US2254795A - Valve control mechanism - Google Patents

Valve control mechanism Download PDF

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US2254795A
US2254795A US15973637A US2254795A US 2254795 A US2254795 A US 2254795A US 15973637 A US15973637 A US 15973637A US 2254795 A US2254795 A US 2254795A
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motor
valve
timer
switch
cycle
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Lee G Daniels
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Automatic Pump and Softener Corp
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Automatic Pump and Softener Corp
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Priority claimed from US698829A external-priority patent/US2110758A/en
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    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16KVALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K31/00Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
    • F16K31/44Mechanical actuating means
    • F16K31/48Mechanical actuating means actuated by mechanical timing-device, e.g. with dash-pot
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02FTREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/42Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by ion-exchange
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T137/00Fluid handling
    • Y10T137/8593Systems
    • Y10T137/86389Programmer or timer
    • Y10T137/86445Plural, sequential, valve actuations
    • Y10T137/86461Variable cycle

Definitions

  • This invention relates to control mechanisms generally and while herein disclosed as applied to the operation of an automatic water softener valve is applicable wherever a predetermined succession of movements of a valve, switch, or the like, is desired.
  • the principal object of my invention is to provide a control mechanism using a timing mechanism including a clock type motor, the circuit through which is closed when the cycle of movements is begun and which maintains the timing mechanism in operation throughout the cycle of movements causing second and third movements to occur in a predetermined timed relationship with respect to the commencement of the cycle and thus insure an accurately timed operation.
  • the timing mechanism in accordance with the invention is electrically connected with a mechanism operated by a second or main motor to.
  • ing mechanism has made a complete turn and is back to starting position.
  • the circuit is closed by a suitable switch at the start of the cycle which keeps the motor running until the switch is operated by the timing mechanism at the end of its movement to break the motor circuit.
  • Fig. 3 is a sectional detail or the timer, on the broken line 3-3 of Figure 1;
  • valve is not limited to that application but may be applied to any valve, switch or the like requiring a predetermined succession of movements in a similar manner.
  • valve herein shown is designed for use with an automatic or semi-automatic water softener, it should be evident that the valve operated by the control mechanism may be employed for any one of a large number of other purposes, wherever an apparatus, machine, or the like, requires a similar succession of valve movements.
  • valve shown has three valve members on a single stem that is reciprocated in the operation of the control mechanism
  • valve operated by the control mechanism might be equipped with any number of valve elements and that the valve that is operated need not necessarily be of the reciprocatory type inasmuch as the'reciprocatory movement of the operated member of the control mechanism might easily be converted into rotary movement of the operatedyalve member.
  • the claims should be construed accordingly.
  • the numeral 10 designates the upper half of the onepiece body of the valve forming the subject matter of the parent application above identified. II is the single stem extending lengthwise oi the body and projecting from the upper end thereof 'for reciprocatory movement' by and under the control of the mechanism of the present invention indicated generally by the numeral l2.
  • the latter operates the valve automatically or, to be more specific, semi-automatically inasmuch as the mechanism disclosed depends upon the operator closing a switch to throw the softener into Figs. 5 and 6 are views of the main portion of Fig. 4 showing the parts in other positions;
  • Fig. 7 is a diagram similar to Fig. 4 but showing a different control mechanism
  • Fig. 8 is a sectional detail on the line 8-8 as applied to the operation of a valve, it will, of
  • the valve body l0 has upper and lower hollow casing portions I5 and i6 providing passages therein for controlling the flow of water and brine through the softener in accordance with the positions of the valve stem II which determines the closing and opening of the three valve members, numbered l'l-l9, carried on said stem.
  • Thevalve I! is a poppet type valve rigid with the stem and arranged to engage a seat 20 to close off communication between chambers 2
  • a pipe 23 communicates with the chamber 2
  • a check valve 25 is preferably provided in the service pipe seating in the direction of the softener.
  • a pipe 26 communicates with the chamber 22 and leads to the sewer, or any suitable drain receptacle.
  • the valve i8 is a plunger or piston type valve and controls communication between the chambers 35 and 31 in casing l6.
  • a1 is an injector nozzle, the inlet end of which communicates with the chamber 36.
  • The. pipe i l provides communicatlon between the chamber'3'l and the bottom of the softener l3, and a pipe 55 supplies hard water to the chamber 36.
  • the valve 59 is a poppet type valve for closing ofi communication between the chamber 31 and the pipe 48 that communicates with the bottom of the brine tank it, and as described in the parent application, this valve hasa lost motion connection with the stem H.
  • valve stem H is raised, as illustrated and described in the parent application, unseating valves i? and i9 and closing valve l8. Under these conditions, the valve l8 being closed,
  • the hard water supplied through pipe 65 flows through passage 36 and is discharged through the injector nozzle 4!. results in a reduction in pressure in the .chamber '31 adequate to draw brine from the tank It through the pipe 48 past the open valve l9, and this brine is delivered by the hard water through the pipe dt to the bottom of the softener 13 for passage upwardly through the zeolite forregeneration of the latter.
  • the waste water contain- The injector action ing released calcium and magnesium from the zeolite leaves-the top of the softener through pipe 23 and is carried to the drain through pipe 26 past the open valve ll. It is during this operation that the check valve 25 functions to prevent draining water from the service system through pipes 23 and 26.
  • valve stem ll is lowered to an intermediate or rinse position, closing the valve it but leaving the valve ll open and valve i8 closed.
  • the hard water delivered through pipe 35 is conducted through pipe it to the bottom of the softener IS without entraining any brine, due to the fact that the valve IB has been closed to cut off communication with the brine tank It.
  • the hard water passing up through the zeolite in the softener rinses out the brine and any remaining released calcium and magnesium and is conducted through pipes 23 and 26 to the drain.
