CONTROL VALVE FOR FLUID TREATMENT APPARATUS.

Abstract

A control valve is provided for a fluid treatment apparatus, including a valve body having a control portion and a treatment portion, the portions being separated from each other so that the fluid in the control portion is isolated from the fluid in the treatment portion. The treatment portion includes a plurality of piston valves alternately positioned in corresponding openings defined in a corresponding number of cylinders to control the water to be treated in the apparatus. Each cylinder has a plurality of vertically extending, peripherally spaced guide edges configured to facilitate the engagement of the piston valves with the openings and to reduce unwanted cavitation.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates generally to fluid flow control systems and more specifically to a water softening control valve. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Water softener control valves commonly use pistons equipped with radial ring seals to control flow in a valve cylinder. These controls are used to periodically seal certain flow paths and open others, under the control of a timer portion of the control valve. As is well known in the art, such softeners periodically cycle through servicing, reflushing, brine rinsing, slow rinsing, rapid rinsing, brine refilling, and other operations well known to the designers of such equipment. The operation of such valves is described in U.S. Patents Nos. 8,302,631; 6,644,349; and 6,176,258, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. There is a need for an improved fluid treatment apparatus control valve that is easier to manufacture and assemble. The previously identified need is met by the present water treatment control valve, which is particularly suitable for use in commercial-style qz i cnn / Lznz / E / YiAi water softeners. Features included in the present control valve include an improved piston valve and cylinder assembly, which enhances fluid shutoff without generating cavitation forces that could potentially disrupt a properly sealed flow shutoff. This construction includes upper and lower piston valve portions sharing a robust seal and having a serrated periphery to allow pressure to vent as the piston valve closes. The cylinder is also preferably provided with grooves to guide the piston valve into position and to reduce abrupt pressure variations. Another feature is that a portion of the lower tank adapter is secured to a lower end of a control valve body by a quickly removable clamp, and fluid connections between the two portions are sealed by a plurality of radial seals. The present control valve also features a vacuum breaker integrally molded with the tank adapter portion and in direct communication with the treatment tank. Similarly, a pressure relief valve is also integrally molded within the tank adapter portion of the valve. Selected ports on the valve body are provided with fasteners configured to facilitate the connection and disconnection of associated nozzle fittings.Additionally, at the upper end of the valve body, opposite the tank adapter portion, a coil controller is integrally connected to a cap to control water routing and the movement of the piston valves. Furthermore, the tank adapter portion is equipped with easily convertible upflow / downflow adapter fittings to change the fluid flow direction during operating cycles. qz i cnn / Lznz / E / YiAi Yet another feature of the present control valve is the construction of the valve body to create a plurality of piston valves, each including a vertically reciprocating piston. Each piston valve includes a cylinder having an upper end defining an opening that receives the piston valve. A plurality of vertically extending, peripherally spaced guide edges are located on an upper surface of the opening and are configured to facilitate the engagement of the piston valves with the openings and to reduce unwanted cavitation. More specifically, a control valve is provided for a fluid treatment apparatus, including a valve body having a control portion and a treatment portion, the portions being separated from each other so that the fluid in the control portion is isolated from the fluid in the treatment portion. The treatment portion includes a plurality of piston valves alternately positioned in corresponding openings defined in a corresponding number of cylinders to control the water to be treated in the apparatus. Each cylinder has a plurality of vertically extending, peripherally spaced guide edges configured to facilitate the engagement of the piston valves with the openings and to reduce unwanted cavitation. In one embodiment, each guide rim has a chamfered inner edge at one upper end. This chamfered inner edge faces the cylinder interior and extends from the upper edge of the guide rim's opening. In another embodiment, the chamfered edge forms an angle, and a first half of the piston valve forms a complementaryly angled edge to guide the piston within the cylinder. qz i cnn / ίζηζ / Ε / γίΛΐ In one embodiment, each guide edge extends vertically past an upper end of the corresponding opening in the cylinder. Each guide edge also projects radially inward from the inner surface of the cylinder. In another embodiment, a control valve is provided for a fluid treatment device, including a valve body having a control portion and