Sieth, Kenneth J. (2730 Peninsula Drive, Delafield, WI, 53018, US)
Walczak, Thomas J. (Apartment 1, 4828 Vista Park Court Nashota, WI, 53058-9617, US)
Sieth, Kenneth J. (2730 Peninsula Drive, Delafield, WI, 53018, US)
| 1. | A flow control apparatus for a drain line of a water treatment system comprising : a disc having a top side and an underside, said topside has a central raised portion ; a plurality of openings extending through said central raised portion; and a plurality of flow control washers, one of said washers is retainably mounted in each of said openings. |
| 2. | A flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said openings is surrounded by a counterbore, one of said washers is retainably mounted in each of said counterbores, each of said counterbores has a bottom forming an end wall. |
| 3. | A flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein a plurality of tabs formed at each of said counterbores projects inwardly over said end wall, wherein each of said washers is retained by said tabs. |
| 4. | A flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said washers has an annular recess, wherein said tabs project into said recess. |
| 5. | A flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein longitudinal channels are aligned with said tabs for insertion of molding appliances. |
| 6. | A flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of openings are symmetricallyspaced. |
| 7. | A flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said underside has an annular groove for receiving an Oring. |
| 8. | A flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said not raised portion of said topside of said disc is adapted to mate with an end of a drain port. |
| 9. | A flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said washers are formed of an elastomer. |
| 10. | A flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said washers are generally coneshaped having as central aperture. |
| 11. | A flow control apparatus kit providing selectable liquid flow rates for a drain line of a water treatment system comprising: a disc having a top side and an underside, said topside has a central raised portion; 5 a plurality of openings extending through said central raised portion; a first set of flow control washers having specific flow rates, one of said washers is retainably mounted in each of said openings; and at least one additional set of flow control washers having flow rates different from said first set of flow control washers; wherein replacement of said first 10 set of flow control washers with said additional set of flow control washers changes said flow rate of said drain line of said water treatment system. |
| 12. | A method for changing a flow rate of a drain line of a water treatment system comprising the steps of: disassembling a drain line to expose a flow control apparatus having removable flow control washers; 5 removing said flow control washers from said flow control apparatus; inserting different flow control washers into said flow control apparatus, said different flow control washers having a flow rate different from said removed flow control washers; and reassembling said drain line. |
60/039,629, filed on March 19,1997.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to flow control, and particularly to a replaceable flow control apparatus for the drain line of a water treatment system.
It is often desirable to control the flow through a pipe that is subjected to variations in fluid pressure. An example is a drain line connected to a water softening apparatus. During backwashing, a back pressure is required in the drain line so that the particles of resin which make up the softening bed are not carried out through the drain line. The back pressure is typically created by placing a restriction in the drain line.
There are instances in which the flow through the drain line must be adjusted after initial installation. One example is a change in the incoming water pressure.
The flow control of the present invention allows simple removal from a drain line for servicing or for replacement with flow control elements which will change the flow rate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, a flow control apparatus comprises a disc which can be inserted between a valve drain port and a drain line. The disc contains a plurality of openings each of which receives a flexible flow control washer. The flow control washers can be exchanged for other washers having different liquid flow rates.
The disc is sealed to the port and drain line by simple O-ring seals.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the detailed description which follows. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the mounting disc of the flow control apparatus; Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the mounting disc of Fig. 1 ; and Fig. 3 is a view in section through the mounting disc installed in a drain line and with flow control washers in place.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The flow control apparatus of the present invention includes a mounting disc 10 having a plurality of symmetrically-spaced openings 11 that extend through a central raised portion 12. A counterbore 15 surrounds each opening 11. Tabs 16 are formed at each quadrant of the counterbore 15 to project inwardly over the end wall 17 formed by the bottom of the counterbore 15. Longitudinal channels 18 are aligned with the tabs 16 for insertion of molding appliances. The top surface 20 between the perimeter of the disc 10 and the raised portion 12 is flat. The surface 20 is adapted to mate with the end of a drain port 21. An O-ring 22 is disposed in an annular recess in
the end of the drain port 21 and seals against the flat surface 20. The underside of the disc 10 is provided with an annular groove 25 which receives an O-ring 26 to seal against a drain port connector 27. The disc 10 is held in place by a nut 28 which groups the connector 27 and is threadedly received on an end of the drain port 21.
The disc 10 mounts a plurality of flow control washers 30. The washers 30 are of known type, such as those available from Clack Corporation, Windsor, Wisconsin.
The flow control washers 30 are formed of a rubber or other elastomer. The washers 30 are generally cone-shaped with a central aperture 31. The base of the washer 30 includes an annular recess 32 for mounting the washer. As shown in Fig. 3, the washers 30 are readily mounted in each of the counterbores 15 with the tabs 16 projecting into the annular recess 32 of a washer 30.
Flow control washers 30 are available in a variety of sizes for different liquid flow rates. Under increasing pressure, the central aperture 31 is reduced, thereby maintaining a generally constant flow through the washers.
The flow control of this invention is easily assembled and disassembled from the drain lines. The flow control is readily adjustable by replacing washers of one size and flow rating with those of another.