Patent ID: 6067812
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: F24F

Abstract:
In an air conditioning unit having a condenser, a condenser fan having a suction side and a discharge side located upstream of said condenser, means for collecting condensate located at least partially intermediate said condenser and said condenser fan in said discharge side, means for disposing of said collected condensate comprising:said condenser fan being an axial fan with a plurality of blades having tips extending from said suction side to said discharge side;means for rotatably driving said fan;an annular slinger surrounding and having a portion secured to said blade tips in a region extending from said suction side for at least a portion of the distance to said discharge side;a fixed shroud including an inlet orifice;said tips and said slinger being located entirely within said fixed shroud;said inlet orifice and said slinger coacting to define a restricted passage extending between said suction side and said discharge side;said slinger having means for contacting said collected condensate and being wetted thereby such that said collected condensate tends to adhere to said slinger whereby when said unit is operating and said fan and slinger rotate as a unit, a pressure differential across said fan acts on said collected condensate tending to cause said collected condensate to move towards and to be at a higher level towards said suction side and said slinger contacts said higher level of collected condensate and is wetted thereby with adhering condensate being slung by centrifugal force into air discharging from said blades.