US4748821A — Method and apparatus for dispensing condensate

Claim 1

Independent Claim 113 words

For use in connection with an air conditioning system for conditioning air in a conditioned space relative to an outside space and having a condensate collector for collecting condensate produced by an air conditioner in said system, the improvement comprising: means for atomizing the collected condensate from the condensate collector, said atomizing means comprising an atomizing nozzle, conduit means for conducting the condensate from the condensate collector to said atomizing nozzle, and pump means connected with said conduit means for conducting the condensate through said atomizing nozzle, wherein said atomizing nozzle discharges to a condensate discharge member in direct communication with said outside space and out of communication with the air conditioning system.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 113 words

For use in connection with an air conditioning system for conditioning air in a conditioned space relative to an outside space and having a condensate collector for collecting condensate produced by an air conditioner in said system, the improvement comprising: means for atomizing the collected condensate from the condensate collector, said atomizing means comprising an atomizing nozzle, conduit means for conducting the condensate from the condensate collector to said atomizing nozzle, and pump means connected with said conduit means for conducting the condensate through said atomizing nozzle, wherein said atomizing nozzle discharges to a condensate discharge member in direct communication with said outside space and out of communication with the air conditioning system.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 25 words

The improvement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said atomizing nozzle has at least one orifice sized to produce mist-like droplets of said condensate.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 35 words

The improvement as set forth in claim 2, wherein said pump means comprises a pump having an inlet in fluid communication with said condensate collector and an outlet in fluid communication with said atomizing nozzle.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 30 words

The improvement as set forth in claim 2, wherein said pump means comprises a pump having an outlet connected to said conduit means for pressurizing condensate in said conduit means.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 38 words

The improvement as set forth in claim 2, wherein said atomized condensate discharge member comprises a conduit connected to an outlet of said nozzle, said conduit having an end distal to said nozzle terminating in said outside space.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 24 words

The improvement as set forth in claim 5, wherein said air conditioning unit is a through-the-wall air conditioner, and said conduit is a pipe.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 69 words

The improvement as set forth in claim 1, further including a fluid level sensor for sensing a predetermined level of fluid in said condensate collector to actuate said pump means when the level of fluid in said condensate collector is at said predetermined level and to cease operation of said pump means when the level of fluid in said condensate collector is a level lower than said predetermined level.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 40 words

The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said air conditioning system comprises a plurality of air conditioning units having commonly-connected condensate collectors in fluid circuit with a common collector, said pump means being connected to said common collector.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 81 words

A method for discharging condensate collected in a condensate collector in an air conditioning system for conditioning air in a conditioned space relative to an outside space, comprising the steps of: conducting the collected condensate from the condensate collector to an atomizing nozzle; atomizing the conducted condensate by discharging it from the atomizing nozzle; and discharging the atomized condensate from the nozzle to a space in direct communication with the outside space and out of communication with the air conditioning system.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 81 words

A method for discharging condensate collected in a condensate collector in an air conditioning system for conditioning air in a conditioned space relative to an outside space, comprising the steps of: conducting the collected condensate from the condensate collector to an atomizing nozzle; atomizing the conducted condensate by discharging it from the atomizing nozzle; and discharging the atomized condensate from the nozzle to a space in direct communication with the outside space and out of communication with the air conditioning system.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 48 words

The method as set forth in claim 9, further including the steps of: sensing a predetermined level of fluid in the condensate collector; and actuating pump means to force the condensate through the atomizing nozzle when the level of fluid in the condensate collector reaches the predetermined level.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 108 words

A method of retrofitting an air conditioning system for conditioning air in a conditioned space relative to an outside space, wherein the air conditioning system includes a condensate collector for collecting condensate produced by the air conditioning system, comprising the steps of: providing means for conducting the collected condensate from the condensate collector; providing an atomizing nozzle in fluid communication with said conduit means; connecting to the conducting means pump means for forcing the collected condensate through the atomizing nozzle; providing a condensate discharge member free of flow restrictions and terminating in the outside space; and arranging the atomizing nozzle to discharge directly into the discharge condensate member.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 108 words

A method of retrofitting an air conditioning system for conditioning air in a conditioned space relative to an outside space, wherein the air conditioning system includes a condensate collector for collecting condensate produced by the air conditioning system, comprising the steps of: providing means for conducting the collected condensate from the condensate collector; providing an atomizing nozzle in fluid communication with said conduit means; connecting to the conducting means pump means for forcing the collected condensate through the atomizing nozzle; providing a condensate discharge member free of flow restrictions and terminating in the outside space; and arranging the atomizing nozzle to discharge directly into the discharge condensate member.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1991-06-07	1991-12-07	1992-06-07	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1995-06-07	1995-12-07	1996-06-07	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1999-06-07	1999-12-07	2000-06-07	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for dispensing condensate

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