a treatment portion, and at least one port constructed and positioned to accommodate a nozzle connection fitting. A quick-release fastener connects the nozzle fitting to the associated port. The fastener, generally U-shaped when viewed from the front or rear, has dependent, angled arms with free ends having formations constructed and positioned to freely and securely engage associated hook lugs on the valve body to prevent release of the fastener from the valve body. In one embodiment, at least one port includes at least one inlet port, one outlet port, and one drain outlet port. In a preferred embodiment, the free-end formations of the fastener are T-bar formations extending transversely from the free ends. In one embodiment, the quick-release fastener includes at least one dependent guide formation to engage a corresponding space in the port and an associated groove in the nozzle. In another preferred embodiment, the dependent guide formations are located between the dependent inclined arms. In a preferred embodiment of the fasteners, there is a pair of guide formations. In one embodiment, a tab is provided at an upper end of the fastener configured to facilitate gripping by an operator to release the fastener for removal of the nozzle attachment. In the preferred control valve, the hook lugs are secured to the valve body in a parallel orientation, spaced to accommodate the free ends of the angled arms. The hook lugs are also wedge-shaped and extend gradually farther from the valve body, closer to a point of engagement with the formations at the free ends. In yet another embodiment, a fastener is provided for use with a control valve of a fluid treatment device, having a valve body and at least one pair of hook lugs located in parallel and spaced on the valve body, and at least one port constructed and positioned to freely accommodate a connecting nozzle fitting. The fastener includes a general “U” shape, viewed from the front or rear, including a pair of dependent, angled arms with free ends having “T” bar formations extending transversely from the free ends and constructed and positioned for freely engaging and locking the hook lugs into the valve body to prevent release of the fastener from the valve body.At least one dependent guide formation is configured to engage the corresponding slot in the port and an associated slot in the nozzle, at least one guide formation being located between the dependent arms, and a tab at an upper end of the fastener is configured to facilitate gripping by an operator for release of the tab for removal. qz i cnn / Lznz / E / YiAi BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a top perspective view of the present control valve mounted on a treatment tank; Figure 2 is an aerial view of the control valve in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an open top perspective view of the pilot valve of the present control valve; Figure 3A is an open perspective view of the present coil controller for the present valve shown in Figure 3; Figure 4 is a fragmentarily vertical cross-section of the present control valve in a closed piston position; Figure 5 is a fragmentarily vertical cross-section of the present control valve in an open piston position; Figure 6 is a top perspective view of the present valve in partial vertical cross section. Figure 7 is an elongated fragmentary top perspective view of the valve in Figure 6; qz i cnn / Lznz / E / YiAi Figure 8 is an elongated fragmented top perspective view of the cylinder portion of the valve in Figure 6; Figure 9 is a partial vertical cross-section and side elevation of the present control valve; Figure 10 is an elongated fragmentary side elevation of the piston and cylinder coupling in the present control valve; Figure 11 is a bottom view of the present piston valve; Figure 12 is a fragmentary elongated bottom view of the piston in Figure 11; Figure 13 is an open bottom perspective view of the present piston; Figure 14 is a bottom perspective view of the present control valve; Figure 15 is an open bottom perspective view of the present control valve; Figure 16 is a fragmentary top perspective view of the tank adapter of the present control valve; Figure 17 is an open top perspective view of the tank adapter shown in Figure 16; qz i cnn / Lznz / E / YiAi Figure 18 is a front elevation of a fastener used in the present control valve; Figure 19 is a top perspective view of the fastener in Figure 18; Figure 20 is an open side perspective view of the present control valve showing the fastener coupling of Figures 18 and 19; Figure 21 is an elongated fragmentary perspective view of the fastener shown in Figure 20; Figure 22 is an aerial view of a brine redirected cap on the present control valve; Figure 23 is a top perspective view of the lid in Figure 22 and Figure 24 is an open top perspective view of the present control valve showing the positioning of the cap from Figures 22 and 23. