US20140075979A1 - Air conditioning and other installations - Google Patents
Air conditioning and other installations Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140075979A1 US20140075979A1 US13/985,339 US201213985339A US2014075979A1 US 20140075979 A1 US20140075979 A1 US 20140075979A1 US 201213985339 A US201213985339 A US 201213985339A US 2014075979 A1 US2014075979 A1 US 2014075979A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- valve
- air
- inlet
- pump
- liquid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000004378 air conditioning Methods 0.000 title abstract description 7
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 title abstract description 6
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000013536 elastomeric material Substances 0.000 claims 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/22—Means for preventing condensation or evacuating condensate
- F24F13/222—Means for preventing condensation or evacuating condensate for evacuating condensate
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D21/00—Defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water
- F25D21/14—Collecting or removing condensed and defrost water; Drip trays
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/22—Means for preventing condensation or evacuating condensate
- F24F13/222—Means for preventing condensation or evacuating condensate for evacuating condensate
- F24F2013/227—Condensate pipe for drainage of condensate from the evaporator
Definitions
- the present invention relates to improvements in or relating to air conditioning and other installations, in particular to the removal of condensate and other liquids.
- a condenser In an air conditioning installation, a condenser is used to cool fluid which is used for space-cooling. The condenser produces condensate water which must be removed.
- a positive displacement pump is used as a condensate pump to remove condensate from a reservoir adjacent the condenser to a drain via a small bore tube forming a discharge line.
- a float valve is used to sense when condensate needs evacuating from the reservoir and actuates the pump in response, switching off the pump when all condensate has been removed.
- the condensate pump is a self-priming pump, but nevertheless, such pumps are typically very noisy when picking up air as they start. Such pumps include a reciprocating metal piston in a cylindrical body and damage can be suffered when the pump runs with no water in it.
- Condensers are typically mounted at an elevated position with respect to the drain. As such, once the pump has been switched off in response to the float valve sensing no further condensate, condensate left upstream of the condensate pump tends to siphon through the pump to the drain leaving the pump with no condensate in it and hence leading to increased noise on the next start-up of the pump and increased wear on the pump surfaces and thus a decreased lifespan for the pump, often as little as a few months.
- the present invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem. Accordingly, in its broadest sense, the present invention provides a method of preventing siphoning of a liquid through a pump having an inlet and an outlet, which outlet is coupled to a discharge line; the method comprising providing an air inlet valve in the discharge line.
- the air-inlet valve is positioned at a height not less than slightly below the height of the outlet of the pump.
- the present invention provides an air-inlet valve.
- the air-inlet valve comprises a valve body having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet and a through-bore therebetween further comprising an air-inlet in fluid communication with the through-bore.
- the air-inlet comprises a non-return or one-way valve. More preferably, the valve is a duck-bill valve.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an air-inlet valve in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a portion of a typical air-conditioning installation incorporating the valve of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the valve of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the valve of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a valve in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 .
- the embodiment of the air-inlet valve in accordance with the present invention illustrated in the figures has a valve body 10 , a liquid inlet 11 and liquid outlet 12 .
- Liquid inlet 11 is couplable to a source of liquid, such as the outlet of a pump liquid outlet 12 is couplable to a drain, such as by means of a discharge line 24 .
- the valve further comprises an air-inlet valve 13 within the valve body 10 .
- FIG. 2 shows the air-inlet valve in a typical air-conditioning installation in which a condenser 20 collects condensate water from the air-conditioning unit. This collects in a reservoir 21 .
- a float valve 22 senses when the water level in reservoir 21 reaches a predetermined level and activates pump 23 in response thereto.
- Pump 23 removes condensate to drain through a discharge line 24 .
- Air-inlet valve 10 is interposed into discharge line 24 downstream of pump 23 .
- Valve 10 can be positioned slightly below pump 23 but is preferably positioned level with or above the height of pump 23 .
- Body 10 of the valve has a bore 30 communicating the inlet 11 and outlet 12 ; and a cavity 31 in fluid communication with bore 30 by means of a communicating line 32 .
