Abstract: A control valve for a fluid treatment system, such as a water softener or a water filter, includes a manifold which mounts a pair of open-ended, cylindrical valve bodies having ports in fluid communication with passages in the manifold. Interchangeable single and double poppet valve assemblies are received into the open ends of the valve body. The poppet valve assemblies have diaphragm valve actuators disposed between chambers that are in fluid communication with selective ones of an array of pilot valves that are also mounted on the manifold. The valve assemblies may be piloted to one position by a spring. A tank adapter connects the manifold to a treatment tank. The tank adapter can be connected to the manifold in two alternate alignments which connect passages in the manifold to the top and bottom of the treatment tank so that co-current or countercurrent flow of regenerative fluid and the fluid to be treated can be alternately selected.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus includes a conversion module having firmware embedded therein for converting text data in a first code such as ASCII to binary text data in a second code such as facsimile scan line code. A memory module is connected to the conversion module for facilitating communication of text data in a first code between the conversion module and such memory module. An analog module is connected to the conversion module for interfacing the modem with the telephone line. The apparatus is arranged to monitor a parameter of a controlled process variable, e.g., temperature, signal strength, humidity or the like and responsively generate text data in a first code. The apparatus converts such text data in first code to binary text data in a second code and transmits such converted text data directly to a facsimile machine. Such operation is accomplished without the use of a PC or floppy or hard discs, program cards or other PC-like devices.

Abstract: A method of treating fluid in a bed of ion exchange resin wherein in one embodiment the resin is of a high kinetic type and water is introduced upwardly through the bed to effect a complete fluidized resin bed. The high kinetic resin is of a fine mesh type and preferably can be monospheric. An apparatus for carrying out the method is devoid of any elements which effect a compacting of the resin during normal operation. The method and apparatus is particularly directed to water treatment. In another embodiment, cocurrent proportional regeneration of a resin bed is effected using resins with nonoverlapping terminal velocities in two different ionic forms.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus has a tank that contains a resin bed through which water flows. The apparatus is controlled by occasionally measuring the conductivity of the resin bed at two spaced apart locations to produce first and second conductivity measurements. The ratio of the two conductivity measurements is calculated periodically. The present ratio value, along with the minimum and maximum ratio values that occurred since a previous regeneration of the resin bed, are used to determine the movement of an exhaustion front through the resin bed. A probability of exhaustion also is determined and when that probability exceeds a given value, regeneration of the resin bed is initiated. The conductivity measurements are used to determine if the resin bed has lost efficiency and in which event a warning signal is sent to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus controls treatment of water flowing through a boiler and includes a device that monitors the conductivity of the water. A controller opens a drain valve at periodic intervals, and closes the drain valve when the conductivity drops below a defined threshold. A mechanism measures the volume of water that flows into the boiler and a chemical is added to the water when a specified amount of water has flowed into the boiler. Alternatively the application of the chemical can occur at regular intervals of time. The chemical is applied for a user definable period of time. The application of the chemical is suspended when the cessation of water flow into the boiler is detected.

Abstract: A pellet dispenser unit in which a container of pellets can be attached to a motor and rotor assembly while the container is in an upright position. After attachment with the container, the container is inverted and the motor and rotor with the container are placed in a housing member from which the pellets are dispensed. The motor is electrically connected automatically when the motor and rotor assembly is placed in the housing member. In a preferred manner, plastic foam is placed in a housing for the motor and rotor to protect the motor as well as a circuit board from any corrosive fumes. The motor and rotor assembly are placed in a housing which is constructed so as to be easily handled by one hand for ease of attachment to the container when the container is in an upright position and the motor and rotor assembly inverted.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for carrying out the method is connectable by a telephone line to a central computer system. The apparatus includes first and second input ports for receiving first and second signals, respectively. The first signal represents a volumetric water flow rate while the second signal represents a physical characteristic of the treated water. A processing circuit is connected to the input ports and includes a microprocessor programmable for receiving and totalizing the first signals to a flow volume. The processing circuit also includes a real time clock connected to the microprocessor for continuously computing time. A power supply provides the necessary voltages to the apparatus.The apparatus is arranged to initiate a call to the central computer system upon the occurrence of any one of two or more described conditions such as measured deterioration of water quality, lapse of time or others. Several embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A pellet dispensing device having a rotor member with a pellet passage for transporting a pellet to a discharge opening. The rotor member has an escapement groove at the bottom for pieces of the pellet to be accommodated so that they do not jam the full sized pellets in the pellet passage. In a preferred embodiment, there is an additional groove at the top of the rotor member and in communication with the pellet passage which allows full sized pellets to be ejected therefrom by a dam member.