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Now, with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 4, a control valve, generally designated 10, is provided for use in controlling the flow of fluid in a fluid treatment apparatus, generally designated 12. In the preferred embodiment, the treatment apparatus is a water softener, and tank 12 is a resin tank; however, other types of fluid treatment or water filtration devices are contemplated. Also, in this disclosure, "fluid" is intended to mean any type of flowing liquid, but preferably refers to water. The present control valve 10 has a valve body 14 with a valve body cap 16 mounted to an upper end 18 and a tank adapter 20 mounted to a lower end 22 of the valve body. Furthermore, the valve body 14 has an upper or control portion 24 located closer to the cap 16 than to the tank adapter 20, and a treatment portion 26 located closer to the tank adapter than to the cap. In a normal operating position, the control portion 24 is located above the treatment portion 26, and there is no fluid communication between the control and treatment portions, so that the control fluid is isolated and kept separate from the treatment fluid. As is well known in the art of water softening, the control valve 10 has an inlet port 28, an outlet port 30, a drain outlet port 32, and a brine inlet port 33. Now, with reference to Figures 3, 3A, and 4, the cover 16 is provided with a coil controller 34, including a housing 35 enclosing a coil body 36, which in turn encloses a rotating coil 37 and is supported by a bracket 38. It is preferred that a lower portion 39 of the bracket 38 be integrally secured to the cover 16, such as by ultrasonic welding, heat stacking, chemical adhesive, or the like. The coil 36 has a plurality of flow ports 40 used to control the flow of fluid received from a pilot line 42. This pilot line draws a portion of the fluid flow from the inlet port qz i cnn / Lznz / E / YiAi and directs the flow into the coil controller 34. The preferred vertical hexagonal cross-section of the coil body 36 is complementary to the corresponding portions of the coil bracket 38 and the lower portion 39.This design enables a single sealing member, preferably an O-ring 38a, to provide a leak-free connection between the coil body 36, the support, and the lower portion 39. An advantage of this design is the ability to avoid multiple individual fitting and tubing connections and the use of gaskets, which are leak-proof. In other words, the housing portions 38 and 39 are placed in fluid communication with the coil body 36 without the use of gaskets, with mechanical fasteners holding the parts together, and leak prevention provided by the robust seals (O-rings) 38a. A stopwatch or clock mechanism 44 rotates the coil 36 and further directs the flow of pilot fluid to a designated valve from a plurality of piston valves 46, each alternately in a designated cylinder 48. In the preferred embodiment, there are eight piston valves 46; however, the number of valves may vary to suit the application. Also, an indicator wheel 47 secured to one end of the coil 37 for common rotation has openings or slots 49 in various arrangements on its peripheral edge for coordination with an opto-sensor 49a or the like connected to a main control valve printed circuit board (PCB) (not shown) for coordination of the various operational stages of the valve 10.In addition, the position of openings 49 on the wheel 47 as well as optional numerical indicators 49b (Figure 3a) is visible to an operator through a window 49c in the housing 35 so that the operator can monitor the operational status of the valve 10. qz i cnn / Lznz / E / YiAi In the preferred embodiment, the lower portion 39 of the support 38 has internal flow passages 39a (Figure 3) that are in fluid communication with corresponding passages 39b in the cap 16. The pilot flow is directed through coupling fittings such as flow channels or ports 50 (Figure 4) located in the cap 16, and each flow channel is associated with a particular cylinder 48. The movement of the piston valves 46 in the respective cylinders 48, through the action of the pilot flow from the coil controller 34, causes the control valve 10 to cycle between the various known water softening operating positions that are well known in the art. Such cycling operations include servicing, rewashing, brine rinsing, slow rinse, fast rinse, brine refilling, and the like, described in greater detail in the patents referenced above. It should be noted that the movement of the piston valves 46 is controlled by the coil controller 34 using only the pilot fluid flow. Also, the pilot fluid flow remains in the control portion 24 and, as described above, does not mix with the fluid in the treatment portion 26 of the valve body. Now with reference to Figures 4-13, an important feature of the present control valve 10 is that the piston valves 46 and associated cylinders 48 are constructed and positioned to dampen the sometimes abrupt pressure changes which occur when the flow of the treatment fluid is redirected within the valve, during operational cycle changes. qz i cnn / ίζηζ / Ε / γίΛΐ Each piston valve 46 includes a main shaft 52 having an upper flange 54 located on the control portion 24 and configured to periodically receive pilot flow from the coil controller 34. At least one radial seal 56, such as an O-ring or the like, seals the cylinder area 48 below the flange from access to the control portion 24 and any control fluid. In the preferred embodiment, multiple O-rings 56b are also provided to separate the control portion 24 from the treatment or flow portion 26. Opposite the upper flange 54, the piston valve 46 is provided with a first piston valve half 58, a second piston valve half 60 complementary to the first piston valve half, and a