  • valve stem ll is moved back to the position shown in Figure 4 for softening operation, closing the valve H and opening the valve l8, and, of course, leaving the brine valve l9 closed.
  • Upflow is used in all operations of softening, salt washing, and and rinse. It is, of course, apparent that by simply reversing the connections of pipes 23 and flow softening, downfiow salt washing, and downflow rinsing. Any suitable provision may be made for maintaining a certain level in the brine tank M.
  • a hand operated valve is shown at 56 which can be opened to conduct hard water from the supply pipe 45 through the pipe 51 discharging into the brine tank.
  • the arms 58 shown in Figure 1 are preferably cast integral with the body Ill of the valve and have the base plate 59 of the motor driven mechanism 60 for power operation of the valve I l secured thereon.
  • the mechanism 50 is a part of the control mechanism previously referred to and designated generally by the numeral [2.
  • the mechanism 60 briefly stated, comprises a motor 6! which, through reduction gearing 62, is adapted to intermittently communicate rotation to the shaft 63, whereby to turn a cam 64 provided for moving the valve stem ll.
  • a plunger 65 has rollers 66 thereon riding on the periphery of the cam 65, and the lower end of the plunger is made tubular to receive and make connection with the upper end of the valve stem H.
  • a cross-pin 61 on the stem extends through slots 68 in the side walls of the tubular portion of the plunger to provide a lost motion operating connection.
  • a coiled compression spring 69 fitting in the tubular portion of the plunger engages the upper end of the stem H and tends normally to urge it downwardly, whereby to hold the valve ll seated under a certain pressure.
  • valve stem H moves with it up to the time that the valve ll'engages its seat, after which the further movement of the plunger merely places the spring 69 under additional compression so as to increase the pressure applied to the valve ll, holding the same seated.
  • cams IO-13 on the shaft 63. These turn with the shaft in the turning of the cam 64 and are arranged to operate contacts 10''
  • the cam 72 differs from the other cams 10, 'II' and 13 in that it is circular and has three notches provided in the periphery thereof into which the follower for the contacts 12' is arranged to drop, as shown in Fig. 1, to break the motor circuit.
  • valve stem H is moved M with the softener it one would secure down- 75 sition.
  • valve stem II is moved back again part way toward its original position to rinse position, and in the following 90 of movement the valve stem H is moved the rest of the way to its original soft-- ening position.
  • There are numerous ways of causing the motor 6
  • I show a semi-automatic mechanism in which a switch 14 is closed by the operator to start the cycle when it becomes apparent that the softener requires regeneration, but instead of this some means such as a clock might be provided for automatically starting the cycle or any other means of an automatic character might be provided for closing the circuit either when a predetermined amount of water has been softened or when the outgoing water shows signs of hardness.
  • , following this first mentioned op eration, can also take various forms, but I prefer a mechanism using a self-starting clock type motor 15 driving a timer 18 through suitable reduction gearing 11. I shall now describe this mechanism in detail.
  • a casing 18 houses the timer 18, together with its drive motor 15 and reduction gearing, and is supported on a cover 18 which is suitably locked detachably on the base 58 of the mechanism 88.
  • the timer 18 has two contact brushes 80 and 8
  • the contact brush 88 is arranged to wipe and ride over a terminal 88 disposed at the proper radius with respect to the timer and reaching only to the plane of the brush 80.
  • Another terminal 81 cooperates with the brush 8
  • the arrangement is such that the brush 88 will engage only the terminal 88 and the brush 8
  • the brushes are adjusted to such angular relationship with respect to one another that there will be a predetermined period of salt washing measured by the time it takes the brush 80 to reach the terminal 88, and so that there will be a predetermined rinse period measured by the time it takes beyond that point for the brush 8
  • a brush 88 rides on the periphery of the timer and completes the circuit for motor 8
  • a mercoid switch 88 is pivoted in the casing 18 at 80 with its free end resting normally on the upper end of the plunger 85 so that the mercury pool is away from the terminals thereof.
  • the plunger 85 is raised by reason of a half turn of the cam 84, as shown in Fig. 5
  • the free end of the switch 88 is raised with it, thus causing the mercury pool to run to the other 'end of the tube and close a circuit through the terminals to start the motor 15.
  • , pivoted at 82, is normally urged to move in a clockwise direction under the action of a tensioni spring 83, and has a ledge 84 on which the free end of the switch 88 is arranged to be supported when the parts are in the position shownin Fig. 6.
  • is held out of the way of the 1
  • the motor 15 is still running inasmuch as the mercoid switch '89 is still locked in raised position by latch 9
  • the timer 16, therefore, continues to turn until the pin 95 is moved from the position shown in Fig.6 to that shown in Fig. 4, whereupon the latch 9
  • the cycle is then completed so far as the control mechanism is concerned and everything is left as illustrated in Fig. 4 for the period of softening, the cam 73 having closed contacts 13' so that the next cycle can be begun by simply closing the switch 14 when the softener requires regeneration.
  • the control mechanism is quite simple and compact in construction. It lends itself to combination with standard types of power operated mechanisms, such as the mechanism 60, and offers the advantage of adjustability'so that one may shorten or lengthen the salt wash and do likewise with the rinse, so long as the total ,movement is kept within the 360 of movement of the timer.
  • the reduction gearing at H provided between the motor l and the timer 76 is such that it will take say 30 minutes for the timer to make a complete turn, but these gears may be changed to shorten or lengthen this timer period.
  • this timer period may be-divided as desired, as for example, into a 5 minute salt wash and a 20 minute rinse period, or more or less for each of said periods.
  • a self-starting clock type motor similar to the motor 75 previously described, driving a timer 76 through suitable reduction gearing.