- Cavity 31 is fitted with a uni-directional valve, as shown, in the form of a duck-billed elastomeric valve 33 held in position within cavity 31 by means of a retaining cap 34 .
- valve body 40 consists of two couplable valve body halves 41 , 42 .
- First valve body half 41 includes a liquid inlet 43 and an air-inlet 44 .
- Second valve body half 42 includes a liquid outlet 45 .
- liquid inlet 43 and liquid outlet 45 define a bore 50 through the valve.
- Duck-billed elastomeric valve 33 is positioned between valve body halves 41 , 42 and held in place thereby, and is in communication with air inlet 44 and a cavity 51 opening from bore 50 .
- Second valve body half 42 also includes internal ribs 52 to retain valve 33 in place and ensure that the valve is not compressed closed.
- the present invention is of particular benefit for use with piston pumps, for which this is a particular problem and so will find utility also in other uses, such as coffee machines.
- Such pumps typically include an internal valve, for example providing the self-priming function, typically providing a bias into a closed position against a spring force.
- the duck-billed valve 33 or other valve, will be selected to be rated at less than the spring force of any internal pump valve to avoid siphoning.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Self-Closing Valves And Venting Or Aerating Valves (AREA)
- Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)
- Details Of Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)
- Float Valves (AREA)
- Check Valves (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to air conditioning and other installations, in particular to the removal of condensate and other liquids.
- In an air conditioning installation, a condenser is used to cool fluid which is used for space-cooling. The condenser produces condensate water which must be removed. Typically, a positive displacement pump is used as a condensate pump to remove condensate from a reservoir adjacent the condenser to a drain via a small bore tube forming a discharge line. A float valve is used to sense when condensate needs evacuating from the reservoir and actuates the pump in response, switching off the pump when all condensate has been removed. The condensate pump is a self-priming pump, but nevertheless, such pumps are typically very noisy when picking up air as they start. Such pumps include a reciprocating metal piston in a cylindrical body and damage can be suffered when the pump runs with no water in it.
- Condensers are typically mounted at an elevated position with respect to the drain. As such, once the pump has been switched off in response to the float valve sensing no further condensate, condensate left upstream of the condensate pump tends to siphon through the pump to the drain leaving the pump with no condensate in it and hence leading to increased noise on the next start-up of the pump and increased wear on the pump surfaces and thus a decreased lifespan for the pump, often as little as a few months.
- The present invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem. Accordingly, in its broadest sense, the present invention provides a method of preventing siphoning of a liquid through a pump having an inlet and an outlet, which outlet is coupled to a discharge line; the method comprising providing an air inlet valve in the discharge line.
- Preferably, the air-inlet valve is positioned at a height not less than slightly below the height of the outlet of the pump.
- Accordingly, in a second aspect, the present invention provides an air-inlet valve. The air-inlet valve comprises a valve body having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet and a through-bore therebetween further comprising an air-inlet in fluid communication with the through-bore.
- Preferably, the air-inlet comprises a non-return or one-way valve. More preferably, the valve is a duck-bill valve.