resilient seal 62 constructed and positioned to be sandwiched between the first and second piston valve halves.Each of the first and second valve halves has a common diameter and combines to define a pocket 64 to accommodate the tough seal 62. With reference to Figures 7-13, in the preferred embodiment, the resilient seal 62 has a generally “T” shaped vertical cross-section including a main body 66 and a pair of outwardly extending arms 68. The arms 68 are secured in the pocket 64 formed by the respective portions of the first and second valve halves 58, 60. In addition, the body 66 extends radially from a peripheral rim 70 to create a cleaning seal with a cylinder wall 72 (Figure 8) to prevent fluid flow into the cylinder 48 as the piston approaches and engages the cylinder (Figure 10). Another feature of the piston valve 46 is that the first half of the piston valve 58 is constructed and positioned to engage the cylinder 48 before the second half of the piston valve 60, and the outer peripheral rim 70 includes a plurality of peripherally spaced qz i cnn / Lznz / E / YiAi teeth 74 creating flow gaps 76 between the teeth (Figures 11 and 12). In the preferred embodiment, the teeth 74 are regularly spaced and comprise approximately half of the peripheral rim of the first half of the valve 58. This construction has been found to dampen the abrupt pressure changes experienced at the valve 10 when the piston valve 46 seals the cylinder 48 during operation. Such pressure changes have been known to create disruptive cavitation to the extent that the proper sealing of the cylinder 48 has been compromised.A suitable fastener 78, such as a threaded screw, secures the first and second halves 58, 60 and indirectly the resilient seal 62, to an extension of the piston shaft 52 (Figure 13). Now, with reference to Figures 7 and 8, another feature of the present valve 10 is that each cylinder 48 includes a complementary opening 80 sized to receive the piston valve 46 and has a plurality of peripherally spaced guide edges 82, each edge having a chamfered inner edge 84. The guide edges, projecting axially above the opening 80, facilitate the engagement of the piston valve 46 with the opening and further reduce unwanted cavitation. In addition, it is preferred that the chamfered edge 84 defines an annulus and the first half of the piston valve 58 defines a complementaryly angled edge 86 (Figures 10, 13) to promote piston guidance within the cylinder 48. Now, with reference to Figures 14-17 and 24, the tank adapter 20 defines a plurality of generally cylindrical seats 88 that open onto an upper surface 90 secured to the lower end 22 of the valve body 14. The seats 88 are parts of a plate 91 (Figure 24) attached to the tank adapter 20 by ultrasonic welding, hot plate welding, chemical adhesives, or fasteners as known in the art. In Figures 16 and 17, the seats 88 are shown not attached to the tank adapter 20. Each of the seats 88 corresponds to and is in register with an associated cylinder 48. A central outlet opening 92 permits flow of the treated fluid between the control valve 10 and the treatment tank 12.Therefore, a heavy-duty O-ring 94, such as an O-ring or similar (Figure 15), is fitted in a sealed manner on each seat 88 and encircles the cylinders 48 to prevent fluid passage between the cylinder 48 and the tank adapter 20 once the tank adapter is joined to the valve body 14. Also, through the use of the seals 94, the tank adapter 20 is connected to the lower end of the valve body 22 more simply and easily without requiring a gasket. Furthermore, the same type of heavy-duty seals around the flow passages and the gasket-free joining system described above are related to the coil driver 34 used in joining the valve body 14 to the tank adapter 20. Now, with reference to Figures 4, 5, and 15, the previously described connection between the tank adapter and the valve body 14 is further simplified by being accomplished by a simple clamp 96 joining the tank adapter to the valve body. A feature of the present valve 10 is that the tank adapter 20 is secured to the valve body 14 solely by the clamp 96. As shown in Figure 15, the clamp 96 is provided in two C-shaped portions 98 joined at opposite free ends 100 using fasteners 102 such as screws or the like (Figure 4).Also, as shown in Figure 15, the clamp coupling of the tank adapter 20 to the valve body 14 is preferably carried out by the clamp 96, which secures the coupling and axially compresses the respective radially extending flanges 104, 106 of the treatment portion 26 of the valve body 14 and the tank adapter 20. With this arrangement, since the connection is not exposed to water pressure, the control valve 10 can be manufactured from lighter materials to save on cost, while still maintaining a strong connection to the valve adapter 20. In addition, the simple clamp 96 is easy to disassemble and still securely fastens the valve body 14 to the tank adapter 20. With reference again to Figures 16 and 17, another feature of the present control valve 10 is that a vacuum breaker 108 is associated with the tank adapter 20 and is preferably molded integrally with the tank adapter and in fluid communication with the tank 12. This communication is through the central outlet opening 92. In conventional control valves, vacuum breaker is provided to protect the valve and treatment device from vacuum damage when the fluid supply is shut off. In some cases, the elevation of the installation above sea level is a factor in such vacuum damage. Conventionally, a breaker is provided upstream of the valve and / or downstream to protect the tank from collapse during valve operation. By being in direct communication with the tank, as in the present valve 10, only one vacuum breaker 108 is required.The present vacuum switch 108 is held in place by a plunger 110 attached to a port designated 112 and held in place by a fastener as will be described later in relation to Figures 18-21. qz i cnn / Lznz / E / YiAi A pressure relief valve (PRV) 114 is also mounted to the tank adapter 20. The PRV 114 is provided to prevent damage to valve 10 caused by pressure spikes resulting from the rapid shutdown or startup of the pressurized fluid. As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the valve 114 is encircled within a valve housing 116, having a plug 118 at one open end. Opposite the plug 118, the valve housing 116 is secured to the tank adapter 20 using a fastener 120, described in more detail later. While other positions are contemplated, in the preferred embodiment, the PRV 114 is placed in the valve adapter 20 diametrically opposite the vacuum switch 108. In the assembly, the valve 10 with the tank adapter 20 is secured to the treatment tank 12 through the threaded coupling with a dependent tank fitting 122. Now, with reference to Figures 18-21 and 24, yet another feature of the present control valve 10 is that the secure, quick connection of inlet and / or outlet circuits or other fittings having connecting nozzle fittings 124 is achieved using the retained, releaseable fastener 120. Each fastener 120 is used to connect a nozzle fitting 124 to an associated port 126 on the valve body 14 or on the tank adapter 20 and is movable between a release position (Figures 20, 21) and a engaged position (Figure 24). The fastener 120 is generally U-shaped when viewed from the front or rear (Figure 18) and has a pair of angled arms 128 each having free ends 130 with T-bar formations 132. Associated hook tabs 134 at port 126 receive and retain the T-bar formations 132 to prevent the fastener 120 from being removed from port 126 in an upward vertical motion.In addition, the fastener 120 includes at least one dependent guide formation 136 to engage a corresponding groove 138 in the port 126 and an associated groove 140 in the nozzle fitting 124 (Figure 20). Preferably, there is a pair of dependent guide formations 136, each associated with an associated groove 140, on each side of the nozzle fitting 124. A tab 142 at an upper end 144 of the fastener facilitates gripping by an operator to release the fastener 120 when desired. If desired, the tab 142 is gripped using pliers. The fasteners 120 are secured to secure the vacuum breaker 108, the PRV 114, a drain line 146, and other connections as required. In the case of drain line 146, fastener 120 is used to allow easy access to a fluid control disc (not shown).In other situations, the 120 fastener is used to allow the valve body 14 to accommodate the nozzle fittings 124 having a variety of threaded designs. Now, with reference to Figures 22-24, yet another feature of the present control valve 10 is a brine redirection cap or flow director 148 used to alter the direction of brine flow in the treatment tank 12 during regeneration, alternating between upward and downward flow, as is well known in the art. The cap 148 is sized to be easily installed or removed from a designated recess 150 in the tank adapter 20. Included in the recess 150 is a pair of openings (not shown), each connected to a respective end of the treatment tank 12. Included in the lid 148 is a cup portion 152 defining an internal chamber 154. A nozzle plug 156 is attached to the cup portion 152 and is configured to engage one of the selected openings in the recess 150. The cup portion 152 also has a flow opening 158 sized to be in register with the other of the two openings in the recess 150. At least one retaining tab 160 projects vertically into the chamber 154 for grasping by an operator. In use, the operator grasps the tabs and pulls them into the lid 148, and plugs them into one of the appropriate two openings in the recess 150, leaving the other opening open for flow. In this way, the flow direction is easily changed by pulling the cap 148 and axially rotating it to selectively plug one of the openings into the recesses 150, without requiring further changes to the valve 10 or rerouting the treatment water. While one embodiment of the present control valve for a fluid treatment apparatus has been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A control valve for a fluid treatment apparatus, comprising: a valve body having a control portion and a treatment portion, said portions being separated from each other so that the fluid in said control portion is isolated from the fluid in said treatment portion; said treatment portion including a plurality of alternating piston valves in corresponding openings defined in a corresponding number of cylinders for controlling the water to be treated in said apparatus; each of said cylinders having a plurality of vertically extending, peripherally spaced guide edges configured to facilitate the engagement of said piston valves with said openings and to reduce unwanted cavitation.

