected water is normally coupled for flow of the reverse osmosis module through a drain conduit 24 to a convenient drain. Discarded or rejected water is often called brine. The tap 20 is normally coupled by means of a distributor conduit 26 to the purified water produced, either by connection to the pure water conduit 22 or by connection directly to the reservoir 16. An additional filter element (not shown) can be provided for additional filtering. of the purified water discharged from the reverse osmosis module 14 to the pure water conduit 22. An exemplary reverse osmosis purification system of this type is shown and described in more detail in the United States of America patent NO. 5,045,197 which is incorporated herein by reference.

In the illustrative purification system 10 described in FIG. 1, the storage tank 16 receives and stores the purified water 18 produced under practically atmospheric pressure, non-pressurized conditions. In this regard, the flow conduit 26 coupled to the reservoir 16 is arranged for gravity flow distribution of the purified water 18 through the distributor conduit 26 to the tap 20. The float valve assembly 12 of the present invention is assembled within an upper region of the reservoir 16 for actuated response of the float in response to the water level of the reservoir to control the flow of incoming tap water to the reverse osmosis module 14. More particularly, as seen in Fig. 2, the valve assembly 12 generally comprises a valve unit 28 in the form of a multi-part housing having an input fitting 30 adapted for connection by an inlet flow line 31 to the tap water supply, and an outlet fitting 32 coupled by means of a supply line 34 to the reverse osmosis module 14. When the water level of the reservoir is relatively low, substantially lower than a at full condition, the float valve assembly 12 allows the incoming water flow to enter the reverse osmosis module 14 so that they can continue the production of purified water and filling the reservoir 16. However, according to the water level of the reservoir reaches a full or virtually full condition, the float valve assembly 12 quickly cuts off the incoming water flow to the system and thus avoids a potential waste of water which would otherwise occur by flow through the reservoir module. reverse osmosis 14 to the drain. During the subsequent descent of the reservoir water level by distributing a volume of the water 18 therein via tap 20, the float valve assembly 12 allows to restart the flow of incoming tap water to the system to restart the production of water purified. As shown in more detail in Figures 2-7, the float valve assembly 12 comprises a primary valve 36 and a secondary valve 38 (Figures 3 and 7) mounted in series along a flow path 40 (FIG. 7) formed in the valve unit 28 to extend generally vertically between the inlet and outlet fittings 30, 32. The two valves 36, 38 are individually and pivotally coupled to the inner ends of a respective pair of float arms 42. and 44 which extend laterally from there to the exterior of the valve unit 28, terminating at external ends coupled respectively to a primary float 46 and a secondary float 48 (Figure 3). Broadly speaking, the primary and secondary floats 46, 48 comprise floating members such as hollow boats adapted to move vertically upward in response to an increase in the water level within the reservoir 16, to change their respective primary and secondary valves 36, 38 from a position open to a closed position along the flow path 40, all in a manner to be described in more detail. However, the secondary float 48 is placed at a vertical lift sufficiently above the primary float 46, so that the primary float 46 and its associated primary valve 36 provide primary or normal on / off water flow control through the primary float 46. the valve unit 28. The switch above center 49 is best shown in Figures 3 and 11-13, and functions to ensure the positive closure of the primary valve 36 with a practically fast-acting action in response to the increase in the level of water to a full condition inside the reservoir. The secondary float 48 and its associated secondary valve 38 provide a quick-cut backup control in case of malfunction of the primary float or the primary valve. The valve unit 28 comprises a valve unit housing formed by a plurality of housing plates mounted in a stacked configuration by means of a plurality of screws 50 (figures 3 and 7) or something similar. More particularly, a top housing plate 52 includes the tubular inlet fitting 30 projecting up therefrom for suitable connection to the incoming tap water flow line 31. This upper plate 52 is assembled in sequence with a pair of intermediate plates of housing 53 and 54, the last plate 54 to be assembled in turn with a lower housing plate 55 defines the tubular outlet fitting 32. As shown more clearly in Figure 7, this assembly of housing plates 52-55 define together the flow path of valve unit 40. A strainer 56 is suitably mounted between the two upper housing plates 52, 53 upstream of the primary 36 and secondary 38 valves to capture any large particles that could interfere with any way with the operation of the valve unit. In addition, an appropriate seal 58 is also seated between the two upper housing plates 52, 53 to prevent leakage of water therebetween. A plurality of vertically extending alignment bolts 60 and relative bolt receiving alignment ports 62 are formed, formed in the housing plates 52-55 to ensure proper arming of the housing plates.

