US1888531A - Water softener brine apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 22, 1932. s. G.- HARWOOD ET AL ,8

WATER SOFTENER BRINE APPARATUS Original Filed Nov. 28. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov, 22, 1932.

s. G; HARWOOD ETAL 1,888,531

WATER SOFTENER BRINE APPARATUS v Original Filed Nov. 28, 192 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I my; 2%;

Patented Nov. 22, 1932 UNITED STAT-ES PATENT" OFFICE STANLEY G. HARWOOD, OF MINNEAPOLIS,

MINNESOTA, ANn noNALD GRISWOLD, or

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE PERMUTIT COMPANY, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE WATER sor'rnmm BRINE APPARATUS Original application filed November 28,1927, Serial No. 236,122, now Patent No. 1,846,419, dated February 23, 1932. Divided and this application filed March 15, 1929. Serial No. 347,319.

This invention relates to water softeners of the base-exchange type and has more particular reference to automatic or semi-automatic softeners, although certain features of the present softener might be used in a hand-op erated softener to good advantage.

The principal object'of our invention is to provide 'a'softener having a br.' ne tank arranged' to b-e installed removably in the salt tank thereof, the brine tank having its valve and operating mechanism therefor, together with the strainer, all mounted thereon and removable therewith as a unit. This permits the casting of the brine tank separately and the complete assembling, inspection, and testing of theunit part from the softener, and has been found to be of special advantage in softeners Where the softener tank and salt tank are cast together in a single unit, in which case the casting of a brine chamber in the salt tank involved a very difficult and costly casting operation, attended with the danger of leakage especially in the brine chamber which had to be built water-tight enough to withstand city water pressures. The use, however, of a removable brine tank is not to be regarded as limited to softeners of the cast-in-one-unit type referred to, nor is it limited to use in castsalt tanks, nor to use in salt tanks where only a single unit ofthe present character may be used, inasmuch as in large industrial units it may be found practical to employ a number of removable brine tank units suitably interconnec'l ed for the supply of brine in the larger volumes required.

Incidental to the improvement just referred to but not l'fmitedto use where the brine tank is removable maybe mentioned the provision of an elongated valve s. em extending to a point above the bed of salt in the salt tank permitting the jiggling of the valve by hand in case the same tends to stick. Also the provision of a bell-shaped shield for the open top of the hydraulic cylinder containing the pis on for operating the valve, the shield serving to exclude dirt and grit from the cylinder which might otherwise resultin a failure of the valve to be operated properly. A

' feature of special advantage in connection with the removable brine tank is the provision of pipes for the admission of fresh water and the discharge of brine from the brine tank, the said -pipes being extended upwardly to a point near'the top of the salt tank so that they serve in the lowering of the tank into place aswell as in the removal thereof.

These pipes have their upper ends connected -with the control valve mechanism by means of flexible hoses, the use of which avoids the necessity for the precise location with respect to one another of the parts to be connected so that assembling is greatly facilitated and, at the same time, the cost is kept to a minimum.

being likewise shown in side elevation with a part thereof broken away so as not to hidethe mounting of the strainer element in the'8'0 cover 2 is a plan view. of Fig. 1 with the hood removed from above the softener tank and with the salt tank appearing in horizontal section in a plane slightly below the upper end thereof; and I Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical cross-section through the brine tank and the control valve mechanism therefor on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. The same reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts in the three views.

The softener in which the present improvements are illustrated as embodied is of the type first disclosed in our Patent No. 1,846.4:18, dated February 23, 1932, wherein the softener and salt tanks 4 and 5, respectively, are cast together to form a single selfcontained unitwith the valve mechanism 6,