- The above and other aspects of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an air-inlet valve in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a portion of a typical air-conditioning installation incorporating the valve ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the valve ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the valve ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a valve in accordance with the present invention; and -
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 5 . - The embodiment of the air-inlet valve in accordance with the present invention illustrated in the figures has a
valve body 10, aliquid inlet 11 andliquid outlet 12.Liquid inlet 11 is couplable to a source of liquid, such as the outlet of a pumpliquid outlet 12 is couplable to a drain, such as by means of adischarge line 24. The valve further comprises an air-inlet valve 13 within thevalve body 10. -
FIG. 2 shows the air-inlet valve in a typical air-conditioning installation in which a condenser 20 collects condensate water from the air-conditioning unit. This collects in areservoir 21. A float valve 22 senses when the water level inreservoir 21 reaches a predetermined level and activatespump 23 in response thereto.Pump 23 removes condensate to drain through adischarge line 24. Air-inlet valve 10 is interposed intodischarge line 24 downstream ofpump 23. Valve 10 can be positioned slightly belowpump 23 but is preferably positioned level with or above the height ofpump 23. - The air-inlet valve is illustrated in further detail in
FIGS. 3 and 4 .Body 10 of the valve has abore 30 communicating theinlet 11 andoutlet 12; and acavity 31 in fluid communication withbore 30 by means of a communicatingline 32. -
Cavity 31 is fitted with a uni-directional valve, as shown, in the form of a duck-billedelastomeric valve 33 held in position withincavity 31 by means of aretaining cap 34. - As condensate flows through
bore 30 as a consequence of the operation ofpump 23 air is caused to entercavity 31 throughvalve 33 from the atmosphere. - As a consequence of the admission of air to the condensate flowing through the air-inlet valve, a body of water does not build up downstream of the valve. As a consequence, there is an inadequate weight of condensate liquid to cause condensate to siphon from that part of the discharge line upstream of the pump (that is to say between float valve 22 and pump 23). A full body of condensate is therefore maintained in
pump 23 such that the pump noise and damage apparent with prior art arrangements is avoided. - An alternative construction is shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6 . In this embodiment, valve body 40 consists of two couplablevalve body halves valve body half 41 includes aliquid inlet 43 and an air-inlet 44. Secondvalve body half 42 includes aliquid outlet 45. - In the assembled air inlet valve,
liquid inlet 43 andliquid outlet 45 define abore 50 through the valve. - Duck-billed
elastomeric valve 33 is positioned betweenvalve body halves air inlet 44 and acavity 51 opening frombore 50. Secondvalve body half 42 also includesinternal ribs 52 to retainvalve 33 in place and ensure that the valve is not compressed closed. - The operation of this embodiment is as per the first embodiment described above. The two-part assembly simplifies moulding of the components.
- The present invention is of particular benefit for use with piston pumps, for which this is a particular problem and so will find utility also in other uses, such as coffee machines. Such pumps typically include an internal valve, for example providing the self-priming function, typically providing a bias into a closed position against a spring force. The duck-billed
valve 33, or other valve, will be selected to be rated at less than the spring force of any internal pump valve to avoid siphoning.
Claims (11)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1102710.9A GB2488132A (en) | 2011-02-16 | 2011-02-16 | Removal of condensate or other liquids from air conditioning systems or other installations |
GB1102710.9 | 2011-02-16 | ||
PCT/GB2012/050327 WO2012110800A1 (en) | 2011-02-16 | 2012-02-14 | Improvements in or relating to air conditioning and other installations |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20140075979A1 true US20140075979A1 (en) | 2014-03-20 |
Family
ID=43859510
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/985,339 Abandoned US20140075979A1 (en) | 2011-02-16 | 2012-02-14 | Air conditioning and other installations |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20140075979A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2676078A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2488132A (en) |