The primary valve 36 is mounted between the lower housing plates 54, 55. This primary valve 36 comprises a banjo type valve having a central valve head or disc 64 formed of an elastic or elastomeric material and integrally coupled by means of a radial arm 66 with an outer and generally concentric annular seal 68 seated coaxially along flow path 40 and captured between housing plates 54, 55. Valve head 64 is positioned along flow path 40 for superimposing an annular primary valve seat 70 through which the water flow to the outlet fitting 32 is regulated. The float arm 42 associated with the primary valve 36 has its inner end terminating in a small ring 72, as shown in Figures 4 and 6. This inner end ring 72 is fixed to the primary valve 36, preferably by co-molding them within the central valve head 64. , as seen in Figures 5-7. From the valve head 64, the float arm 42 extends through the radial valve arm 66, co-molded there, and further through the seal 68 to extend radially outwardly of the valve unit 28 through a radially open groove 74 (Figure 3) cooperatively defined by the two lower housing plates 54, 55. An outer end of the float arm 42 is suitably connected to the primary float 46. In operation, the primary float 46 rises and falls according to the level of the purified water 18 within the reservoir 16. When the water level of the reservoir decreases below a predetermined first level corresponding to a full or substantially full condition, the primary float 46 descends vertically so that the associated float arm 42 extends laterally outwards and downwards of the valve unit 28, as seen in figure 7. In this orientation, the float arm 42 elevates the c valve stem 64 of the underlying valve seat 70 to allow water flow to the reverse osmosis module 14. However, when the water level within the reservoir 16 rises again to the first predetermined level, sufficient to cause the primary float 46 raise the associated float arm 42 to a practically horizontal altitude, as seen in Figure 8, the float arm 42 moves the valve head 64 downward to seat on the valve seat 70 and thereby stop the flow of incoming water to the reverse osmosis module 14.