valve operating mechanism 7 and meter 8 mounted above the softener tank suitably beoperated neath a hood 9 to give a neat symmetrical appearance. The valve mechanism 6 forms the subject matter of our Patent No. 1,593,- 300, issued July 20, 1926, and will not, therefore, require a detailed description and the same is true of the Valve operating mechanism 7, which is fully described and claimed in our copending application Serial No. 123,400, filed July 19, 1926. The mechanism is mounted on the cover 10, bolted as at 11 over the open top of the softener tank. Posts 12 projecting from the cover serve to support the valve operating mechanism 7 which is encased in an oil-tight box 13 beneath a cover plate 14. The mechanism 7 is at predetermined intervals by an electric motor 15 to shift the valve 6 whenever the circuit is completed through the motor as fully set forth in our copending application last above referred to. For the purposes of conveying a general understanding of the softener in order that the features of improvement forming the subject matterof the present mvention may be fully appreciated; a brief general description of the operation of the softenerwill be given at this point.

The hard water supplied from the water mains enters the softener through the pipe 16, passing through the meter 8, and a connection 17 for passage through the valve-6 in any one of three different directions depending on the position of the valve. In

normal operation the hard water is directed through the'pipe connection 18 into a sediment chamber 19 in the bottom of the sof tener tank 4 for passage upwardly through the bed ofwater softening material, the top level of which is indicated at 20. The water is thereby softened and is discharged from the tank through the pipe connection 21 and from thence through the valve 6 to the soft water supply pipe 22. The latter has connection with the usual service system. At the end of the softening run the circuit for the motor 15 is completed by the meter 8 or by a control clock through the intermediary of the mechanism 7, directly if the operation is fully automatic, and indirectly by a pushbutton switch, for example, if the operation is semi-automatic. 'At any rate, the motor 15 operates the valve 6 to the regenerating position and then is shut 011'. During regeneration the valve in its new position directs the incoming hard water through a port at 23 communicating, as will hereinafter appear, with a brine chamber provided in a brine tank 24 disposed in the salt tank 5. Brine is displaced from the tank 24 by the injection of the fresh hard water and is discharged into a port of the valve 6, indicated at 25, for passage through the valve 6 into the pipe connection 21 communicating, as stated before, with the top of the softener tank 4. The

brine is thus passed through the bed of sof- 'is involved proportionately.

rinse or flush position. When the valve is in its new positionthe incoming hard Water is directed to the bottom of the softener tank through the pipe connection 18. Waste water is discharged from the top of the tank through the pipe connection 21 and is conducted through the valve 6 into the waste pipe 26 leading tothe sewer. The rinse wa ter is metered the same as the salt-wash water and the mechanism 7 initiates a third operation of the motor after a predetermined ,amount of water has passed through forthe rinse. This third operation of the valve shifts it from the rinse'position back to the normal softening position. This brief description is thought to suflice for the present purposes. I

