MXPA96001131A - Method and apparatus for treatment of a - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water treatment system comprising: a treatment tank having an ion exchange bed thereon; a valve head assembly positioned above and in fluid communication with the treatment tank , the valve head assembly includes passage means for allowing a flow of fluid through the valve head assembly, means positioned within the passage means to create a vacuum pressure inside the treatment tank, a drain arranged in of the passage means and on a downstream side of the vacuum pressure creating means, a valve positioned within the passage means and on a downstream side of the vacuum pressure creating means, the valve can be moved to an open position and a closed position to allow the flow of fluid through the means creating vacuum pressure and means to direct a portion of the fluid which flows through the creating means of vacuum pressure to the drain and direct a smaller remaining portion of the fluid flowing through the vacuum pressure creating means to the valve when the valve is in open position

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WATER TREATMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to filter water and ion exchange systems, and more particularly, to an ion exchange resin bed system. 2. Description of the Related Art Ion exchange water treatment systems can be of two general types, i.e., a system by time and a system by demand. A time system uses a timer to regenerate a bed of resin inside a treatment tank of the water treatment system after a particular period of time has elapsed. With a system by time, it is necessary to estimate, based on the application demand of the users, the history of water use, etc., when the treatment tank must be regenerated. If the actual use of the water exceeds the capacity of the unit during the period of time, the "untreated" water (ie water containing impurities such as iron, calcium, and magnesium) could be removed through the system. water treatment. In accordance with the foregoing, time-based water treatment systems typically regenerate well beyond the point at which the total amount of normal water use would present to prevent the presentation of that "untreated" water. These systems have the disadvantage of discharging the excess water and the regenerant, for example, the salt, into a sewer system, with an associated damaging environmental impact. A conventional design demand system uses a flow meter (or turbine) in the outlet valve of the treatment tank to count the actual amount of water used since the last regeneration. The flow meter produces signals to an electronic meter, which initiates regeneration when the previously established count (which corresponds to a total amount of flow through the outlet of the treatment tank) is equal to a previously established amount corresponding to an exchange capacity of the resin bed inside the treatment tank. However, these systems are limited by the sensitivity of the flow meter. These meters typically can not count all of the flow through them in a small amount per unit of time, such as that caused by drops of tarja, appliances, and so on. Also, these meters are unable to register if an overlap or overshoot occurs at extremely high flow rates. These small amounts of water that actually pass through the flow meter (or turbine), but are not detected by it, actually add up to several liters per hour, or even more. Because conventional systems do not allow this loss of water, the system may experience over-saturation or over-execution of capacity after a certain volume of water. That is, the system continues to operate after the resin bed can no longer perform additional ion exchange, resulting in untreated water coming out of the water treatment system. U.S. Patent No. 4,104,165 (Braswell), assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses a water softening system, which can be regenerated on a per-time basis. Bras ell discloses a valve head assembly mounted in a treatment tank, and having a piston valve of the conical seat type disposed therein. The plunger valve includes a venturi section that creates a vacuum inside the valve head assembly and treatment tank to direct a saturated brine solution through the treatment tank and into the valve head. A solenoid valve is disposed downstream of the plunger valve, and is actuated to allow fluid to flow through the plunger valve. All fluid flowing through the plunger valve also flows through the solenoid valve. A problem with these solenoid valves, is that they typically have a relatively low flow rate, for example, 19 liters / minute maximum, which limits the regeneration time of the water treatment tank according to the foregoing. Moreover, since all fluid flows through the solenoid valve when the solenoid valve is in an open position, waste and foreign matter can be lodged inside the fluid, inside the solenoid valve, and can cause improper operation of the solenoid valve. same It is also known in the art to use a counter-current and pulsed flow through a treatment tank to reduce the amount of time required to regenerate the resin bed, and to more fully recharge the resin bed, and to Prevent channeling or fluidization of the resin bed. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,108,616 (Kunz) discloses an ion exchange water treatment system that utilizes a countercurrent flow in regenerant pulses through the treatment tank. The duration of the pulses and the period of time between the pulses is such that the ion exchange granules forming the resin bed inside the treatment tank do not mix substantially during the regeneration process.

