Water treatment for high-efficiency cleaning
Water treatment apparatus for supplying ozonated water to appliances, such as clothes washing machines. First and second water aspirators include respective first and second Venturi tubes. One aspirator is designed for a relatively higher water flow rate, and the other is designed for a relatively lower water flow rate. A valve selectively directs water from a water inlet to a water outlet through either the first or the second water aspirator. Ozone from an ozone generator is drawn either into water flowing through the first Venturi tube or water flowing through the second Venturi tube, depending on the position of the valve. A water flow sensor includes a microphone physically connected for sensing a sound characteristic of operation of a Venturi tube. A controller effects a time delay for maintaining activation of the ozone generator for a predetermined time duration even after water flow has ceased.
1. Water treatment apparatus comprising:
a water inlet;
a water outlet;
first and second water aspirators including respective first and second Venturi tubes through which water can flow, each of said Venturi tubes having a water inlet port, a water outlet port, and a vacuum port, said first Venturi tube being designed for a relatively higher water flow rate and said second Venturi tube being designed for a relatively lower water flow rate, the two Venturi tubes having different minimum water flow rate thresholds, below which the respective Venturi tube will not function;
a single three-port valve having two positions for selectively directing water from said water inlet to said water outlet through either said first or said second water aspirator; and
an ozone generator having an output connected to said vacuum ports, whereby gas including ozone is drawn either into water flowing through said first Venturi tube or water flowing through said second Venturi tube, depending on the position of said valve.
2. The water treatment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said valve selectively connects said water inlet to said water inlet port of either said first or said second water aspirator.
3. The water treatment apparatus of claim 1 , which further comprises a mixer downstream of said water aspirators for facilitating the dissolving of ozone into water which has flowed through said first Venturi tube or water which has flowed through said second Venturi tube, depending on the position of said valve.
4. The water treatment apparatus of claim 1 , which further comprises a water flow sensor connected to a controller for activating said ozone generator when water is drawn out of said water outlet and thereby through either said first or said second water aspirator.
5. The water treatment apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said water flow sensor includes a microphone physically connected for sensing a sound characteristic of operation of a Venturi tube.
6. The water treatment apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said controller effects a time delay for maintaining activation of said ozone generator for a predetermined time duration even after water flow as sensed by said water flow sensor has ceased, whereby said ozone generator operates continuously when water is intermittently drawn out of said water outlet.