IP Library Granted Patent US 9,328,001
Granted Patent B2
US 9,328,001 · App. 14/592,341 · Granted May 3, 2016

Systems for fluid treatment having fluid release cycle

Inventors: Kurt Gruett (Combined Locks, WI); Guy Gruett (Neenah, WI)
Assignee: Water-Right, Inc.
C02F1/42B01J49/0095B01J49/02C02F1/008C02F1/28C02F1/281C02F1/283C02F1/74C02F2001/425C02F2101/101C02F2101/203C02F2201/005C02F2209/005C02F2303/16
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,328,001
App. No.
14/592,341
Granted
May 3, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method and system for fluid treatment that provides fluid release cycles within the regeneration sequence of a fluid treatment device. The fluid release or backwash air cycle permits the slow, controlled and metered release of air or gases from a treatment tank.

Claims (38)

1. A system for treating water, said system comprising:

a water treatment reservoir;

an electronic programmable controller, said programmable controller capable of displaying visual indicators on an output display screen and capable of receiving input from a plurality of push buttons; and

a valve body comprising:

a first fluid inlet port;

a second fluid inlet port;

a first fluid outlet port;

a second fluid outlet port; and

a valve including a piston selectively longitudinally positionable by said programmable controller to direct fluid flow between said ports to execute a regeneration cycle comprising a service stage, a backwash air stage, and a backwash stage;

wherein said programmable controller and said valve body are coupled to and supported by said reservoir; and

wherein said valve is configured to direct,

while the piston is in a first static longitudinal position during the service stage, fluid flow from the first fluid inlet port to the water treatment reservoir and from the water treatment reservoir to the first fluid outlet port,

while the piston is in a second static longitudinal position during the backwash stage, fluid flow from the first fluid inlet port to the water treatment reservoir and the first fluid outlet port and from the water treatment reservoir to the second fluid outlet port,

while the piston is in a third static longitudinal position during the backwash air stage, the third static longitudinal position being located between the first static longitudinal position and the second static longitudinal position, fluid flow from the first fluid inlet port to the water treatment reservoir and from the water treatment reservoir to the second fluid outlet port.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the backwash air stage includes a plurality of time periods during each of which the piston is positioned at a different static longitudinal position between the first static longitudinal position and the second static longitudinal position.

3. A system according to claim 1 further comprising an optic sensor communicatively coupled to said programmable controller.

4. A system according to claim 3 wherein an encoded pulse detected by said optic sensor is used to control the rate at which fluid flows from said reservoir during the backwash air stage.

5. A system according to claim 3 wherein an encoded pulse detected by said optic sensor is used to control a time period at which said piston remains in the third static longitudinal position.

6. A system according to claim 2 wherein at least two of the time periods are different.

7. A system for treating water, said system comprising:

a water treatment reservoir;

an electronic programmable controller, said programmable controller capable of displaying visual indicators on an output display screen and capable of receiving input from a plurality of push buttons; and

a valve body comprising:

a first fluid inlet port;

a second fluid inlet port;

a first fluid outlet port;

a second fluid outlet port; and

a valve including a piston selectively longitudinally positionable by said programmable controller to direct fluid flow between said ports to execute a regeneration cycle comprising a service stage and a backwash air stage;

wherein said programmable controller and said valve body are coupled to and supported by said reservoir; and

wherein said valve is configured to direct,

while the piston is in a first static longitudinal position during the service stage, fluid flow from the first fluid inlet port to the water treatment reservoir and from the water treatment reservoir to the first fluid outlet port, and

while the piston is in a second static longitudinal position during the backwash air stage, fluid flow from the first fluid inlet port to the water treatment reservoir and from the water treatment reservoir to the second fluid outlet port,

wherein the piston is further selectively longitudinally positionable at a third static longitudinal position, the second longitudinal position being located between the first static longitudinal position and the third longitudinal position.

8. A system according to claim 7 wherein the backwash air stage includes a plurality of time periods during each of which the piston is positioned at a different static longitudinal position between the first static longitudinal position and the third static longitudinal position.

9. A system according to claim 7 further comprising an optic sensor communicatively coupled to said programmable controller.

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein an encoded pulse detected by said optic sensor is used to control the rate at which fluid flows from said reservoir during the backwash air stage.

11. A system according to claim 9 wherein an encoded pulse detected by said optic sensor is used to control a time period at which said piston remains in the second static longitudinal position.

12. A system according to claim 8 wherein at least two of the time periods are different.

Assignments (2)
MERGER Recorded Feb 2, 2022
From: WATER - RIGHT, INC.
To: A. O. SMITH WATER TREATMENT (NORTH AMERICA), INC.
Reel/Frame 058866/0409 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2015
From: GRUETT, KURT; GRUETT, GUY
To: WATER-RIGHT, INC.
Reel/Frame 034830/0996 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 13151492 · Jun 2, 2011
Related Publication 20150122711A1 · May 7, 2015