  • a casing 18 constitutes a housing for this mechanism and may be mounted on the wall or at any other convenient place with the wires extended thereto from the mechanism 60 for operating the valve.
  • the timer 16 has two contact brushes 80' and 8
  • the brush 80' is arranged to wipe and ride over a terminal 81' disposed at the proper radius with respect to the timer and reaching only to the plane of the brush 80'.
  • Another terminal 86' cooperates with the brush 8
  • the arrangement is such that the brush 80' will engage only the terminal 81', and the brush 8
  • Two brushes 89a and 89b ride on the periphery of the timer. These two brushes together accomplish the same purpose as the mercoid switch 89 in the other mechanism.
  • the brush 8% has a broader end than the brush 89a so as to be disengaged from the timer by means of a finger 95' of insulating material mounted on the back of the timer.
  • the brushes 89a and 8% are carried on a base 90' of insulation material.
  • the mechanism 60 is similar to the mechanism 60 previously de- 1 scribed with the exception that another cam Ila is provided on the shaft 63 as a companion to the cam H, both cams being arranged to close contacts H simultaneously in the first half turn of the shaft 63.
  • an electrical valve operator adapted to reciprocate a valve stem through a succession of steps to open and close different ports in a valve for controlling a water softener
  • electrical timing means adapted to make one revolution and stop, said timing means having connections for energizing said operator to initiate each of said steps subsequent to the first, means for starting the electrical valve operator, and means operated by said valve operator to close an electric circuit to start the electrical timing means, said electrical timing means having means for opening the electric circuit when. said-timing means has made one revolution.
  • a control apparatus for a water treatment unit comprising a controlled device adapted to be operated periodically in a predetermined cycle of successive movements, an intermittently operable motor driven mechanism for power operation of said device, make and break means for determining the extent of operation of said mechanism during each successive movement,
  • a starting switch for starting the cycle of operations of said mechanism whereby to start a cycle of movements of said device, a timer having electrical connections with the aforesaid mechanism for subsequently initiating in predetermined timed relationship the further opera- .tions of said mechanism in the cycle, a separate tion a device adapted to be operated periodically in a predetermined cycle of movements, an intermittently operable motor driven mechanism for power operation of said device including a make and break means for predetermining the extent of operation thereof upon each initiation, a starting switch for starting the cycle of operations of said mechanism whereby to start a cycle of operations of said device, a timer having electrical connections with the aforesaid mechanism ior subsequently initiating in a predetermined timed relationship the iurther operations of said mechanism in the cycle, a separate constant speed motor for driving the timer continuously in one direction during the cycle, a switch for closing the circuit through said motor operable automatically during the first movement of the cycle, said switch tending normally to move to open circuit position, means for releas
  • a valve control apparatus comprising, in combination, valve means having a reciprocable control stem, an intermittently operable motor driven mechanism for power operation of said control stem through a cyclev of successive movements, the same having a reciprocable plunger for communicating movement to said stem, a starting switch for starting the cycle of operations of said mechanism whereby to start a cycle of valve movements, a timer having electrical connections with the aforesaid mechanism for subsequently initiating in a predetermined timed relationship the further operations of said mechanism in the cycle, the aforesaid mechanism including a make and break device for predetermining the extent of operation of the mechanism upon each initiation, a separate constant speed motor for driving the timer, and a pivotally mounted mercoid switch for closing and opening the main energizing circuit for said motor, said switch normally occupying an open circuit position and being arranged for movement to closed circuit position with movement of the plunger of the aforesaid mechanism during the first movement of said cycle.
  • a control apparatus for valves of the type having a reciprocating valve stem adapted to move longitudinally to open and close different ports therein, of a motor for driving" said stem through a cycle in a succession of movements, automatic switch means operated in conjunction with said motor for controlling starting and stopping of the same, a second motor, automatic switch means operated thereby and electrically connected with said first motor and its switch means whereby to initiate each subsequent operation of said first motor and stem in said cycle in a predetermined timed relation to the first operation, and a mercoid switch movable from a normal open circuit position to a closed circuit position in response to the first of said successive movements of the stem whereby to start said second motor in timed relation to said first motor.
  • a control apparatus comprising, in combination, a device adapted to be operated periodically in a predetermined cycle of movements, an
  • intermittently operable motor driven mechanism said mechanism whereby to start a cycle of, operations of said device, a timer having electrical connections with the aforesaid mechanism for subsequently initiating in a predetermined timed relationship the further operations of said mechanism in the cycle, the aforesaid mechanism including a make and break means for predetermining the extent oi operation of the mechanism upon each initiation, a separate constant speed motor for driving the timer, and a switch for closing the circuit through said motor operable automatically in the first movement of said device at the commencement of the cycle to drive said timer through a timing cycle.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Electrically Driven Valve-Operating Means (AREA)

Description

P 1941- L, s. DANIELS VALVE CONTRQL MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Nov. 20, 1933 numum n L. G. DANIELS VALVE CONTROL MECHANISM Sept. 2, 1941.
s Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Nov. 20, 1933 MQI Qv p 1941- G. DANIELS 2,254,795
VALVE CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed Nov. 20, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 2, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VALVE CONTROL MECHANISM Lee G. Daniels, Rockford, llll., assignor to Automatic Pump 8; Softener Corporation, Rockford, lll.,'a corporation of Illinois 8 Claims.
This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 698,829, filed November 20, 1933, now Patent Number 2,110,758.
This invention relates to control mechanisms generally and while herein disclosed as applied to the operation of an automatic water softener valve is applicable wherever a predetermined succession of movements of a valve, switch, or the like, is desired.
