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Water softener valve

  • US 6,293,298 B1
  • Filed: 02/26/1999
  • Issued: 09/25/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A water softener valve for controlling water flow to and from a water softener, comprising:

  • a water inlet for water to be conditioned to enter the valve;

    a water outlet for conditioned water to exit the valve;

    a drain port for water to exit the valve;

    first and second tank ports;

    a chamber for receiving water, said chamber having an inner surface;

    a piston movable within said chamber between a service position and a backwash position, said piston permitting flow of water from the water inlet to the first tank port and from the second tank port to the water outlet when in said service position, said piston permitting flow of water from said water inlet to the second tank port and from the first tank port to the drain port when said piston is in the backwash position, said piston having a pressure relief port permitting flow of water from said chamber into the drain port as said piston moves from said backwash position to said service position; and

    a flow meter positioned to measure flow through the water outlet which occurs when the piston is in the service position, said flow meter having a turbine, said turbine having at least two opposing vanes, a magnet carried by said turbine, and a sensor for counting a number of times said magnet passes said sensor, rate of water flow through said flow meter being directly proportional to the number of times said magnet passes said sensor, said sensor creating an electrical impulse in the presence of said magnet, said flow meter further comprising an axle supporting said turbine, said axle having a first end disposed within a first bushing and a second end disposed within a second bushing, said first end being substantially conical in shape, said first end having a first point, a first conical base, and a first toroidal bearing at said first conical base, said second end having a second conical base, and a second toroidal bearing at said second conical base, wherein the first and second toroidal bearings are located within the first and second bushings respectively and form single point contact at tangents of the first and second toroidal bearings to reduce friction when radial loads are applied to the flow meter, wherein said first and second points are free to contact thrust surfaces within said first and second bushings respectively and form single point contact therebetween to reduce friction when axial loads are applied to the flow meter, and wherein said axle is free to axially move within said first and second bushings.

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