The brine tank 24, according to the present invention, is cast separate and is arranged to be removably installed in the bottom of the salt tank 5 in the manner illustrated, the bed of salt being filled in on top thereof. With this construction there is the advantage that the valve assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral 27, with the fresh water inlet pipe 28 and brine outlet pipe 29 may be completely assembled on the tank outside of the softener and the unit can be subjected to 'tests'before the same is lowered into place in the salt tank. The assembling and testing expenses are accordingly reduced to a minimum. The casting of the brine tank apart from the salt tank is, of course, of very great advantage in that the casting would otherwise be quite complicated and expensive and there would be danger of leaks which might necessitate the discarding of the entire casting.- In the present case, if the brine tank casting proves defective very little loss Furthermore, the testing of the small brine tank can be carried out with much greater ease and facility than would be the case if the brine tank were cast as a chamber in the salt tank. Whenever it is desired to inspect the valve assembly 27 the brine tank may be lifted out by the pipes 28 and 29. lVhether or not the valve assembly has to be removed from the brine tank for inspection, it will be ap parent that no difficulties will be met with either in the disassembling or reassembling inasmuch as the parts are handy to get at when the brine tank is removed from the salt tank. The valve assembly 27 for the brine tank 2* is made up generally along the lines of that described and claimed in Sweeney Patout No. 1,693,829, issued December 4, 1928, and accordingly no invention is claimed in the general features thereof, although certain improvements herein specifically referred to form a part of thepresent invention. The brine tank 24, as illustrated in F ig..3, has an opening 30 in the top wall thereof closed by a cap 31 forming the frame of the valve assembly. The cap is bolted down, as indicated at 32, over suitable packing.33 to give a water-tight jo'nt. A bushing 34 is threaded in a central opening in the cap 31 andprovides a valve seat for a rubber disk valve 36. The latter, as described 'in the Sweeney Patent, is operated by a piston 37 received in a hydraulic cylinder 38. A compressionspring 39 provides a yielding connection between the'valve 36 and the piston 37. The cap- 31'has the pipes 28 and 29 screwed. therein, as indicated, the pipe 28 communicating with a passage 40 leadin to'the lower end of the cylinder38 while uf pipe 29 communicates with'a passage 41 opening'into the inside of .the brine tank or whatserves asfthe brine chamber. The cylinder 38 has ports 42 in the walls thereof arranged tobeuncovered by the piston 37 when the latter is forced upwardly under the action of the incoming fresh water, the latter being then discharged through the ports 42 into the brine tank and displacing the brine therefrom out through the passage 41 and into the pipe 29. The valve 36 is closed a result of the rise of the piston 37 as will be clear from observation of Fig. 3. The tank is, therefore, sealed before the fresh water is admitted to commence the displacement of the brine therefrom. We may provide a bell-shaped shield 43 above the upper end of I the cylinder 38 to exclude d rt and grit therefrom which might otherwise interfere with the easy operation of. the piston 37 in the opening and closing of the valve 36. The shield 43 is secured to the valve 36 and in the open position of the latter comes to rest on top of the cylinder 38 so that any refuse is absolutely excluded from entry into the cylinder. The depending side walls of the shield exclosed position of the valve so that protection is afforded at the sides as-well as at thetop.

' This protection of the cylinder is quite important when it is considered that some users of softeners are apt to get low grades of salt having more or less dirt and grit therein which, if they got in between the cylinder and the piston, might result in the sticking of the latter and hence in a failure of the softener to operate properly. The thought in providing this improvement is to avoid likelihood of any such difliculty arising, to

the end that the servicing of the softeners will be reduced to aminimum. If, for any reason, the valve fails to open or close, the

.tire brine tank unit.

stem 44 provided of elongated form extending upwardly from the valve to a point near the top ofthe salt tank and appreciably above the salt bed. The stem 44 extends through a tube 45 which serves as a casing therefor, a cap 46 being suitably provided to close the upper end of the tube and arranged for easy removal to altord access to the stem 44. The tube 45 is fixed on the upper end of a strainer element 47 fixed on the bushing 34 as by means of screws 48. Thestrainer element consists of a: skeleton frame having a screen covering the openings therein and serving to retain'the salt against entry into the brine tank while permitting relatively unrestricted fluid communication between the brine tank and the'salt tank past the'valve 36 when the latter is opened. The provision of the elongated stem 44 for the purpose referred to is another improvement provided with a view to reducing the necessity for service calls, in-

asmuch as the user can readily attend to the jiggling of the valve to dislodge the same if the same happens to get stuck where it will either fail to open or fail to close, the failure to open being obviously due to a sticking of the valve to its seat coupled with a possible.

sticking or sluggish action of the piston,

.while a failure "of the valve to close would be due to a possible sticking of the piston alone, either of which conditions are oftentimes quickly remedied by a few reciprocations of the parts in the manner suggested. \Vhere the valve assembly requires removal for inspection or repair, as stated above, thepipes 28 and 29 provide a convenient means for the removal and replacement of the en- The repairman in re-. moving the unit simply uncouples the hose connections at 49 and 50 at the upper ends of the pipes 28 and 29, respectively. These hose connections avoid the necessity for precise location of the brine tank unit in thesalt tank and are, of course, much more GCOIIOIIH- cal to provide than easierto assemble. v

Referring now more particularly to Fig.

