Methods and systems for fluid treatment having multiple cycles

• US 20070262024A1
• Filed: 02/21/2007
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: A O Smith Water Treatment Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Water-Right, Inc. (A O Smith Corporation)
• Inventors: Gruett, Guy, Gruett, Glenn, Gruett, Kurt
• Granted Patent: US 7,488,424 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/670
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 49/85 Controlling or regulating devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/42 by ion-exchange ion-exchange in general B01J
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/16 Regeneration of sorbents, filters

Abstract

A method for fluid treatment that provides alternative regeneration cycles within the same fluid treatment device. A second alternative regeneration cycle is available within the same device, which has independent cycles or processes from the first regeneration cycle. The first and second regeneration cycles can be programmed at the same time and be programmed to alternatively run based upon the number of individual cycles run, the time the cycles have run, the amount of fluid that has passed through the device, or the concentration of brine and/or chlorine in the fluid within the device.

Claims

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

providing a water treatment device;

programming said device for a first regeneration cycle, said first regeneration cycle having at least one stage selected from the group consisting of;

backwash, down brine, up brine, softening, rinse, service, and brine tank fill;

programming said device for a second regeneration cycle, said second regeneration cycle being independent of said first regeneration cycle, said second regeneration cycle having at least one stage selected from the group consisting of;

backwash, down brine, up brine, softening, rinse, service, and brine tank fill; and

providing means for commencing said second regeneration cycle.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said means for commencing is selected from the group consisting of:

monitoring the water level in the device, monitoring the percentage of brine within the device, monitoring the percentage of chlorine within the device, monitoring the number of said first regeneration cycles run, monitoring the volume of water passed through the device, and monitoring the time the device has been in operation.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said means for commencing said second regeneration cycle comprises a duration.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein said duration for said first regeneration cycle is measured as a number of said first regeneration cycles run.

5. The method according to claim 3 where said duration is measured as a volume.

6. The method according to claim 3 where said duration is measured as a time period.

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

providing a water treatment device;

programming said device for a first regeneration cycle, said first regeneration cycle having at least one stage selected from the group consisting of;

backwash, down brine, up brine, softening, rinse, service, and brine tank fill;

programming a duration for said first cycle;

programming said device for a second regeneration cycle, said second regeneration cycle being independent of said first regeneration cycle, said second regeneration cycle having at least one stage selected from the group consisting of;

backwash, down brine, up brine, softening, rinse, service, and brine tank fill; and

monitoring at least one characteristic of the water within the water treatment device.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein said duration for said first regeneration cycle is measured as a number of said first regeneration cycles run.

9. The method according to claim 7 where said duration for said first regeneration cycle is measured as a volume.

10. The method according to claim 8 where said duration for said first regeneration cycle is measured as a time period.

11. The method according to claim 7 wherein said step of monitoring at least one characteristic of the water comprises monitoring the concentration of brine within the water.

12. The method according to claim 11 further comprising the step of triggering an alarm when said brine concentration falls below a predetermined level.

13. A method of conditioning a residential water source, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a water treatment device;

programming said device for a first regeneration cycle, said first regeneration cycle having at least one stage selected from the group consisting of;

backwash, down brine, up brine, softening, rinse, service, and brine tank fill;

programming a duration for said first cycle;

programming said device for a second regeneration cycle, said second regeneration cycle being independent of said first regeneration cycle, said second regeneration cycle having at least one stage selected from the group consisting of;

backwash, down brine, up brine, softening, rinse, service, and brine tank fill; and

programming a duration for said second regeneration cycle.

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein said water treatment device is connected to a tank containing a brine solution, said method further comprising the step of monitoring the time for the treatment device to process the brine within said tank.

15. The method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of providing means for commencing said second regeneration cycle.

16. The method according to claim 15 wherein said means for commencing is selected from the group consisting of:

monitoring the water level in the device, monitoring the percentage of brine within the device, monitoring the percentage of chlorine within the device, monitoring the number of said first regeneration cycles run, monitoring the volume of water passed through the device, or monitoring the time the device has run.

17. The method according to claim 13 wherein at least one of said durations is measured as a number of said first regeneration cycles run.

18. The method according to claim 13 wherein at least one of said durations is measured as a volume.

19. The method according to claim 13 wherein at least one of said durations is measured as a time period.

20. The method according to claim 13 further including the step of monitoring at least one characteristic of the water within the water treatment device.