Valve controller for water conditioning system

In a water conditioning system having a mineral tank containing a bed of an ion exchange resin, a brine tank, and a valve for directing fluid flow into and from the mineral tank, a method of controlling operation of the valve for the regeneration of the ion exchange resin, the method comprising the steps of:

• generating a regeneration ready signal to indicate that the water conditioning system is ready for a regeneration cycle;
• actuating a mechanical switch at a settable time of day in response to motion of a mechanical clock;
• electronically generating a first motor control signal after the regeneration ready signal indicates that the water conditioning system is ready for a regeneration cycle and the mechanical switch has been actuated, and positioning the valve from an in-service position to a backwash position in accordance with the first motor control signal;
• providing feedback information that the valve is in the backwash position;
• electronically generating a second motor control signal after a dwell time corresponding to the backwash position of the valve, and positioning the valve in the brine/slow rinse position in accordance with the second motor control signal;
• providing feedback information that the valve is in the brine/slow rinse position;
• electronically generating a third motor control signal after a dwell time corresponding to the brine/slow rinse position of the valve, and positioning the valve in the fast rinse/brine refill position in accordance with the third motor control signal;
• providing feedback information that the valve is in the fast rinse/brine refill position;
• and
• electronically generating a fourth motor control signal after a dwell time corresponding to the fast rinse/brine refill position of the valve, and positioning the valve in the in-service position in accordance with the fourth motor control signal.

In a water conditioning system having a mineral tank containing a bed of an ion exchange resin, a brine tank, and a valve system for directing fluid flow into and from the mineral tank, a control unit for controlling the operation of the valve system comprising:

• a drive motor having an output shaft coupled to the valve system;
• a board having a series of electrical contacts spaced physically along a path on the board;
• a dual lead screw that can be driven by the drive motor to turn threads on the dual lead screw;
• and
• a movable carriage carrying an electrical contactor along the path on the board, wherein movement of the carriage is driven by turning the threads of the dual lead screw.

A valve control unit comprising:

• a drive motor having an output shaft that rotates to control a valve;
• a board having a series of electrical contacts spaced physically along a path on a board;
• a dual lead screw that can be driven by the drive motor to turn threads on the dual lead screw;
• and
• a movable carriage carrying an electrical contactor along the path on the board wherein movement of the carriage is driven by turning the threads of the dual lead screw.

In a water conditioning system having a mineral tank containing a bed of an ion exchange resin, a brine tank, and a valve system for directing fluid flow into and from the mineral tank, a method of controlling the operation of the valve system for the regeneration of the ion exchange resin, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a series of distinct electrical contacts along a path, each distinct electrical contact corresponding to a predetermined regeneration cycle event;
• providing an electrical signal separately to the distinct electrical contacts through a mobile electrical contactor;
• carrying out a sequence of predetermined regeneration cycle events, each in response to the electrical signal from the distinct electrical contact receiving the electrical signal from the electrical contactor;
• and
• moving the electrical contactor sequentially to the next distinct electrical contact in the series upon the termination of each predetermined regeneration cycle event.