Closing the primary valve 36 in response to increasing the water level of the reservoir to the first predetermined level represents a nearly full reservoir condition, occurs in a positive manner and with a substantially instantaneous action by means of the switch above center 49. In the preferred shape as shown in Figures 3 and 11-13, the top-center switch 49 comprises a magnetic interrupting unit including a first magnet 104 mounted on a pole 106 or the like projecting upwardly formed in or mounted on the float arm 42, for positioning the first magnet 104 for vertical displacement within the radially outwardly open slot 74 formed in the accommodating plate 54. Segments 108 projecting radially outwards (figures 11-13) of the plate of housing 54 respectively support a pair of second magnets 110 aligned horizontally. These second magnets 110 are oriented relative to the first magnet 104, so that equal poles are presented against each other as indicated in figures 12 and 13. Alternatively, the second magnets 110 can be mounted on an alternating structure such as a suitable mounting clamp or the like supported in a fixed position relative to the movable float arm 42, as by mounting on the valve unit housing or on the structure of the reservoir or other suitable stationary structure. As the water level rises within the reservoir 16 to the practically full condition, the primary float 46 rises to lift the outer end of the float arm 42 in a manner that progressively moves the associated primary valve 36 into a closed position, as previously described. The lifting of the float arm 42 also elevates the first magnet 104 to a horizontally or centrally aligned position between the second magnets 110. However, the repulsive magnetic forces attributable to the alignment of similar poles results in resistance to the increase of the float arm 42 as the magnets approach the center position (figure 12). These repulsive magnetic forces briefly resist an additional lift of the primary float 46 and the float arm 42 while the reservoir 16 continues to fill with water, resulting in an increase in the upward force applied by means of the float 46 to the boom. float 42. At some point, the rising water level applies a sufficient vertical and ascending force to the float 46, to bring the first magnet 104a and beyond the center position, where the magnetic repulsion forces help to carry the first magnet 104 upward to a position above center above second magnets 110 as shown in figure 13. Such upward displacement and above center of first magnet 104 and associated float arm 42 functions to close the primary valve 36 in a positive way with practically instantaneous action. Preferably, the instantaneous positive closing of the primary valve 36 X requests that the valve hang in a slightly open position allowing the continuous flow of water to the purification module 14, but at a low pressure that is insufficient for continuous production of water purified and the related continuous filling of the deposit. Moreover, in the upper center position above as seen in Figure 13, the magnetic repulsive forces help to retain the primary valve in the positively closed position. The primary float 46 is coupled to the outer end of the associated float arm 42 in a manner that allows a limited degree of motion lost in a vertical direction, to provide the instantaneous positive seal of the primary valve 36 described above. In particular, as shown in Figures 2, 3, 11 and 14, the primary float 46 is attached to the outer end of the float arm 42 by means of a shoulder screw 112 or the like having a smooth body portion and without thread 114 adjacent to an enlarged head 116. As the water level rises to the practically full condition, float 46 is directed against the lower part of float arm 42 as shown in solid lines in Figure 14. However, when the above-described instantaneous action closure of the primary valve 36 occurs in response to the increase in water level, the outer end of the float arm 42 is free to change upwardly with minimum resistance along the smooth portion 114 to the position of the dotted line shown in figure 14, separated from the upper part of the float 46 and placed in or near the lower part of the screw head 116. At this point, with the primary valve 36 closed, additional supply of purified water to the tank 16 stops, to stop correspondingly further raising of the primary float 46. Subsequent distribution of water from the tank 16 causes the water level in it to decrease. Initially, such a distribution results in the primary float 46 falling together with the water level until the head of the shoulder screw 116 engages the upper side of the float arm 42. In this position, the magnetic forces of repulsion maintain the valve 36 in the closed position, they will also retain the float 46 against further downward displacement with the descent of the water level. Neverthelessas the water level decreases further, the portion of the float 46 placed above the surface of the water increases correspondingly to increase the downward force applied to the float arm 42. At some point, this downward force increases to a sufficient extent to overcome the magnetic forces of repulsion and thereby cause the float arm 42 to descend and reopen the primary valve 36 with an action of the instantaneous type. After this, the float 46 follows the water level inside the reservoir 16 to appropriately close the primary valve 36 again when the reservoir is filled with purified water. In this aspect, a weight 118 (Figure 14) can be mounted on the bottom of the float 46, where the weight 118 is formed of a material such as polypropylene having a specific gravity close to that of water, such that the weight have a virtually neutral float when submerged. When any significant portion of the weight 118 is suspended above the surface of the water due to the suspension of the float 46 relative to a descending water level as described above, the weight applies a significant increase in the down force applied to the float arm. 42 to reopen the primary valve 36. The secondary valve 38 is constructed and operated in a manner generally similar to that of the primary valve 36, except as detailed below. More particularly, the secondary valve 38 is mounted between the pair of intermediate plates of the housing 53, 54. This secondary valve 38 also comprises a banjo-type valve having a central valve disk or head 76 formed of an elastic or elastomeric material and coupled integrally by means of a radial arm 78 with an outer and generally concentric annular seal 80 seated coaxially along the flow path 40 and captured between the housing plates 53, 54. The head 76 of the secondary valve is positioned for covering overlap an annular secondary valve seat 82 through which the water flow to the outlet fitting 32 can be regulated. The float arm 44 associated with the secondary valve 38 has its inner end terminated in a small ring 84 which preferably is co-molding within the head 76 of the central valve (figure 7) in the same manner as that shown and described with respect to the primary valve 36. From the head 76 of the secondary valve, the float arm 44 extends through the radial valve arm 78, also co-molded therein, and further through the seal 80 to extend radially outward through of a radially open slot 86 (FIG. 3) cooperatively defined by the receiving plates 53, 54. An outer end of the float arm 44 is in turn connected to the secondary float 48. In operation, during normal on / off regulation of the Water level of the reservoir by the primary valve 36, the increase and decrease of the water level of the reservoir does not rise enough to move the secondary valve 38 of a normal open condition. That is, as seen in Fig. 7, the secondary float 48 is not normally raised by the water level of the tank, whereby the associated float arm 44 extends angularly normally downward from the valve unit 28 to raise or misalign the head 76 of the secondary valve to the open position. However, in the case of malfunction of the primary valve 36 or primary float 46, the level of the purified water 18 within the reservoir 16 will be increased to a second predetermined level slightly above the first level normally required to close the head of the primary valve 64. When this occurs, the secondary float 48 will raise the associated float arm 44 to an almost horizontal altitude, as seen in Figure 9, so that the float arm 44 moves the head 76 of the secondary valve downwardly to seat in the seat of the valve 82 and thereby stop the flow of incoming water to the reverse osmosis module 14. According to an additional aspect of the invention, the subsequent distribution of the water in the reservoir 16 that produces a lower water level within the reservoir which does not automatically cause the secondary valve 38 to reopen. In contrast, the open area defined by the seat of the secondary valve 82 is sufficiently large, so that the net downward closing force applied to the valve head 76 attributable to the normal tap water pressure on its upper side is sufficient to maintain the secondary float 48 and the associated float arm 44 at a closed altitude independently of the subsequent descent of the water level. Accordingly, with this arrangement, while decreasing the water level of the reservoir below the second predetermined level, the movement of the primary valve 36 back to the open position is allowed, manual intervention is required to reopen the secondary valve 38 before being able to reopen the production of pure water. This requirement for manual re-opening of the secondary valve serves as an alarm that a malfunction of the system has occurred, and that a repair service is required. Figure 10 shows a manual reset button 88 for use in manual reopening of the closed secondary valve 38. As shown, the reset button 88 comprises a resilient dome-shaped member 90 mounted within a reset port 92 formed in an upper lid or wall 94 of the reservoir 16. A reset pin 96 is captured in the lower portion of the reservoir. member 92 and protrudes downwardly into the reservoir to a position closely overlapping the secondary float 48. When it is required to reopen the secondary valve 38, manually pressing the button 88 as indicated by arrow 97 in Figure 10 displaces the reset bolt 96 down against the secondary float 48, to push back down to a position in which the float arm 44 lifts the head 76 of the secondary valve back to the normal open position. The resilient member 90 has inherent spring characteristics sufficient to retract upward to a normal position (as seen in FIG. 10) after such restoration pressure.