The principal object of my invention is to provide a control mechanism using a timing mechanism including a clock type motor, the circuit through which is closed when the cycle of movements is begun and which maintains the timing mechanism in operation throughout the cycle of movements causing second and third movements to occur in a predetermined timed relationship with respect to the commencement of the cycle and thus insure an accurately timed operation. The timing mechanism in accordance with the invention is electrically connected with a mechanism operated by a second or main motor to.
ing mechanism has made a complete turn and is back to starting position. The circuit is closed by a suitable switch at the start of the cycle which keeps the motor running until the switch is operated by the timing mechanism at the end of its movement to break the motor circuit.
This and other objects of the invention will soon appear as reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figures 1 and 2 are vertical sections in planes at right angles to one another through a control mechanism made inaccordance with my invention;
Fig. 3 is a sectional detail or the timer, on the broken line 3-3 of Figure 1;
mechanism;
course, be understood that the invention is not limited to that application but may be applied to any valve, switch or the like requiring a predetermined succession of movements in a similar manner. Furthermore, while the particular valve herein shown is designed for use with an automatic or semi-automatic water softener, it should be evident that the valve operated by the control mechanism may be employed for any one of a large number of other purposes, wherever an apparatus, machine, or the like, requires a similar succession of valve movements. Then, too, while the valve shown has three valve members on a single stem that is reciprocated in the operation of the control mechanism, it is obvious that the valve operated by the control mechanism might be equipped with any number of valve elements and that the valve that is operated need not necessarily be of the reciprocatory type inasmuch as the'reciprocatory movement of the operated member of the control mechanism might easily be converted into rotary movement of the operatedyalve member. The claims should be construed accordingly.
Referriiig first in a general way to Fig. 4, the numeral 10 designates the upper half of the onepiece body of the valve forming the subject matter of the parent application above identified. II is the single stem extending lengthwise oi the body and projecting from the upper end thereof 'for reciprocatory movement' by and under the control of the mechanism of the present invention indicated generally by the numeral l2. The latter operates the valve automatically or, to be more specific, semi-automatically inasmuch as the mechanism disclosed depends upon the operator closing a switch to throw the softener into Figs. 5 and 6 are views of the main portion of Fig. 4 showing the parts in other positions;
Fig. 7 is a diagram similar to Fig. 4 but showing a different control mechanism, and
Fig. 8 is a sectional detail on the line 8-8 as applied to the operation of a valve, it will, of
regeneration. Of course, the invention is not limited to semi-automatic operation inasmuch as there are numerous ways of taking care of the closing of theswitch automatically, as for example, by means of a clock. At [3 is indicated a softener tank and at I4 9. brine tank. The valve body l0 has upper and lower hollow casing portions I5 and i6 providing passages therein for controlling the flow of water and brine through the softener in accordance with the positions of the valve stem II which determines the closing and opening of the three valve members, numbered l'l-l9, carried on said stem. Thevalve I! is a poppet type valve rigid with the stem and arranged to engage a seat 20 to close off communication between chambers 2| and 22 in the casing IS. A pipe 23 communicates with the chamber 2| and has connection with the top of.
the softener tank It as well as with the service pipe 24. A check valve 25 is preferably provided in the service pipe seating in the direction of the softener. A pipe 26 communicates with the chamber 22 and leads to the sewer, or any suitable drain receptacle. The valve i8 is a plunger or piston type valve and controls communication between the chambers 35 and 31 in casing l6. a1 is an injector nozzle, the inlet end of which communicates with the chamber 36. The. pipe i l provides communicatlon between the chamber'3'l and the bottom of the softener l3, and a pipe 55 supplies hard water to the chamber 36. The valve 59 is a poppet type valve for closing ofi communication between the chamber 31 and the pipe 48 that communicates with the bottom of the brine tank it, and as described in the parent application, this valve hasa lost motion connection with the stem H.
In operation, assuming the valve is in the softening position as shown in Fig. 4, hard water supplied through the pipe 65 flows through chamber 36 and chamber 31 to the pipe M and enters the bottom of the softener it for passage upwardly through the zeolite therein. The softened water leaves the top of the softener it through pipe 23 and is delivered to the service system through pipe 2d which branches off from the pipe 23. When the zeolite in the softener requires regeneration the valve stem H is raised, as illustrated and described in the parent application, unseating valves i? and i9 and closing valve l8. Under these conditions, the valve l8 being closed,
the hard water supplied through pipe 65 flows through passage 36 and is discharged through the injector nozzle 4!. results in a reduction in pressure in the .chamber '31 suficient to draw brine from the tank It through the pipe 48 past the open valve l9, and this brine is delivered by the hard water through the pipe dt to the bottom of the softener 13 for passage upwardly through the zeolite forregeneration of the latter. The waste water contain- The injector action ing released calcium and magnesium from the zeolite leaves-the top of the softener through pipe 23 and is carried to the drain through pipe 26 past the open valve ll. It is during this operation that the check valve 25 functions to prevent draining water from the service system through pipes 23 and 26. After a predetermined amount of brine has been passed through the softener, the amount being determined as hereinafter explained by the continuance of the salt wash for a predetermined period of time, the valve stem ll is lowered to an intermediate or rinse position, closing the valve it but leaving the valve ll open and valve i8 closed. Under these conditions, the hard water delivered through pipe 35 is conducted through pipe it to the bottom of the softener IS without entraining any brine, due to the fact that the valve IB has been closed to cut off communication with the brine tank It. The hard water passing up through the zeolite in the softener rinses out the brine and any remaining released calcium and magnesium and is conducted through pipes 23 and 26 to the drain. After a predetermined period of rinsing, the valve stem ll is moved back to the position shown in Figure 4 for softening operation, closing the valve H and opening the valve l8, and, of course, leaving the brine valve l9 closed. Upflow is used in all operations of softening, salt washing, and and rinse. It is, of course, apparent that by simply reversing the connections of pipes 23 and flow softening, downfiow salt washing, and downflow rinsing. Any suitable provision may be made for maintaining a certain level in the brine tank M. A hand operated valve is shown at 56 which can be opened to conduct hard water from the supply pipe 45 through the pipe 51 discharging into the brine tank.
Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1-3,
5 and 6, the arms 58 shown in Figure 1 are preferably cast integral with the body Ill of the valve and have the base plate 59 of the motor driven mechanism 60 for power operation of the valve I l secured thereon. The mechanism 50 is a part of the control mechanism previously referred to and designated generally by the numeral [2. The mechanism 60, briefly stated, comprises a motor 6! which, through reduction gearing 62, is adapted to intermittently communicate rotation to the shaft 63, whereby to turn a cam 64 provided for moving the valve stem ll. A plunger 65 has rollers 66 thereon riding on the periphery of the cam 65, and the lower end of the plunger is made tubular to receive and make connection with the upper end of the valve stem H. A cross-pin 61 on the stem extends through slots 68 in the side walls of the tubular portion of the plunger to provide a lost motion operating connection. A coiled compression spring 69 fitting in the tubular portion of the plunger engages the upper end of the stem H and tends normally to urge it downwardly, whereby to hold the valve ll seated under a certain pressure. When the plunger 55 is moved upwardly by the turning of the cam 64 with the shaft 63, the cross-pin 61 reaches the lower end of the slots 68 so that the valve stem is moved upwardly with the plunger. Contrarlwise when the plunger moves downwardly, the valve stem H moves with it up to the time that the valve ll'engages its seat, after which the further movement of the plunger merely places the spring 69 under additional compression so as to increase the pressure applied to the valve ll, holding the same seated. There are four other cams IO-13 on the shaft 63. These turn with the shaft in the turning of the cam 64 and are arranged to operate contacts 10''|3' for controlling the electric circuit for the motor 6|. The cam 72 differs from the other cams 10, 'II' and 13 in that it is circular and has three notches provided in the periphery thereof into which the follower for the contacts 12' is arranged to drop, as shown in Fig. 1, to break the motor circuit. While the follower is riding on the periphery of this cam from one notch to another, the motor circuit is kept intact. This cam, therefore, predetermines the stopping of the motor; the other three cams, as will soon appear, control the starting of the motor. It will be observed that the three notches in the cam 12 are 90 apart and,
noting the direction of rotation indicated by the 180 movement of cam 66, valve stem H is moved M with the softener it one would secure down- 75 sition.
from softening position (Fig. 4) to salt wash po- In the following of movement, the valve stem II is moved back again part way toward its original position to rinse position, and in the following 90 of movement the valve stem H is moved the rest of the way to its original soft-- ening position. There are numerous ways of causing the motor 6| to go through the three operations to move the valve from softening to salt wash, from salt wash to rinse, and from rinse back to softening position. I show a semi-automatic mechanism in which a switch 14 is closed by the operator to start the cycle when it becomes apparent that the softener requires regeneration, but instead of this some means such as a clock might be provided for automatically starting the cycle or any other means of an automatic character might be provided for closing the circuit either when a predetermined amount of water has been softened or when the outgoing water shows signs of hardness. The additional mechanism for initiating the second and third operations of the motor 8|, following this first mentioned op eration, can also take various forms, but I prefer a mechanism using a self-starting clock type motor 15 driving a timer 18 through suitable reduction gearing 11. I shall now describe this mechanism in detail.
A casing 18 houses the timer 18, together with its drive motor 15 and reduction gearing, and is supported on a cover 18 which is suitably locked detachably on the base 58 of the mechanism 88. The timer 18 has two contact brushes 80 and 8| adjustably mounted on the rotatable body thereof, the former disposed in one plane and extending to a certain radius and arranged to be clamped in adjusted position by means of a screw 82 entered in thearcuate slot 83, and the other disposed in another plane and projecting to a larger radius and arranged to be clamped in adjusted position by means of a screw 84 entered in the arcuate slot 85. The contact brush 88 is arranged to wipe and ride over a terminal 88 disposed at the proper radius with respect to the timer and reaching only to the plane of the brush 80. Another terminal 81 cooperates with the brush 8| in a similar fashion. The arrangement is such that the brush 88 will engage only the terminal 88 and the brush 8| will engage only the terminal 81 in the turning of the timer. The brushes are adjusted to such angular relationship with respect to one another that there will be a predetermined period of salt washing measured by the time it takes the brush 80 to reach the terminal 88, and so that there will be a predetermined rinse period measured by the time it takes beyond that point for the brush 8| to reach the terminal 81. A brush 88 rides on the periphery of the timer and completes the circuit for motor 8| either upon engagement of brush 88 with terminal 88 or engagement of brush 8| with terminal 81, as will soon appear. A mercoid switch 88 is pivoted in the casing 18 at 80 with its free end resting normally on the upper end of the plunger 85 so that the mercury pool is away from the terminals thereof. However, when the plunger 85 is raised by reason of a half turn of the cam 84, as shown in Fig. 5, the free end of the switch 88 is raised with it, thus causing the mercury pool to run to the other 'end of the tube and close a circuit through the terminals to start the motor 15. A latch 8|, pivoted at 82, is normally urged to move in a clockwise direction under the action of a tensioni spring 83, and has a ledge 84 on which the free end of the switch 88 is arranged to be supported when the parts are in the position shownin Fig. 6. The latch 8| is held out of the way of the 1|, having turned through 180 .with the cam 64,
switch 88 at the commencement of the cycle by v a pin 85 projecting'from the timer 18. However, as soon as the switch 88 is raised, thus closing the circuit for motor 15, the timer 18 turns and the pin 88 is moved past the latch, allowing the latter to swing in a clockwise direction toward the switch so that the ledge 84 comes into position under the free end of the switch. The switch is, therefore, supported when the plunger 85 moves downwardly to the rinse position shown in Fig. 6, thus maintaining the circuit for motor 15 intact. Later, when the rinse is completed, that is, after the brush 8| has engaged the terminal 81, as shown in Fig. 6, the pin 85 approaches the latch 8| in the continued turning of the timer 18 and moves the latch in a counterclockwise direction away from the switch 88. The latter being no longer supported by the ledge 84 drops down onto the upper end of the plunger 85 and breaks the circuit for motor 15, thus bringing the timer 18 to a standstill with the pin 85 holding the latch 8| in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4. Before proceeding to the description of the operation of the control mechanism, attention is called to the fact that the motors 8| and 15 are connected across the secondary of a transformer 88, which in turn has its primary connected across the usual volt line.
