Apparatus for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid such as water

• US 20100170857A1
• Filed: 01/03/2009
• Published: 07/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Ecology, Inc. (Loar Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Ecology, Inc. (Loar Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Williams, Richard T., Beiswenger, Carl
• Granted Patent: US 9,845,259 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/741
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/302 having inlet or outlet ports
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/4015 Bayonet connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/147 Bypass or safety valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/30 Filter housing constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/444 by ultrafiltration or microfiltration
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/001 Build in apparatus for autonomous on board water supply and wastewater treatment (e.g. for aircrafts, cruiseships, oil drilling platforms, railway trains, space stations)
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/006 Cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2301/043 Treatment of partial or bypass streams
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 Disinfection
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 9/20 Portable or detachable small-scale multistage treatment devices, e.g. point of use or laboratory water purification systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3084 Discriminating outlet for gas
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/794 With means for separating solid material from the fluid

Abstract

An apparatus for filtering water has a valve head and a filtration/purification canister removably mountable thereon. Connecting the canister to the valve head automatically opens a check valve in the valve head to permit water to flow from the valve head into and through the canister, and then back to and through the valve head to an outlet port. Disconnecting the canister from the valve head automatically closes the check valve, stopping the flow of water. A bypass valve is provided in the valve head to permit a sanitizing solution to flow through the valve head and along the lines of the water distribution system to sanitize the system, while bypassing the canister. The outlet port may be directly connected to an appliance that uses water, to eliminate possible contamination that may occur when water is brought indirectly from the outlet port to the appliance instead.

Claims

1. An apparatus for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid, comprising

a valve head having a first passageway extending through it and being adapted to be connected to a fluid transmission line,

a first check valve positioned in the first passageway of the valve head for blocking flow of fluid through the first passageway when the valve is closed,

the first check valve including a valve housing, the valve housing having an annular ring having an annular inner wall surface, the annular inner wall surface having an annular ledge formed thereon creating a valve seat, and a movable valve disc contained within the valve housing that closes the first check valve when the valve disc rests against the valve seat and that permits flow of fluid through the first check valve when the valve disc is not resting against the valve seat, the valve disc having a guide pin formed on and extending upstream from its upstream face that is engaged by and slides in a guide pin holder to keep motion of the valve disc on a line that permits proper seating of the valve disc on the valve seat when the first check valve is closed, the guide pin holder being positioned upstream of the annular ring,

an outlet port formed at an outlet end portion of the first passageway in the valve head, a pressure vessel,

means positioned in the pressure vessel for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid,

the pressure vessel having an inlet port that is in fluid communication with the outlet port formed at the outlet end portion of the first passageway in the valve head when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head,

the pressure vessel having a first passageway extending from the inlet port of the pressure vessel to the means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid,

the pressure vessel having a second passageway extending from the means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid to an outlet port of the pressure vessel,

the valve head having a second passageway extending through it and adapted to be connected to a fluid receiving line at an outlet port of the second passageway of the valve head,

the valve head having an inlet port formed at an inlet end portion of the second passageway of the valve head,

the inlet port formed at the inlet end portion of the second passageway in the valve head being in fluid communication with the outlet port of the pressure vessel when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head,

connecting/disconnecting means formed on the valve head and the pressure vessel for connecting the pressure vessel to the valve head, when desired, to permit flow of fluid from the first passageway in the valve head to the inlet port of the pressure vessel, and for disconnecting the pressure vessel from the valve head, when desired, to stop flow of fluid from the first passageway of the valve head to the inlet port of the pressure vessel,

actuating means for automatically opening the first check valve in the valve head when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head,

the actuating means including a pin positioned in the first passageway of the valve head between the valve disc and the outlet port at the outlet end portion of the first passageway of the valve head, the pin having a first end portion that engages the valve disc, and the pin having a second end portion,

the actuating means further including an end portion of the pressure vessel that engages the second end portion of the pin when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head causing the pin to push against and lift the valve disc of the first check valve off the valve seat of the first check valve to open the first check valve, and

a second check valve positioned in the second passageway of the valve head for blocking backflow of fluid from the second passageway of the valve head when the pressure vessel is not connected to the valve head.