pipe connections and '.1, it Will be observed that novel distributing tend about the sides of the cylinder ,in the the softener tank 4. A strainer tube 51 1s means are employed at the top and bottom of carried on a plug 52 screwed at 53 in a boss 54 cast integral with the cover 10 atone side of the latter, the strainer being accessible upon removal of a plug 55 closing an opening in an adjacent side of the boss. Thus,

the strainer may be removed upon occasion for the purposes of cleaning, inspectlon, or replacement. The strainer communicates with the ipe connection 21 which leads. into the boss 5 ,Ias shown. The strainerextends downwardly at. an acute angle with'respect to the cover into the head space above the bed of water softening material. It is, therefore,

disposed transversely with respect to the top 5" means of the bed. This, of course, makes for easy access to the strainer for the water leaving the top of the bed during softening operation and also makes for better distribution of the brine to all parts of the bed during regeneration. The fact that the boss 5 is provided in the cover simplifies assembling considerably, inasmuch as a great part of the connections may-be completed in one assembly on the cover before the cover is fastened onto the softener tank. Furthermore, when the hood' 9 is placed over the softener tank the boss 54 is concealed and with it the pipe connections therefor and, of course, the valve and its operating'mechanism and the pipe connections for the valve. claimed in our parent Patent No. 1,846,419. The distributing means at the bottom of the softener tank, which also forms the basis for claims in the parent patent just referred to, comprises a distributor plate 56 having a plurality of T shaped strainer nozzles 57 mounted in openings therein. The plate 56 rests about its edges on top of an annular rim 58 cast integral with the side walls of the tank 4 and defining the top of the sediment chamber 19. A gasket 59 is interposed between the plate 56 and the rim 58 and arranged to be compressed by the tightening of a nut 60 on a stud61 so that a good watertight joint is provided. The clamping pressure is equalized at all points about the edges of the plate 56 by reasonof the fact that the stud 61 is centrally located with reference to the circular plate. 56. The stud 61 is mounted'in a plug 62 closing an opening in the bottom wall of the sediment chamber, the opening being necessitated in the coring of the casting, the same as in the case of the lug 63 closing an opening in the bottom of the salt tank 5.

It is believed the foregoing dcscription conveys a complete understanding of our invention and of its-advantages over previous types of water softeners known to the art. Although we have described our invention by reference to one-specific embodiment it should be understood that it is capable of considerable variation in design and construction as well as in the arrangement of parts. We are, therefore, not to be construed as limited to the details herein illustrated and described, but may avail ourselves of all legitimate modifications, adaptations and variations within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. We claim 1'. In a water softener apparatus, means for providing brine comprising a salt. tank,

, and a brine tank removably installedin the on top thereof, said i in open communication with the interior of salt tank and arranged to have salt stored brine tank being normally the salt tank and having connections for flowing water through the brine tank, valve for controlling the flow throughthe munication between the two tanks This feature is and means for shutting off com-' during the flow of water through the brine tank.

2. In a water softener apparatus, means for supplying brine comprising a salt tank, a separate brine tank removably installed in connections,

the bottom of the salt tank and arranged to have salt stored on top thereof, a valve mechanism mounted on said brine tank con- 7 trolling communication between the two tanks, automatically operated means for operating said valve mechanism, and fresh water inlet and brine outlet pipes connected with the brine tank and associated with the last mentioned means to operate the same, the inlet and outlet pipes extending upwardly from'the brine tank to the top of the salt tank and serving in the lowering of the brine tank into place therein or in the removal of said .tank therefrom. I 3. A water softener brine tank mechanism comprising, in combination with a brine chamber on top of which salt is arranged to be stored, a cap closing an opening leading into the brine chamber and having a valve seat defining an opening therein affording communicatlon with the inside of the brine chamber through the cap, a valve mounted in the cap and arranged to move to close said opening whereby to seal the brine chamber, a piston for operating said valve, a cylinder having the piston operating therein, a fresh water inlet pipe communicating with said cylinder behind the pi on therein arranged toiutroduce water to derate the piston, the cylinder havingwpenings for the discharge of the fresh water into the brine chamber, a brine outlet pipe communicating with the brine chamber, and a shield for the open end of the'cylindcr to exclude dirt and grit therefrom.

