US20220205679A1

US20220205679A1 - Algae Eraser

Info

Publication number: US20220205679A1
Application number: US17/138,920
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank Edward Cates
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-12-31
Filing date: 2020-12-31
Publication date: 2022-06-30

Abstract

The present invention discloses an automatic air condition drain line flush pump that is set on a timer that flushes algae and slime cleaner through the drain line preventing water from backing up due to clogged drain line and overflowing. The prevention of reverse airflows and reduction of microbial and bacterial growth will have a positive impact of Indoor Air Quality.

Description

BACKGROUND

Copyright Notice

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to automatic air condition drain line flush pump that is pre-set at regular intervals on a timer that flushes algae and slime through the drain line preventing water from backing up due to clogged drain line and seemingly flowing in reverse.

Description of the Related Art

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
The present invention relates to air conditioning systems, and, in particular, to an automated system for cleaning out the drain line of an air conditioning system to prevent the build-up of algae or other growth.
Every year millions of dollars are spent to repair the damage done from clogged and overflowing evaporator drain lines and pans. The average air conditioning unit produces between five and eight gallons a day of condensate when in operation. If the drain line is clogged, it does not take long to overflow the drain pan and cause considerable damage to flooring, ceiling, carpet, as well as possible damage to adjacent housing units. There also can be significant cost from mold and mildew damage. This damage often is not covered by insurance.
The key to prevention is having the drain lines treated on a regular basis with bleach or some other biocide fluid. The problem is getting the treatment done on a regularly scheduled basis. In 2004, almost forty percent of home purchases were second homes for investment or vacation properties. This absentee ownership adds to the problem of scheduled maintenance or the detection of a problem before it can cause any damage. According to the UN Atlas of the Oceans, forty-four percent of the world's population lives within 150 kilometers of a coastline. In the United States, around fifty-three percent of the population lives within 50 miles of the oceans, and since 1970 there have been approximately 2000 homes per day erected in coastal areas. This means that there is an ever-increasing number of homes which are subjected to high humidity and need algae protection for their air conditioner evaporator drain lines.
Prior art devices for dealing with the algae build-up in the evaporator portion of the air conditioning unit have several limitations, including the following:
The devices add a trickle amount of biocide to the drain pan of the evaporator on a continuous basis or on an intermittent but frequent basis. This small amount of flow over the large area of the drain pan results in a very low flow velocity, which is insufficient to wash away any solids. Because the biocide is added on a continuous basis (or on an intermittent but frequent basis), the storage tank holding the biocide is promptly depleted, requiring frequent refilling by the user. If the user is absent for an extended period of time, the device does not get refilled and problems ensue.
The biocide is present on a continuous basis over the large exposed area of the drain pan. This results in objectionable odors during operation, as well as the presence of fumes which may, damage parts of the air conditioning unit.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,458 discloses the use of a pump with check valves attached to one end of a drain line which drains condensate from an air handler. A handle on the pump is used to create respectively a vacuum or pressure within the pump which is communicated to the drain line. When sufficient vacuum or pressure is created, it will dislodge a blockage in the drain line allowing the drain line to naturally drain. A valve is placed at one end of the pump which allows accumulated liquid in a collection pan to be pumped from the collection pan in the process of clearing condensate from the air handler.
U.S. Publication No. 2011/0061745 discloses an automated condensate drain line cleaning apparatus. The fluid flow regulation device may be electrically coupled with the controller to receive at least one control signal from the controller. The fluid flow regulation device may cause a fluid to flow into a condensate drain line through the fluid supply line responsive to at least one control signal.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,988 discloses a device for unclogging pipes or other lines. The device includes a canister adapted to receive a pressurized gas, the canister having at a first end a first valve adapted to be coupled to the pipe or line that is to be unclogged. The canister has at a second end a closure element, the closure element having a second valve attached thereto, the second valve adapted to connect to a source of pressurized gas. The canister further has a pressure gauge coupled thereto for indicating the pressure in the canister. The pressurized gas is fed into the canister through the second valve, and pressurized gas in the canister is fed to the pipe or line to be unclogged by means of the first valve. A method and device for providing an additive, such as a cleaning product, to a tank or line is also disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No, 6,041,611 discloses a manifold operatively placed in fluid communication with the condensate drain line. A water stream, which is operatively connected with the first line, is provided so that the water stream may be channeled through the manifold and into the condensate drain line.
U.S. Publication No. 2006/0042292 discloses a method of removing microbial and bacterial growth inside a blocked HVAC condensate drain line using compressed air without cutting into or disassembling the drain line.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,156,956 discloses an assembly that mounts between the drain pan and the drain line. A shut off valve shuts off the passage to the pan while maintenance is performed. Male members may have different terminations at a second end, including a barbed tube for resilient tubing, a compressed air tire valve for delivering gas, a compressed nitrogen coupling, a tapered funnel for the nozzle of a vacuum/blower, and a water sensor.
Several devices have proposed placing special valves in a drain line to facilitate the clearing of air conditioning drain lines. Potter, U.S. Pat. No. 6,608,023; Palmer, U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,611; Junkin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,238; and, Potter, U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,458 all propose placement of valves in a drain line to allow introduction of either suction or air pressure or a hydraulic pressure to clear a drain line.
None of the prior art methods have been found to be completely suitable to meet these needs and are cumbersome. The present invention provides such a method and the overall combination of these features is nowhere disclosed in the prior art cited above which appears to be representative of the general art in this area although it is not intended to be an all-inclusive listing of pertinent prior art patents.