Abstract: A fluid motor is disclosed that has a housing with a body portion formed as a hollow circular cylinder. A series of peristaltic tubes are disposed in the housing with one end of each tube leading from an inlet manifold on the housing and with the other end of the tubes open to the hollow interior of the housing. The tubes are disposed about the inner perimeter of the cylindrical body. A pair of rollers engage with each tube. The rollers for each tube are mounted on the ends of arms that extend in diametrically opposite directions from a motor shaft journaled in the housing. The rollers for each tube are angularly displaced with respect to the rollers for the other tubes about the axis of the motor shaft. Fluid under pressure entering the inlet will cause the rollers to advance along the length of the tubes and thereby rotate the motor shaft.

Abstract: The disinfection of water or other fluid is accomplished by passing a stream of the fluid through a laser beam which radiates light in the ultraviolet range. A gas pulsed laser is disclosed which produces a beam having a substantial width and depth and a measurable length, as measured in the direction of fluid flow. The laser is positioned out of contact with the stream but with its beam filling the cross-section of the stream of water which can flow through a flume or over a weir. Flow meters are provided which adjust the rate of pulsing of the laser, and therefore the intensity of the ultraviolet light, in relation to changes in flow. Sensors are also provided to adjust the intensity of the laser for changes in turbidity or organic content of the fluid. In one embodiment the fluid flows through a spiral tube which directs the fluid to and fro through the laser beam. In another embodiment, the length of the laser beam is adjusted by adjusting the distance between the laser beam source and a diverging lens.

Abstract: A replaceable filter cartridge is mounted in a housing body having an inlet and an outlet permanently attached to a line carrying the liquid to be filtered. The filter cartridge contains activated charcoal. An outlet in the filter cartridge can be closed by a buoyant poppet valve which is normally held out of engagement with its valve seat by a trigger wire. An impeller is rotated by the flow of the liquid through the cartridge and the impeller drives a toothed disc which abrades the trigger wire. The abrading eventually cuts through the wire and releases the poppet which then seats against the valve seat of the outlet and renders the cartridge inoperative. The amount of abrading of the trigger wire is proportional to the flow of liquid through the cartridge and the trigger wire is sized to fail after a quantity of liquid has passed through the filter sufficient to exhaust the filtering capabilities of the cartridge. The spent cartridge must be replaced with a new filter cartridge.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for effecting a chemical reaction, including a mixer/charger for simultaneously mixing and electrically charging a fluid input to produce a charged fluid output, chemical reaction containment vessel for containing ingredients undergoing a chemical reaction separately from the mixer/charger, and a coupling for fluidically coupling the charged fluid output from the mixer/charger to the containment vessel to influence the chemical reaction. The method includes simultaneously mixing and electrically charging a fluid input to produce an electrically charged fluid output, and delivering the electrically charged fluid to a medium undergoing a chemical reaction to influence the chemical reaction thereof.

