Abstract: A valve actuator includes a motor which drives a gear assembly for selectively imparting motion to a valve member. The valve actuator includes a reed switch for use in controlling a pump or control system for a plurality of pumps in response to initialization of the valve actuator. The motion of the gear assembly causes a magnetic field to come into contact with the reed switch and either engage or disengage the reed switch.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body and a valve actuator which is releasably engageable with the valve body. The valve body has an internal cavity within which a valve member is located, and a valve stem is interconnected with the valve body and is accessible from the exterior of the valve body. The valve body further includes a mounting member, and the valve actuator is selectively engageable with the mounting member. The valve actuator includes a latch member which is movable between a latching position and a release position. The mounting member includes a slot, and the latch member has a blocking member that is received within the slot when the latch member is in its latching position, to prevent removal of the valve actuator from the valve body. The latch member is manually movable to a release position, in which the blocking member is removed from the slot in the mounting member to enable the valve actuator to be disengaged from the mounting member.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body and a valve actuator which is releasably engageable with the valve body. The valve body has an internal cavity within which a valve member is located, and a valve stem is interconnected with the valve body and is accessible from the exterior of the valve body. The valve body further includes a mounting member, and the valve actuator is selectively engageable with the mounting member. The valve actuator includes a latch member which is movable between a latching position and a release position. The mounting member includes a slot, and the latch member has a blocking member that is received within the slot when the latch member is in its latching position, to prevent removal of the valve actuator from the valve body. The latch member is manually movable to a release position, in which the blocking member is removed from the slot in the mounting member to enable the valve actuator to be disengaged from the mounting member.

Abstract: A valve actuator assembly is provided for use with a valve body. The valve body includes a valve member for controlling flow of fluid through the valve body, which is mounted to a valve stem having an external connector portion. The valve body includes engagement structure, and the valve actuator is removably engageable with the valve body via a latching member movable into and out of engagement with the engagement structure. The valve body is configured such that a valve actuator providing either normally closed or normally open operation can be mounted to the valve body. The valve actuator includes a motor having an output engageable with a drive gear, which in turn is engageable with the valve stem when the valve actuator is mounted to the valve body. The actuator can be changed from providing normally open operation to providing normal closed operation simply by replacing one drive gear of the valve actuator with another.

Abstract: A control unit for operating a valve system in a water conditioner system includes a drive motor having an output shaft coupled to the valve system, a valve position slide switch, an electronic regeneration controller, and a settable mechanical clock. The electronic controller can be programmed by the use of electrical jumpers/dip switches/control knobs. As the drive motor drives the output shaft coupled to the valve system, the drive motor also contemporaneously rotates a dual lead screw in the valve position slide switch. The dual lead screw drives an electrical contactor along a series of electrical contacts in a closed loop fashion. Each of the discrete electrical contacts corresponds to a position of the valve. The electronic controller controls the position of the valve in accordance with dwell times programmed into the electronic controller. If a demand regeneration scheme is desirable, a hardness setting rotary potentiometer can be used to provide analog electrical control.

Abstract: A modulating valve includes an inlet passage and a discharge passage, both of which are in communication with an internal cavity associated with the valve body. An actuator arrangement includes a pivoting actuator shaft, at least a portion of which is located within the internal cavity. A flow-controlling plug member includes a first portion extending into one of the passages, and a second portion located within the internal cavity. The first portion is provided with guide structure engageable with one or more walls defining the passage, to guide axial movement of the plug member. The second portion of the plug member is interconnected with the actuator shaft. The plug member second portion and the actuator shaft are interconnected in such a manner that pivoting movement of the actuator shaft results in axially inward or outward movement of the plug member within the passage.