4. A structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein the shield is mounted on and movable with the valve and serves to close the end of the cylinder when the valve is in open position.

5. A structure as set forth 'in claim 3 wherein the shield has an apron portion to cludin'ga strainergmounted on the cap over I the valve seat to exclude salt from entry into the brine chamber, an elongated valve stem extending upwardly through the upper end of the strainer to a point above the salt bed to permit' manual operation of the valve when desired, and a" tube mounted on the upper end of the strainer and-extending up wardly therefrom through the salt bed and having the valve stem extending therethrough whereby the tube serves as a casing for the stem, the upper end of the tube being suitably capped to permit access to the end of the valve stem whenever desired.

8. In a water softener brine apparatus, the

combination of a salttank, a separate brine -tank and serving primarily as a liquid cirtank placed in the bottom of said salt tank under a bed of salt therein, said brine tankhaving an opening affording communication between it and the interior of the salt tank, a frame covering said opening, a valve mounted in said frame normally occupying open position for the purposeof permitting the formation of brine in said chamber between regenerations, mechanism carried by said frame for'operating said valve to closed position, said mechanism being hydraulically operable, and a pair of pipes attached to and extending from said frame to an appreciable elevation in said container, the one pipe servingas a fresh Water inlet and having communication with the hydraulically operable mechanism to accomplish the operation thereof, and the other pipe serving as a brine outlet for the chamber, said frame together with everything assembled thereon being remov-s able and replaceable as a unit, and the two pipes'serving as a means whereby the same is arranged to be removed and replaced.-

9. A structure as set forth in claim 8 including an elongated valve stem for the brine valve extendingupwardly therefrom to a point above the level of the salt in the salt tank to permit manual manipulation thereof.

10. A structure as set forth in claim 8 including a strainer element mounted on said frame over the brine valve and an elongated valve stem for the brine valve extending upwardly therefrom through the strainer element to a point above the level of the salt in the salt tank.

11. A structure as set forth in claim 8 including a strainer element mountedon said frame over the brine-valve, a tube extending from the top of said strainer element to a point above the level of .the salt in the salt tank, and an elongated valve stem' for the brine valve extending upwardly therefrom through said tube to the upper end of the latter.

12. A structure as set forth in claim 8 including a strainer element mounted on said frame over the brine valve, a tube extending from the top of said strainer element to a point above the level of the salt in the salt tank, an elongated valve stem for the brine valve extending upwardly therefrom through said tube to the upper end of the latter, and a removable closure for the upper end of said tube.

13. In a water softener brine apparatus,

a salt tank, a separate brine tank placed in the bottom of the salt tank and arranged to regeneration, and a pipe attached to and extending upwardly from the brine tank to a point above the level of the salt "in the salt culation pipe for the brine tank but arranged to serve also in the lowering of the brine tank into place in the salt tank or in-the removal comprising, in combination with a brine chamber in a salt tank, on top of which salt is arranged to be stored,'of a plate closing an opening leading into the brine chamber and having a valve seat defining an opening therein affording communication with the inside of the brine chamber, a valve disposed in said opening and arranged to move upwardly from open position to close said opening whereby to seal'the brine chamber, a piston below said valve for operating the same, :1 cylinder wherein the piston is operable vertically, a fresh water inlet pipe communicating with the lower end of said cylinder behind the piston arranged to introduce water to operate the latter, the cylinder having openings for the discharge of fresh water into the brine chamber, a brine outlet pipe communicating with the brine chamber, and a shield covering the open top of the cylinder to exclude dirt and grit therefrom.

15. A structure as set ,forth in claim 14. wherein the shield is mounted on and movable with the valve and serves to close the top of the cylinder when the valve is in open position.