An advantage of solenoid valves is that they can be opened and closed quickly, thus decreasing the amount of time required to regenerate a particular treatment tank. What is needed in the art is a water treatment system that induces a flow of regenerant through the treatment tank and into the valve head assembly very quickly, which uses less water and time compared to conventional units. An additional need is a system that uses diaphragm valves to quickly direct water in a particular direction inside the valve head, while eliminating the problems of debris buildup inside, and the low flow rate through, of this diaphragm valve. An additional need is a water treatment system that allows different periods of time for certain segments of the regeneration process, to be able to be altered quickly and easily, depending on water conditions, water use, high or low pressure, etc. An additional need is a water treatment system that allows for the loss of water or unaccounted-for water that has passed through the system, and thus eliminates overlapping conditions associated with the same, and rebuilds the bed if an overlap condition occurs. An additional need is a water treatment system that monitors the exact water use of one or more tanks in a water treatment system, and that regenerates each particular tank according to the exact amount of water used by that tank. An additional need is a water treatment system that uses a vacuum pressure inside the valve head to create a relatively strong suction pressure inside the treatment tank, and in this way removes substantially all gases in it, that is, degas the inside of the treatment tank and remove the regenerated in an undiluted state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a valve head assembly that utilizes a quick acting valve to effect fluid flow through the valve head assembly, while at the same time having only a small portion of fluid flowing to the valve head assembly. through the solenoid valve, in relation to the total amount of fluid flowing through the valve head assembly. The invention comprises, in a form thereof, a water treatment system that includes a treatment tank having a filtration bed or ion exchange mineral therein, and a valve head assembly disposed on top of , and in fluid communication with, the treatment tank. The valve head assembly includes a passage for allowing a flow of fluid through the valve head assembly, a vacuum pressure creating device disposed within the passage, a drain disposed within the passage, and a downstream side of the device vacuum pressure maker, and a valve disposed within the passage and to a downstream side of the vacuum pressure creating device. The valve can be moved to an open position and to a closed position to allow fluid flow through the vacuum pressure creating device, whereby a portion of the fluid flows through the drain, and a smaller remaining portion of Fluid flows through the valve when the valve is in the open position. An advantage of the present invention is that the valve head assembly induces a flow of brine through the treatment tank and into the valve head assembly very rapidly, causing a faster exchange with 100 percent regenerant in comparison with conventional units, thus saving water in the process. An additional advantage is that fast acting valves are used to quickly direct water in a particular direction inside the valve head, while the problems of debris accumulation inside, and the low flow velocity through, of the valve are eliminated. An additional advantage is that different periods of time corresponding to certain segments of the regeneration process can be altered quickly and easily, depending on the water conditions, the use of the water, the hardness, and so on. A still further advantage is that the loss of water is allowed, thereby eliminating the overcapacity conditions associated therewith. An additional advantage is that the exact use of water from one or more tanks is monitored, and each individual can be regenerated according to the exact amount of water used by that tank. An additional advantage is that a vacuum pressure is used inside the valve head to create a relatively strong suction pressure inside the treatment tank, and in this way substantially all the gases in the tank are removed, ie, degass the inside of the treatment tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The aforementioned and other characteristics and advantages of the present invention, and the way to obtain them, will become clearer, and the invention will be better understood, referring to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of the present invention, showing the flow of fluid during a mode in service. Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the embodiment of Figure 1, showing the fluid flow during a brine extraction mode. Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the embodiment of Figure 1, showing the flow of fluid during a pulse rinsing mode. Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of the embodiment of Figure 1, showing the flow of fluid during a purge mode. Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of the embodiment of Figure 1, showing the flow of fluid during a brine tank fill mode. Figure 6 is an amplified view of the valve head assembly shown in Figures 1 to 5. Figure 7 is an electrical schematic of a processor mode of the present invention. Figure 8 is a flowchart of the decision steps performed by a mode of a processor of the present invention. Figure 9 is a fragmentary top view in layers of the valve head assembly shown in Figure 6. Corresponding reference characters indicate the corresponding parts through the different views. The exemplification set forth herein illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and this exemplification should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1 to 5, there is shown a water treatment system 10 of the present invention, which includes the treatment tank assemblies 12, 14, the manifold 16 and the electronic logic control processor or board 18. Each treatment tank assembly 12, 14 includes a valve head assembly 20 mounted thereon and disposed in fluid communication with an interior of a treatment tank 22. The assembly of valve head 20 (Figures 6 and 9) includes a body 24 and a cover 26 separated by a disc 28. The cover 26 includes a spacer 27. A flexible membrane 30, such as an elastomeric membrane, overlaps the disc 28, and is disposed between the cover 26 and the disc 28. The body 24 includes a flange 32 disposed near one end of the bottom thereof, and is coupled with a treatment tank 22, as shown in Figures 1 to 5. The body or 24 also includes a plurality of passages to allow a flow of fluid through the valve head assembly 20. That is, the body 24 includes a first passage 32 in which a plunger valve 34 is disposed. A compression spring 38 force the plunger valve 34 in a closed down position, whereby, the plunger valve 34 is in contact with the shoulder 40. The body 24 also includes a second passage 42 in which a plunger valve of time is disposed. of tapered seat 44. Arranged at one end of the bottom of the valve 44, are first and second annular seal rings 46, 48, abutting shoulders 50, 52, respectively. Arranged at an upper end of the valve 44, there is a flexible seal 54 which allows a flow of fluid to pass in an upward direction, but prevents a flow of fluid passing in a downward direction. The valve 44 includes a longitudinally extending opening 56 in which an insert 58 is disposed defining a venturi section 70. Each of the valve 44 and the insert 58 have radially extending openings 62., and allow a flow of fluid to the venturi section 60. The plunger valve 44 also includes a plurality of radial openings 94, and a longitudinal opening 96 that allows a flow of fluid therethrough and to the venturi section. 60. Arranged between the valve 44 and the second passage 42, there is a chamber 64. Arranged above the second passage 42, there is a third passage 66, where a cylindrical sleeve 68 is inserted. A plurality of ring seals 0 70 provide a seal between the third passage 66 and the jacket 68. The body 24 also includes an inlet passage 72, an outlet passage 74, and a drain passage 76, each of which are respectively fluidly connected to the chamber 64, the chamber 78, and chamber 80, by means of radial passages 82, 84, and 86. Additional openings inside body 24 include longitudinally extending openings 88, 90, which provide communication between chamber 64 and the inside of the treatment tank 22; and a passage 92 that provides communication between the chamber 80 and a valve that is described hereinafter. A fourth passage 69 defines a chamber 71 which is disposed below the plunger valve 34. A radially extending opening 120 is in communication with the exterior of the body 24 and the chamber 71. A radially extending opening 122 is in communication with the exterior of the body 24 and the chamber 78. Arranged between the plunger valve 44 and the disc 28, there is a compression spring 93 which forces the plunger valve 44 into a first closed position. The flexible membrane 30, disposed above the disc 28, includes a disc 98 with a central opening 100 therein. Arranged within the aperture 100, there is a mesh filter 99. The flexible membrane 30, the disc 98, and the cap 26, define a chamber 102 therebetween. The chamber 102 is also disposed in fluid communication with a passage 104 formed in the lid 26. Figures 1 