US1634409A - Water softener - Google Patents

Description

. 1,634,409 July 5 1927- C, F. Elsr-:NHAUER WATER SOFTENER Filed Oct. l2. 1925 4 Sheets-Shee'b l Z5 2l j 20 ZZ B8 n f E. wif

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. P. ElsENHAUE R WATER SOFTENER Filed 00h12. 1925' `4 Sheets-Sheetv 2 l 1,634,409 July 5 1927' C. P. EISENHAUER' WATER SOFTENER med oct. 12. 1925 4 sheets-sheet 5 l J1/m01' CHARLES EEISENHm/Em @QM Qpmg,

1,634,409 July 5 f 1927' c. P. ElsL-:NHAUER WATER S OFTEN ER Filed oct.12. 1925 4 sheets-Sheet 4 JmJe/mor CHARLES FElSEIyHH UER,

Patented J uly 5, 1927.

-UNITED STATES PATENT'oFFicE.

CHARLES P; EISENHAUER, F DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR THE DUO COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

WATER sor'rnNnR.

Application led October 12, 1925. Serial No. 61,997..

Itis the object lof 'i'my invention to provide an automatic water softener controlled 'by a meter which in turicontrols a mechanical needle valve which controls the application of hydrostatic pressure to a brine valve anda refill valve and to a hydrostatic pressure operated mechanism which in turn mechanically operates a rotary valve for converting the system from softening 'to regenlU erating position, and vice versa. Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a front elevation, partially in section and with the cover removed from the casing of the meter and the control mechanism;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the master control valve for converting the parts from softening to regenerating position;

Figure 3 is a section onvthe line 3--3 of Figure 2,'showing the valve in softening position;

Figure 4 is a similar vie'w showing the Valve in regenerating position;

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the complete assembled machine with the master hydraulic valve in section;

Figure 6 is an end elevation of Figure 1.;

Figure 7 is a section through the unit 30 consisting of the refill valve and brine valve.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 is a tank having a screen at either end and softening material therebetween with a pipe leading to the top and bottom of the tank in the cbiiventional manner. In this system of softening water the main feed pipe of -hard water is designated 2. The water passes by and through a screen 3 (Figure 1) carried on a screw plug 4 located within a screen chamber 5 which communicates with the chamber 6 of the meter. 7 designates the meter mechanism which operates the gears 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. This mechanism is located within the meter casing 14. The

forming a meter line. n

The gear 13 rotates the shaft 16 which in turn carries a heavier shaft 17 having mountedl thereon a driving member 18 fixed in position on the shaft 17 by the set screw 19. rThe upper end of this shaft is carried in a bracket 20 forming a part of the driving mechanism casing 21. Also journalled in this bracket at right angles to the shaft 17 is a transverse shafty 22 which is, supported r exit for the water is through the pipe 15l at one end in the side wall of the casing 21 as at 23. It is spring pressed towards the right hand by the spring 24 operating on the ball 25 which impinges upon the endof the shaft 22. On this shaft 22 is a driven dif'c 26 held in position bya cotter pin 27.

The free end of the shaft carries a worm wheel 28 engaging with the gear 29. carried on a shaft 30. On this shaft 30 is a cam 31 and a second cam link 32 supported adjacent thereto on an eccentric plate 33 mounted on the shaft 30. The plate and cam link are held together by the set screws 34. A cam ,follower 35 rides on this cam, such follower being a bell crank having an arm 36 pivoted 70 on the frame 21 at 37 and having a second arm 38 with ahead 39 engaging with a similar head 40 on the arm of a second bell crank 41. This second arm 41 is connected to the casing 2l by a spring 42. It is pivoted on a bracket of this casing at 43. The other arm of this second bell crank is designated 44 and has pivotally connected to it a Supporting link 45 in which is supported, by a nut 46, a master control needle valve stem 47 which carries a ball 48 at the bottom thereof. This ball 48 is adapted Ato control a passageway 49 leading from the meter chamber to passageways 50 and 51. These passageways communicate with the pipes 52 andl 53 leading respectively to the master control valve 54 and the brine and refill valves, generallyv designated 55 and 56.

The hydrostatic pressure on 'the line 52 will operate upon the diaphragm 57, thus ne tuating the valve member 58 which is in fact a plunger projecting outside of the valve casing 59 and terminating in an eye 60 which is pivoted at 61 to the lever 62. This lever is pivoted at 63. It carries at 95 its other' end a pin 64 which rides in a' jaw 65 of a lever 66 which in turn rotates a shaft 67 in the rotary valve Acasing 68. This rotary valve casing 68 contains a hollow valve member consisting of 10G a cylindrical casing 69 having a chamber 70 therein. This chamber 70 has a port 71 and 'a port 85 at right angles thereto. This port 71 in Figure 2 is adapted to register with port 73 in the casing 68 which port is con- 105 nected to the incoming city water from the meter line 15. The port 85 in Figure 2 is connected with the port 74 in the casing 68 which has in it ejector mechanism 75 projecting into a pipe 76 at right angles to a 1W ,100 where the surplus hydrostatic of the softener.

