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EP-4735805-A1 - SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND/OR METHODS FOR MANAGING CONDENSATE

EP4735805A1EP 4735805 A1EP4735805 A1EP 4735805A1EP-4735805-A1

Abstract

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, and/or manufacture that is configured for operably releasing condensate received from a condensate-producing unit toward a drain without allowing a substantial quantity of gas to flow through the system, machine, device, and/or manufacture, those embodiments including a valve, a spring, and/or a housing.

Inventors

  • DES CHAMPS, NICHOLAS, H.
  • MANES, Leonardo, Brito

Assignees

  • Des Champs Technologies LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240621

Claims (14)

  1. 1. An automatic condensate release device configured to operably selectively release condensate received from a condensate-producing unit, the automatic condensate release device comprising: a substantially spherical valve that defines a valve outer surface; an elongate housing defining: a condensate reservoir; a valve chamber configured to operably contain the valve; and a condensate release port configured to operably convey condensate from the condensate reservoir into the valve chamber; a valve seat configured to, when in contact with the valve outer surface, operably form a fluidic seal of the condensate release port; and a helical spring located substantially within the valve chamber and configured to operably bias the valve toward the valve seat; wherein: the housing defines a longitudinal housing axis, a first housing portion, and a second housing portion; the housing defines a lock configured to operably secure the first housing portion to the second housing portion, the lock comprising: at least two elongate arms that have shape memory, each arm defining a first locking surface; and a second locking surface, wherein the first locking surface is configured to operably non-destructively releasably, clickably, lockingly engage with the second locking surface, such that each first locking surface contacts, bears on, opposes, and/or extends substantially parallel to, its second locking surface; for each arm, the housing defines one or more arm guides configured to, when the first locking surface is not engaged with its corresponding second locking surface, operably slidably direct the arm until the first locking surface non-destructively releasably, clickably, lockingly engages with the corresponding second locking surface; and the first housing portion and the second housing portion cooperate with an O-ring to compressively fluidically seal the housing and circumferentially fluidically seal the housing when each first locking surface is operably non-destructively releasably, clickably, lockingly engaged with its corresponding second locking surface.
  2. 2. The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein: the housing defines a spring seat configured to operably anchor the helical spring to the housing.
  3. 3. The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein: the valve chamber defines at least one valve guide configured to operably slidably direct the valve toward and away from the valve seat along the longitudinal housing axis.
  4. 4. The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein: the spring defines a longitudinal helix axis that is coaxial with the longitudinal housing axis.
  5. 5. The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein: in an operable configuration, the spring is pre-loaded to approximately 0.75 inches water column (0.027 psi).
  6. 6. The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein: the automatic condensate release device is configured to operably release condensate toward a drain conduit while allowing substantially no air below the valve seat and within the automatic condensate release device to flow toward the condensate-producing unit and substantially no air above the valve seat and within the automatic condensate release device to flow into the drain conduit, provided that the air above the valve seat is pressurized, relative to air contacting yet outside the automatic condensate release device, between approximately negative 2 inches water column and approximately positive 0.625 inches water column.
  7. 7. The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein: the housing is configured to operably form an inlet circumferential fluidic seal formed between a selectable one of: a first inlet connection surface and a 20 millimeter (nominal internal diameter) PVC pipe fitting; a second inlet connection surface and a 0.75 inch (nominal internal diameter) schedule 40 PVC pipe fitting; and a third inlet connection surface and a 0.625 inch (nominal internal diameter) flexible mini-split hose.
  8. 8. The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein: the housing is configured to operatively form an inlet circumferential fluidic seal formed between a selectable one of: a first outlet connection surface and a 20 mm (nominal internal diameter) PVC pipe fitting; a second outlet connection surface and a 0.75 inch (nominal internal diameter) schedule 40 PVC pipe fitting; and a third outlet connection surface and a 0.625 inch (nominal internal diameter) flexible mini-split hose.
  9. 9. The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein: the automatic condensate release device is operable when the longitudinal housing axis is oriented within approximately 45 degrees of vertical.
  10. 10. The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein: the housing is formed from a substantially clear material.
  11. 11. The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein: the first housing portion is configured to non-destructively disconnect from the second housing portion without rotation of the first housing portion relative to the second housing portion about the longitudinal housing axis.
  12. 12. The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein, in an operative embodiment: the automatic condensate release device is fluidically connected to the condensate-producing unit via a condensate conduit and the automatic condensate release device is fluidically connected to a condensate drain via a drain conduit; and the first housing portion is configured to non-destructively disconnect from the second housing portion without disconnection of the automatic condensate release device from the condensate conduit or the drain conduit.
  13. 13. A condensate management system comprising the automatic condensate release device of claim 1.
  14. 14. A system comprising: a condensate-producing unit; and the automatic condensate release device of claim 1; wherein: the condensate-producing unit is fluidically connected to the automatic condensate release device.