to 5 illustrate the treatment tank assemblies 12, 14 interconnected by the manifold 16 and the electronic logic control board 18, by means of which, one or both of the treatment tank assemblies 12, 14 can be placed in a service mode or regeneration mode. The logic control board 18 is shown connected with a user interface device or a keypad 106, which allows a user to manually control the logic control board 18, and in turn, control the treatment tank assemblies 12, 14 The logic control board 18 is also connected to a first solenoid valve 108 by means of line 110, a second solenoid valve 112 by means of line 114, and a third solenoid valve 116 by means of line 118. Each of the treatment tank assemblies 12, 14 are constructed substantially the same in the embodiment shown, and accordingly, have similar reference numbers. For purposes of clarity, however, not all reference numbers have been indicated in the treatment tank assembly 12. The first valve 108 has an entry line 124 disposed in communication with the passage 92 of the body 24 (Figure 6) . The first valve 108 also includes an outlet line 126 disposed in communication with each of the passageway 104 and the chamber 102 inside the lid 26, and a regeneration induction line 128 via the outlet line 130. Arranged therein. the induction line 128, there is a ball valve 132 which allows a flow of fluid in a downward direction, and disposed inside the outlet line 130 there is a check valve loaded with spring 134 which allows a flow of pressurized fluid in one direction up. The second valve 112 includes an input line 136 which connects to the radially extending opening 122 and chamber 71 (Figure 6), and an outlet line 138 connected to an inlet line 140 of the third valve 116. A ball valve 141 disposed between the line of entrance 140 and induction line 128, allows a flow of fluid in an upward direction. A brine tank 142 is connected to the regenerant induction line 128, and has a regenerant 144 disposed therein, such as sodium chloride. A float valve assembly 146 controls a liquid level inside the brine tank 142, as is known. The manifold 16 generally includes three T-tubes coupled together for convenience purposes. A first tube 148 includes outlets 150 that connect to the respective inlet passages 72 (Figure 6), and an inlet 152 that receives pressurized liquid from an external source (not shown), such as a water pump. The second tube 154 includes inlet 156 which is connected to the respective flow meters 158, which in turn are connected to the outlet passage 74 (Figure 6). The second tube 154 also includes an outlet 160 connected to a line for delivering treated water to a faucet or the like. The third tube 162 includes inlets 164 connected to the drain passage 76 (Figure 6), and an outlet 166 connected to a drain tube. The flow meters 158 (shown in greater detail in Figure 6) include the first housing part 168 sealingly coupled with a second housing part 170. A wheel 172 having a plurality of fins, is carried by an arrow 174, the which in turn is rotatably supported by the first and second housing portions 168, 170. The interconnection between the arrow 174 and the first and second housing portions 168, 170, may include bearings. Moreover, the configuration of the fins inside the wheel 172 is such that the wheel 172 rotates on a flow in any direction inside the flow meter 158. The wheel 172 includes at least one magnet 176 disposed therein, which rotates past by a sensor 178 on the rotation of the wheel 172. The sensor 178 is connected via line 180 (Figure 1) to the logic control board 18. Referring now to Figures 1 to 5, the operation of the present invention. For each of the operation modes described above, the logic control board 18 controls the length of time in which the first valve 108, the second valve 112, and the third valve 116 are in an open or closed position. Figure 1 describes an operation mode wherein each of the treatment tank assemblies 12, 14 are in a service mode. The conical seat type plunger valve 44 is in the closed down position, and the plunger valve 34 is in the open up position. Water flows through the first tube 148 and into the chamber 64 of the valve head assembly 20. Then the water flows down through the longitudinal openings 88, 90, through the filter 181, and into the treatment tank. 22. The water flows in a downward direction through the resin bed 182, whereby impurities such as calcium and magnesium from the water are removed by means of ion exchange. The water then flows through a filter 184 and up to the vertical tube 186. The pressurized water moves the plunger valve 34 to the upright open position, and flows through it to the outlet 160 of the second tube 154. Figure 2 illustrates the treatment