Air conditioning condensate treatment apparatus

Apparatus applies chemicals to condensate water from an air conditioning condensate tray. It has an elongate body and a central cavity enclosed by an encircling wall. The central cavity receives chemicals to prevent the growth of microorganisms. A first tubular member is operatively connected at a first end to an aperture in the wall, and a second end extending outwardly for receiving condensate water from the condensate tray. A second tubular member is operatively connected to a second aperture in the wall opposite the first aperture aligned with the first member so that a cleaning brush may be passed through both members and into the condensate tray. Below the two tubular members a fluid outlet is provided with a connector for joining to a drainage system for draining the chemically treated condensate water from the cavity.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to refrigeration systems, and more particularly to an apparatus for the chemical treatment of water from the condensate tray beneath the evaporator of an air conditioning unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known in the art to provide a receptacle such as a tray or pan beneath the evaporator coils of an air conditioner to receive water that condenses from the air as it is cooled. A drain pipe is generally connected to a side wall of the tray to drain the condensate water as it accumulates. Because water may stand still in the system, various microorganisms may grow in the tray and drain pipe until they clog up the drainage system. When this occurs, overflowing water may cause considerable damage. Because the drainage system and tray are out of sight and may be relatively inaccessible, they may be neglected until damage occurs. Various methods of applying antimicrobials to the drainage systems have been employed in the prior art. They have not been completely successful in overcoming the problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a system that applies biocidal chemicals to a condensate tray drainage system that does not require access to the tray to replace the chemicals. It is another object that the apparatus of the invention provides cleaning access to the tray. Apparatus of the invention has an elongate reservoir body with an open upper end, a lower end, and a central cavity enclosed by an encircling wall. The central cavity receives chemicals through the open top. A top closure removably closes the central cavity. A tubular member is operatively connected at a first end to an aperture in the encircling wall, and has a second end extending outwardly therefrom. The second end is constructed for receiving condensate water from the condensate tray for providing a fluid passage for the water to the central cavity, and from there through drainage piping to a disposal site. In passing through the central cavity, the condensate water receives biocidal chemicals in concentration sufficient to suppress the growth of microorganisms in the drainage system. A cleanout structure is provided that enables a user to access the condensate tray through the apparatus to clean the tray with a long-handled brush in the common condition when direct access to the tray is limited.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are designated by like reference characters in the various drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now first to theFIGS. 1-5, apparatus1of the invention includes an elongate reservoir body2, having an open lower end4, and an open upper end3with a removable top closure8that may be unscrewed to permit access to the central cavity5into which may be deposited one or more biocidal chemicals7(shown in phantom) of the type well known in the art for suppressing the growth of organisms in condensate water. The central cavity is enclosed by an encircling wall6. A first aperture9in the wall6is operatively sealed to a first end11of a tubular member10to provide a passage for water from a condensate drain tray28(shown in phantom) to enter the cavity5. A second end12of the member10is constructed with connection means25for connecting to the condensate tray. As best seen inFIG. 1, a condensate tray28of the type installed beneath the evaporator coils29(shown in phantom) of an air conditioner (not shown) receives water that condenses from the air passing over the chilling coils. Water that accumulates in the tray drains from the tray to the outside through apparatus1to a drain assembly31. A second aperture14in the encircling wall is provided directly opposite the first aperture9. A second tubular member15is operatively connected at its first end16to the second aperture. A second end17of tubular member15is provided with a removable tethered covering18. The first and second tubular members are aligned so that the brush26with elongate flexible handle27ofFIG. 8may be passed through from end17of member15, through the cavity5, and then through member10and into the condensate tray28to clean it.

Since condensate water drains very slowly and is stagnant at times, it tends to grow microorganisms that lead to clogging of the drain systems and then overflowing of the drain with damage. Some systems of the prior art apply biocidal chemicals directly to the tray in the form of slowly dissolving tablets. Direct access to the tray may be awkward in some installations. The second end12of the tubular member10is operatively connected by a connection means to the tray. All of the connection means may be any means well known in the art such as: gasketed screw joints, ferrule joints, and cemented sleeve joints. When the tray is constructed of a plastic, cemented slip joints generally used for the plastic piping may be used, for example. A threaded assembly is shown here for illustration purposes. As water in the tray increases, water flows from the tray into the central cavity5. Chemicals dissolved from the chemical source7in the cavity5will move with the water through the lower end and into the drain31where it will suppress the growth of microorganisms.

A perforated basket20is removably fitted into the cavity5. The basket has a pair of apertures21dimensioned and positionable so as to align with the two tubular members,10and15to enable the brush26to pass through. Biocidal chemicals7(shown in phantom) are deposited in the basket as needed, and the basket deposited in the central cavity through the upper open end3. The open lower end4of the elongate body2is provided with connecting means19for connecting to drainage conduit31which may be a pipe assembly that leads to the outside. Condensate water flowing from the condensate tray through tubular member10into central cavity5containing chemicals7in the basket then drain out through end4and into the drainage conduit. There are conditions in which noxious gases may pass through the conduit system and into the air of the air handling system.FIG. 5shows an embodiment of the invention to overcome the problem. A water trap33is interposed between the lower end4of the elongate body and the conduit31. When water sits in the trap above the level of barrier34, the conduit air space35is isolated from the air space36of the central cavity by the barrier. A plug45facilitates trap cleanout.

As best seen inFIG. 2, the tubular member10may optionally be provided with a fluid level sensor24. The sensor provides a signal through wires32to inactivate electrically powered equipment such as an air handler motor and/or air conditioning compressor motor (not shown) when the liquid level in the tubular member reaches a preset level.

As best seen inFIG. 5, the closure8may optionally be provided with a fluid level sensor25having a sensing element within that rests inside the central cavity when the closure is in place. The sensor provides a signal through wires32to inactivate electrically powered equipment such as an air handler motor and/or air conditioning compressor motor (not shown) when the liquid level in the central cavity reaches a preset level.

The fluid levels sensors may be any of those well known in the art.

Referring now to drawingFIGS. 6 and 7, another embodiment1′ of the invention is shown. An elongate body2′ has an open upper end3′, an open lower end4′ and an encircling wall6′ defining a central cavity5′. A top enclosure8′ removably connected to the upper end may be removed to admit biocidal chemicals7directly to the central cavity, or alternatively, to admit a perforated basket with chemicals (not shown) as described above. A bottom closure37closes off the bottom end4′ to retain the chemicals. A first aperture9′ in the wall6′ is operatively sealed to a first end11′ of a tubular member10′ to provide a passage for water from a condensate drain tray to enter the cavity5′. A second end12′ of the member10′ is constructed with connection means25for connecting to the condensate tray. A second aperture14′ in the encircling wall is provided directly opposite the first aperture9′. A second tubular member15′ is operatively connected at its first end16′ to the second aperture. A second end17′ of tubular member15′ is provided with a removable tethered covering18′. The first and second tubular members are aligned so that the brush26with elongate flexible handle27ofFIG. 8may be passed through from end17′ of member15′, through the cavity5′, and then through member10′ and into the condensate tray (not shown) to clean it.

A third aperture38in the wall is disposed below the first and second apertures. A third tubular member39has a first end40operatively connected to the aperture38and a second end41provided with connection means42for operatively connecting to a drain43to provide a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the chemically treated condensate water in the central cavity.

A fluid level sensor44may be employed in a tubular member as shown, or in the top closure (not shown) as described above.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in form and arrangement of parts and the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made within the underlying idea or principles of the invention.