US3910061A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety condensate overflow system
Assignee: Trane US Inc
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Filing: 1974-09-05
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Granted: 1975-10-07
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Expires: 1994-09-05
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a drain system for a central air conditioning system wherein a refrigeration system evaporator is mounted over a drain pan and is arranged in a cabinet. The pan collects the condensate from the evaporator and is provided with primary drain passageway for normal draining operation of the pan and a secondary drain passageway operable in the event the primary drain passageway is blocked for carrying the condensate away from the cabinet interior. A safety drain is provided in the secondary drain passageway that will automatically allow evacuation of condensate from the drain pan in the event both primary and secondary drain passageways are blocked.
Inventors
- 👤 John W Irwin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:47
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D21/00; F25D21/14; F24; F24F; F24F13/00; F24F13/22; F25D2321/00; F25D2321/14; F25D2321/146
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
In an air conditioning apparatus having a cabinet including refrigeration system evaporator means arranged in said cabinet, and drain means positioned below said evaporator for receiving condensation from said evaporator, said drain means comprising: a base pan arranged in said cabinet including side walls; a primary drain means arranged in the lower portion of one of said side walls having one end communicating with said base pan and its other end adapted to project beyond the outer extremities of said cabinet for directing condensate out of said cabinet; a secondary drain tube means having a continuous side wall including an inlet end disposed in said base pan between the lower end of said primary drain means and the upper extremities of said side walls and an outlet end disposed outside of said cabinet for directing condensate from said base pan to the exterior of said cabinet when the condensate in said pan reaches the predetermined level of said inlet; and a safety drain means including a relief drain opening located in the upper half of said secondary tube means side wall in an area outside of said base pan providing an outlet for condensate entering said inlet from said base pan when said secondary drain outlet end is closed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
In an air conditioning apparatus having a cabinet including refrigeration system evaporator means arranged in said cabinet, and drain means positioned below said evaporator for receiving condensation from said evaporator, said drain means comprising: a base pan arranged in said cabinet including side walls; a primary drain means arranged in the lower portion of one of said side walls having one end communicating with said base pan and its other end adapted to project beyond the outer extremities of said cabinet for directing condensate out of said cabinet; a secondary drain tube means having a continuous side wall including an inlet end disposed in said base pan between the lower end of said primary drain means and the upper extremities of said side walls and an outlet end disposed outside of said cabinet for directing condensate from said base pan to the exterior of said cabinet when the condensate in said pan reaches the predetermined level of said inlet; and a safety drain means including a relief drain opening located in the upper half of said secondary tube means side wall in an area outside of said base pan providing an outlet for condensate entering said inlet from said base pan when said secondary drain outlet end is closed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein diverter means below said safety opening projecting from the outer surface of said base pan side wall to a position exterior of said cabinet for receiving condensate from said relief drain opening and diverting it away from saiD cabinet when said secondary drain outlet end is closed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said diverter means includes a bottom wall arranged below said secondary drain tube and side walls projecting upwardly from said bottom wall along opposite sides of said drain tube means in the area of said relief drain opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein the outlet end of said secondary drain tube is adapted to receive a flexible extension tube, and said diverter means side walls having portions bent toward each other to a position adjacent the upper portion of the peripheral wall of said secondary drain tube and downstream from said relief opening to prevent said flexible extension from being inserted to a position over said relief opening.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-06 | 1979-04-07 | 1979-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-06 | 1983-04-07 | 1983-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-06 | 1987-04-07 | 1987-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |