Shuttle valve for water softener system and method
First Claim
1. A piston assembly for a control valve in a water softener system, the control valve including a drive mechanism, one or more fluid passageways, and a seal assembly arranged within a central bore and in fluid communication with the one or more fluid passageways, the piston assembly comprising:
- a main piston moveably received within the seal assembly and including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the drive mechanism is connected to the first end of the main piston to selectively control a position of the main piston; and
a shuttle piston moveably received within the seal assembly and including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the shuttle piston is configured to selectively engage the second end of the main piston to form a seal therebetween and to selectively move relative to the second end of the main piston to form an opening between the second end of the main piston and the first end of the shuttle piston, in response to movement of the main piston.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide a piston assembly for a control valve in a water softener system. The control valve includes a drive mechanism, one or more fluid passageways, and a seal assembly. The piston assembly includes a main piston moveably received within the seal assembly and including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and a shuttle piston moveably received within the seal assembly. The shuttle piston includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and is configured to selectively engage the second end of the main piston to form a seal therebetween and to selectively move relative to the second end of the main piston to form an opening between the second end of the main piston and the first end of the shuttle piston, in response to movement of the main piston.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A piston assembly for a control valve in a water softener system, the control valve including a drive mechanism, one or more fluid passageways, and a seal assembly arranged within a central bore and in fluid communication with the one or more fluid passageways, the piston assembly comprising:
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a main piston moveably received within the seal assembly and including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the drive mechanism is connected to the first end of the main piston to selectively control a position of the main piston; and a shuttle piston moveably received within the seal assembly and including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the shuttle piston is configured to selectively engage the second end of the main piston to form a seal therebetween and to selectively move relative to the second end of the main piston to form an opening between the second end of the main piston and the first end of the shuttle piston, in response to movement of the main piston. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A piston assembly for a control valve in a water softener system, the control valve including a drive mechanism, one or more fluid passageways, and a seal assembly arranged within a central bore and in fluid communication with the one or more fluid passageways, the piston assembly comprising:
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a main piston moveably received within the seal assembly and including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the drive mechanism is connected to the first end of the main piston to selectively control a position of the main piston; a shuttle piston moveably received within the seal assembly and including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the shuttle piston is moveable between a latched position and an unlatched position; and a latching mechanism configured to cyclically transition the shuttle piston between the latched position and the unlatched position to control an axial position of the shuttle piston, wherein the latching mechanism cyclically transitions the shuttle piston between the latched position and the unlatched position in response to engagement and subsequent movement by the main piston. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A piston assembly for a control valve in a water softener system, the control valve including a drive mechanism, one or more fluid passageways, and a seal assembly arranged within a central bore and in fluid communication with the one or more fluid passageways, the piston assembly comprising:
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a main piston moveably received within the seal assembly and including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the drive mechanism is connected to the first end of the main piston to selectively control a position of the main piston; a shuttle piston moveably received within the seal assembly and including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the shuttle piston is moveable between a latched position and an unlatched position; a latching mechanism configured to cyclically transition the shuttle piston between the latched position and the unlatched position to control an axial position of the shuttle piston; and a biasing element arranged to provide a biasing force on the shuttle piston in a direction toward the main piston.
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32. A piston assembly for a control valve in a water softener system, the control valve including a drive mechanism, one or more fluid passageways, and a seal assembly arranged within a central bore and in fluid communication with the one or more fluid passageways, the piston assembly comprising:
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a main piston moveably received within the seal assembly and including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the drive mechanism is connected to the first end of the main piston to selectively control a position of the main piston; a shuttle piston moveably received within the seal assembly and including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the shuttle piston is moveable between a latched position and an unlatched position; and a latching mechanism configured to cyclically transition the shuttle piston between the latched position and the unlatched position to control an axial position of the shuttle piston, wherein the latching mechanism comprises a plurality of pins extending radially inwards from an inner surface of the shuttle piston, a biasing element, and a cam tube.
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33. A piston assembly for a control valve in a water softener system, the control valve including a drive mechanism, one or more fluid passageways, and a seal assembly arranged within a central bore and in fluid communication with the one or more fluid passageways, the piston assembly comprising:
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a main piston moveably received within the seal assembly and including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the drive mechanism is connected to the first end of the main piston to selectively control a position of the main piston; a shuttle piston moveably received within the seal assembly and including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the shuttle piston is moveable between a latched position and an unlatched position; and a latching mechanism configured to cyclically transition the shuttle piston between the latched position and the unlatched position to control an axial position of the shuttle piston, wherein the latching mechanism comprises a camming structure arranged on an inner surface of the shuttle piston, a rotating ring, a biasing element, and a guide tube.
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Specification