Abstract: A faucet-mounted filter in which a housing is positioned in the water flow line of the faucet, in flow transmitting relation with the water flow line. A microporous, hollow fiber filter bundle is positioned to sealingly occlude water flow through the housing so that all water flow through the housing must pass through porous walls of the hollow fibers of the filter. The pores of the hollow fiber walls are no larger than 0.22 micron, as measured by the particles that the pores pass. Thus the filter is capable of microbial filtering.

Abstract: A water softening system is provided including a service step, a regenerating step and a rinse step. The service step includes introducing relatively hard water into the inlet, through an ion exchange resin and out the outlet to a service location. The regenerating step includes introducing a brine solution into the inlet, through the resin and out the outlet to drain. Prior to the service step, an automatic rinse step is provided by which an amount of the relatively hard water is introduced into the inlet, through the softening medium and out of the outlet to drain.

Abstract: Residual alkali metal ions from water, typically water having passed through a strong base demineralizer unit, may be removed by passing the water through a weak acid cation exchange resin, having a particle size distribution in which at least 90 weight percent of the resin has a particle size of at least 15 microns and at least 90 weight percent of the resin has a particle size of no more than 150 microns.

Abstract: A fluid metering device (10) is provided for automatically restricting (i.e., shutting off or reducing) fluid flow to a filter (16). The metering device (10) has a vane (32) which turns as fluid flows and thereby drives a gear (92). Once the vane (32) has rotated a selected number of times, as a result of the fluid flow, the rotation of the gear will break a frangible link (82), causing the fluid flow to stop or reduce by closing a valve (60). The customer will know to replace the filter (16) when the fluid no longer flows or is substantially reduced, and the customer will also have to replace the frangible link (82) to enable the fluid to flow at full volume again.

Abstract: A depth filter comprises a filter column having opposed inlet and outlet ends containing particulate material. The particulate material is selected in such a manner to provide a lightweight filter which retains equivalent high performance to heavier filters.

Abstract: A system is provided for supplying purified water, without requiring continuous flow of water across the water purification device. A reverse osmosis unit is provided having an unpurified water inlet, a reject water outlet and a product water outlet. The unpurified water inlet is connected to a source of unpurified water. The reject water outlet and the product water outlet are connected to water regulating means. The water regulating means has outlets to drain and to an accumulator tank. When pressure in the accumulator tank is below a predetermined amount, a diaphragm responsive to the pressure operates a pair of spool valves to first automatically direct a first amount of product water only to drain. Thereafter, the spool valves automatically discontinue flow of the first amount of product water to drain and direct the product water to the accumulator tank.

Abstract: A process and system are provided for treating fluid. In one illustrative embodiment, the treatment comprises the recharging of a resin bed in a water softener. A flow switch and accumulating timer are actuated when a selected flow rate is detected. The accumulating timer is set to a selected elapsed time. A chronological timer is also provided and is set for a selected time of day to recharge the resin bed. A reserve brine capacity is provided by delivering a selected amount of water to a brine tank at predetermined elapsed time intervals of the accumulating timer. The resin bed is recharged when both a selected elapsed time of the accumulating timer has occurred and it is the selected time of day.

Abstract: An excellent reverse osmosis membrane having a high flux with superior chlorine resistance and low salt passage can be obtained by interfacially condensing a water soluble aromatic polyamide prepolymer with an essentially monomeric, aromatic, amine reactive polyfunctional acyl halide. The polyamide prepolymer may be prepared through the condensation reaction of an aromatic diamine and an aromatic anhydride acyl halide. Preferably the amide prepolymer, prepared from metaphenylene diamine and trimelletic anhydride acid chloride, is reacted with trimesoylchloride to form the thin film membrane of the subject invention.

Abstract: A system is provided for connecting a plastic tank lining to a penetration fitting which forms an opening through a tank wall. A collar fabricated from a conforming material is arranged to cover a portion of the penetrating fitting. The collar is affixed to the tank lining and forms a tight fit between the lining and the penetrating fitting.

Abstract: A process is provided for controlling the recharging of a water conditioner. Water usage during selected fractions of a predetermined period of time is sensed. Information signifying the water usage during the selected fractions is stored. A time fraction is automatically determined, based on the stored information, when water is unlikely to be used. A selected parameter, such as volume of water used since recharging, is sensed to determine if recharging is required. The water conditioner is recharged during the automatically determined time fraction if the selected parameter indicates that recharging is required.

Abstract: A system is provided for removing iron and/or other chemically reducing substances from potable water having a pH between 5 and 9. The system includes a tank for receiving the water which tank contains a bed of activated carbon. The untreated water is aerated prior to its communication with the activated carbon. All of the aerated water is allowed to flow through the bed and the activated carbon provides a catalytic action, whereby substantially all of the oxidation occurs throughout the bed of activated carbon and the use of chamical oxidizing agents is obviated. The tank provides a reaction site for oxidation in the catalyst, precipitation of the oxidized ions, and retention by filtration of the precipitated particles.

Abstract: A novel electronic control circuit which utilizes an improved and greatly simplified arrangement for producing the reference voltage and which includes a probe which includes two pairs of spaced electrodes which are connected in a bridge circuit so that both a reference signal and a control signal is obtained for closing an energizing circuit and latch it until it is time for regeneration and in which the regeneration will occur only at preset times so as to not interfere with normal use.

Abstract: A novel electronic control circuit which includes a probe for detecting the conductivity in ion exchange material in a water softener and wherein the probe includes two pairs of spaced electrodes which are connected in a bridge circuit and connected so as to close an energizing circuit and latch it until it is time for regeneration and wherein the regeneration is controlled so that it will occur only at those times which are preset as, for example, during the night when the regeneration will not interfere with normal use of the water supply.