2. The apparatus of claim 1,

the second check valve including

a valve housing, the valve housing having an annular ring having an annular inner wall surface, the annular inner wall surface having an annular ledge formed thereon creating a valve seat, and

a movable valve disc contained in the housing that closes the second check valve when the valve disc rests against the valve seat and that permits flow of fluid through the second check valve when the valve disc is not resting against the valve seat, the valve disc having a guide pin formed on and extending downstream from its downstream face that is engaged by and slides in a guide pin holder to keep motion of the valve disc on a line that permits proper seating of the valve disc on the valve seat when the second check valve is closed, the guide pin holder being positioned downstream of the annular ring of the second check valve.

3. The apparatus of claim 1,

the valve head having a third passageway formed therein and extending from the first passageway at a position upstream of the first check valve to the second passageway downstream of the second check valve, and

a bypass valve positioned in the valve head that has a portion that when extended into the third passageway blocks flow of fluid through the third passageway and that when withdrawn from a blocking position in the third passageway opens the third passageway to permit fluid to flow therethrough.

4. The apparatus of claim 3,

the bypass valve including

a shaft having a first end portion, a second end portion, and threading on a portion of its length,

a thread engaging member secured on the valve head for engaging the threading of the shaft,

a handle mounted on the first end portion of the shaft for rotating the shaft in a first direction to move the second end portion of the shaft from the third passageway and for rotating the shaft in a direction opposite to the first direction to move the second end portion of the shaft into the third passageway, and

a sealing member mounted on the second end portion of the shaft.

5. The apparatus of claim 3,

the bypass valve including

a shaft having a first end portion and a second end porting,

a sealing member mounted on the first end portion of the shaft for sealing between the shaft and a portion of the third passageway wall to seal close the third passageway that the first end of the shaft is positioned in the third passageway,

a biasing member mounted on the shaft for pushing the shaft into a position that closes the third passageway, and

a handle pivotally mounted on the second end portion of the shaft, the handle having a cam formed thereon,

wherein when the handle is positioned in the first position, the biasing member pushes the shaft into a position that closes the third passageway, and when the handle is positioned in a second position by pivoting the handle on its cam, the first end portion is pulled into a position that opens the third passageway by withdrawing the first end portion of the shaft from a blocking position in the third passageway.

6. The apparatus of claim 1,

the valve head having a fourth passageway extending therethrough for venting purposes, the fourth passageway being defined by a wall,

an automatic venting/vacuum breaking device positioned in the fourth passageway for automatically venting air contained in the apparatus and for breaking any unwanted vacuum formed in the apparatus,

the automatic venting/vacuum breaking device including a vent sleeve positioned in a chamber formed along the fourth passageway, the vent sleeve having a downstream end portion and an upstream end portion, the vent sleeve having a cylindrical wall having an annular inwardly extending ledge formed at the downstream end portion of the vent sleeve, the vent sleeve having a plurality of cutouts in its cylindrical wall extending from the upstream end portion of the vent sleeve toward the downstream end portion of the vent sleeve, the ledge having an upstream side and a downstream side,

an o-ring seal positioned downstream of the ledge, and

a ball having a density slightly greater than the density of the fluid being filtered and/or conditioned and/or purified by the apparatus, the ball being positioned in the vent sleeve,

the venting/vacuum breaking device remaining in an open position until the ball is pushed by the fluid into engagement with a portion of the o-ring creating a seal between the ball and the o-ring and the o-ring and the portion of the fourth passageway wall, thereby closing the fourth passageway.

7. The apparatus of claim 1,

the connecting/disconnecting means comprising a twist-on structure.

8. The apparatus of claim 1,

the pressure vessel having a neck,

the connecting/disconnecting means comprising

a bayonet-style mount including a plurality pins mounted on the valve head, and a plurality of grooves formed on the neck, each groove having a first end portion where a corresponding pin from the plurality of pins mounted on the valve head may be inserted and moved along the groove by turning the pressure valve until a second end portion of the groove is reached, thereby securing the pressure vessel to the valve head.

