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US 11,820,677 B2Granted
Multi-sequence water softener system and method
OwnerChristopher D. Nancredeinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi tank water softener system in which multiple softeners can be selectively operated in parallel, alternating, or in series in either order. The system reduces risk of Legionella and pathogen grown while also reducing salt usage by up to 40%.
Claims14
A multi-tank water softening system for softening a supply of water for downstream use, the system comprising:
- a feedwater feedline supplying the water to be softened;
- a system exit line providing softened water for downstream use;
- first and second ion exchange water softening units operably connected by controlled valves and conduits to the feedwater feedline, to the system exit line, and to each other, wherein the connection of the units to each other includes a first switchback line that, when open, connects an outlet of the first unit to an inlet of the second unit and a second switchback line that, when open, connects an outlet of the second unit to an inlet of the first unit;
- and
- a controller operative to control the valves so as to place the system in at least two different water softening operating modes;
- wherein the system has a first softening mode of operation in which the water from the feedwater feedline is softened by passing through the first unit and then through the first switchback line then through the second unit and then to the system exit line;
- wherein the system has a second softening mode of operation in which the water from the feedwater feedline is softened by passing through the second unit and then through the second switchback line then through the first unit and then to the system exit line.
4 more elements
A water softening system for softening a supply of water for downstream use, the system comprising:
- a feedwater feedline supplying the water to be softened;
- a system exit line providing softened water for downstream use;
- a first water softener having an inlet and an outlet;
- a second water softener having an inlet and an outlet;
- a first supply line that, when open, connects the first softener inlet to the feedwater feedline;
- a second supply line that, when open, connects the second softener inlet to the feedwater feedline;
- a first exit line that, when open, connects the first softener outlet to the system exit line;
- a second exit line that, when open, connects the second softener outlet to the system exit line;
- a first switchback line that, when open, connects the outlet of the first softener to the inlet of the second softener;
- a second switchback line that, when open, connects the outlet of the second softener to the inlet of the first softener;
- a controller for operating one or move valves on the supply lines, the exit lines, and the switchback lines, wherein the controller is operable to place the system into at least two different modes of operation;
- wherein the system has a first mode of operation in which water from the feedline is softened by passing through the first supply line and then through the first softener and then through the first switchback line and then through the second softener and then through the second exit line to the system exit line;
- wherein the system has a second mode of operation in which water from the feedline is softened by passing through the second supply line and then through the second softener and then through the second switchback line and then through the first softener and then through the first exit line to the system exit line.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.