Abstract: A fluid treatment tank for an aeration filter has an air blocker separating a chamber in fluid communication with a control valve of the filter from a pocket of air above the liquid in the tank and the control valve. The air blocker contains a volume of liquid that acts as a trap that prevents or at least inhibits air in the pocket from backing up into the chamber. Contact between the control valve and air is dramatically reduced. The air blocker may comprise a baffle that directs any air flowing through the air blocker downwardly and then back upwardly before the air can escape the air blocker.

Abstract: A distributor plate for a fluid tank such as a water softener pressure vessel separates the resin bed from a lower end of the resin tank. The distributor plate includes a disk that is supported on an upwardly facing surface from below and that is restrained from upward motion by a weld bead located above an outer periphery of the disk. The disk may have an inner slotted plate portion and an outer portion, and wherein the outer portion of the disk has an upper surface having an annular protrusion extending above an upper surface of the slotted plate portion, with an upper surface of the protrusion forms an engagement surface for the weld bead. The disk may be formed from a thermoplastic material having a relatively high dimensional predictability such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and unfilled or 30% glass-filled Noryl®, respectively.

Abstract: A distributor plate for a fluid tank such as a water softener pressure vessel separates the resin bed from a lower end of the resin tank. The distributor plate includes an outer ring that is affixed to the wall of the tank and that is formed of a first thermoplastic material having a relatively low dimensional predictability, and an inner disk that is supported on the outer ring and that is formed from a second thermoplastic material having a relatively high dimensional predictability when compared to that of the first thermoplastic material, the inner disk being fluid permeable but fluid treatment media impermeable. The outer ring and inner disk may be made from high density polyethylene (HDPE) and unfilled or 30% glass-filled Noryl®, respectively. Also disclosed is a method of assembling a pressure vessel.

Abstract: A distributor plate for a resin tank of a fluid treatment device such as a water softener includes a central hub, an outer ring, a plurality of ribs extending between the hub and the ring and dividing the distributor plate into discrete segments, and a slotted plate connected therebetween. The distributor plate separates the resin bed from a lower end of the resin tank. The distributor plate further comprises at least one valve plate coupled to an underside of the distributor plate over at least one segment thereof. The valve plate is constructed from a material configured to float in the fluid being treated and is movable between a raised position during upflow and a lowered position during downflow. In this manner, the valve plate acts like a check valve to regulate the manner in which fluid flows through the distributor plate during upflow and downflow, improving resin scrubbing during upflow.

Abstract: A fluid treatment device includes a tank containing a fluid treatment medium and a fluid. A distributor plate is received in the tank and separates the bed from a lower end portion of the tank. A baffle is positioned beneath the distributor plate and is configured to direct fluid exiting a riser tube of the fluid treatment device toward the peripheral of the tank to thereby provide a more evenly-distributed flow through the radius of the distributor plate and through the fluid treatment medium. The baffle may have a downwardly facing concave surface that traps air bubbles generated during a brine draw operation.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a twin tank-type water treatment system includes and a tank selector valve assembly that includes first and second rotary selector valves driven in concert with another by a reversible electric motor. The motor drives the first and second selector valves between (a) a first position in which an untreated water inlet and a treated water outlet of the valve assembly are coupled to a first resin tank, and a second resin tank is connected to a regeneration valve, and (b) a second position which the untreated water inlet and the treated water outlet of the valve assembly are coupled to the second resin tank, and the first resin tank is connected to a regeneration valve. The rotary valves may be disks that rotate relatively rapidly on a common shaft driven by the electric motor through an arc of 180° or less.

Abstract: A fluid treatment device includes a tank containing a fluid treatment media and a fluid. A distributor plate is received in the tank and separates the bed from a lower end of the tank. The lower end of the tank is filled with an inert media. The inert media may be granular and in the form of gravel or polypropylene or polyethylene beads. The inert media is configured to force a rising fluid delivered to the lower end of the tank upwardly to the distributor plate at an increased velocity to thereby improve the rinsing performance of the rinsing fluid.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a twin tank-type water treatment system includes and a tank selector valve assembly that includes first and second rotary selector valves driven in concert with another by a reversible electric motor. The motor drives the first and second selector valves between (a) a first position in which an untreated water inlet and a treated water outlet of the valve assembly are coupled to a first resin tank, and a second resin tank is connected to a regeneration valve, and (b) a second position which the untreated water inlet and the treated water outlet of the valve assembly are coupled to the second resin tank, and the first resin tank is connected to a regeneration valve. The rotary valves may be disks that rotate relatively rapidly on a common shaft driven by the electric motor through an arc of 180° or less.

Abstract: A distributor plate for a resin tank of a fluid treatment device such as a water softener includes a central hub, an outer ring, a plurality of ribs extending between the hub and the ring and dividing the distributor plate into discrete segments, and a slotted plate connected therebetween. The distributor plate separates the resin bed from a lower end of the resin tank. The distributor plate further comprises at least one valve plate coupled to an underside of the distributor plate over at least one segment thereof. The valve plate is constructed from a material configured to float in the fluid being treated and is movable between a raised position during upflow and a lowered position during downflow. In this manner, the valve plate acts like a check valve to regulate the manner in which fluid flows through the distributor plate during upflow and downflow, improving resin scrubbing during upflow.

Abstract: A fluid treatment device includes a tank containing a fluid treatment medium and a fluid. A distributor plate is received in the tank and separates the bed from a lower end portion of the tank. A baffle is positioned beneath the distributor plate and is configured to direct fluid exiting a riser tube of the fluid treatment device toward the peripheral of the tank to thereby provide a more evenly-distributed flow through the radius of the distributor plate and through the fluid treatment medium. The baffle may have a downwardly facing concave surface that traps air bubbles generated during a brine draw operation.