9. The apparatus of claim 1,

the actuating means including a raised cam formed on the end portion of the pressure vessel that engages the second end portion of the pin when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head causing the pin to push against and lift the valve disc of the first check valve off the valve seat of the first check valve to open the first check valve,

10. The apparatus of claim 8, further including

a plurality of indents formed in the end portion of the pressure vessel , and

a plurality of spring-loaded plungers mounted on the valve head which click into the corresponding indents and push against the end portion of the pressure vessel when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head.

11. The apparatus of claim 1,

the pressure vessel comprising

a cover having a top wall, a side wall extending downwardly from the top wall, the side wall of the cover having a lower end portion, and a cover rim formed on the lower end portion of the side wall of the cover,

a bowl having a bottom wall, a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the side wall of the bowl having an upper end portion, and a bowl rim formed on the upper end portion of the side wall of the bowl,

the cover rim and the bowl rim being joined together to form a sealed seam portion of the pressure vessel, and

a reinforcement member secured around the pressure vessel for reinforcing the pressure vessel.

12. The apparatus of claim 11,

the reinforcement member comprising a metal ring or a metal clamp or carbon, fiberglass, aramid or other suitable fibers or materials wrapping around the pressure vessel.

13. The apparatus of claim 1,

the pressure vessel including a compressible column mounted therein and substantially surrounded by the means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid for accommodating possible expansion of the fluid,

the compressible column protecting against damage to the pressure vessel and/or means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid caused by freezing if the fluid freezes and expands in the pressure vessel by providing space, for fluid to expand , the fluid expanding into and comprising the compressible column as the fluid freezes.

14. The apparatus of claim 13,

the outlet port of the pressure vessel including a tube having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a passageway extending through the tube from a first end of the tube to a second end of the tube through which fluid that has been filtered and/or conditioned and/or purified in

the pressure vessel moves to exit the pressure vessel,

the tube having an interior surface portion and an exterior surface portion, the tube having a plurality of fins formed on the interior surface portion of the tube at the first end portion of the tube, the fins extending inwardly into the passageway of the tube and being oriented to extend parallel to a center axis of the tube for blocking the compressible column from entering the tube and plugging the passageway extending there through if the compressible column inadvertently breaks loose from where it is mounted in the pressure vessel, and

the tube at its first end portion having a plurality of cutouts made therein to permit flow of fluid that has been filtered and/or conditioned and/or purified in the pressure vessel to continue to enter the tube if the compressible column breaks loose from where it is mounted in the pressure vessel and abuts against the first end of the tube.

15. The apparatus of claim 1,

the outlet port of the pressure vessel including a tube having a passageway extending through the tube through which fluid that has been filtered and/or conditioned and/or purified moves to exit the pressure vessel,

the tube having an exterior surface portion, and

the exterior surface portion having an annular groove formed therein,

the pressure vessel further including

a flapper valve for reducing/preventing backflow of fluid from the inlet port of the pressure vessel,

the flapper valve comprising a flexible disc mounted on the tube in the annular groove formed on the tube, the flexible disc having a central opening formed therein through which the tube extends,

the flexible disc extending across the first passageway of the pressure vessel,

the flexible disc flexing in a first direction to open the first passageway of the pressure vessel when pushed by inbound fluid entering the pressure vessel to permit inbound flow of fluid to pass it as inbound fluid flows through the first passageway of the pressure vessel, and

the flexible disc flexing in a second direction to abut against a portion of an interior wall of the pressure vessel along the first passageway of the pressure vessel to close the first passageway of the pressure vessel when pushed by a back flow of fluid from the pressure vessel along the first passageway of the pressure vessel.

