WO2012110800A1 - Improvements in or relating to air conditioning and other installations - Google Patents

Improvements in or relating to air conditioning and other installations Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2012110800A1
WO2012110800A1 PCT/GB2012/050327 GB2012050327W WO2012110800A1 WO 2012110800 A1 WO2012110800 A1 WO 2012110800A1 GB 2012050327 W GB2012050327 W GB 2012050327W WO 2012110800 A1 WO2012110800 A1 WO 2012110800A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
valve
inlet
air
pump
outlet
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2012/050327
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2012110800A4 (en
Inventor
Joseph Rose
Robert Covey
Original Assignee
Aspen Pumps Limited
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Aspen Pumps Limited filed Critical Aspen Pumps Limited
Priority to RU2013142059/12A priority Critical patent/RU2013142059A/en
Priority to US13/985,339 priority patent/US20140075979A1/en
Priority to EP12706304.8A priority patent/EP2676078A1/en
Publication of WO2012110800A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012110800A1/en
Publication of WO2012110800A4 publication Critical patent/WO2012110800A4/en

Links

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.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an air- inlet valve in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic view of a portion of a typical air-conditioning installation incorporating the valve of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is an exploded view of the valve of Figure 1;
  • Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the valve of Figure 1;
  • Figure 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 Figure 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.
  • Figure 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.
  • 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)
  • Check Valves (AREA)
  • Float Valves (AREA)

Abstract

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. We describe 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. We also describe an air-inlet valve comprising 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.

Description

Improvements in or Relating to Air Conditioning and other Installations
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: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an air- inlet valve in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic view of a portion of a typical air-conditioning installation incorporating the valve of Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 is an exploded view of the valve of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the valve of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a valve in accordance with the present invention; and
Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 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. Figure 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.
The air- inlet valve is illustrated in further detail in Figures 3 and 4. 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. As condensate flows through bore 30 as a consequence of the operation of pump 23 air is caused to enter cavity 31 through valve 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 Figures 5 and 6. In this embodiment, 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.
In the assembled air inlet valve, 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 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

CLAIMS:
1. 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.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the air- inlet valve is positioned at a height not less than slightly below the height of the outlet of the pump.
3. An air- inlet valve comprising 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.
4. A valve as claimed in claim 3 wherein the air- inlet comprises a non-return or one-way valve.
5. A valve as claimed in claim 4 wherein the valve is a duck-bill valve.
6. A valve as claimed in claim 5 wherein the valve is made of an elastomeric material.
PCT/GB2012/050327 2011-02-16 2012-02-14 Improvements in or relating to air conditioning and other installations WO2012110800A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
RU2013142059/12A RU2013142059A (en) 2011-02-16 2012-02-14 IMPROVEMENTS IN AIR CONDITIONING DEVICES OR RELATING TO THESE DEVICES AND OTHER DEVICES
US13/985,339 US20140075979A1 (en) 2011-02-16 2012-02-14 Air conditioning and other installations
EP12706304.8A EP2676078A1 (en) 2011-02-16 2012-02-14 Improvements in or relating to air conditioning and other installations

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1102710.9 2011-02-16
GB1102710.9A GB2488132A (en) 2011-02-16 2011-02-16 Removal of condensate or other liquids from air conditioning systems or other installations

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012110800A1 true WO2012110800A1 (en) 2012-08-23
WO2012110800A4 WO2012110800A4 (en) 2012-11-15

Family

ID=43859510

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2012/050327 WO2012110800A1 (en) 2011-02-16 2012-02-14 Improvements in or relating to 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)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8646474B2 (en) 2007-12-31 2014-02-11 Visionex Holdings, Llc Automated condensate drain line cleaning system, method and kit

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2531291B (en) * 2014-10-14 2019-12-04 Aspen Pumps Ltd Liquid level detector

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US6301917B1 (en) * 1998-06-11 2001-10-16 Marvin Lacoste Condensate blowout tool
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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
US20090165868A1 (en) * 2007-12-31 2009-07-02 Pearson Steven L Automated condensate drain line cleaning system, method, and kit

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6301917B1 (en) * 1998-06-11 2001-10-16 Marvin Lacoste Condensate blowout tool
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
US20090165868A1 (en) * 2007-12-31 2009-07-02 Pearson Steven L Automated condensate drain line cleaning system, method, and kit

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Title
See also references of EP2676078A1

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8646474B2 (en) 2007-12-31 2014-02-11 Visionex Holdings, Llc Automated condensate drain line cleaning system, method and kit
US9372036B2 (en) 2007-12-31 2016-06-21 Visionex Holdings, Llc Automated condensate drain line cleaning system, method, and kit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
RU2013142059A (en) 2015-03-27
US20140075979A1 (en) 2014-03-20
GB201102710D0 (en) 2011-03-30
EP2676078A1 (en) 2013-12-25
WO2012110800A4 (en) 2012-11-15
GB2488132A (en) 2012-08-22

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