In the position shown in Figure4 4,l the parts are so turned that the water will'come upwardly through the pipe 81, and port into the passageway 78, thence out through the port 82 and pipe 83 to the drain, which is the way the water is relieved from the 1 bottom of the tank during regeneration.

In the construction shown in Figure 4 the port 73 registers with the port 84 so that the water passes vinto the opening 85 and thence downwardly into the tank, as 85 is connected with the top of the tank and also bypasses through the line 86 to servicey through the port 87 and ort 88.

In Figure 3 duringso ening, the port 85 is the exit port 'through which the water makes its exit thence through the opening 89, port 88, and pipe 86 to service.

The hydrostatic line 53 passes to the hydrostatic chamber 90 above the diaphragm 91 oi the refill valve. The pressure then passes through the passageway 92, through the screen 93, passageway' 94 and by the ball valve 95 into the passageway 96 to the brine diaphragm chamber 97 and thence through a' screen 98 and bleed opening 99 to 'the ip u1 passes into the brine tank.

The refill 'valve 55 has a plate 101 carried on its stem 102 beneath the diaphragm 91. It carries a collar 103 against. which 4impinges a spring 104 resting on a shoulder 105 which moves the valve in one direction.' This valve stem 102 is projected into a partition 106 in the casing 107 separatin the casing into two compartments 108 an 109. The partition-has a valve seat 110 closed by a valve member 111 carried on the valve stem 102. The passageway 109 is blocked at its other end by a partition 112 having a valve seat 113 closed by a valve member 114. This controls communication with the chamber 115 which leads to the brine ipe 116 which in turn is connected with the rine tank 117.

The valve member 114 is supported by'a valve stein 118 which is spring pressed in one direction by a spring 119 carried on the shoulder 120 and resting at its other end against the plate 121 carried by the valve stem 118. On this valve stem is a plate 122 -v adapted to engage with the brine valve diaphragm 123. I I

The refill valve is locked 'by the reciprocating plunger 124 which is pressed in one This cross' pin is carried direction bya spring 125 and moved in the reverse direction by' one arm of the bell crank 126 which is pivoted at 127 and has its other arm 128 carryinof a cross pin 129. betweena pair of jaws 130 between whichproject the jaws of the link 131 so that the pin 129 rests in a slot between such jaws. At the other end the 1ink'131 is 'pivoted at 132 to a lever 133 supported in its free end by a spring 134 and at yits other end by jaws 135 resting on a pln 136 carried on the casing of the brine valve. Between the link and the pivotal support of the lever 133 there is pivotally attached the needle valve stem 136n which actuates the ball 95' of the ball valve.

The float armv 137 Ahaving the fioat 138 is connected to the bell crankj 126 so that the movement of the bell crank with the float and fioat arm will lserveto control the ball valve and the refill valve lock.

The brine line 116 passes from the bottom of the brine tank 117 and terminates in a bell 139.

Method of operatzon.

. the-position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 4 and Figure, 2.

Simultaneously, the pressure applied tothe line 53 leading to the refill valve 55 and brine valve 56 will result in thev opening of the refill valve 55 and the locking of it open. It is closed during softening. The brine valve 56 is normally opened during softening and remains open, allowing the brine to be drawn through the brine line 116 tothe top of' the tank 117'and thence downwardly back to the master rotary valve 68 and out to the drain. This continues until the float 138 drops down to a predetermined point due to the removal of brine, whereupon th`e fioat arm moves the link 131 downwardly, actuates the lever 133 and opens the ball valve 94, allowing the hydrostatic pressure to close the brine valve 56, shutting oi the brine. As soon as the system is reversed to softening the brine valve 56 opens and the water passes to service through pipe EJE for the rotary valve 68, upon the cessation of regeneration, moves .the faire 38 back to l a softening position.

it will be understood that l desire te comn prehend within my invention such modifications as may be necessary to adapt it to varying conditions and changes, and by brine l mean regenerating material.

Having thus fully described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. ln a water softening apparatus, means for controlling the operation thereof depending upon the quantity of water passing therethrough, valve means controlled there- -by adapt-ed to change the direction of water passing through the softener and to apply brine to the softening material therein, and to by-pass a portion of the hard Water direct to service.

2. fn a water softening apparatus, means controlled by the passage of a given quantity of water for converting the apparatus from softening to regenerating position, and back to softening position, a needle valve controlled thereby adapted to admit hydrostatic pressure to a hydrostatically operated mechanism, a hydrostatically operated mechanism, and means operated thereby for converting the softener from softening operation to regenerating operation, and vice versa.

