Automatic shut-off for water treatment system

• US 6,939,470 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2002
• Issued: 09/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Inventors: Baarman, David W., Bartkus, Eric K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cecil, Terry K.
• Application Number:
  US10/244,721
• Publication Number:
  US 20040050790A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,086 Days
• Field of Search: 210/767, 210/639, 210/103, 340/605, 340/606, 340/607, 340/608, 340/611, 137/15.11, 137/12, 137/14, 137/487, 73/40, 73/405.R
• US Class Current: 210/739
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/10 Accessories; Auxiliary operations
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/12 Controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/22 Controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/44 by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis general membrane separation processes B01D61/00, membrane modules B01D63/00, electrodialysis C02F1/4693, combination of membrane modules and bioreactors C02F3/1268

Abstract

A water treatment system including an automatic shut-off control valve. The system preferably includes inflow and outflow sensors that monitor flow through the system and a pressure sensor that senses back pressure in a downstream plumbing system. If the sensors sense different flows, a leak in the system is assumed and the control valve is closed. In one embodiment, the flowing back pressure is monitored by the pressure sensor to detect leaks in the plumbing system. In another embodiment, the valve is closed after a specific volume of water flow is sensed and the pressure sensor measures static back pressure in the plumbing system to detect a leak. In yet another embodiment, incremental amounts of water are released by the valve and subsequent back pressures are tested to detect a leak. Optionally, the system includes a control to shut-off a water supply when a water treatment device enclosure is accessed.

Claims

1. A process for controlling water flow in a water treatment system including a control valve comprising:

measuring an inflow of water entering the water treatment system, the water treatment system in liquid communication with a point of use out from which water is flowing, the water treatment system including an enclosure having an access panel, the enclosure housing a consumable component that is replaceable relative to the water treatment system;

measuring an outflow of water exiting the water treatment system;

comparing the inflow to the outflow;

determining whether the inflow is greater than the outflow;

adjusting the control valve to at least one of reduce the inflow and stop the inflow when the inflow is greater than the outflow;

automatically sensing the positioned of the access panel; and

adjusting the control valve to stop the inflow of water when the access panel is at least partially open relative to the enclosure.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the control valve is at least partially closed when the inflow is less than the outflow.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein the control valve is at least partially closed when the outflow is greater than the inflow.

4. The process of claim 3 wherein the inflow of water is pressurized.

5. A process for controlling water flow through a water treatment system comprising:

sensing the water flow into the water treatment system, the water treatment system in liquid communication with a point of use out from which water is flowing, the water treatment system including a consumable component housed in an enclosure having an access panel, the consumable component manually replaceable relative to the water treatment system and the enclosure;

sensing the water flow out of the water treatment system;

determining whether the water flow into the water treatment system exceeds or is less than the water flow out of the water treatment system;

interrupting the flow of water out of the water treatment system by at least one of reducing and stopping the flow of water into the water treatment system if the water flow into the water treatment system exceeds the water flow out of the water treatment system;

automatically sensing the positioned of the access panel; and

interrupting the flow of water out of the water treatment system when the access panel is at least partially open.

6. The process of claim 5 wherein at least a portion of the water flow into the water treatment system flows through the consumable component and is treated by the consumable component.

7. The process of claim 6 comprising interrupting the flow of water to the consumable component in response to said access panel position sensing step.

8. The process of claim 7 wherein the flow of water to the consumable component is interrupted when the access panel is at least partially open.

9. The process of claim 8 wherein the access panel is in communication with an electrical circuit, wherein when the access panel is at least partially open, the electrical circuit is completed.

10. The process of claim 9 wherein the water treatment system includes a valve, wherein the valve is in communication with the electrical circuit, and comprising actuating the valve to perform said interrupting step when the electric circuit is completed.

11. A process for controlling water flow through a water treatment system comprising:

sensing the water flow into the water treatment system, the water treatment system including an enclosure having an access panel, the enclosure housing at least one of a dead-end particulate filter, a carbon adsorbent, an ion exchange device, polymeric adsorbent media, a bypass separation device, and a catalytic device;

sensing the water flow out of the water treatment system;

automatically sensing the position of the access panel;

determining whether the water flow into the water treatment system exceeds or is less than the water flow out of the water treatment system;

interrupting the flow of water out of the water treatment system by at least one of reducing and stopping the flow of water into the water treatment system if the water flow into the water treatment system exceeds the water flow out of the water treatment system; and

interrupting the flow of water out of the water treatment system when the access panel is at least partially open.