According to still further aspects of the invention, the valve unit 28 further includes a flow restrictor 98 in the form of an orifice formed in the upper plate 52 of the housing (FIG. 7) upstream of the primary 36 and secondary 38 valves. This flow restrictor 98 has a sufficient internal diameter and length to control water flow through the valve unit 28 to a relatively low expense suitable for the production of purified water, within a pressure range typical for water sources. of tap. In addition, a flow diverter 100 (FIG. 7) may be integrally molded within the housing plate 53, or otherwise appropriately mounted therein, and comprises a diverter disc mounted centrally along the upstream flow path 40. of the secondary valve 38 and defining an annular passage in the form of an array of diverter ports 102 through which the inflow of incoming tap water can flow down to the secondary valve 38. With this construction, when the primary valves 36 and secondary 38 are opened for water flow to the reverse osmosis unit 14, the diverting disc 100 prevents the downward flow of water by undesirably impacting and displacing the head of the secondary valve 76 to the closed position. In contrast, the diverter disc 100 causes the water to flow downward in a generally annular pattern around the periphery of the valve head 76 for flow through the open valve seat 82. The valve assembly of the float 12 of the present invention provides mechanical activated float operation of the primary 36 and secondary 38 valves mounted in series in response to changing the water level within the storage tank 16. The primary on / off regulation of the tap water flow is provided by means of the primary valve 36, with the secondary valve 38 acting as a backup to quickly cut the incoming tap water flow in case the primary valve fails. The magnet-type center-top switch functions to ensure a total, positive and instantaneous closure of the primary valve 36, with an action of the instantaneous type, in response to the increase of the reservoir water level to a practically full condition. A variety of further modifications and improvements in and for the float valve assembly 12 of the present will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, even though the switch above center 49 has been shown and described for use with the primary valve 36, it will be recognized and understood that a second center top switch may be used with the secondary valve 38 to achieve positive action closure snapshot of it. Therefore, no limitation to the invention is intended by the foregoing description nor by the accompanying drawings, except as provided in the appended claims. •