tank assembly 12 in a service mode, and the treatment tank assembly 14 in a brine extraction operation mode. The flow of fluid through the treatment tank assembly 12 is as described above with respect to Figure 1. With respect to the treatment tank assembly 14, the first valve 108 is in an open position, and the second and third valves 112 and 116 are in a closed position. When the third valve 116 is closed, pressurized fluid is no longer supplied into the lid 26. When the first valve 108 is opened, the water flows past the seal 54 of the plunger valve 44, and causes the plunger valve 44 moves to the open up position, as shown. The pressurized water inside the chamber 80 causes the flexible membrane 30 to move to the upper position shown, whereby, water can flow through the inlet line 124 to the first valve 108. Then the water flows through from the outlet line 126 and up to the chamber 102. The small diameter central opening 100 (Figure 6) allows a correspondingly small amount of fluid to flow therethrough. The amount of water flowing in this way through the first valve 108 is regulated by varying the diameter of the central screened opening 100. In contrast, the passage 92 has a relatively large diameter. Accordingly, substantially all the water flowing into the chamber 80 flows out through the passage 92, and a smaller amount of the fluid flowing through the chamber 80 flows through the first valve 108. When the valve of plunger 44 is in the upward position, by which the annular sealing ring 46 engages the shoulder 50, water flows through the radial openings 94 and the longitudinal opening 96 towards the venturi section 60. The section of The venturi 60 creates a low pressure inside the chamber 64, which in turn induces a flow of water through the longitudinal openings 88, 90 and the first tube 168. The flow of water into the chamber 64, in turn, induces a brine flow from the brine tank 142 through the induction line 128, the radially extending opening 120, the filter 181, the standpipe 186, and the filter 184. As can be seen in Figure 2, a regeneration is carried out A-stream, wherein the flow of water through the treatment assembly 14 during a mode in service, is opposite to the flow of water through the treatment tank assembly 14 during a brine extraction mode. Figure 3 illustrates an operation mode wherein the treatment tank assembly 12 is in a service mode, and the treatment tank assembly 14 is in a pulse flushing mode. It will be noted that the plunger valve 44 is in an upper position to induce a flow of liquid as described above with respect to Figure 2. However, rather than receiving a supply of water from the brine tank 142 by means of the induction line 128, the second valve 112 moves to an open position whereby the pressurized and treated water from the treatment tank assembly 12 flows through the inlet line 136 and into the treatment tank 22 in a counter-current direction. The pressurized water inside the inlet line 140 also moves the ball valve 141 to a closed position as shown, where the fluid does not flow into the brine tank 142. During the pulse rinsing mode, the control board logic 18 controls the first valve 108, whereby at least two regeneration options can be performed. That is, the keyboard 108 can be used to select either a full pulse regeneration, a half pulse regeneration, a non-pulse regeneration, and a filter regeneration. During the full pulse regeneration, 100 percent of the impulse rinsing is activated, which means that the valve 108 is on all the time. Valve 112 is on for 1 second and off for 3 seconds, during full pulse regeneration. During regeneration without impulse, only a maximum of 12 percent of the impulse program is activated (to prevent channeling of the resin bed), which means that the valves 108 and 112 are on most of the time. During half impulse regeneration, 50 percent of the full impulse program is activated, using the same valve as mentioned above. With the rest of the cycle, the valve 112 stays on. During filter regeneration, the brine cycle and the fill cycle are significantly reduced to create a vacuum in the tank at approximately 10 percent of the cycle time based on capacity. The filling cycle is reduced in accordance with the same. An extended full pulse regeneration is initiated during filter regeneration. These regeneration options are in time or demand mode. From Figure 3, it will be appreciated that the treated water is used from the treatment tank assembly 12 to rinse the resin bed inside the treatment tank assembly 14. The mode as shown not only monitors the treated water that flows out through outlet 160, but also monitors the flow of water used to rinse the resin bed in a parallel treatment tank assembly. That is, at