RU (1) | RU2013142059A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012110800A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20180231412A1 (en) * | 2014-10-14 | 2018-08-16 | Aspen Pumps Limited | Liquid level detector |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7857004B2 (en) | 2007-12-31 | 2010-12-28 | Steven L. Pearson | Automated condensate drain line cleaning system, method, and kit |
Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3145724A (en) * | 1960-11-14 | 1964-08-25 | Harry Karp | Vacuum breaking device |
US3830241A (en) * | 1972-08-07 | 1974-08-20 | Kendall & Co | Vented adapter |
US3861394A (en) * | 1973-03-05 | 1975-01-21 | Kendall & Co | Clearing means for a liquid drainage system |
US4008732A (en) * | 1975-09-23 | 1977-02-22 | American Standard, Inc. | Diverter valve |
US4361522A (en) * | 1981-08-27 | 1982-11-30 | Goettl Adam D | Automatic flushing and draining apparatus for evaporative coolers |
US4834132A (en) * | 1986-09-25 | 1989-05-30 | Nissan Motor Company, Limited | Fuel transfer apparatus |
US5199455A (en) * | 1991-11-27 | 1993-04-06 | Chardon Rubber Company | Anti-siphon device for drain conduits |
US7059341B2 (en) * | 2003-09-12 | 2006-06-13 | Srivastava Ramesh Kumar | Discharge ducts for pumping water from a supply reservoir to a delivery reservoir |
US20070110505A1 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2007-05-17 | Wagner Spray Tech Corporation | Modular paint pump for a paint roller |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB930829A (en) * | 1961-01-20 | 1963-07-10 | Komplex Nagyberendezesek Expor | Process and apparatus for the treatment of green peas and other raw vegetables |
US5244367A (en) * | 1990-11-30 | 1993-09-14 | Aeroquip Corporation | Gear pump with a resilient means for biasing a side wear plate |
US6301917B1 (en) * | 1998-06-11 | 2001-10-16 | Marvin Lacoste | Condensate blowout tool |
CN1240078C (en) * | 2000-08-16 | 2006-02-01 | 埃斯科姆公司 | Nuclear reactor plant |
US6442956B1 (en) * | 2001-12-19 | 2002-09-03 | Michael A Herren | Drain tube auto-servicing apparatus |
US20060042292A1 (en) | 2004-08-27 | 2006-03-02 | Kimbrough Atwood M | HVAC enviro-clean valve - SO model |
US7392658B1 (en) * | 2006-05-03 | 2008-07-01 | Hardy Iii William G | Automated air conditioner drain line clean-out system |
US7857004B2 (en) * | 2007-12-31 | 2010-12-28 | Steven L. Pearson | Automated condensate drain line cleaning system, method, and kit |
-
2011
- 2011-02-16 GB GB1102710.9A patent/GB2488132A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2012
- 2012-02-14 WO PCT/GB2012/050327 patent/WO2012110800A1/en active Application Filing
- 2012-02-14 EP EP12706304.8A patent/EP2676078A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2012-02-14 RU RU2013142059/12A patent/RU2013142059A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2012-02-14 US US13/985,339 patent/US20140075979A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3145724A (en) * | 1960-11-14 | 1964-08-25 | Harry Karp | Vacuum breaking device |
US3830241A (en) * | 1972-08-07 | 1974-08-20 | Kendall & Co | Vented adapter |
US3861394A (en) * | 1973-03-05 | 1975-01-21 | Kendall & Co | Clearing means for a liquid drainage system |
US4008732A (en) * | 1975-09-23 | 1977-02-22 | American Standard, Inc. | Diverter valve |
US4361522A (en) * | 1981-08-27 | 1982-11-30 | Goettl Adam D | Automatic flushing and draining apparatus for evaporative coolers |
US4834132A (en) * | 1986-09-25 | 1989-05-30 | Nissan Motor Company, Limited | Fuel transfer apparatus |
US5199455A (en) * | 1991-11-27 | 1993-04-06 | Chardon Rubber Company | Anti-siphon device for drain conduits |
US7059341B2 (en) * | 2003-09-12 | 2006-06-13 | Srivastava Ramesh Kumar | Discharge ducts for pumping water from a supply reservoir to a delivery reservoir |
US20070110505A1 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2007-05-17 | Wagner Spray Tech Corporation | Modular paint pump for a paint roller |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20180231412A1 (en) * | 2014-10-14 | 2018-08-16 | Aspen Pumps Limited | Liquid level detector |
US10760938B2 (en) * | 2014-10-14 | 2020-09-01 | Aspen Pumps Limited | Liquid level detector |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2012110800A4 (en) | 2012-11-15 |
GB2488132A (en) | 2012-08-22 |
WO2012110800A1 (en) | 2012-08-23 |
GB201102710D0 (en) | 2011-03-30 |
EP2676078A1 (en) | 2013-12-25 |
RU2013142059A (en) | 2015-03-27 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ASPEN PUMPS LIMITED, UNITED KINGDOM Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ROSE, JOSEPH;COVEY, ROBERT;REEL/FRAME:031623/0943 Effective date: 20131021 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ASPEN BIDCO LIMITED, UNITED KINGDOM Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ASPEN PUMPS LIMITED;REEL/FRAME:031629/0392 Effective date: 20131023 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ASPEN PUMPS LIMITED, UNITED KINGDOM Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:ASPEN BIDCO LIMITED;REEL/FRAME:032130/0500 Effective date: 20121113 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |