Hydraulic devices used to control timing, direction, and velocity of fluid flow are disclosed. The hydraulic device includes a flush valve. The flush valve includes one or more venturi that assist in moving the fluid through flush valve. A manifold includes a housing defining a piston cavity and a piston. The piston is moveable within the piston cavity by a piston actuator between a first position and a second position. A manifold inlet defined by the housing is configured to receive a first fluid from a supply line and is in fluid communication with the piston cavity. A manifold outlet is defined by the housing and is in fluid communication with the piston cavity in. In the first position, the piston prevents fluid communication between the manifold inlet and the manifold outlet through the piston cavity. In the second position, the manifold inlet is in fluid communication with the manifold outlet such that the first fluid can flow from the supply line to the manifold outlet through the piston cavity.

A valve arrangement includes various improvements useable in the context of a fluid additive system, such as a water softener. For example, the valve assembly may include a seal assembly engaged by a reciprocating piston, in which the seal assembly includes a minimal number of parts, is easily assembled, and can be easily inserted in the bore of the valve body without jeopardizing the integrity of the seals. The valve assembly may further include a quick-disconnect system which allows a “control head” including a valve actuation system and electronic controls to be disconnected from the rest of the valve arrangement with only a partial rotation of the control head. The valve assembly may also include a venturi used for drawing regeneration fluid into the system, and an associated venturi cleaner system which allows a user to unclog the fluid-flow orifice of the venturi without any disassembly of parts of the valve arrangement.

Hydraulic devices used to control timing, direction, and velocity of fluid flow are disclosed. The hydraulic device includes a flush valve. The flush valve includes one or more venturi that assist in moving the fluid through flush valve. A manifold includes a housing defining a piston cavity and a piston. The piston is moveable within the piston cavity by a piston actuator between a first position and a second position. A manifold inlet defined by the housing is configured to receive a first fluid from a supply line and is in fluid communication with the piston cavity. A manifold outlet is defined by the housing and is in fluid communication with the piston cavity in. In the first position, the piston prevents fluid communication between the manifold inlet and the manifold outlet through the piston cavity. In the second position, the manifold inlet is in fluid communication with the manifold outlet such that the first fluid can flow from the supply line to the manifold outlet through the piston cavity.

Hydraulic devices used to control timing, direction, and velocity of fluid flow are disclosed. The hydraulic device includes a flush valve. The flush valve includes one or more venturi that assist in moving the fluid through flush valve. A manifold includes a housing defining a piston cavity and a piston. The piston is moveable within the piston cavity by a piston actuator between a first position and a second position. A manifold inlet defined by the housing is configured to receive a first fluid from a supply line and is in fluid communication with the piston cavity. A manifold outlet is defined by the housing and is in fluid communication with the piston cavity in. In the first position, the piston prevents fluid communication between the manifold inlet and the manifold outlet through the piston cavity. In the second position, the manifold inlet is in fluid communication with the manifold outlet such that the first fluid can flow from the supply line to the manifold outlet through the piston cavity.

A pulse valve assembly including a main valve and two pilot valves. The main valve includes a main valve body, main valve bore, and main valve spool. The main valve body includes an inlet port, an outlet port, and a pressure chamber at one end of the main valve bore. A first pilot valve selectively supplies pressurized fluid to the second pilot valve depending on the position of a poppet, which is controlled by a solenoid. A second pilot valve includes a spool that is driven by pressurized fluid from the first pilot valve. The second pilot valve selectively supplies pressurized fluid to the pressure chamber in the main valve causing the main valve spool to move towards the open or closed position. When the main valve spool is in the open position, pressurized fluid can flow through the main valve from the inlet port to the outlet port.

A pulse valve assembly including a main valve and two pilot valves. The main valve includes a main valve body, main valve bore, and main valve spool. The main valve body includes an inlet port, an outlet port, and a pressure chamber at one end of the main valve bore. A first pilot valve selectively supplies pressurized fluid to the second pilot valve depending on the position of a poppet, which is controlled by a solenoid. A second pilot valve includes a spool that is driven by pressurized fluid from the first pilot valve. The second pilot valve selectively supplies pressurized fluid to the pressure chamber in the main valve causing the main valve spool to move towards the open or closed position. When the main valve spool is in the open position, pressurized fluid can flow through the main valve from the inlet port to the outlet port.

A valve arrangement includes various improvements useable in the context of a fluid additive system, such as a water softener. For example, the valve assembly may include a seal assembly engaged by a reciprocating piston, in which the seal assembly includes a minimal number of parts, is easily assembled, and can be easily inserted in the bore of the valve body without jeopardizing the integrity of the seals. The valve assembly may further include a quick-disconnect system which allows a control head including a valve actuation system and electronic controls to be disconnected from the rest of the valve arrangement with only a partial rotation of the control head. The valve assembly may also include a venturi used for drawing regeneration fluid into the system, and an associated venturi cleaner system which allows a user to unclog the fluid-flow orifice of the venturi without any disassembly of parts of the valve arrangement.

A valve arrangement includes various improvements usable in the context of a fluid additive system, such as a water softener. For example, the valve assembly may include a seal assembly engaged by a reciprocating piston, in which the seal assembly includes a minimal number of parts, is easily assembled, and can be easily inserted in the bore of the valve body without jeopardizing the integrity of the seals. The valve assembly may further include a quick-disconnect system which allows a control head including a valve actuation system and electronic controls to be disconnected from the rest of the valve arrangement with only a partial rotation of the control head. The valve assembly may also include a venturi used for drawing regeneration fluid into the system, and an associated venturi cleaner system which allows a user to unclog the fluid-flow orifice of the venturi without any disassembly of parts of the valve arrangement.

A valve, in particular a proportional pressure regulating valve, has a valve piston (12) longitudinally movable in a valve housing (10) for alternately releasing and connecting a user connection (A) to a pressure supply port (P) or a tank connection (T). The valve piston can be actuated by an actuating magnet (14) that produces a dither signal during operation. The valve piston (12) reaches a floating position within the valve housing (10) by a hydraulic lift limitation for the receipt of the dither signal.

Apparatus to bias spool valves using supply pressure are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a sleeve of a spool valve, and a spool within the sleeve to control a flow of fluid at a supply pressure through the spool valve as the spool is moved relative to the sleeve in response to a variable input force. A biasing force is to bias the spool opposite the variable input force. The biasing force is to be generated from a biasing pressure of the fluid within a chamber adjacent a biasing end of the spool. The biasing pressure is to be based on the fluid at the supply pressure provided directly to the chamber from a supply of the fluid independent of the flow of the fluid through the spool valve.