least one flow meter 158 provides input pulses to the logic control board 18, which in turn reduces the previously established amount stored in the memory, which corresponds to the volume of water transported from the treatment tank assembly. during a mode in service before its regeneration. The logic control board 18 receives input pulses from at least one flow meter 158 representing a volume of water flowing through it. Each of the treatment tank assemblies 12, 14 has a capacity at which the treatment tank assembly must be regenerated. For example, each treatment tank assembly shown in Figures 1 to 5 has a capacity to exchange 5,000 grains of hardness. For a particular application, the untreated water received by means of the first tube 148 has a hardness that falls within a known range per liter, for example, from 6 to 10 parts per million. Accordingly, it is possible to calculate how many liters of water can be transported through the second tube 154 before the regeneration of the corresponding treatment tank assembly. Rather than using two flow meters 158 as shown in Figures 1 to 5, it is also possible to use a single flow meter connected to the outlet 160 of the second tube 154. Figure 4 illustrates another mode of operation wherein the whole of treatment tank 12 is in a service mode, and treatment tank assembly 14 is in a purge or quick rinse mode. The flow paths within the treatment tank assembly 14 are the same as those described above with respect to the pulse rinsing mode shown in Figure 3. However, rather than opening and closing the first valve 108 to provide a rinse by pulsing, the first valve 108 is held instead in an open position, whereby, the treated water from the treatment tank assembly 12 flows continuously through the treatment tank 22 in a countercurrent direction. Figure 5 illustrates another mode of operation of the present invention, wherein the treatment tank assembly 12 is in a service mode, and the treatment tank assembly 14 is in a brine tank filling mode. As can be seen, the treated water is available for the second tube 154 from the treatment tank assembly 14. In addition, the first valve 108 and the second valve 112 is in a closed position, and the third valve 116 is in a closed position. open position, which allows the treated water to flow both in an upward direction through the outlet line 130, and in a downward direction to the brine tank 142 through the induction line 128. The treated water that flows through the outlet line 130 then flows through the check valve 134, the outlet line 126, and up to the chamber 102, to move the flexible membrane against the disc 28 and close the passage 92 and the drainage passage 76. The treated water flowing in a downward direction through the line of induction 128, fills the brine tank 142 to a predetermined level, as controlled by the float valve assembly 146. Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of the circuitry of the logic board 18 shown in Figures 1 to 5. Various components include the microcontroller 188, the keyboard 106, the keyboard second 190, the instruction amplifier / circuit 192, the visual display device 194 (such as a light emitting diode display), the AND gates 196, 198, the gates control ports 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, and 210, the solenoid valve control ports of the treatment tank 212, 214, the manual fill switch 216, the latched decoders 197, 199, and the Flow meter sensor 201. The microcontroller 188 receives the input data from the sensor ports of the flow meter 201, and provides output signals used to control the solenoid valve control ports 212, 214. control 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, and 210 are interposed between the microcontroller 188 and the solenoid valve control ports 212, 214, and respectively control the opening and closing of the solenoid valves 108, 112, and 116. The visual display device 194 can be used to selectively display a quantity of total flow through a particular tank since the last regeneration, a quantity of total flow through the system from a predetermined point in time, an indication of which tanks are in a mode in service or in a regeneration mode, an amount of overlap for a particular tank, a quantity previously established for a particular tank, and other indications of the operation and operation of the system. In the embodiment of the circuitry shown in Figure 7, AC power is used to drive the solenoid valves 108, 112, and 116. Conventional designs use direct current power to drive the solenoid valves, which results in a overheating and failure of the solenoid valves. Accordingly, the present invention overcomes a problem of conventional designs by the use of alternating current energy.