16. The apparatus of claim 1,

the pressure vessel having a bottom wall having a passageway extending through it for venting purposes, the passageway being defined by a wall,

an automatic venting device positioned in the passageway for automatically venting air and for breaking any unwanted vacuum,

the automatic venting device including a vent sleeve positioned in a chamber formed in the passageway, the vent sleeve having a downstream end portion and an upstream end portion, the vent sleeve having a cylindrical wall having an annular inwardly extending ledge formed at the downstream end portion of the vent sleeve, the vent sleeve having a plurality of cutouts in its cylindrical wall extending from the upstream end portion of the vent sleeve toward the downstream end portion of the vent sleeve, the ledge having an upstream side and a downstream side,

means positioned downstream of the ledge for creating a valve seat and for sealing between the valve seat and the wall of the passageway, and

a ball having a density slightly greater than the density of the fluid being filtered and/or conditioned and/or purified, the ball being positioned in the vent sleeve,

the venting device remaining in an open position until the ball is pushed by the fluid into engagement with the valve seat to close the passageway.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further including

a color-coded, snap-on ring mounted around an outlet port formed at an outlet portion of the second passageway in the valve head to assist in distinguishing such outlet port from an inlet port formed at an inlet portion of the first passageway in the valve head.

18. An automatic valving device for a pressure vessel that holds means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid, comprising

a body having a first passageway extending through it and being adapted to be connected to a fluid transmission line,

a first check valve positioned in the first passageway of the body for blocking flow of fluid through the first passageway when the valve is closed,

an outlet port formed at an outlet end portion of the first passageway in the body,

the body having a second passageway extending through it and adapted to be connected to a fluid receiving line at an outlet port of the second passageway of the body,

the body having an inlet port formed at an inlet end portion of the second passageway of the body,

the inlet port formed at the inlet end portion of the second passageway in the body being in fluid communication with the outlet port of the pressure vessel when the pressure vessel is connected to the body,

connecting/disconnecting means formed on the body for connecting the body to the pressure vessel, when desired, to permit flow of fluid from the first passageway in the body to the pressure vessel, and for disconnecting the body from the pressure vessel, when desired, to stop flow of fluid from the first passageway of the body to the pressure vessel,

actuating means for automatically opening the first check valve in the body when the pressure vessel is connected to the body,

a second check valve positioned in the second passageway of the body for blocking backflow of fluid from the second passageway of the body when the pressure vessel is not connected to the body,

the body having a third passageway formed therein and extending from the first passageway at a position upstream of the first check valve to the second passageway downstream of the second check valve, and

a bypass valve positioned in the body that has a portion that when extended into the third passageway blocks flow of fluid through the third passageway and that when withdrawn from a blocking position in the third passageway opens the third passageway to permit fluid to flow therethrough.

19. The device of claim 18,

the bypass valve including

a shaft having a first end portion, a second end portion, and threading on a portion of its length,

a thread engaging member secured on the body for engaging the threading of the shaft,

a handle mounted on the first end portion of the shaft for rotating the shaft in a first direction to move the second end portion of the shaft from the third passageway and for rotating the shaft in a direction opposite to the first direction to move the second end portion of the shaft into the third passageway, and

a sealing member mounted on the second end portion of the shaft.

20. The device of claim 18, the bypass valve including

a shaft having a first end portion and a second end porting,

a sealing member mounted on the first end portion of the shaft for sealing between the shaft and a portion of the third passageway wall to sealingly close the third passageway that the first end of the shaft is positioned in the third passageway,

a biasing member mounted on the shaft for pushing the shaft into a position that closes the third passageway, and

a handle pivotly mounted on the second end portion of the shaft, the handle having a cam formed thereon,

wherein when the handle is positioned in the first position, the biasing member pushes the shaft into a position that closes the third passageway, and when the handle is positioned in a second position by pivoting the handle on its cam, the first end portion is pulled into a position that opens the third passageway by withdrawing the first end portion of the shaft from a blocking position in the third passageway.