Abstract: An improved resin sensor which senses a change in the condition of the resin by forces acting on a receptacle for the resin. The sampling resin is utilized to indicate a change of ion or equilibrium condition of the resin when employed as an indicator for resin regeneration or end of a rinse cycle in a water softening or deionization system. The sampling resin is placed in a receptacle which will confine the expansion in volume of the resin as the resin is acted upon by a sampling or indicator liquid causing the resin to exert a force on the receptacle. The receptacle for the resin allows water to freely flow in and out while entrapping the resin therein. In one embodiment, the container is composed of screened walls and the pressure sensor is a strain gauge which is attached thereto. In another embodiment, the pressure sensor is the container and in the form of a multiapertured Bourdon tube in a fluid compartment.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a fluid mixer/charger includes an inlet for receiving input flowing fluid, the inlet including a flow directing portion for directing fluid in the first directional flow path, an outlet positioned to receive fluid flowing from the inlet to direct the fluid along a second directional flow path different from the first one, and a charging device for applying or removing electrical charge with respect to fluid during flow by at least one of the inlet and outlet. The invention functions as an electric capacitor with a fixed bleed rate to charge fluid.

Abstract: An improved radiation-emitting device of the type for containing a gas and electron flow therein between electrodes. First and second separate elongated principal members form an elongated envelope volume having constant cross-sections along its length. The members are arranged and configured so that the envelope volume is less than that of a cylinder of similar cross-demension. The first principal member is radiation-transmissive and the second is preferably radiation-reflective, having a metallic inner coating. Plural electrodes are preferably used. The second principal member is preferably inwardly-concave. One preferred embodiment has a first principal member which is outwardly concave and preferably has a high gas pressure. Another has an outwardly convex first principal member. Another has concentric inner and outer tubes as radiation-transmissive and radiation-reflective members, respectively, the inner tube serving as a flow path for a liquid to be treated.

Abstract: A mechanism prevents the start-up of a synchronous a.c. motor in other than a desired direction. The mechanism includes a flexible arm having a finger that will engage a radially projecting abutment on the motor shaft. The finger blocks rotation of the shaft in a first direction and slides over the abutment when the shaft rotates in the opposite direction. A solenoid moves the arm and finger out of the path of the abutment shortly after the motor is energized, to allow the shaft to rotate in the first direction if the motor encounters an overload. Alternately, the arm may be formed of a bi-metal which is differentially heated by electrical current following motor energization to move the arm out of the path of the abutment.

Abstract: A seal member for use in a pellet dispensing apparatus which can provide a barrier between a rotor member and a supply hopper so that gas emitted from the supply hopper will not escape. The seal arrangement also serves the function of a spacing or biasing member for a drive gear as well as a bearing surface. The seal member is disposed in a manner that it will selfadjust during wear yet is flexible to withstand contact with debris. Preferably the seal unit is fabricated from a fluorocarbon resin and is frusto conical in shape.

Abstract: A mixture control system for mixing a bactericidal chemical and water in a reservoir in batches. Flow of the water into the reservoir is initiated by a float actuated switch and the duration of the flow is controlled. While the flow is occurring, a dispenser dispenses chemical into the reservoir according to a preset dispensing cycle which is initiated when the water flow is initiated and also terminates therewith.

Abstract: A pair of flapper valves are mounted in parallel to control the flow of a fluid into a reservoir. The flapper valves are opened by a first rotatable cam which is rotated through one or more complete revolutions when a float control switch in the reservoir is opened thereby indicating a drop in the level of fluid in the reservoir. Each complete revolution of the first cam actuates an impulse switch for a short duration. The impulse switch energizes a low speed memory motor and increments the output shaft of the motor. Each increment corresponds to one complete revolution of the first cam and, therefore, one unit of a fixed quantity of fluid passing through the valves. The output shaft of the memory motor rotates a second adjustable cam that controls the actuation of a switch which in turn controls a dispenser for dispensing a chemical additive into the fluid added to the reservoir.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a fluid mixer/charger includes an inlet for receiving input flowing fluid, the inlet including a flow directing portion for directing fluid in the first directional flow path, an outlet positioned to receive fluid flowing from the inlet to direct the fluid along a second directional flow path different from the first one, and a charging device for applying or removing electrical charge with respect to fluid during flow by at least one of the inlet and outlet. The invention functions as an electric capacitor with a fixed bleed rate to charge fluid.