US3200763A - Pump mechanism - Google Patents

Description

United States Patent 3,200,763 PUMP MECHANISM Holland S. Lippincott, Riverton, N.J., assiguor to Philco Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Filled Dec. 21, 1962, Ser. No. 246,422 4 Claims. (Cl. 103231.5)

This invention relates generally to pump mechanisms and more particularly to a novel and improved means for effecting pressure discharge of condensatefrom air-conditioning apparatus.

While of broader application the invention will be described in connection with its use with dehumidifying equipment.

Dehumidifiers and other air conditioning apparatus which are currently available commonly rely on gravity discharge or On manual servicing for the elimination of condensate generated during their operation. While pump mechanisms are available for use with systems not adapted for gravity discharge their use has proven commercially unacceptable because of the relatively high cost, noise, and complexities of installation attendant their use.

It is accordingly a general object of the instant invention to provide novel and improved pump mechanism for overcoming the limitations and deficiencies of the prior art.

Another and more particularized object of the invention is the provision of simple and inexpensive means for effecting automatic, pressure discharge of condensate from air conditioning equipment.

These, and other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partially cut away, sectionalized elevation of a preferred form of the invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a detailed sectional showing of one form of valve construction usable in apparatus of the type shown in FIGURE 1.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in FIG- URE l. The basic lements of which comprise a pump mechanism and liquid storage means 12, interconnected by valved conduit means 14 and 16.

The pump mechanism 10 comprises a closed container 18 from which an electrically conductive liquid, in the illustrated case water condensate, is expelled by vapor pressure generated by the establishment of an electrically conductive path between electrode elements 28 positioned within the container. Condensate is supplied to the container 18 through valving 22 designed to prevent flow of liquid in a direction away from the container while permitting its flow towards the container. The air-vent line 16 is also provided with a valve 24-, permitting escape of air displaced by the incoming liquid, which valve is further constructed to close when the mass flow rate exceeds that resulting from water inflow, whether the media flowing out the valve is in the form of gas, liquid or an admixture of both, and to open on equalization of the containers internal pressure with that of the ambient atmosphere.

An essential and characterizing element of the assembly is the provision of a vessel in fluid flow communication with the container for housing the condensate heating means. Advantageously, this vessel comprises a cup, such as the cup shown at 25, disposed contiguous the bottom of the container, into which terminal portions of the electrode elements 20 extend. It is a function of the cup to insulate the electrodes from liquid surrounding the cup within the container until the liquid rises to a height overflowing the cup. When overflow occurs, an electrically conductive path is established between the 3,200,763 Patented Aug. 17, 1965 electrodes, resulting in current flow and the generation of heat effective to bring about gradual vaporization of the contained liquid. The electrode system is preferably designed so that the resulting vapor pressure generated by its operation is not effective to shut off flow of fluid into the container until the container is substantially full. At this point pressure within the system reaches a value effecting closure of the valves in both the liquid inlet line 14 and air-venting conduit 16. The continued build up of pressure forces water out the non-valved discharged line 23, the open end 30 of which is sealed by water within the container. As seen in FIGURE 1, the discharge line extends into the container to a depth below the level of the top of the cup so that water entering the container seals the discharge opening 30 before overflow of water into the cup initiates the heating phase of the cycle. To optimize the quantity of water which the pump can handle per cycle of operation the opening 30 of the discharge line is located as near the bottom of container 18 as is possible. To prevent blockage of opening 30 by the bottom of the container the opening is chamfered in the manner shown in FIGURE 1.

An essential requisite of operation is that the liquid being pumped be electrically conductive. Experimentation has disclosed that condensate produced as a result of dehumidifier operation is sufliciently conductive to support the type of operation disclosed. It is believed that the conductive properties of the condensate are primarily a result of its exposure to metal surfaces within the system such, for example, as the evaporator coils of the air-conditioning apparatus over which the condensate initially flows, the condensate pan, interconnecting tubing and other ionizing surfaces. It should be noted in this connection that should a particular installation require the condensate to be ionized because of a lack of the above causes, this can be readily accomplished for example by disposing a suitable metallic element, such as a magnesium strip, within the line over which the condensate must flow to the container, or alternatively by installing an ionizing element within the container proper. The electrodes themselves may be used for this purpose. The first two suggested forms have not been shown in the illustrated drawings, since their installation is believed well within the skill of the average artisan. Any variance in electrical conductivity between liquids can be readily compensated for by modifying the shape of the electrode elements or by changing their spacing or by a combination of both approaches. The lower the electrical conductivity of the media being pumped the closer the spacing and the greater the electrode area required.