Claims (27)

1. A float valve assembly for regulating the flow of incoming water to a reservoir, the float valve assembly comprises: a valve unit including a housing defining a flow path having an inlet adapted to be connected to a supply of water and an outlet adapted to connect to a purification module, and a primary valve mounted along the flow path, the primary valve moves between open and closed positions allowing and restricting respectively the flow of water through the path of flow to the purification module; a long float arm having one end coupled to the primary valve; a primary float; means for connecting the primary float generally at an opposite end of the float arm to allow a limited scale of vertical lost movement between them; the primary float is sensitive to the water level within a reservoir to lift the float arm to move the primary valve from the open position to the closed position when the water level rises to a predetermined first level, and to lower the arm of float to move the primary valve from the closed position to the open position when the water level falls below the first predetermined level; and interrupting means responsive to increasing the water level within the reservoir substantially at the first predetermined level to positively displace the float arm to move the primary valve to the closed position with practically instantaneous action, the opposite end of the float arm being practically free to move vertically upwards relative to the primary float within the limited range of movement lost in the instantaneous action movement of the primary valve to the closed position.

2. The float valve assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the switch means comprise a switch above center.

The float valve assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the switch means comprise a magnetic interrupting unit including a first magnet supported by the float arm for travel in intimate proximity with at least one second magnet , the first and second magnets are oriented with the same poles facing each other to generate magnetic repulsion forces that resist alignment in the center of the first and second magnets, the primary float lifts the float arm to move the first magnet towards alignment in the center with the second magnet in response to the increase of the water level within the reservoir, the primary float raises the float arm with sufficient force when the water level is increased practically to the first predetermined level to displace the first magnet above of center in relation to the second magnet and to move the primary valve positi to the closed position.

The float valve assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one second magnet is mounted in a fixed position relative to the first float arm.

The float valve assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one second magnet comprises a pair of magnets mounted on opposite sides of the first magnet in the float arm.

The float valve assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for connecting comprise a shoulder screw having an end threadedly connected to the primary float and further including a smooth portion without thread adjacent to a head enlarged, the opposite end of the float arm is slidably connected along the portion of the smooth unthreaded portion of the shoulder screw, whereby the smooth unthreaded portion length defines the length of the limited scale of movement lost .

7. The float valve assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes a weight mounted on a lower end of the primary float, this weight has a virtually neutral flotation in water.

8. The float valve assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the primary float applies a downward force to the float arm in response to a decrease in the water level within the reservoir to move the first magnet down and up. of center in relation to the second magnet to reopen the primary valve.

9. The float valve assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve unit further includes a secondary valve mounted along the flow path and that can be moved between open and closed positions allowing and restricting respectively the flow of water through the flow path to the purification module, and a secondary float coupled to the secondary valve and sensitive to the water level inside the reservoir to move the secondary valve from the open position to the closed position when the level of water is increased to a second predetermined level higher than the first level, and to allow the movement of the secondary valve from the closed position to the open position when the water level decreases below the second predetermined level.