Figure 8 illustrates a flowchart of the logic performed by the control board 18. The block 216 represents a selectively evaluating parameter which corresponds either to a mode of operation for time, or to a mode of operation on demand. For a time operation mode, a particular treatment tank assembly is regenerated after a particular period of time. For a demand mode of operation, a particular treatment tank assembly is regenerated after a particular volumetric quantity of liquid has been transported from a treatment tank assembly. If a mode of operation per time is selected (line 220), a regeneration evaluation block 222 is used. In contrast, if a demand mode of operation is chosen, a regeneration evaluation block 224 is used. data to the regeneration evaluation block 222 includes the time data parameter from block 218 that represents a particular amount of time in which a treatment tank assembly is regenerated; and a time value of a system clock from block 226. Data entries to regeneration evaluation block 224 include pulses detected from a turbine or flow meter (block 228) via line 230; the demand data parameter from block 232 represents a particular volume in which the treatment tank assembly is to be regenerated; and a time value from a system clock in block 226. When the regeneration evaluation block 224 determines that a previously established amount of water has been transported from a particular treatment tank assembly, the particular treatment tank assembly which is to be regenerated is removed from the memory as a tank available for a mode in service (block 232) and regeneration of the particular treatment tank set is presented in block 234. After the regeneration of the set of Particular treatment tank, the treatment tank assembly is placed back in memory as available for an operational mode of operation in block 236. The "system tank parameters" (block 235) correspond to the associated physical data with a particular tank used, for example, such as the tank capacity and grains. This data may be in the form of electronic data stored in a memory. The regeneration data tables (block 237) correspond to the data that indicates when a particular tank should be regenerated, or the time modes inside the regeneration, for example, the hardness of the water, the rinsing modes, the mode of half impulse, etcetera. Although the present invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this description. Accordingly, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention employing its general principles. In addition, this application is intended to cover the departures of the present disclosure which enter into the known or customary practice of the art to which the present invention pertains, and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

Claims (21)

1. A water treatment system, which comprises: a treatment tank having an ion exchange mineral bed therein; a valve head assembly disposed above, and in fluid communication with, the treatment tank, including this valve head assembly a passage element to allow a flow of fluid through the valve head assembly, elements arranged inside the passage element to create a vacuum pressure inside the treatment tank, a drain arranged inside the passage element and on a downstream side of the vacuum pressure creating element, and a valve disposed inside the passage element and in a downstream side of the vacuum pressure creating element, the valve being moved to an open position and to a closed position to allow fluid flow through the vacuum pressure creating element, whereby a portion of the fluid flows through the drain, and a smaller remaining portion of fluid flows through the valve when the valve is in the open position rta.

2. The water treatment system of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a solenoid valve.

3. The water treatment system of claim 2, wherein the solenoid valve and the drain are arranged in parallel with one another on the downstream side of the vacuum pressure creating element. The water treatment system of claim 1, wherein the passage element includes an inlet and an outlet, and wherein the vacuum pressure creating element comprises a plunger valve of the conical seat type having a cross section. of the venturi, the piston valve being able to move to a first position when the valve is in the closed position, and a second position when the valve is in the open position. 5. The water treatment system of claim 1, which further comprises a brine tank connected to an interior of the valve head assembly. 6. A method for treating water, which comprises the steps of: providing a treatment tank having a filter bed and ion exchange therein, and a valve head assembly mounted thereon and fluidly connected with an interior thereof, including the valve head assembly a drain, a valve that can be operated, and a venturi section; provide a brine tank fluidly connected to an interior of the treatment tank; Actuate the valve to allow a flow of fluid through the venturi section and create a vacuum pressure inside the valve head assembly and the inside of the treatment tank, whereby the brine from the brine tank is directed through the treatment tank and the venturi section; and discharging a first portion of the fluid flowing through the venturi section to the drain, and a second remaining portion of the fluid to the valve. The method of claim 6, wherein the driving step comprises creating a vacuum pressure inside the valve head assembly and the interior of the treatment tank, whereby, the brine from the brine tank is directed to through the treatment tank in a direction that is counter-current to a direction of fluid flow through the treatment tank during a mode in service. The method of claim 6, which further comprises the steps of: providing at least two treatment tanks; determining an amount of water flowing through each treatment tank during a mode in service of each respective treatment tank. The method of claim 8, which comprises the additional step of adjusting the determined amount of water using a selectable water loss value representing a non-recoverable amount of lost water per unit of time. 10. The method of claim 8, which comprises the additional step of adjusting the determined amount of water using an amount of water used by one of the tanks during a mode in service to regenerate the other tank. The method of claim 8, which comprises the additional step of using a pre-established amount to regenerate at least one of the treatment tanks when the determined amount is equal to the previously established amount. The method of claim 11, which comprises the additional step of reducing the previously established amount for a particular treatment tank by an amount of overlap representing an amount of water that has flowed through the particular treatment tank from the last regeneration for that particular treatment tank minus the previously established amount. The method of claim 6, wherein the first portion of the fluid flows through a primary flow path, and the second portion of the fluid flows through a secondary flow path. 1