In operation, when the softener is to be regenerated, the operator closes switch 14. thus completing a circuit through motor 8| by reason of the fact that the contacts 18 are, at the time, held closed by cam 13. The operator holds the switch 14 closed just long enough to get the motor started, the circuit being kept intact thereafter by reason ofthe closing of contacts 12 by the cam 12, the direction of rotation of which is indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4. The motor 8| will continue to operate until it has turned the cam 84 with the shaft 83 through whereupon the follower engaging the cam 11 drops into the notch and opens the contacts 12'. The valve stem H has, accordingly been raised from the softening position to the salt wash position, as indicated in Fig. 5, and mercoid switch 88 has been raised with the valve stem so as to start the motor 15 and cause the timer 18 to turn for timing of the salt wash and rinse. The cam has closed contacts 1|. The salt wash continues for that period of time that it takes for the brush '88 to travel from the position shown in Fig.4 to engagement with terminal 86. At the moment of engagement, the motor 8| starts to operate to lower the valve stem II from the salt wash to the rinse position, as indicated in Fig. 6,
leaving the mercoid switch 88 locked in closed circuit position by the latch 8| so that the timer 18 continues turning under operation of motor 15. The cam 12 maintains the circuit for the motor 8 when the brush 88 leaves the terminal 88 and keeps the motor 8| operating until the cam 84 has been moved through 90 whereupon the' follower on the cam drops into the next notch and opens contacts 12', leaving the parts in the position illustrated in Fig. 6. Under these circumstances, the cam 18 having been moved through 270 from the position shown in Fig. 4 has closed contacts 18'. The rinse continues for that period of time that it takes for the brush 8| to travel from the position in Fig. 5 to the position shown in Fig. 6, which is approximately 270 of movement of the timer 18, as compared with approximately 90 of movement of the timer during the salt wash. When the brush 8| engages terminal 81 the circuit for motor 8| is again completed and the latter operates to turn the cam 64 through another 90 of movement from the position shown in Fig. 6 back to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4, to bring the valve back to softening position. -The cam 12 again serves the purpose of maintaining the motor circuit intact after the brush 8| leaves the terminal 81, so as to insure continued operation of the motor 6! sufiicient for90 of movement of the cam 64, whereupon the follower on the cam l2 drops into the last notch and opens the contacts 12 to stop the motor. The cycle is then completed so far as the valve is concerned. However, the motor 15 is still running inasmuch as the mercoid switch '89 is still locked in raised position by latch 9|. The timer 16, therefore, continues to turn until the pin 95 is moved from the position shown in Fig.6 to that shown in Fig. 4, whereupon the latch 9| is moved to release the switch 89 so that the latter can drop down to the position shown in Fig. 4 and cause the motor 15 to stop. The cycle is then completed so far as the control mechanism is concerned and everything is left as illustrated in Fig. 4 for the period of softening, the cam 73 having closed contacts 13' so that the next cycle can be begun by simply closing the switch 14 when the softener requires regeneration.
The control mechanism is quite simple and compact in construction. It lends itself to combination with standard types of power operated mechanisms, such as the mechanism 60, and offers the advantage of adjustability'so that one may shorten or lengthen the salt wash and do likewise with the rinse, so long as the total ,movement is kept within the 360 of movement of the timer. The reduction gearing at H provided between the motor l and the timer 76 is such that it will take say 30 minutes for the timer to make a complete turn, but these gears may be changed to shorten or lengthen this timer period. By proper adjustment of the brushes 80 and BI this timer period may be-divided as desired, as for example, into a 5 minute salt wash and a 20 minute rinse period, or more or less for each of said periods. The use of a mercoid switch 89 for making and breaking the circuit for motor 15 insures reliability and also durability. However, in view of the cost of such a switch and the fact that its use-necessitates the mounting of the control mechanism on the other mechanism as hereinabove described, I contemplate providing as an alternative a mechanism such as disclosed in Fig. '7, which is more compact, less expensive, and may be mounted on the wall or at any other convenient place, without regard to the location of the valve and its operating mechanism.
Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, 15 is a self-starting clock type motor similar to the motor 75 previously described, driving a timer 76 through suitable reduction gearing. A casing 18 constitutes a housing for this mechanism and may be mounted on the wall or at any other convenient place with the wires extended thereto from the mechanism 60 for operating the valve. The timer 16 has two contact brushes 80' and 8| adjustably mounted on the rotatable body thereof, the former disposed in one plane and extending to a certain radius and arranged to be clamped in adjusted position by means of a thumb screw 82 entered in the arcuate slot 83', and the other disposed in another plane and projecting to a larger radius and arranged to be clamped in adjusted position by means of another thumb screw 84' entered in the arcuate slot gagement with terminal 86.
' the rinse position.
