Bypass valve with blending feature

• US 20070144953A1
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aquion, Inc. (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Original Assignee: Aquion Partners Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Rivi, Glenn
• Granted Patent: US 7,736,500 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/130
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/001 Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance C02F1/44 takes precedence; construction of filters in general B01D24/00 - B01D41/00
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/42 by ion-exchange ion-exchange in general B01J
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/085 with cylindrical plug
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/207 with two handles or actuating mechanisms at opposite sides of the housing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2574 Bypass or relief controlled by main line fluid condition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87346 Including mixing feature

Abstract

A bypass valve assembly for directing fluid flow having at least one inlet and at least one outlet for fluid flow, the bypass valve assembly being attachable to a fluid treatment system. The bypass valve assembly also includes at least one bypass valve in the bypass valve assembly, the bypass valve having a service configuration and a bypass configuration wherein in the service configuration at least a portion of fluid entering the bypass valve assembly through the inlet is transmitted to the water treatment system and wherein in the bypass configuration fluid entering the bypass valve assembly is not transmitted to the fluid treatment system. At least one blending valve is operatively interconnected to the bypass valve assembly, wherein when the bypass valve is in the service configuration the blending valve allows a portion of fluid entering the inlet to be transmitted to the outlet without being transmitted to the fluid treatment system.

Claims

1. A bypass valve assembly for directing fluid flow comprising:

a bypass valve assembly having at least one inlet and at least one outlet for fluid flow, said bypass valve assembly being attachable to a fluid treatment system;

at least one bypass valve in said bypass valve assembly, said bypass valve having a service configuration and a bypass configuration wherein in said service configuration at least a portion of fluid entering said bypass valve assembly through said inlet is transmitted to said water treatment system and wherein in said bypass configuration fluid entering said bypass valve assembly is not transmitted to said fluid treatment system; and

at least one blending valve operatively interconnected to said bypass valve assembly, wherein when said bypass valve is in said service configuration said blending valve allows a portion of fluid entering said inlet to be transmitted to said outlet without being transmitted to said fluid treatment system.

2. The bypass valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein said blending valve is co-axial with a longitudinal axis of said blending valve.

3. The bypass valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein said blending valve is a needle valve.

4. The bypass valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein said blending valve is a ball valve.

5. The bypass valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein said blending valve is a sliding spool valve.

6. The bypass valve according to claim 1, wherein said blending valve is a plug valve.

7. The bypass valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein said fluid treatment system is a water softener.

8. The bypass valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein said fluid treatment system is a water filter.

9. The bypass valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein said fluid treatment system is a iron removal system.

11. The bypass valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein said blending valve is a needle valve.

12. The bypass valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein said blending valve is a ball valve.

13. The bypass valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein said blending valve is a sliding spool valve.

14. The bypass valve according to claim 1, wherein said blending valve is a plug valve.

15. The bypass valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein said fluid treatment system is a water softener.

16. The bypass valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein said fluid treatment system is a water filter.

17. The bypass valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein said fluid treatment system is a iron removal system.

10. A bypass valve assembly for directing fluid flow comprising:

a service port inlet, a first valve housing connected to said service port inlet and a valve port inlet connected to said valve housing;

a first valve rotatably disposed in said first valve housing, said first valve having at least a first and second potion and having a longitudinal axis, said first valve including a blending valve that is operatively interconnected to and co-axial with said first valve, said blending valve being in communication with a passageway extending from a point internal to said first valve to a point external to said first valve;

a bypass tube in fluid communication with said first valve housing;

a service port outlet, a second valve housing connected to said service port outlet and a valve port outlet connected to said second valve housing, wherein said second valve housing is in fluid communication with said bypass tube;

a second valve rotatably disposed in said second valve housing, said second valve having at least a first and second position;

wherein when said first and second valves are in said first position, fluid flowing into said service port inlet flows through said bypass tube and then out of said service port outlet; and

wherein when said first and second valve are in said second position, fluid flowing into said service port inlet partially flows through said first valve housing and into said valve port inlet and partially flows through said passageway into said bypass tube.

18. A valve for a bypass valve assembly comprising:

a valve body having a longitudinal axis; and

a blending valve that is co-axial with said longitudinal axis.

19. A valve according to claim 18, wherein said blending valve is a needle valve.

20. A valve according to claim 18, wherein said blending valve is a ball valve.