Description

Systems, Devices, and/or Methods for Managing Condensate Brief Description of the Drawings [1] A wide variety of potential, feasible, and/or useful embodiments will be more readily understood through the herein-provided, non-limiting, non-exhaustive description of certain exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings in which: [2] FIG. l is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a condensate management system 1000; [3] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a automatic condensate release device or “trap” housing 5100; [4] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a trap housing 5100; [5] FIG. 4 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a trap housing 5100; [6] FIG. 5 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a trap housing 5100; [7] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective assembly view of an exemplary embodiment of a trap 5000; [8] FIG. 7 is a front assembly view of an exemplary embodiment of a trap 5000; [9] FIG. 8 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a first housing portion 5120; [10] FIG. 9 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a second housing portion 5140; [11] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a first housing portion 5120; [12] FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a first housing portion 5120; [13] FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a second housing portion 5140; [14] FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a second housing portion 5140; [15] FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view, taken at section C-C, of an exemplary embodiment of a trap housing 5100; [16] FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view, taken at section A- A, of an exemplary embodiment of a trap housing 5100; [17] FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view, taken at section A- A, of an exemplary embodiment of a first housing portion 5120; [18] FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view, taken at section A- A, of an exemplary embodiment of a second housing portion 5140; [19] FIG. 18 is a side cross-sectional view, taken at section C-C, of an exemplary embodiment of a first housing portion 5120; [20] FIG. 19 is a side cross-sectional view, taken at section C-C, of an exemplary embodiment of a second housing portion 5140; [21] FIG. 20 is a top perspective assembly cross-section view, taken at section B-B, of an exemplary embodiment of a trap 5000; [22] FIG. 21 is a top perspective assembly cross-section view, taken at section C-C, of an exemplary embodiment of a trap 5000; [23] FIG. 22 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a trap housing 5100; and [24] FIG. 23 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a trap housing 5100. Drawing Key Description [25] Certain exemplary embodiments relate to the technical field of heating, ventilating, and/or air conditioning (“HVAC”). In certain exemplary embodiments, HVAC systems (such as heat pumps and/or central air conditioners) in residential and/or commercial buildings can include an “outdoor” unit comprising a refrigerant compressor and condenser outside of the conditioned space and an air handler comprising a supply fan and an evaporator in a mechanical room, basement, or attic. The air handler then can supply conditioned air through a series of supply ducts to distribute the air to various supply registers at predetermined points throughout the area to be conditioned. To get the air back to the air handler there can be return registers stationed at predetermined points that feed the spent conditioned air into return ducts. [26] Yet via this arrangement, approximately half the energy consumed by the HVAC system can be due to overcoming the pressure drop caused by (and/or fluidic resistance to) moving and distributing air through the ducts that deliver and return the air through the conditioned space. Moreover, the cost of installing this ductwork can be substantial. [27] Thus, certain exemplary embodiments can rely upon an HVAC system that can essentially eliminate ductwork by incorporating several small individual air handlers that replace the supply registers that would be used in a central HVAC system. These small air handlers can incorporate an air filter, fan, and/or conditioning coil. As a result, refrigerant lines can be run from the outdoor unit to each “mini” air handler, which can be much less expensive than installing air ducting. [28] Each of these indoor air handling units (sometimes referred to herein as a “mini split”) can have a cooling coil that can generate condensate (particularly when the unit is in cooling mode) by condensing water vapor that is dispersed/dissolved in the indoor air (thereby dropping the temperature of that air). Since the mini split need only recirculate the air within the local space, that is, air can enter at the top of the air handler and exit out the bottom, the fan pressure drop can be only that created by air flow through the air filter