'. The brush 80' is arranged to wipe and ride over a terminal 81' disposed at the proper radius with respect to the timer and reaching only to the plane of the brush 80'. Another terminal 86' cooperates with the brush 8| in a similar manner. The arrangement is such that the brush 80' will engage only the terminal 81', and the brush 8| will engage only the terminal 86 in the turning of the timer. Two brushes 89a and 89b ride on the periphery of the timer. These two brushes together accomplish the same purpose as the mercoid switch 89 in the other mechanism. The brush 8% has a broader end than the brush 89a so as to be disengaged from the timer by means of a finger 95' of insulating material mounted on the back of the timer. The brushes 89a and 8% are carried on a base 90' of insulation material. Now, the mechanism 60 is similar to the mechanism 60 previously de- 1 scribed with the exception that another cam Ila is provided on the shaft 63 as a companion to the cam H, both cams being arranged to close contacts H simultaneously in the first half turn of the shaft 63.
The operation of this mechanism is similar to that of the mechanism previously described. When the operator closes the switch 14, a circuit is completed through motor 6| by reason of the fact that the contacts 13' are at the'time held closed by cam 13. After the motor is started, the circuit is kept intact by reason of closing of contacts 12' by cam 12. The shaft 63 is given a half turn, whereupon the follower engaging the cam 12 drops into the notch and opens the contacts 12. The valve stem H has accordingly been raised from softening position to salt wash position. At the same time both sets of contacts II have been closed by cams H and Ha with the result that motor 15' is thrown into operation, its circuit being traceable through conductors 97 and 98. As the timer 16' turns under operation of motor 15, the finger rides off the brush 89b and from that point on the circuit for the motor 15 is no longer dependent upon the closing of the contacts H and the motor 15 will accordingly operate for a complete turn of thetimer l6, namely, until the finger 95" again reaches the brush 89b and causes its disengagement. The salt wash continues for that period of time that it takes for the brush 8| to travel from the position shown in Fig. '7 to en- At the moment of engagement, the motor 6| starts to operate to lower the valve stem II from the salt wash to The cam I2 maintains the circuit for the motor 6| when the brush 8 I leaves the terminal 86. and keeps the motor 6| operating until the cam 64 has been moved through 90 whereupon the circuit is again broken by the contact 12'. Under these circumstances, the cam 10 having been moved through 2'70from the position shown in Fig. 7, has closed contacts ID. The rinse continues for that period of time that it takes for the brush 80' to travel the remaining distance to engagement with terminal 81'. At the moment of engagement the motor BI is again thrown into operation, and here again the cam 12 serves the purpose of maintaining the motor circuit intact after the brush 80' leaves the terminal 81, whereby to insure operation of the motor 6| sufficient for 90-of movement of the cam 64, whereupon the follower on the cam 12 drops into the last notch and opens the contacts 12' to stop the motor. This completes the cycle so far as the valve is concerned, but the motor I! continues to run until the finger 85' causes disengagement of the brush 8% from the timer l8.
It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding of my invention. The appended claims have been drawn with a view to covering all legitimate modifications and adaptations.
I claim:
1. In a control mechanism, an electrical valve operator adapted to reciprocate a valve stem through a succession of steps to open and close different ports in a valve for controlling a water softener, electrical timing: means adapted to make one revolution and stop, said timing means having connections for energizing said operator to initiate each of said steps subsequent to the first, means for starting the electrical valve operator, and means operated by said valve operator to close an electric circuit to start the electrical timing means, said electrical timing means having means for opening the electric circuit when. said-timing means has made one revolution.
2. The combination in a control mechanism of a device to be operated repeatedly through a predetermined succession of movements in a cycle, a main motor for operating said device, a starting switch for said motor, a second motor I set into operation by said first motor, timing 'means operated by said second motor for eiiecting successive starts of said first motor in a cycle in timed relation to the first start, during continuous operation 01' said second motor, said second motor being a synchronous motor whereby to accurately time the operation of said device, and means operated by said second motor for deenergizing said second motor at the completion of the cycle.
3. A control apparatus for a water treatment unit comprising a controlled device adapted to be operated periodically in a predetermined cycle of successive movements, an intermittently operable motor driven mechanism for power operation of said device, make and break means for determining the extent of operation of said mechanism during each successive movement,
a starting switch for starting the cycle of operations of said mechanism whereby to start a cycle of movements of said device, a timer having electrical connections with the aforesaid mechanism for subsequently initiating in predetermined timed relationship the further opera- .tions of said mechanism in the cycle, a separate tion a device adapted to be operated periodically in a predetermined cycle of movements, an intermittently operable motor driven mechanism for power operation of said device including a make and break means for predetermining the extent of operation thereof upon each initiation, a starting switch for starting the cycle of operations of said mechanism whereby to start a cycle of operations of said device, a timer having electrical connections with the aforesaid mechanism ior subsequently initiating in a predetermined timed relationship the iurther operations of said mechanism in the cycle, a separate constant speed motor for driving the timer continuously in one direction during the cycle, a switch for closing the circuit through said motor operable automatically during the first movement of the cycle, said switch tending normally to move to open circuit position, means for releasably locking said switch in closed circuit position so as to keep the timer operating throughout the cycle of operations of said device, and means movable with the timer for releasing said switch after the cycle has been completed.
5. A valve control apparatus comprising, in combination, valve means having a reciprocable control stem, an intermittently operable motor driven mechanism for power operation of said control stem through a cyclev of successive movements, the same having a reciprocable plunger for communicating movement to said stem, a starting switch for starting the cycle of operations of said mechanism whereby to start a cycle of valve movements, a timer having electrical connections with the aforesaid mechanism for subsequently initiating in a predetermined timed relationship the further operations of said mechanism in the cycle, the aforesaid mechanism including a make and break device for predetermining the extent of operation of the mechanism upon each initiation, a separate constant speed motor for driving the timer, and a pivotally mounted mercoid switch for closing and opening the main energizing circuit for said motor, said switch normally occupying an open circuit position and being arranged for movement to closed circuit position with movement of the plunger of the aforesaid mechanism during the first movement of said cycle.
