Abstract: A control valve assembly including a water meter usage assembly including discs which are relatively positionable to adjust the frequency at which regeneration in a water treatment system starts. A regeneration control disc mounted coaxially with the meter disc assembly includes structure for releasing a drive mechanism associated with the meter disc assembly to rotate it back to a start position under a predetermined operating condition. The discs are releasably held in their relative positions by at least one pawl and at least one of the discs is rotatable relative to the other disc. The regeneration frequency is determined by an initiation slot in one of the discs and its operative position is determined by disc positions. The regeneration control disc is rotated by a pawl mechanism that is activated when an associated cam follower is received by the regeneration initiation slot formed in the water meter usage assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating water including a tank having an inlet and outlet and a water treatment material or resin within the tank. A control valve assembly having multiple, separable levels houses a water usage metering mechanism and a regeneration control mechanism, each having associated turbines. An inlet/bypass valve communicates source water with the tank inlet or directly to a system outlet. When the treatment material is exhausted, it is regenerated by actuating the bypass valve to communicate the source water with the system outlet. The turbine driven regeneration control then sequences the steps of regeneration, including opening a control valve to communicate inlet water to a venturi in order to aspirate brine solution and deliver to the tank outlet. The brine solution passes through the treatment material and is discharged through the tank inlet which is communicated to a system drain.

Abstract: A water treatment system including a pair of water treatment tanks, each tank defining a flow path extending from a tank inlet to a tank outlet and containing a water treatment material disposed along the flow path for treating water as it travels from the inlet to the outlet. A system controller controls which of the tanks is on-line and which of the tanks is off-line and controls the regeneration of an exhausted tank. A multi-stage, spring-loaded control valve assembly controls the communication of fluid to a regeneration control turbine and includes a piston head and a relatively movable seat-carrying stem. A spring urges the stem away from the piston head such that initial movement of the head compresses the spring but does not produce movement in the seat. Sufficient movement of the piston head produces movement in the seat, thereby causing the seat to open pressure.

Abstract: A fluid treatment system for treating feed water includes a first tubular member having first and second ends, at least one second tubular member having first and second ends, a pump positioned within the first tubular member, a filtering membrane positioned within the second tubular member, a first end cap for receiving the first ends of the first and second tubular members, and a second end cap for receiving the second ends of the first and second tubular members.

Abstract: A water treatment system including a reverse osmosis module and a control valve controlling communication between a water source and the module. A feedwater biased storage tank stores permeate and its pressurization by feedwater is controlled by a feedwater control valve. Flow of signal pressure to a signal pressure chamber of the feedwater control valve is restricted to reduce the rate at which a fluid generated force is applied. A check valve in parallel with the restriction allows relatively unrestricted flow out of the signal chamber when signal pressure is terminated. A tank pressurization control valve controls the operation of the feedwater control valve and controls the pressurization of a feedwater biasing chamber in the storage tank. Per-meate is stored in an accumulator for flushing the reverse osmosis module when the storage tank reaches a predetermined limit. Cleaning substances or additives can be introduced into the system.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus that includes a cation exchange chamber containing a cation exchange resin and an anion exchange chamber containing an anion exchange resin. A bipolar interface is located between the resin chambers and defines a zone of water disassociation. A cathode communicates with the cation exchange chamber through a cation exchange membrane. An anode communicates with the anion exchange chamber through an anion exchange membrane. Dilution or flushing water flows through cathode and anode chambers and conveys captured ions to a drain or other waste connection. A baffle may be used in some configurations to divide a resin chamber into an exhausted resin region and a regenerated resin region and causes incoming water to flow through the exhausted resin region first. The exhausted resin region is located near its associated electrode, thus improving the electrical efficiency of the cell.

Abstract: A control valve assembly (10) controls the flow of water to and from a treatment tank (16) and the regeneration of the treatment material therein. A housing of the valve assembly includes connections for a tank inlet and tank outlet. An inlet chamber (60), outlet chamber (34), a pressure-operated inlet valve (24) and an outlet valve (32). A pair of venturi chambers (81a, 81b) are configured to provide co-current and counter-current regeneration. A regeneration control subsystem includes a turbine (104) and a nozzle impinging thereon to produce rotation. An external port (130) receives fluid to provide a driving for the turbine in order to initiate regeneration. A bypass chamber (60) communicates with the inlet chamber (15). The inlet valve (24) has dual seating surfaces for controlling the communication between the inlet chamber, transfer chamber (70) and tank inlet (26).

