The present invention relates to a water softening device including: a resin chamber which has an ion exchange resin and softens hard water passing through the ion exchange resin; and electrodes which are arranged by placing the resin chamber therebetween and apply voltages to the resin chamber so as to soften the hard water, and which regenerates the ion exchange resin, wherein the ion exchange resin is a slightly acidic cation exchange resin and/or a weakly alkaline anion exchange resin. The present invention provides the water softening device capable of easily regenerating the ion exchange resin and repeating the softening-regenerating without using chemicals or the like while maintaining the performance of softening water, thereby enabling a continuous use thereof.

The present invention relates to a water softening device including: a resin chamber which has an ion exchange resin and softens hard water passing through the ion exchange resin; and electrodes which are arranged by placing the resin chamber therebetween and apply voltages to the resin chamber so as to soften the hard water, and which regenerates the ion exchange resin, wherein the ion exchange resin is a slightly acidic cation exchange resin and/or a weakly alkaline anion exchange resin. The present invention provides the water softening device capable of easily regenerating the ion exchange resin and repeating the softening-regenerating without using chemicals or the like while maintaining the performance of softening water, thereby enabling a continuous use thereof.

A method for fluid treatment that provides variable or alternative regeneration cycles within the same fluid treatment device. The duration of all stages of the regeneration cycle can be adjusted depending upon the amount of fluid treated so that regenerant resources such as water are not underutilized and waste is not discharged unnecessarily into the environment. Additionally or alternatively, a regeneration sequence may include a fluid release sequence in which a fluid is released from a water treatment tank by successive linear movement of a piston in a valve assembly.

A method for fluid treatment that provides variable or alternative regeneration cycles within the same fluid treatment device. The duration of all stages of the regeneration cycle can be adjusted depending upon the amount of fluid treated so that regenerant resources such as water are not underutilized and waste is not discharged unnecessarily into the environment. Additionally or alternatively, a regeneration sequence may include a fluid release sequence in which a fluid is released from a water treatment tank by successive linear movement of a piston in a valve assembly.

A water softener regeneration system for a water softener configured to soften and filter water, the regeneration system includes a water hardness measurement system configured to determine a hardness value of water flowing out of the water softener. A brine tank is in communication with the water softener and operable to regenerate the water softener with brine from the brine tank. A controller is operable to control the brine tank, wherein the controller actuates by one of opening and closing the brine tank based on the hardness value which is indicative of the effectiveness of the water softener.

A water softener regeneration system for a water softener configured to soften and filter water, the regeneration system includes a water hardness measurement system configured to determine a hardness value of water flowing out of the water softener. A brine tank is in communication with the water softener and operable to regenerate the water softener with brine from the brine tank. A controller is operable to control the brine tank, wherein the controller actuates by one of opening and closing the brine tank based on the hardness value which is indicative of the effectiveness of the water softener.

A control system for a water treatment apparatus that includes a control valve assembly having a servo chamber in which a stationary port defining signal ports is located. A regeneration control disc sealingly engages and rotates on a planar surface of the port disc and selectively communicates fluid signals to water pressure operated components within the control valve. An electric motor located in a dry chamber is operatively coupled to the regeneration control disc and rotates the disc during a regeneration cycle. An encoder coupled to the control disc monitors its position and movement. A turbine assembly monitors water treated or to be treated and is electronically coupled to a regeneration controller. A sensor emits pulses related to rotation of the usage turbine and communicates these pulses to the controller which uses this information to determine when a regeneration is needed whereupon the drive motor is appropriately energized.

A control system for a water treatment apparatus that includes a control valve assembly having a servo chamber in which a stationary port defining signal ports is located. A regeneration control disc sealingly engages and rotates on a planar surface of the port disc and selectively communicates fluid signals to water pressure operated components within the control valve. An electric motor located in a dry chamber is operatively coupled to the regeneration control disc and rotates the disc during a regeneration cycle. An encoder coupled to the control disc monitors its position and movement. A turbine assembly monitors water treated or to be treated and is electronically coupled to a regeneration controller. A sensor emits pulses related to rotation of the usage turbine and communicates these pulses to the controller which uses this information to determine when a regeneration is needed whereupon the drive motor is appropriately energized.

A washing appliance such as a dishwasher or laundry washing machine comprises an ion-exchange water softening section and a brine generator to supply brine to the water softening section to regenerate ion-exchange resins therein, and a valve (such as a float valve) in a water supply conduit to the brine generator. The valve permits water to flow into the brine generator but blocks back-flow of liquid from the brine generator to the water supply conduit.

Provided is a water softening device including a water softening tank that softens raw water using a weakly acidic cation exchange resin, a pH adjustment tank, an electrolytic cell that produces acidic electrolyzed water, a conductivity measurement unit S.sub.1 that measures conductivity of the raw water, a conductivity measurement unit S.sub.2 that measures conductivity of soft water, a water flow amount detecting unit, and a control unit, wherein the control unit calculates a regeneration time for the weakly acidic cation exchange resin based on an amount of the hardness component adsorbed to the weakly acidic cation exchange resin calculated from a difference between the conductivity of the raw water and the conductivity of the soft water and from the accumulated water flow amount of the raw water, and performs a regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin during the regeneration time.