4. A water treatment system, which comprises: a plurality of treatment tanks, each treatment tank having a bed of ion exchange mineral and a filter bed therein, and an outlet, - a plurality of valve head assemblies respectively disposed above, and in fluid communication with, each treatment tank, each valve head assembly including a passage element to allow a flow of fluid through the valve head assembly, an element arranged inside the passage element to create a vacuum pressure inside the treatment tank, a drain arranged inside the passage element and on a downstream side of the vacuum pressure creating element, and a valve disposed inside the passage element and in parallel with the drainage on a downstream side of the vacuum pressure creating element, the valve being moved to an open position and a posi closed to allow fluid flow through the vacuum pressure creating element; and at least one sensor associated with at least one of the outlets of the treatment tank, and which provides an output signal representing an amount of fluid flowing through the at least one outlet of the treatment tank; and a processor that receives the output signal and controls the valve depending on that output signal. The water treatment system of claim 14, which further comprises a brine tank connected to an interior of at least one valve head assembly, the vacuum pressure creating element being to induce a brine flow from the brine tank through the treatment tank. 16. The water treatment system of claim 14, wherein the drain constitutes an element to prevent waste from flowing through the valve. The water treatment system of claim 14, wherein the processor includes an element for determining at least one of: an amount of water flowing through all the treatment tanks, - an amount of water flowing to through each treatment tank during a mode in service of each respective treatment tank; a quantity of water lost per unit of time that is lost by the system; a quantity of water used by one of the treatment tanks during a mode in service to regenerate another of the tanks, - a previously established quantity representing a volume of water through one of the treatment tanks where this tank is regenerated; and a reduction in the amount previously established for a particular treatment tank by an amount of overlap representing an amount of water that has flowed through that particular treatment tank since the last regeneration for that particular treatment tank minus the amount previously established 18. The water treatment system, which comprises: a plurality of treatment tanks, each treatment tank having one of an ion exchange mineral bed and a filter bed therein, and one outlet; a plurality of valve head assemblies disposed respectively on top of, and in fluid communication with, each treatment tank, each valve head assembly including a passage element to allow a flow of fluid through the valve head assembly , an element arranged inside the passage element to create a vacuum pressure inside the treatment tank, a drain disposed inside the passage element on a downstream side of the vacuum pressure creating element, and a solenoid valve disposed inside the element of passage and in parallel with the drain on a downstream side of the vacuum pressure creating element, the solenoid valve being moved to an open position and to a closed position to allow fluid flow through the vacuum pressure creating element , - and a processor to control the solenoid valve to perform one of at least two options of r egeneration selected from the group consisting of a complete impulse regeneration, a half impulse regeneration, a regeneration without impulse, and a filter regeneration. The water treatment system of claim 18, wherein each valve head assembly includes a plurality of other solenoid valves, each solenoid valve being moved to an open position and to a closed position to allow fluid flow to through the vacuum pressure creating element, and wherein the processor includes an element for maintaining one of the selected solenoid valves in the open position for a predetermined amount of time. The water treatment system of claim 19, which further comprises an interface device connected to the processor, this processor including an element for changing the predetermined amount of time, depending on the data input from the device. Interface. 21. The water treatment system of claim 19, wherein the interface device comprises a numeric keypad. PE.CJTTMETU The invention relates to a water treatment system that includes a treatment tank having an ion exchange mineral bed or a filter bed therein, and a valve head assembly disposed above, and in communication of fluid with, the treatment tank. The valve head assembly includes a passage to allow a flow of fluid through the valve head assembly, a vacuum pressure creating device disposed within the passage, a drain disposed within the passage and on a downstream side of the device vacuum pressure maker, and a valve disposed within the passage and on a downstream side of the vacuum pressure creating device. The valve can be moved to an open position and to a closed position to allow fluid flow through the vacuum pressure creating device, whereby a portion of fluid flows through the drain, and a smaller remaining portion of Fluid flows through the valve when the valve is in the open position. * * * * *