Referring in greater detail to FIGURE 1, the pumping system shown is in its inoperative state, the ball check valves 22 and 24, disposed respectively in lines 14 and 16, being shown in full lines in their rest or unseatcd position.

When the liquid collecting in the condensate pan 12, such, for example, as the condensate produced during normal operation of a dehumidifier, reaches the level of the feed siphon discharge outlet 32 it spills over into container 13. This initiates siphonic action between the condensate pan and container which continues to remove water from the pan 12 until either the water level in the pan and container are equalized, or the feed check valve 22 is close-d by back pressure developed within the container by operation of the electrode system.

This latter action will be the assumed mode of operation in the description which follows. As the liquid, which in the illustrated case is assumed to be water, enters the container 18, air within the container displaced by water is discharged through the vent check valve 24. The outflow of air resulting from the inflow of water, is not sufficient to seat the ball 34 and acpressure.

co-rdingly air is allowed to pass out of container 18. One form of valve construction designed to achieve this end is shown in FiGURE 2, the operational details of which will be later described. In the embodiment shown, conduit 16 is placed in communication with the condensate pan 12 in order to recapture any blow-through of water which might occur by reason of ball 34 not immediately seating on the unit coming up to operating Disposed within the container 18 as previously mentioned is a cup 26 preferably held captive therein by electrodes 20. In the embodiment shown the cup is free to float as the water fills the contain-er insuring complete immersion of terminal portions of the electrodes even during condition-s of partial fill in which the water level rises to just slightlyabove the cup 'rim. To avoid shorting of the electrode element 20 the cup is made of electrically insulative material. Power, from any suitable source, such as the 110 volt A.C. line 36 conventionally found in most homes, is applied to the electrode terminals 38 and 40 through lines '42. When water in the container overflows into cup 26 an electrically conductive path is established between the electrodes. flow vaporizes the water within the container ultimately producing a substantial pressure head which acts to seat the ball check valves in both the water feed line 14 and the air vent line 16. This action closes both the mentioned conduits providing an air tight system from which water can only escape through discharge line 28, the opening of which is below the water level. Water which is retained in the cup maintains the boiling action until all of the water in the container, except that in the cup 26, is expelled from the apparatus. Operation terminates when water within the cup is vaporized. To prevent vapor, which condenses within the container 18, from entering the cup, the cup rim is chamfered and the mouth of the cup narrowed in the manner shown in FIGURE 1. When boiling stops the pressure within the system returns to atmospheric and the check valves open. siphon is proportioned so that on closure of valve 22 there remains an operating head Ah, to insure siphonic action on reopening of the feed valve, assuming, that mouth 44 of the feed siphon remains submerged. The cycle is repeated until there is insufficient driving head to maintain siphonic action.

The provision of means such, for example, as the siphonic feed and valve means 14, 22, acting in coopation with the cup 26, is an important feature of the invention and insures complete and substantially instantaneous immersion of operative portion-s of the electrode elements 20 by the infiowing water. This system virtually eliminates high frequency cycling of the electrode system, which action, is both detrimental to electrode life and wasteful of power Without being productive of any substantial pumping effect.