Abstract: A fluid treatment system for treating feed water includes a first tubular member having first and second ends, at least one second tubular member having first and second ends, a pump positioned within the first tubular member, a filtering membrane positioned within the second tubular member, a first end cap for receiving the first ends of the first and second tubular members, and a second end cap for receiving the second ends of the first and second tubular members.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for detecting a change in a specific gravity of a fluid surrounding the apparatus wherein the fluid moves upwardly and downwardly with respect to the apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing having a top and a plurality of openings for allowing the fluid to enter the housing. A first floatation device is provided having a first specific gravity and being located within the housing. The first floatation device includes a magnet. A second floatation device is provided having a second specific gravity and located within the housing adjacent said first floatation device. The said second floatation device includes a magnet aligned to have the same polarity as the magnet of the first floatation device. A switch fixedly attached to said top, the switch having an open state and a closed state where when one of said magnets is in proximity to the switch, the switch is in a closed state and wherein when both of said magnets are in proximity to said switch, the switch is in an open state.

Abstract: A control valve assembly (10) controls the flow of water to and from a treatment tank (16) and the regeneration of the treatment material therein. A housing of the valve assembly includes connections for a tank inlet and tank outlet, a inlet chamber (60), outlet chamber (34), a pressure-operated inlet valve (24) and an outlet valve (32). A pair of venturi chambers (81a, 81b) are configured to provide co-current and counter-current regeneration. A regeneration control subsystem includes a turbine (104) and a nozzle impinging thereon to produce rotation. An external port (130) receives fluid to provide a driving for the turbine in order to initiate regeneration. A bypass chamber (60) communicates with the inlet chamber (15). The inlet valve (24) has dual seating surfaces for controlling the communication between the inlet chamber, transfer chamber (70) and tank inlet (26).

Abstract: A control valve for a water treatment system which includes a turbine (110) rotatably mounted within a water receiving chamber. A nozzle assembly (122) defines first and second fluid paths, one of the flow paths may include a fluid pressure response valve element (320) for controlling fluid flow along the one path. The system also comprises a nozzle assembly (122?) defining a throat (302?) extending from an inlet and terminating in a arcuate outlet conforming to the periphery of the turbine. A plurality of spaced apart and angled vanes (404) are disposed in the throat.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis water filtration system has a control housing that contains control components for the filtration system. The control housing may include control components for a membrane flushing system and/or feed water pressurization system for a permeate storage tank.

Abstract: A water treatment system for removing hard ions from source water. The water treatment system is of the type that includes a pair of ion-exchange water softener tanks connectable to a source of pressurized water and with a water system to supply softened water to the water system, the tanks each being capable of regeneration by flushing with a regeneration solution to replenish depleted ions. A process for preventing system failure due to salt crystallization includes flowing water during brine replenishment from a second nozzle and a first nozzle at a defined ratio. The first nozzle diluted the brine in a reservoir after regeneration cycle is complete. The second nozzle replenishes brine by flowing water directly onto a salt material.

Abstract: A filter apparatus is provided which includes a first filter membrane element (40a), and a second bacterial filter membrane element. The first viral filter element (40a) is capable of treating water at a first second flow rate and is adapted to remove contaminants which are larger than a first size, while the second bacterial filter element (40b) is capable of treating water at a second higher flow rate and is adapted to remove contaminants which are larger than a second contaminant size. The first and second filter elements (40a), (40b) may be commonly housed within a sealed housing. An accumulating vessel (60) is placed in fluid communication with an outlet of the first filter element (40a) and an outlet of the second filter element (40b). The filter apparatus includes a duck bill type check valve (75) made of an antimicrobial material intermediate the second filter element (40b) and a dispensing faucet (70).

Abstract: Filtration media having germicidal for use in filtering particles and deactivating, removing and/or destroying microorganisms from a feed liquid passing through the media. The filtration media includes an effective amount of at least one germicidal agent associated to monomers polmerized and chemically grafted and covalently bonded to the surface of the media. The germicidal filter media is prepared by contacting the media with a grafting solution comprising one or more monomers, a catalyst, a surface agent, a curign agent, at least one graft initiator, and at least on germicide and subsequently curing the media at an elevated temperature to chemically graft the polmerizable monomers onto a surface of the media and associate at least one germicide thereto. Filter media suitable for use in the present invention include ceramic spheroids, hollow glass spheres, polmeric type meida, thermoset coated glass spheres, and crystalline microporous materials, such as zeolites.