Patent ID: 6442956
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: F24F,F25D

Abstract:
An apparatus structured for auto-servicing a low volume drain tube, the drain tube structured with a first end where condensed fluid, which is to be discharged, enters the tube, and a second end where condensed fluid exits the drain tube at a remote discharge location, the apparatus comprising:a) a timer and controller; b) a first drain tube sealing device located substantially proximate to the first end of the drain tube, the sealing device responsive to the timer and controller for selectively being placed in a sealed state or an unsealed state, wherein the first end of the drain tube is sealed when the sealing device is in the sealed state and unsealed when the sealing device is in the unsealed state; c) a second drain tube sealing device located substantially proximate to the second end of the drain tube, the second sealing device also responsive to the timer and controller for selectively being placed in a sealed state or an unsealed state, wherein the second end of the drain tube is sealed when the second drain tube sealing device is in the sealed state and unsealed when the second drain tube sealing device is in the unsealed state; and d) a pressurized air inlet operatively coupled to the drain tube for enabling pressurized air to be coupled to, enter, and pressurize the drain tube when the first and second drain tube sealing devices are each placed in the sealed state; e) the timer and controller arranged for periodically placing each sealing device in the sealed state, and causing a source of pressurized air to be applied to provide pressurized air to the air inlet, thereby pressurizing the drain tube for a temporal interval, and subsequently causing each sealing device to be returned to the unsealed state, wherein the process of returning each sealing device to an unsealed state causes a blowing out of any contaminants that are present inside the drain tube and at or near the first end or the second end thereof.