A mechanism designed to pump 3 pints of liquid per hour against an 8' foot head may comprise a 3" diameter container made of boro-silicate glass having a wall thickness of approximately /8 of an inch and a volumetric capacity of about one-half pint. The container is closed by a conventional screw-on metal lid 48 adapted to place the upper edge of the glass container into pressure-sealing relation with a gasket 49 carried by the lid, made, of neoprene, rubber or other suitable material. The lid is hermetically traversed by three metal tubes 50, 51 and 52 in the manner shown in FIGURE 1, the tubes being made of O.D. copper having a The heat generated by the resultant current The inverted U-tube 14 which forms the feed bore'and forming, respectively, the terminal legs of the feed line 14, air-vent line 16 and the discharge line 28. Also carried by the lid are a pair of rectangular stainless steel electrodes wide and spaced approximately /s" apart. The electrode terminals 38 and 46 extend through the lid and are hermetically sealed thereto and electrically insulated from each other and I r '4 the lid by rubber grommets 53 which are radially expanded into pressure seating engagement with the cap on tightening of nut and bolt means 54. The electrodes as previously mentioned are connected to an appropriate V. AC. source through terminals 38 and 44). The flexible couplings 56 and 58 interconnecting the container tubing with that carried by the condensate pan are made of 1.1). plastic sleeving, e.g. Tygon. The part 60 of the discharge line 4d extending outside th container This constructed of similar material. To insure an air tight seal the copper tubing is hermetically sealed to the metal cap. One means of achieving such a seal is by use of glass beading 62 in the manner shown in enlarged section in FIGURE 2. A method for producing such a seal is that taught in copending application Serial No. 760,454 filed September 11, 1958, now Patent No. 3,069,876 and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

The plastic cup or vessel 26 is of electrically insulative material and provides a 1'-' diameter A" deep well into which terminal portions of the electrodes 20 extend. Both the'inle't and discharge tubes 50 and 52 extend into the container to a depth below the level of the top 64 of cup 26. I V

The pump mechanism described is capable of developing an operational head of 12 feet with an internally generated pressure of something less than 6 p.s.i.g. This duces to a point at which an equilibrium condition exists in which the steam generated from the recondensing vapor is just sufiicient to maintain a static head within the discharge line 28. Under this condition of operation the valves are maintained in a closed position due to internal pressure. This action prevents the inflow of water and pumping action ceases with the unit energized. The use of a cup avoids this stalled condition by isolating the electrodes from the Water vapor condensing within the system and permits operation only so long as there is water in the cup 26. Once the water within the cup is evaporated the system automatically shuts otf readying itself for the next cycle of operation. After the cup 28 boils dry, and the pump cools equalizing the container and ambient atmospheric pressuresassuming the condensate pan has been emptied-water remaining in the feed siphon and discharge line will drain into container 18. To avoid reactivation of the pump by this returning condensate the cup is made a height suflicient to prevent water from reaching the cup top. Looked at another way, the system is designed to provide sutficient storage capacity below the level of the shut oifcup 28, to accommodate the volume of liquid retained within the siphon and discharge lines on completion of an operational cycle.

The arrangement shown will operate on a partial fill, a condition which conceivably can exist on the final emptying of the condensate pan. As long as there is sufficient water to enter the shut-off cup 26, the pump will discharge a partial fill and automatically cycle ofi in the manner described.

Under normal operation, the feed rate of water entering the container through siphon 14 is designed to be fast enough substantially to fill the'container 18 before the pressure head developed by operation of the electrode system closes the inlet check valve 22. This permits optimum use of the pump and reduces its overall power requirements.

To further improve the systems operating efiiciency a heat insulative jacket 64 may be used as shown in FIG- URE 1. By reducing heat losses, a pumping rate of about 3 pints of condensate per hour, based on an operational r head of 8 feet, can be maintained with an average power consumption of approximately 110 watts.

One area of construction which is of particular importance to proper unit operation is the air-vent valve system 22. A valving arrangement, in addition to that shown in FIGURE 1, found to be satisfactory is that shown in enlarged section in FIGURE 2. The valve comprises a pair of /56" OD. copper tubes 66 and 68 the confronting ends 70 and 72 of which are terminated in short lengths of A I.D. copper tubing 74 and 76 interconnected by a ID. plastic sleeve 78 stretched over the copper terminations to provide an air-tight interconnection of the tube ends. Housed within this valve cage is a ball 79, equivalent to the ball 34 shown in FIGURE 1. A molded valve seat 80, also made of plastic, or other suitable material, is seated against the shoulder provided by the end 70 of tube 66 and press fit within the cavity defined by that shoulder and the internal bore of termination 74. The valve seat is provided with a internal bore 82 and a hemispherically shaped pocket 84 for receipt of ball 79 in the manner shown in phantom in FIG- URE 2, this being its seated or operating position. The ball 79 may be made of glass, plastic, rubber, or any other suitable material. A desirable requirement in the illustrated embodiment is that the ball be substantially spherical in configuration. The valve seat alternatively may be made simply of an annulus of rubber without the provision of a pocket for receipt of the ball provided the rubber has a durometer value making it sufiiciently yieldable to conform to the surface configuration of the ball when the ball is urged against the valve seat by the normal operating pressure of the system. A ball weighing approximately 105 milligrams having a diameter of about .173 inch provided satisfactory operation when used in valving of the type described and illustrated in FIGURE 2. To prevent blockage of opening 86 by ball 79 when in its unseated position the tube end is chamfered. An

alternative arrangement permitting one-way fiow is seen in FIGURE 1 and consists of using an obliquely disposed flap 88 which acts partially to obturate the entrance to the tube preventing blockage.

The mechanism described is capable of pumping to a drain located from eight to twelve feet above the level of the dehumidifier, is noiseless and automatic in operation and is of relatively inexpensive construction. One use of the invention is as a kit or accessory for use with currently installed condensate generating air conditioning equipment.

While preferred forms of the present invention have been depicted and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible of changes and modifications without departing from the essential concepts thereof, and that such changes and modifications are contemplated as come within the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A liquid pumping system comprising: liquid-storage means; a container for the receipt of liquid from said liquid-storage means; electrode means extending into said container; liquid feed means interconnecting said storage means and container in fluid-flow communication includ ing a conduit arranged to provide for flow of liquid from said storage means to said container when the liquid in said storage means reaches a predetermined upper level and to maintain liquid flow to said container by siphonic action until the liquid in said storage means reaches a predetermined lower level; valve means associated with said conduit constructed to permit flow of liquid to said container and to prevent flow of liquid in the reverse direction; means for venting air from said container including valve means constructed and arranged to permit the escape of air displaced by the incoming liquid, to close when the air-flow rate exceeds that produced by water inflow, and to open when the pressure within said container becomes equal to or less than the ambient atmospheric pressure; liquid-venting means including an open conduit extending substantially to the bottom of said container; a floatable, electrically insulative open-ended vessel disposed in said container into which terminal portions of said electrode means extend captively to permit flotation of said vessel, by incoming liquid, to a predetermined elevational level, such that liquid overflowing into the vessel when at said level results in rapid submergence thereof producing complete and substantially instantaneous immersion of said electrode means by overflowing liquid; and means impressing a voltage across said electrode means to provide, on establishment of an electrically conductive path to said electrode means by said overflowing liquid, heat sulficient to effect gradual vaporization of said liquid to develop a pressure within said container sufficient to eflect closure of said valve means and discharge of liquid through said liquid venting means.

2. Liquid pump mechanism, comprising: a container for liquid to be pumped; a pair of mutually insulated, spaced electrodes disposed within said container; liquid inlet means including a conduit valved to permit undirectional flow of liquid into said container; air-venting means associated with said container valved to permit the escape of air from said container displaced by incoming liquid and to close when the air flow rate exceeds that produced by liquid inflow and to open on equalization of the containers internal pressure with that of the ambient atmosphere; an electrically insulative floatable cup disposed within and at the bottom of said container and into which said electrodes extend, said cup being constructed and arranged to insulate the electrodes one from the other until liquid within said container overflows into said cup, and said electrodes extending into said cup to a depth permitting captive flotation thereof to a level which on submersion by overflowing liquid produces complete and substantially instantaneous immersion of said electrodes by overflowing liquid; and an open conduit communicating with said container one end of which extends into said container to a depth below the level of the top of said cup; and means impressing a voltage across said electrodes of a value to generate, on immersion of said electrodes by overflow of liquid into said cup, heat sufficient to effect gradual vaporization of liquid within said container to develop an internal pressure effecting closure of the mentioned valving and discharge of liquid through said open conduit.