21. The device of claim 18,

the body having a fourth passageway extending therethrough for venting purposes, the fourth passageway being defined by a wall,

an automatic venting/vacuum breaking device positioned in the fourth passageway for automatically venting air and for breaking any unwanted vacuum,

the automatic venting/vacuum breaking device including a vent sleeve positioned in a chamber formed along the fourth passageway, the vent sleeve having a downstream end portion and an upstream end portion, the vent sleeve having a cylindrical wall having an annular inwardly extending ledge formed at the downstream end portion of the vent sleeve, the vent sleeve having a plurality of cutouts in its cylindrical wall extending from the upstream end portion of the vent sleeve toward the downstream end portion of the vent sleeve, the ledge having an upstream side and a downstream side,

an o-ring seal positioned downstream of the ledge, and

a ball having a density slightly greater than the density of the fluid being filtered and/or conditioned and/or purified, the ball being positioned in the vent sleeve,

the venting/vacuum breaking device remaining in an open position until the ball is pushed by the fluid into engagement with a portion of the o-ring creating a seal between the ball and the o-ring and the o-ring and a portion of the fourth passageway wall, thereby closing the fourth passageway.

22. An automatic valving device for a pressure vessel that holds means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid, comprising

a body having a first passageway extending through it and being adapted to be connected to a fluid transmission line,

a first check valve positioned in the first passageway of the body for blocking flow of fluid through the first passageway when the valve is closed,

an outlet port formed at an outlet end portion of the first passageway in the body,

the body having a second passageway extending through it and adapted to be connected to a fluid receiving line at an outlet port of the second passageway of the body,

the body having an inlet port formed at an inlet end portion of the second passageway of the body,

the inlet port formed at the inlet end portion of the second passageway in the body being in fluid communication with the outlet port of the pressure vessel when the pressure vessel is connected to the body,

connecting/disconnecting means formed on the body for connecting the body to the pressure vessel, when desired, to permit flow of fluid from the first passageway in the body to the pressure vessel, and for disconnecting the body from the pressure vessel, when desired, to stop flow of fluid from the first passageway of the body to the pressure vessel,

actuating means for automatically opening the first check valve in the body when the pressure vessel is connected to the body,

a second check valve positioned in the second passageway of the body for blocking backflow of fluid from the second passageway of the body when the pressure vessel is not connected to the body,

the body having a fourth passageway extending therethrough for venting purposes, the fourth passageway being defined by a wall,

an automatic venting/vacuum breaking device positioned in the fourth passageway for automatically venting air and for breaking any unwanted vacuum,

the automatic venting/vacuum breaking device including a vent sleeve positioned in a chamber formed along the fourth passageway, the vent sleeve having a downstream end portion and an upstream end portion, the vent sleeve having a cylindrical wall having an annular inwardly extending ledge formed at the downstream end portion of the vent sleeve, the vent sleeve having a plurality of cutouts in its cylindrical wall extending from the upstream end portion of the vent sleeve toward the downstream end portion of the vent sleeve, the ledge having an upstream side and a downstream side,

an o-ring seal positioned downstream of the ledge, and

a ball having a density slightly greater than the density of the fluid being filtered and/or conditioned and/or purified, the ball being positioned in the vent sleeve,

the venting device/vacuum breaking remaining in an open position until the ball is pushed by the fluid into engagement with a portion of the o-ring creating a seal between the ball and the o-ring and the o-ring and a portion of the fourth passageway wall, thereby closing the fourth passageway.

23. A pressure vessel for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid, comprising

a cover having a top wall, a side wall extending downwardly from the top wall, the side wall of the cover having a lower end portion, and a cover rim formed on the lower end portion of the side wall of the cover,

a bowl having a bottom wall, a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the side wall of the bowl having an upper end portion, and a bowl rim formed on the upper end portion of the side wall of the bowl,

the cover rim and the bowl rim being joined together to form a sealed seam portion of the pressure vessel,

means positioned in the pressure vessel for filtering and/or conditioning and/or filtering the fluid, and

a compressible column mounted in the pressure vessel,

the compressible column protecting against damage to the pressure vessel and/or means for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid caused by freezing if the fluid freezes and expands in the pressure vessel and for mitigating possible millisecond and /or microsecond pressure spikes by providing space, for fluid to expand into.

