WO1998041767A1

WO1998041767A1 - In-line drain flow control

Info

Publication number: WO1998041767A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/005106
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas J. Walczak; Kenneth J. Sieth
Original assignee: Autotrol Corporation
Priority date: 1997-03-19
Filing date: 1998-03-16
Publication date: 1998-09-24
Also published as: AU6557798A

Abstract

A flow control appratus comprises a disc (10) which can be inserted between a valve drain port (21) and a drain line. The disc (10) contains a plurality of openings (11) each of which receives a flexible flow control washer (30). The flow control washers (30) can be exchanged for other washers having different liquid flow rates. The disc (10) is sealed to the port (21) and drain line by simple O-ring seals (26).

Description

IN-LINE DRAIN FLOW CONTROL

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/039,629, filed on March 19, 1997.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to flow control, and particularly to a replaceable flow

control apparatus for the drain line of a water treatment system.

It is often desirable to control the flow through a pipe that is subjected to

variations in fluid pressure. An example is a drain line connected to a water softening

apparatus. During backwashing, a back pressure is required in the drain line so that

the particles of resin which make up the softening bed are not carried out through the

drain line. The back pressure is typically created by placing a restriction in the drain

line.

There are instances in which the flow through the drain line must be adjusted

after initial installation. One example is a change in the incoming water pressure.

The flow control of the present invention allows simple removal from a drain line for

servicing or for replacement with flow control elements which will change the flow

rate. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, a flow control apparatus comprises a disc

which can be inserted between a valve drain port and a drain line. The disc contains a

plurality of openings each of which receives a flexible flow control washer. The flow

control washers can be exchanged for other washers having different liquid flow rates.

The disc is sealed to the port and drain line by simple O-ring seals.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in

the detailed description which follows. In the description, reference is made to the

accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the mounting disc of the flow control apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the mounting disc of Fig. 1 ; and

Fig. 3 is a view in section through the mounting disc installed in a drain line

and with flow control washers in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The flow control apparatus of the present invention includes a mounting disc

10 having a plurality of symmetrically-spaced openings 11 that extend through a

central raised portion 12. A counterbore 15 surrounds each opening 11. Tabs 16 are

formed at each quadrant of the counterbore 15 to project inwardly over the end wall

17 formed by the bottom of the counterbore 15. Longitudinal channels 18 are aligned

with the tabs 16 for insertion of molding appliances. The top surface 20 between the

perimeter of the disc 10 and the raised portion 12 is flat. The surface 20 is adapted to

mate with the end of a drain port 21. An O-ring 22 is disposed in an annular recess in the end of the drain port 21 and seals against the flat surface 20. The underside of the

disc 10 is provided with an annular groove 25 which receives an O-ring 26 to seal

against a drain port connector 27. The disc 10 is held in place by a nut 28 which

groups the connector 27 and is threadedly received on an end of the drain port 21.

The disc 10 mounts a plurality of flow control washers 30. The washers 30 are

of known type, such as those available from Clack Corporation, Windsor, Wisconsin.

The flow control washers 30 are formed of a rubber or other elastomer. The washers

30 are generally cone-shaped with a central aperture 31. The base of the washer 30

includes an annular recess 32 for mounting the washer. As shown in Fig. 3, the

washers 30 are readily mounted in each of the counterbores 15 with the tabs 16

projecting into the annular recess 32 of a washer 30.

Flow control washers 30 are available in a variety of sizes for different liquid

flow rates. Under increasing pressure, the central aperture 31 is reduced, thereby

maintaining a generally constant flow through the washers.

The flow control of this invention is easily assembled and disassembled from

the drain lines. The flow control is readily adjustable by replacing washers of one size

and flow rating with those of another.

Claims

ΓÇó CLAIMSWe claim:

1. A flow control apparatus for a drain line of a water treatment system comprising:

a disc having a top side and an underside, said topside has a central

raised portion;

a plurality of openings extending through said central raised portion; and

a plurality of flow control washers, one of said washers is retainably

mounted in each of said openings.

2. A flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each of said

openings is surrounded by a counterbore, one of said washers is retainably mounted in

each of said counterbores, each of said counterbores has a bottom forming an end

wall.

3. A flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein a plurality of

tabs formed at each of said counterbores projects inwardly over said end wall, wherein

each of said washers is retained by said tabs.

4. A flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said

washers has an annular recess, wherein said tabs project into said recess.

5. A flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 3. wherein longitudinal

channels are aligned with said tabs for insertion of molding appliances.

6. A flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of

openings are symmetrically-spaced.

7. A flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said underside

has an annular groove for receiving an O-ring.

8. A flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said not raised

portion of said topside of said disc is adapted to mate with an end of a drain port.

9. A flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said washers

are formed of an elastomer.

10. A flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said washers

are generally cone-shaped having as central aperture.

11. A flow control apparatus kit providing selectable liquid flow rates for a

drain line of a water treatment system comprising:

a disc having a top side and an underside, said topside has a central

raised portion;

a plurality of openings extending through said central raised portion;

a first set of flow control washers having specific flow rates, one of

said washers is retainably mounted in each of said openings; and

at least one additional set of flow control washers having flow rates

different from said first set of flow control washers; wherein replacement of said first

set of flow control washers with said additional set of flow control washers changes

said flow rate of said drain line of said water treatment system.

12. A method for changing a flow rate of a drain line of a water treatment

system comprising the steps of:

disassembling a drain line to expose a flow control apparatus having

removable flow control washers;

removing said flow control washers from said flow control apparatus;

inserting different flow control washers into said flow control

apparatus, said different flow control washers having a flow rate different from said

removed flow control washers; and

reassembling said drain line.