SUMMARY

In light of the disadvantages of the prior art, the following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the present invention and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the invention can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, and abstract as a whole.
The present invention is an automatic air condition drain line flush pump that functions at regular intervals that flushes algae and slime cleaner through the drain line preventing water from backing up due to clogged drain line and overflowing.
The invention provides automated, scheduled applications of a flushing solution into the evaporator drain line.
Particularly, the invention pump of the present invention is capable of operating over an extended period of time without fouling of the reservoir or dogging of the drain line.
It is principal object of the invention to provide a device that allows for pvc hose adapter, a timer mode, wall mount pump and general PVC fittings to assemble injection head. When the electric motor is not operating, gravity causes the drain pipe to continue its normal operation, whereby the condensate exits the drain pipe, then enters the inlet port, flows through the rotor, and exits through the discharge port.
Another object of the present invention is that the drains coming from the indoor evaporator coils are very prone to algae buildup due to the cold water that goes through the pipes constantly. The algae Eraser that is pumped into the drain lines eats up all the algae instantly keeping drains clean and flowing.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
This Summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments, so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described features are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following Detailed Description, and Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a back view of the invention.

FIG. 4 is another side view of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a view of the connection with AC unit and the invention.

FIG. 6 is a view of the wiring of the system.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are therefore not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having an ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating possible combination in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specifications and claim/s should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claim/s.
Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 is a block flow diagram of an automated condensate drain line cleaning method, according to embodiments of the invention.
The method of the present invention helps to remove material from the condensate drain line. This may help to prevent, or at least reduce, the likelihood, of condensate overflow and its associated damage. Accordingly, this method aims to provide a preventative solution that may help to prevent property damage from occurring.
It is desirable object of the present invention to prevent drain pans from overflowing and causing interior damage to homes and other buildings. Odors caused from damaged carpets which can remain wet for extended period of time and be a source of microbial and bacterial growth and cause a reduction in IAQ and unhealthy to the user. It is desirable to prevent air inflows into the air conditioning system as a result of a “dry condensate trap”.
Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a device that allows for pvc hose adapter, a timer mode, wall mount pump and general PVC fittings to assemble injection head. When the electric motor is not operating, gravity causes the drain pipe to continue its normal operation, whereby the condensate exits the drain pipe, then enters the inlet port, flows through the rotor, and exits through the discharge port.
The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

Claims

1) The present invention is a unit connected to air-conditioning for removal of blockages within the drain line by the introduction of pressure into the line, and is comprised of;

a. flush pump;

b. ¾″×⅜″ PVC hose adapter;

c. Automated timer built in;

d. Wall mount pump with ½ gallon sump built in for cleaner to be injected through AC drain line.

2) A cleaning port of the device, adapted to allow the introduction of a cleaning fluid for removal of any blockages or microbial growth within the line.

3) The Automatic Air Condition drain line flush pump that is set on an automatic timer that flushes algae and slime cleaner through the drain line preventing water from backing up due to clogged drain line and overflowing.