16. A structure as set forth in claim 14 wherein the'shield is cup-shaped to provide an apron portion extending about the sides of .the cylinder to afford protection from the sides as well as from the top. 17. A structure as set forth in claim 14 including an elongated valve stem extending upwardly from the valve through the salt bed above the brine chamber'for the purpose of permitting manual operation of the valve when desired.

18. A structure as set forth, in claim 14 including a strainer mounted over the valve seat, to exclude salt from entry into the brine chamber, and an elongated valve stem extending upwardly from thevalve through the strainer and'through the salt bed for the purpose of permitting manual operation of said valve when desired.

19. In a water softener brine apparatus, the combination of a salt tank, a brine tank disposed inthe bottom of the salt tank so that the top wall thereof forms the support for the salt bed in the salt tank, a strainer on the top of the brine tank through which mally communication is afforded between the brine tank and the salt tank for the purpose of filling the brine tank wtih brine between regenerations, the brine tank together with its strainer being arranged to be removed from the salt tank, and means for conducting the brine from the brine tank during regenera-. tion.

20. A structure as set forth in claim 19 wherein the last mentioned means includes a brine tank removably installed in the salttank, valve means on the brine tank and removable therewith from' the salt tank norallowing communication between the brine tank and the salt tank for the filling of the brine tank with brine between regenerations, said valve means serving to cut off such communication during regeneration, and

means for conducting brine from the brine tank during regeneration, said means providing a fresh water inlet connection for said brine tank whereby in regeneration to replace the brine with fresh water.

22. A structure as set forth in claim 21 wherein the last mentioned means includes two conduits havingcommunication with the brine tank and extending upwardly therefrom toward the top of the salt tank, the

said conduits being arranged to be used in the removal and placement of the brine tank.

23. In a water softener brine apparatus, the combination of a salt tank, a brine tank removably installed in the bottom of the salt tank so that the top wall thereof serves as a support for the bed of salt in the salt tank, a valve in the top wall of the brine tank and removable therewith from the salt tank and controlling communication between the brine tank and the salt tank and permitting the filling of the brine tank with brine between regenerations, said valve having a part for manipulating the same extending upwardly through the salt bed toward the top of the salt tank, and means for Withdrawing brine from the brine tank during regeneration.

24. In a water softener brine apparatus,

' the combination of a salt tank, a separate brine tank placed in the bottom of the salttank so that the top wall thereof serves as a support for the bed of salt in the salt tank, a valve'mechanism for controlling communication between the brine tank and the salt tank and removable with the brinetank from the salt tank, said mechanism including a with brine, hydraulically operated means having connection with the valve for closingthe same at the time of regeneration to cut off such communicatio and a pair of conduits one of which serves as a fresh water inlet for the brine tank and is so related to the hydraulically operated means to cause the-closing of the valve when fresh water is introduced into the brine tank, and the other of which communicates with the brine tank and serves as a brine outlet, at least one of said conduits extending upwardly from the brine tank toward the top of the salt tank and arranged to be used in the removal and placement of the brine tank.

25. A structure as set forth in claim 24 including a strainer cooperating with the valve to retain the salt in the salt tank from direct passage into the brine tank, the said strainer being removable with the. brine tank from the salt tank together with the valve mechanism.

- 26. A structure as set forth in claim 24 including a part for operating thevalve independently of the hydraulically operated means extending upwardly through the salt bed toward the topof the salt tank.

27. Astructure as set forth in claim 24 including a frame for the valve mechanism removably mounted on the brine tank and closing an opening provided in the top wall' thereof.

28. In apparatus of the class described, a

tank to contain salt and water having in its lower part a brine receiving receptacle provided with piping for. introducing water to and conducting brine from said receptacle and with means automatically operable when water is introduced to said receptacle for shutting off communication between the interior of the salt tank and the brine receptacle, saidreceptacleand its said equipment including the'piping being a bodily removable unit contained within the salt tank. M

In witness of @the foregoing we aflix our signatures.

STANLEY G. HARWOOD. DONALD GRISWOLD.

valve afiording communication between the brine tank and the salt tank between regenerations-to permit the filling of the brine tank

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