2. The control valve according to claim 1, wherein each of said guide edge has a chamfered inner edge at an upper end.

3. The control valve according to claim 2, wherein said beveled inner edge faces an interior of said cylinder and extends from the upper edge of said opening to an upper end of said guide edge.

4. The control valve according to claim 2, wherein said beveled edge defines an angle and said first piston valve half defines a complementaryly angled edge to promote piston guidance within said cylinder.

5. The control valve according to claim 1, wherein each of said guide edge extends vertically past an upper end of said corresponding opening in said cylinder.

6. The control valve according to claim 1, wherein each of said guide edge projects inwards from an inner surface of said cylinder.

7. A control valve for a fluid treatment apparatus, comprising: a valve body having a control portion and a treatment portion, and at least one port constructed and positioned to freely accommodate a connecting nozzle fitting and a quick-release fastener connecting said nozzle fitting to said associated port, said fastener generally being U-shaped when viewed from the front or rear and having dependent inclined arms with free ends having formations constructed and positioned to freely and securely engage associated hook lugs on said valve body to prevent release of said fastener from said valve body.

8. The control valve according to claim 7, wherein said at least one port includes at least one inlet port, one outlet port and one drain outlet port.

9. The control valve according to claim 7, wherein said formations at said free ends of said fastener are “T” bar formations, extending transversely from the ends of said free ends.

10. The control valve according to claim 7, wherein said quick-release fastener includes at least one dependent guide formation for engaging a corresponding groove in said port and an associated groove in said nozzle.

11. The control valve according to claim 10, wherein said dependent guide formations are located between said dependent inclined arms.

12. The control valve according to claim 11, further comprising a pair of said guide formations.

13. The control valve according to claim 7, further comprising a tab at an upper end of said fastener configured to facilitate gripping by an operator to release said fastener for removal of said nozzle fitting. qz i cnn / Lznz / E / YiAi 14. The control valve according to claim 7, wherein said hook tabs are secured to said valve body in parallel spaced orientation to accommodate the free ends of said inclined arms.

15. The control valve according to claim 14, wherein said hook tabs are wedge-shaped and extend gradually beyond said valve body closer to a coupling point of said formations at said free ends.

16. A fastener for use with a fluid treatment device control valve having a valve body and at least one pair of hook lugs located in parallel spacing on said valve body and at least one port constructed and positioned to freely accommodate a connecting nozzle fitting, said fastener comprising: a general “U” shape when viewed from the front or rear, including a pair of dependent inclined arms with free ends having “T” bar formations, extending transversely from the ends of said free ends and being constructed and positioned for freely locking engagement of the hook lugs on the valve body to prevent release of the fastener from the valve body;at least one dependent guide formation for engaging a corresponding groove in the port and an associated groove in the nozzle, said at least one guide formation being located between said dependent arms and a tab at an upper end of said fastener configured to facilitate grasping by an operator to release the fastener to remove the nozzle fitting.

17. A control valve for a fluid treatment apparatus, comprising: a valve body having a control portion and a treatment portion, said portions being separated from each other so that said fluid in said control portion is isolated from the fluid in said treatment portion; said treatment portion including a plurality of piston valves alternately in corresponding cylinders for controlling the water to be treated in said apparatus, the ends of each piston valve being placed in said control portion;an adapter tank that attaches to one end of said valve body opposite said control portion, said tank adapter having a dependent tank fitting and defining a plurality of generally cylindrical seats open to a corresponding upper surface and being in register with said cylinders, each of said seat sized to receive a corresponding one of said cylinders; a tough O-ring being placed in a sealed manner on each of said seat to prevent the passage of fluid between said cylinder and said tank adapter; and a clamp securing said tank adapter to said valve body. qz i cnn / ίζηζ / E / γίΛΐ; 18. The control valve according to claim 17, wherein said clamp is secured to said tank adapter for said valve body by engaging with the corresponding annular flanges of said treatment portion and said tank adapter.