3. ln a water softening apparatus, means controlled by the passage of a given quantity of water for converting the apparatus from softening to regenerating position, and back to softening position, a needle valve controlled thereby adapted to admit hydrostatic pressure to a hydrostatically operated mechanism, a hydrostaticallyvv operated mechanism, and means operated thereby for converting the softener from softening operal tion -to regenerating operation, and vice versa, a brine supply, and means for connecting said brine supply so controlled through a softening apparatus for regeneration, and means so controlled for divert-ing a part of the incoming water direct to service during regeneration.

a. ln a water softening apparatus, means controlled by the passage of water therethrough for determining the alternate periods of softening and regeneration, hydrostatic means controlled thereby adapted to operate a rotary valve for changing the direction of water through the softener and for applying brine to the softening material in the softener, a rotary valve, a source of brine supply and means to regulate the amount of brine so supplied and the amount of water returned to the brine tank to replenish it.

5. ln a water softening apparatus, means controlled Vby the passage of water for operating a needle valve atpredetermined intervals, hydrostatic pressure adapted to be admitted by said needle valve to a plurality of hydrostatic valves and to a hydrostatically ope'f'ited mechanism to operate a rotary valve for converting the softener from softening to regeneratingposition and back to livering it to the softening tank, a brine.

tank, a float and float arm associated with said .refill valve and brine valve. whereby said valves are controlled when the brine is flowing and when the tank is being refilled, the float'unlocking the refill valve allowing it to close in its uppermost position and the float being adapted to open the brine valve when it is in its lowermost position.

6. In a water softener, a meter, means driven thereby for intermittently operating a needle valve, a needle valve,l hydrostatic pressure admitted thereby to a hydraulic valve operating mechanism, a hydraulic valve operating mechanism, means connected therewith for rotating a rotary valve in one direction and yielding means connected therewith for moving the mechanism in another direction, a rotary valve having a casing, a rotary member with a plurality of ports and a flattened side whereby when it is in softening position the hard water will pass around one side of it to one end of the tank containing softening material 'out the other end of the tank to the center of the rotor and thence through the, side of the rotor to service, while in the other position the hard water will be passed through the center of the rotor out the side thereof through an injector adapted to draw brine with it while a portion of the water will pass directly to service through the side of the rotor out one end, while the tank will be drained of its brine water by the brine passing from the tank at one end into the rotor casing alongside the rotor and thence out to a drain, and a drain.

7. ln a water softening apparatus, a tank for softening material, a tank for regenerating material, a hard water inlet pipe connected to the softening tank, a'. vservice pipe connected to the other end of the softening tank, a pipe connecting the brine tank and the softening tank, a drain connected to the softening tank and a control mechanism for controlling the direction of the fluids during softening and regeneration consisting of a casing having a hard water inlet port, a port to service, a'. port'to oneend of the softening tank and a port to the drain, a

lil() port to the other end of the'softening tank and a roller having a fiat side for by-passing fluid through the rotor without passlng the rotary, a port at the end of the rotary, ports on the side of the rotor for communicating with either end of the tank and with the hard water line, a hard Water line and an injector in the line leading to one end of the tank and the brine line connected therewith.

8. In an auto-matic water softening apparatus, a softening tank, a brine tank having softening material and brine therein, a, water meter, means actuated thereby to fcontrol a needle valve, a needle valve controlling hydrostatic pressure applied to hydrostatic valves, and a1 hydraulically operated valve operating mechanism, a stem therein'moved in one direction by hydro! static pressure and in the'other direction by yielding means, a lever connected therewith at its free end, a rotary valve, a lever connected thereto adapted to be actuated by the last-mentioned lever, pipes leading from said rotary valve to the hard kWater supply, to the bottom and top of the tank, to the drain, tothe brine supply and to service, brine valves and refill valves in the brine line,a float for controlling the brine valve,

needle valve, a needle valve, means for conconverting the softener from softening to regenerating position, and vlce versa, and

a brine valve and a refill valve controlled by said hydrostatic pressure for controlling the admission of brine and the replenishment of water in thebrine tank.

A10. y In combination in asoftener, a softening tank, a brine tank, means for controlling the periods of regenerating and softening depending upon the amount of water passing through the system, a rotary valve, a needle valve, hydrostatic pressure controlled thereby, said needle valve being operatedby said means depending upon the quantity of the water passing through the system, hydrostatic valves and a hydrostatically operated valve operating mechanism operated by said hydrostatic means, said hydrostatically operated valve operating mechanism being adapted to operate said rotary valve and ing tank and'ldiverting a part of the hard water dir ect to service.

11. In a Water softener having a master rotary valve, a meter through which Water passes under pressure, and means controlled thereby for operating said master rotary valve at predetermined intervals, of a hydrostatically operated plunger to which hydrosaid hydrostatic valves being adapted to opcrate brine and `refill valve, ay brine tank, a

static pressure is applied from the main supply of Water under pressure at predetermined, Aintervals determined by the controlling means which depends upon the quantity of fluid passing through the system.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

CHARLES P. EISENHAUER.

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