24. The pressure vessel of claim 23, further including

a reinforcement member secured around the pressure vessel for reinforcing the pressure vessel.

25. The pressure vessel of claim 23,

the outlet port of the pressure vessel including a tube having a passageway extending through the tube through which fluid that has been filtered and/or conditioned and/or purified moves to exit the pressure vessel,

the tube having an exterior surface portion, and

the exterior surface portion having an annular groove formed therein,

the pressure vessel further including

a flapper valve for reducing possible backflow of fluid from the inlet port of the pressure vessel,

the flapper valve comprising a flexible disc mounted on the tube in the annular groove formed on the tube, the flexible disc having a central opening formed therein through which the tube extends,

the flexible disc extending across the first passageway of the pressure vessel,

the flexible disc flexing in a first direction to open the first passageway of the pressure vessel when pushed by inbound fluid entering the pressure vessel to permit inbound flow of fluid to pass it as inbound fluid flows through the first passageway of the pressure vessel, and

the flexible disc flexing in a second direction to abut against a portion of an interior wall of the pressure vessel along the first passageway of the pressure vessel to close the first passageway of the pressure vessel when pushed by a back flow of fluid from the pressure vessel along the first passageway of the pressure vessel.

26. The pressure vessel of claim 23,

the bottom wall of the bowl having a passageway extending therethrough for venting purposes, the passageway being defined by a wall,

an automatic venting/vacuum breaking device positioned in the passageway for automatically venting air and for breaking any unwanted vacuum,

the automatic venting/vacuum breaking device including a vent sleeve positioned in a chamber formed in the passageway, the vent sleeve having a downstream end portion and an upstream end portion, the vent sleeve having a cylindrical wall having an annular inwardly extending ledge formed at the downstream end portion of the vent sleeve, the vent sleeve having a plurality of cutouts in its cylindrical wall extending from the upstream end portion of the vent sleeve toward the downstream end portion of the vent sleeve, the ledge having an upstream side and a downstream side,

means positioned downstream of the ledge for creating a valve seat and for sealing between the valve seat and the wall of the passageway, and

a ball having a density slightly greater than the density of the fluid being filtered and/or conditioned and/or purified, the ball being positioned in the vent sleeve,

the venting/vacuum breaking device remaining in an open position until the ball is pushed by the fluid into engagement with the valve seat to close the passageway.

27. A pressure vessel for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid, comprising

a cover having a top wall, a side wall extending downwardly from the top wall, the side wall of the cover having a lower end portion, and a cover rim formed on the lower end portion of the side wall of the cover,

a bowl having a bottom wall, a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the side wall of the bowl having an upper end portion, and a bowl rim formed on the upper end portion of the side wall of the bowl,

the cover rim and the bowl rim being joined together to form a sealed seam portion of the pressure vessel,

means positioned in the pressure vessel for filtering and/or conditioning and/or filtering the fluid, and

the bottom wall of the bowl having a passageway extending therethrough for venting purposes, the passageway being defined by a wall,

an automatic venting/vacuum breaking device positioned in the passageway for automatically venting air and for breaking any unwanted vacuum,

the automatic venting/vacuum breaking device including a vent sleeve positioned in a chamber formed in the passageway, the vent sleeve having a downstream end portion and an upstream end portion, the vent sleeve having a cylindrical wall having an annular inwardly extending ledge formed at the downstream end portion of the vent sleeve, the vent sleeve having a plurality of cutouts in its cylindrical wall extending from the upstream end portion of the vent sleeve toward the downstream end portion of the vent sleeve, the ledge having an upstream side and a downstream side,

means positioned downstream of the ledge for creating a valve seat and for sealing between the valve seat and the wall of the passageway, and

a ball having a density slightly greater than the density of the fluid being filtered and/or conditioned and/or purified, the ball being positioned in the vent sleeve,

the venting device/vacuum breaking remaining in an open position until the ball is pushed by the fluid into engagement with the valve seat to close the passageway.