Abstract: A mold assembly includes a collapsible mount for releasably holding an insert within a mold cavity of the assembly in order to integrally form the insert with a molded article such as a tank liner. The collapsible mount includes a number of fingers secured to the mount and capable of being inserted through and expanded to engage the insert. The fingers are expanded after insertion through the insert by a core engageable with the fingers in order to securely hold the insert in position on the fingers of the mount and within the mold cavity. After formation of the article around the insert, the core can be disengaged from the fingers, which then move to a collapsed position such that the mount can be quickly withdrawn from within the insert and the mold cavity.

Abstract: A mold assembly includes a collapsible mount for releasably holding an insert within a mold cavity of the assembly in order to integrally form the insert with a molded article such as a tank liner. The collapsible mount includes a number of fingers secured to the mount and capable of being inserted through and expanded to engage the insert. The fingers are expanded after insertion through the insert by a core engageable with the fingers in order to securely hold the insert in position on the fingers of the mount and within the mold cavity. After formation of the article around the insert, the core can be disengaged from the fingers, which then move to a collapsed position such that the mount can be quickly withdrawn from within the insert and the mold cavity.

Abstract: A float-responsive valve includes a valve actuator that is selectively responsive to operation of a float to move from a first position to a second position in which the valve actuator holds the valve element in its open position. When the valve actuator is in the second position thereof, fluid pressure that would otherwise tend to force the valve element toward its seat is essentially incapable of closing the valve element. Preferably, a force vector applied through a flapper-type valve actuator forms an essentially nonnegative, more preferably generally collinear, angle with a bisector line passing through a pivot axis of the valve actuator and a primary contact point between the valve actuator and the flapper.

Abstract: A faucet includes a base and a body. The body may be coupled and decoupled to the base with a bayonet fitting which is configured to prevent a forward rotation of the base relative to the body and to permit backward rotation and disconnection of the body from the base without the use of any tools. The faucet may have an internal chamber that houses a water sensitive device such as an electronics package and that is sealed from within and without by a system of seals located between the body and the base, between the base and a support surface, such as a countertop or a sink, and between individual components of the faucet.

Abstract: A float-responsive valve includes a valve actuator that is selectively responsive to operation of a float to move from a first position to a second position in which the valve actuator holds the valve element in its open position. When the valve actuator is in the second position thereof, fluid pressure that would otherwise tend to force the valve element toward its seat is essentially incapable of closing the valve element. Preferably, a force vector applied through a flapper-type valve actuator forms an essentially nonnegative, more preferably generally collinear, angle with a bisector line passing through a pivot axis of the valve actuator and a primary contact point between the valve actuator and the flapper.

Abstract: A faucet includes a base and a body. The body may be coupled and decoupled to the base with a bayonet fitting which is configured to prevent a forward rotation of the base relative to the body and to permit backward rotation and disconnection of the body from the base without the use of any tools. The faucet may have an internal chamber that houses a water sensitive device such as an electronics package and that is sealed from within and without by a system of seals located between the body and the base, between the base and a support surface, such as a countertop or a sink, and between individual components of the faucet.

Abstract: A flow control includes a conduit and a flow control washer disposed in the conduit between the conduit's inlet and the outlet. A gas inlet passage opens into the conduit, preferably at a location just downstream of the flow control washer, to permit a gas (typically ambient air) to enter a liquid stream flowing through the flow control washer. The admission of a gas into this liquid stream reduces noise generated by liquid flow through the flow control washer. Gas induction and noise reduction capabilities may be enhanced by admitting the gas fluid into a low pressure region of a venturi located in the conduit downstream of the flow control washer. The flow control is particularly useful in a wastewater drain of a water softener control valve, but is also useful in a variety of other applications. A method of reducing noise in a flow control is also provided.

Abstract: A seal stack, configured for supporting, guiding, and sealing a piston of a water softener control valve or the like, can be preassembled prior to its insertion into the associated valve bore and compressed after it is inserted into the bore. This post-assembly seal stack compression assures reliable assembly of the seal stack, facilitates valve assembly and disassembly, and negates the need to hold tight tolerances in bore diameter design and seal diameter design. The seal stack includes a plurality of static seals, a plurality of dynamic seals which are either combined with or separated from the static seals, and a plurality of spacers that support the seals. Each of the static seals is disposed between two adjacent spacers and seals against a peripheral surface of the bore, and each of the dynamic seals is disposed between two adjacent spacers and seals against the piston.

Abstract: A filter cartridge is capable of at least one-way communication with the base of a filtration system so as to confirm that the filter cartridge is properly configured for installation and use in the filtration system. Transmission and receipt of a filter presence confirmation signal can enhance the effectiveness of the filtration system, e.g., by disabling one or more operational characteristics of the system in the absence of a confirmation signal, and/or by automatically resetting one or more counters of a capacity indicator of the system upon receipt of the confirmation signal. The filter cartridge is particularly well-adapted for use in a filtration system having a flow meter which monitors the flow of liquid through the system.

Abstract: A liquid flow meter is designed to monitor the flow of a liquid through an enclosed stream such as through the tubes or internal passageways of a device such as a filtration system. The liquid flow meter includes an axial-flow magnetic turbine and a detector such as a reed switch that monitors turbine rotation by counting pulses. The counted pulses are then used to determine the aggregate volume of liquid that has flowed through the flow meter. When the liquid flow meter is used in a domestic potable water filtration system or in a similar application, the counted pulses can also be used in conjunction with a timer to determine liquid flow rate as well as the remaining useful life of a filter cartridge of the filtration system and/or of the remaining volumetric filtration capacity of the filter cartridge. The liquid flow meter exhibits high linearity or consistency of flow measurement over a wide range of liquid flow rates--even at very low pressures and low flow rates.