10. The float valve assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve unit is mounted inside the tank.

11. The float valve assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow path is vertically oriented.

12. The float valve assembly according to claim 1, for use in regulating incoming water flow to a water purification system having a purification module, the reservoir receives and stores purified water produced by means of the water purification module.

13. A float valve assembly for regulating the flow of incoming water to a reservoir, the float valve assembly comprising: a valve unit defining a flow path having an inlet adapted to be connected to a water supply and an output adapted to connect to a purification module, and a primary valve and a secondary valve mounted along the flow path, each of the primary valve and the secondary valve move between open and closed positions allowing and restricting respectively the flow of water through the flow path to the purification module; a primary float arm having an inner end connected to the primary valve to move the primary valve between the open and closed positions; a primary float coupled to an outer end of the primary float arm and sensitive to the water level within a reservoir to move the primary float arm to move the primary valve from the open position to the closed position when the water level is increased to a first predetermined level, and to move the primary float arm to move the primary valve from the closed position to the open position when the water level decreases below the first predetermined level; a secondary float arm having an inner end connected to the secondary valve for moving the secondary valve between the open and closed positions; a secondary float coupled to an outer end of the secondary float arm and sensitive to the water level within the tank to move the secondary float arm to move the secondary valve from the open position to the closed position when the water level is increased to a second predetermined level higher than the first level, and to allow movement of the secondary float arm to move the secondary valve from the closed position to the open position when the water level decreases below the second predetermined level; the primary valve comprises a banjo valve having a central valve head generally arranged concentrically within an outer annular seal and interconnected thereto by means of a radial arm, and furthermore wherein the inner end of the primary float arm is It co-molds inside the valve head and extends from there through the radial arm and seal to protrude outwardly from the valve unit to its outer end connected to the primary float.

14. The float valve assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the valve unit is mounted inside the tank.

15. The float valve assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the flow path is oriented vertically.

16. The float valve assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that the secondary valve is mounted along the flow path in a position vertically on the primary valve.

The float valve assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the secondary valve "comprises a banjo valve having a central valve head generally positioned concentrically within an outer annular seal and interconnected thereto by means of of a radial arm, and furthermore where the inner end of the secondary float arm is co-molded into the valve head and extends from there through the radial arm and the seal to project out of the valve unit to the external end connected to the secondary float

18. The float valve assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that it also includes a filter strainer mounted along the flow path upstream of the primary and secondary valves to capture the particles carried by water

19. The float valve assembly in accordance with the claim 13, characterized in that it also includes a flow diverter mounted along the flow path upstream of the primary and secondary valves to prevent the flow of water along the flow path by applying a substantial closing force to the valve primary.

20. The float valve assembly according to claim 19, characterized in that the flow diverter comprises means forming a generally annular flow passage for the flow of water therethrough.

21. The float valve assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that it also includes a flow limiter mounted along the flow path upstream of the primary and secondary valves and defining an internal bore with a length of long enough to provide a relatively slow waste of water through there.

22. The float valve assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the valve unit further defines a primary valve seat coupled by the primary valve in the closed position, and a secondary valve seat coupled by the secondary valve in closed position, the seat of the secondary valve has a size relative to the water pressure at the inlet to retain the secondary valve in the closed position when the water level decreases below the second predetermined level.

23. The float valve assembly according to claim 22, characterized in that it further includes reset means for manually moving the secondary valve from the closed position to the open position.

24. The float valve assembly according to claim 23, characterized in that the resetting means comprises a reset button mounted in the reservoir and includes means for moving down the secondary float by depressing the reset button.

25. The float valve assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that it further includes switch means responsive to increasing the water level within the reservoir substantially up to the first predetermined level to positively displace the primary valve to the closed position.

26. The float valve assembly according to claim 25, characterized in that the switching means comprise a magnetic switch above center.

27. The float valve assembly according to claim 13, for use in regulating incoming water flow to a water purification system having a purification module, the reservoir receives and stores purified water produced by the module of purification.