6. The combination'in a control apparatus for valves of the type having a reciprocating valve stem adapted to move longitudinally to open and close different ports therein, of a motor for driving" said stem through a cycle in a succession of movements, automatic switch means operated in conjunction with said motor for controlling starting and stopping of the same, a second motor, automatic switch means operated thereby and electrically connected with said first motor and its switch means whereby to initiate each subsequent operation of said first motor and stem in said cycle in a predetermined timed relation to the first operation, and a mercoid switch movable from a normal open circuit position to a closed circuit position in response to the first of said successive movements of the stem whereby to start said second motor in timed relation to said first motor.
'1. The combination as set forth in claim 6 including means for releasably locking said mercoid switch in closed circuit position and means for releasing said mercoid switch after completion of the cycle of movement of said first motor and said stem and return of said second mentioned switch means to the starting positions thereof.
8. A control apparatus comprising, in combination, a device adapted to be operated periodically in a predetermined cycle of movements, an
' intermittently operable motor driven mechanism said mechanism whereby to start a cycle of, operations of said device, a timer having electrical connections with the aforesaid mechanism for subsequently initiating in a predetermined timed relationship the further operations of said mechanism in the cycle, the aforesaid mechanism including a make and break means for predetermining the extent oi operation of the mechanism upon each initiation, a separate constant speed motor for driving the timer, and a switch for closing the circuit through said motor operable automatically in the first movement of said device at the commencement of the cycle to drive said timer through a timing cycle.
LEE G. DANIELS.
US15973637 1933-11-20 1937-08-18 Valve control mechanism Expired - Lifetime US2254795A (en)

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Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2420874A (en) * 1944-07-10 1947-05-20 Herman J Fowler Clock-actuated electric control means
US2440314A (en) * 1944-03-06 1948-04-27 Turner Charles Roger Method and means for photographic developing or the like
US2536256A (en) * 1949-11-22 1951-01-02 Hotpoint Inc Program selector switch
US2540723A (en) * 1944-10-14 1951-02-06 Nineteen Hundred Corp Automatic washing appliance and control system therefor
US2543938A (en) * 1948-04-08 1951-03-06 Ripley George Coin controlled electric circuit
US2546695A (en) * 1948-04-16 1951-03-27 Automatic Temperature Control Co Inc Valve timer
US2550281A (en) * 1948-09-29 1951-04-24 Martin Philip Appliance timing controller
US2552625A (en) * 1946-03-11 1951-05-15 Sloan Valve Co Electrically operated flush valve
US2592705A (en) * 1949-12-05 1952-04-15 American Sterilizer Co Sterilizer
US2631665A (en) * 1950-12-18 1953-03-17 Eddie J Perrin Multiple valve control unit
US2638979A (en) * 1948-08-02 1953-05-19 John L Harris Control device
US2660190A (en) * 1948-12-07 1953-11-24 Blondel Alfred Automatic blending device for liquids
US2673609A (en) * 1950-08-04 1954-03-30 Calvi Joseph Electrically operated programming apparatus
US2687173A (en) * 1953-11-17 1954-08-24 Gen Electric Long range timing apparatus
US2799294A (en) * 1951-09-28 1957-07-16 Chester R Nickols Multiple valve
US2851099A (en) * 1953-03-02 1958-09-09 Max E Snoddy Automatic control for sprinkler systems
US2857964A (en) * 1956-01-23 1958-10-28 Aquamatic Inc Valve operating mechanism
US2994814A (en) * 1961-08-01 Switch
US3066758A (en) * 1958-12-22 1962-12-04 Stewart Warner Corp Lubrication system

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2994814A (en) * 1961-08-01 Switch
US2440314A (en) * 1944-03-06 1948-04-27 Turner Charles Roger Method and means for photographic developing or the like
US2420874A (en) * 1944-07-10 1947-05-20 Herman J Fowler Clock-actuated electric control means
US2540723A (en) * 1944-10-14 1951-02-06 Nineteen Hundred Corp Automatic washing appliance and control system therefor
US2552625A (en) * 1946-03-11 1951-05-15 Sloan Valve Co Electrically operated flush valve
US2543938A (en) * 1948-04-08 1951-03-06 Ripley George Coin controlled electric circuit
US2546695A (en) * 1948-04-16 1951-03-27 Automatic Temperature Control Co Inc Valve timer
US2638979A (en) * 1948-08-02 1953-05-19 John L Harris Control device
US2550281A (en) * 1948-09-29 1951-04-24 Martin Philip Appliance timing controller
US2660190A (en) * 1948-12-07 1953-11-24 Blondel Alfred Automatic blending device for liquids
US2536256A (en) * 1949-11-22 1951-01-02 Hotpoint Inc Program selector switch
US2592705A (en) * 1949-12-05 1952-04-15 American Sterilizer Co Sterilizer
US2673609A (en) * 1950-08-04 1954-03-30 Calvi Joseph Electrically operated programming apparatus
US2631665A (en) * 1950-12-18 1953-03-17 Eddie J Perrin Multiple valve control unit
US2799294A (en) * 1951-09-28 1957-07-16 Chester R Nickols Multiple valve
US2851099A (en) * 1953-03-02 1958-09-09 Max E Snoddy Automatic control for sprinkler systems
US2687173A (en) * 1953-11-17 1954-08-24 Gen Electric Long range timing apparatus
US2857964A (en) * 1956-01-23 1958-10-28 Aquamatic Inc Valve operating mechanism
US3066758A (en) * 1958-12-22 1962-12-04 Stewart Warner Corp Lubrication system

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