3. A water pump comprising: a container for receipt of water to be pumped; a pair of mutually insulated, spaced electrodes disposed within said container; means for feeding water to said container, including valving constructed to permit unidirectional flow of water into said container but to prevent flow of water in the reverse direction; means for venting air from said container including valving constructed to permit the escape of air from said container displaced by the inflow of water and to close when the flow rate exceeds that produced by water inflow, and to open on the pressure within said container becoming substantially equal to that of the ambient atmosphere; 9. water-discharge conduit extending substantially to the bottom of said container; a fioatable, cup-like, electrically insulative member disposed within said container into which terminal portions of said electrodes extend to a depth permitting captive flotation of said member, by incoming water, to a predetermined level, and said member being constructed to prevent the establishment of an electrically conductive path between said electrodes by water entering said container until the water accumulating within said container reaches a level suflicient to overflow into said cup-like member when in its fully buoyed position and rapidly to submerge said member by overflowing water with resultant complete and substantially instantaneous immersion of said electrodes; and means for electrically energizing said electrodes to provide, on establishment of an electrically conductive path between said electrodes by water overflowing into said cup, heat suflicient to effect vaporization of such water to develop, by vaporization of same, a pressure within said container 7 8 sufficient to effect closure of said valving and discharge container into said vessel when in its fully buoyed posiof Water through said discharge means. tion.

4. In pumping mechanism of the type described, the References Cited by the Examiner combination comprising: a container for receipt of liquid UNITED STATES PATENTS to be pumped, a floatable open-ended vessel disposed 5 Within said container; means delimiting the elevational 1226758 5/17 DuftX 137 132 level to which said vessel is buoyed by liquid entering said 2976879 3/61 De Lisle et a1 137*132 container and providing for operation of said pumping 21065 ,712 11/62 Buchanan et 103 255 3,094,134 6/63 Curne 13713Z mechanism, including electrode means positioned within I said container at a location insuring substantially instanta- 10 neous immersion of operative portions thereof on sub- LAURENCE EFNER P Examiner mergence of said vessel by liquid overflowing from said ROBERT M. WALKER, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A LIQUID PUMPING SYSTEM COMPRISING: LIQUID-STORAGE MEANS; A CONTAINER FOR THE RECEIPT OF LIQUID FROM SAID LIQUID-STORAGE MEANS; ELECTRODE MEANS EXTENDING INTO SAID CONTAINER; LIQUID FEED MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID STORAGE MEANS AND CONTAINER IN FLUID-FLOW COMMUNICATION INCLUDING A CONDUIT ARRANGED TO PROVIDE FOR FLOW FO LIQUID FROM SAID STORAGE MEANS TO SAID CONTAINER WHEN THE LIQUID IN SAID STORAGE MEANS REACHES A PREDETERMINED UPPER LEVEL AND TO MAINTAIN LIQUID FLOW TO SAID CONTAINER BY SIPHONIC ACTION UNTIL THE LIQUID IN SAID STORAGE MEANS REACHES A PREDETERMINED LOWER LEVEL; VALVE MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID CONDUIT CONSTRUCTED TO PERMIT FLOW OF LIQUID TO SAID CONTAINER AND TO PREVENT FLOW OF LIQUID IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION; MEANS FOR VENTING AIR FROM SAID CONTAINER INCLUDING VALVE MEANS CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED TO PERMIT THE ESCAPE OF AIR DISPLACED BY THE INCOMING LIQUID, TO CLOSE WHEN THE AIR-FLOW RATE EXCEEDS THAT PRODUCED BY WATER INFLOW, AND TO OPEN WHEN THE PRESSURE WITHIN SAID CONTAINER BECOMES EQUAL TO OR LESS THAN THE AMBIENT ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE; LIQUID-VENTING MEANS INCLUDING AN OPEN CONDUIT EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE BOTTOM OF SAID CONTAINER; A FLOATABLE, ELECTRICALLY INSULATIVE OPEN-ENDED VESSEL DISPOSED IN SAID CONTAINER INTO WHICH TERMINAL PORTIONS OF SAID ELECTRODE MEANS EXTEND CAPTIVELY TO PERMIT

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