Ion exchange water softener

A self-regenerating ion-exchange water softener comprising:

• (a) a resin chamber containing an ion-exchange water-softening resin,
• (b) the resin chamber having an inlet connectable to a source of softenable water under pressure, and the resin chamber having an outlet for discharging softened water,
• (c) a salt chamber located above the resin chamber and containing a water-soluble regeneration salt capable of forming salt solution for regenerating the resin, the salt chamber having a high-water mark corresponding to the highest level of fluid normally found in the salt chamber,
• (d) a chamber connection extending between the salt chamber and the resin chamber and allowing a flow of fluid from the salt chamber to the resin chamber,
• (e) a first normally-open pressure-sensitive valve having an open state and a closed state and positioned to control flow through the chamber connection, the first pressure-sensitive valve being positioned and configured to sense an increase of water pressure in the resin chamber and to move to the closed state in response thereto, and in the open state to permit a controlled downward gravitational fluid flow from the salt chamber to the resin chamber through the chamber connection,
• (f) a passageway in fluid communication with the resin chamber to permit pressurized water to flow upwardly from the resin chamber to a point above the high-water mark of the salt chamber, the passageway having a discharge control for allowing controlled flow of water from the resin chamber to the point above the high-water mark of the salt chamber, to thereby place water in contact with the water-soluble salt in the salt chamber, to generate salt solution for contacting the resin and regenerating the resin.