19. The control valve according to claim 17, wherein said tank adapter is connected to said valve body only by said clamp, said clamp being positioned along a plane parallel to a plane defined by said elastic annular seals.

20. The control valve according to claim 17, further comprising a vacuum switch associated with said tank adapter, being integrally molded with said tank adapter and in fluid communication with said treatment tank.

21. The control valve according to claim 17, further comprising a pressure relief valve mounted to said tank adapter.

22. The control valve according to claim 21, wherein said pressure relief valve is mounted diametrically opposite a vacuum switch.

23. A control valve for a fluid treatment device, comprising: a valve body having a control portion and a treatment portion, said portions being separated from each other so that the fluid in said control portion is isolated from the fluid in said treatment portion, said treatment portion including a plurality of piston valves alternately in corresponding cylinders for controlling the water to be treated in said apparatus, the ends of each piston valve being deposited in said control portion, a tank adapter being coupled to an end of said valve body opposite said control portion, said tank adapter defining a plurality of seats corresponding to said cylinders, each said seal sized to receive a corresponding one of said cylinders,At least said valve body is connected to said tank adapter using heavy-duty seals at flow passage connections to prevent leakage, providing a packing-free connection of said body to said adapter and at least one port, an associated nozzle fitting and a quick-release fastener connecting said nozzle fitting to said associated port, said fastener generally being U-shaped and having free ends with T-bar formations, said formations constructed and coupled to freely engage with associated locking hook tabs on said valve body to prevent release of said fastener from said valve body.

24. The control valve according to claim 23, further comprising a valve body cap secured to said valve body at an end adjacent to said control portion, said cap provided with a coil controller configured to selectively direct the control fluid to the upper control cylinders in said control portion to control the flow of treatment fluid in said treatment portion of said coil controller, characterizing a coil body with flow passages sealed with resilient seals when the corresponding enclosing support portions are assembled around said body in a packing-free manner.

25. The control valve according to claim 23, wherein said quick-release fastener includes at least one dependent guide formation for engaging a corresponding groove in said port and an associated groove in said nozzle.

26. The control valve according to claim 23, further comprising at least one flow-directing fitting constructed and positioned to be freely coupled to said tank adapter.

27. The control valve according to claim 26, wherein said at least one flow director fitting includes a cup portion defining an internal chamber and a nozzle plug depending on said cup portion, said cup portion defining a flow opening.

28. The control valve according to claim 27, wherein said cup portion is further provided with at least one retaining tab projecting from said cup portion so that an operator can grasp the qz i cnn / Lznz / E / γΐΛΐ flow director and rotate it to selectively plug it into one of the two openings in a recess in said valve adapter.

29. A control valve for a fluid treatment device, comprising: a valve body having a control portion and a treatment portion, said portions being separated from each other so that the fluid in said control portion is isolated from the fluid in said treatment portion; said treatment portion including a plurality of piston valves alternately in corresponding cylinders for controlling the water to be treated in said apparatus, the ends of each of said piston valves being positioned in said control portion; an adapter tank coupled to an end of said valve body opposite said control portion, said adapter tank defining a plurality of seats corresponding to said cylinders, each of said seals sized to receive one corresponding to said cylinders;at least said valve body is connected to said tank adapter using heavy-duty seals at flow passage connections to prevent leakage, providing a gasket-free connection of said body to said adapter and a valve body cap secured to said valve body at an end adjacent to said control portion, said cap provided with a coil controller configured to selectively direct the control fluid to the upper control cylinder in said control portion to control the flow of the treatment fluid in said treatment portion of said coil controller, characterizing a coil body qz i cnn / Lznz / E / YiAi with flow passages sealed with heavy-duty seals when the corresponding attached support portions qz i cnn / Lznz / E / YiAi are assembled around said body in a gasket-free manner.

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