28. An automatic air vent valving apparatus that opens to permit air to vent from a device and that closes after the air has been vented from the device, comprising

a ball

a vent sleeve for receiving the ball, the vent sleeve having a downstream end portion and an upstream end portion,

means when positioned downstream of the vent sleeve for forming a valve seat that receives a portion of the ball to close the air vent valving apparatus, and

air directing means formed in the vent sleeve for directing air being vented past the ball and then back toward the ball to prevent the ball from prematurely abutting against the valve seat until most, if not all, of the air has been vented.

29. The automatic air vent valving apparatus of claim 28,

the air directing means including

a plurality of cutouts formed in the vent sleeve and extending from the upstream end portion of the vent sleeve toward the downstream end portion of the vent sleeve which direct air to move along past the ball, and

an annular inwardly extending flange formed on the downstream end portion of the vent sleeve which directs air that has moved past the ball to rebound off back toward the ball.

30. A method for providing filtered and/or conditioned and/or purified water from a potable water distribution system, comprising the steps of

providing a valve head, the valve head having a first passageway extending through it and being adapted to be connected to a water transmission line, a first check valve positioned in the first passageway of the valve head for blocking flow of water through the first passageway when the valve is closed, an outlet port formed at an outlet end portion of the first passageway in the valve head the connects to an inlet port of a pressure vessel, a second passageway extending through the valve head and adapted to be connected to a water receiving line at an outlet port of the second passageway of the valve head, an inlet port formed at an inlet end portion of the second passageway of the valve head that connects to an outlet port of a pressure vessel, actuating means for automatically opening the first check valve in the valve head when a pressure vessel is connected to the valve head, a second check valve positioned in the second passageway of the valve head for blocking backflow of water from the second passageway of the valve head when the pressure vessel is not connected to the valve head, a third passageway extending from the first passageway upstream from the first check valve to the second passageway downstream from the second check valve, and the valve head having a bypass valve positioned in the third passageway,

connecting a pressure vessel to the valve head when it is desired to filter and/or condition and/or purify water by causing the water to flow through the pressure vessel, the pressure vessel having means positioned therein for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying water,

automatically triggering the actuating means of the valve head to automatically open the first check valve in the valve head when the pressure vessel is connected to the valve head to permit water to flow from the first passageway of the valve head to the pressure vessel, then through the pressure vessel, then from the pressure vessel to and through the second passageway of the valve head, and then from the outlet port of the second passageway of the valve head to the water receiving line, and

when it is desired to sanitize the potable water distribution system,

opening the bypass valve, and

flowing sanitizing fluid through the potable water distribution system and the valve head to sanitize the system.

31. The method of claim 30, further including the step of

directing the water that has been filtered and/or conditioned and/or purified in the pressure vessel from the outlet port of the second passageway of the valve head directly to an appliance that uses the water to reduce possible exposure to contaminants that may be encountered if the water were to be indirectly brought to the appliance instead.

32. A method for providing filtered and/or conditioned and/or purified water from a potable water distribution system of an aircraft, comprising the steps of

mounting valve heads at various cabin crew readily accessible service locations within galleys and lavatories of the aircraft at or near where water that is to be filtered and/or conditioned and/or purified is to be discharged from the potable water distribution system, each valve head having a first check valve positioned therein, and

connecting the potable water distribution system of the aircraft to the valve heads,

the valve heads being capable of having filtration/purification canisters connected thereto using an easy twist-on motion,

the valve heads being capable of having filtration/purification canisters removed therefrom using an easy twist-on motion,

the filtration/purification canisters automatically opening the first check valves in the valve heads when the filtration/purification canisters and from the filtration/purification canisters back to and through the valve heads to outlet ports from the valve heads, and

the first check valves in the valve heads automatically closing when the filtration/purification canisters are disconnected from the valve heads to stop water from flowing past the first check valves.

33. The method of claim 32, further including the step of

connecting one an outlet port of at least one of the valve heads directly to an appliance that uses the water to reduce possible exposure to contaminants that may be encountered if water were to be indirectly brought from the outlet port of the valve head to the appliance instead.