Air Conditioner Condensate Collection System
In one embodiment, an auxiliary condensate collection system for an air conditioner includes a guide sheet and a drain pan. The guide sheet is positioned under an air handler of the air conditioner to collect condensate overflow and direct the condensate to a drain pan. The guide sheet is large, but flexible, so that it can be rolled up to fit through an attic access hole. The drain pan is small enough that it fits through the attic access hole also. In other embodiments, the auxiliary condensate collection system includes two or more drain pans that can fit through an attic access hole and a bridge that spans a seam formed between the edges of the drain pans arranged side-by-side or end-to-end to seal the seam and direct condensate into the side-by-side or end-to-end drain pans. In other embodiments, each drain pan has an integral overlapping flange so that a matrix of drain pans can be connected together both side-by-side and/or end-to-end.
This invention claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/054,240, filed Sep. 23, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to air conditioners and specifically to an auxiliary condensate collection system for the air handler and attached plenums of an air conditioner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe cooling coils in the air handler of an air conditioner cause condensation, resulting in condensate dripping from the cooling coils. Air handlers have a condensate collection pan, but they are not very large and fit inside the air handler. Traditionally, auxiliary condensate collection pans are positioned external to the air handler to collect condensate overflow from the air handler. The auxiliary condensate collection pans have an area that is large enough to encompass the entire footprint of the air handler and the air plenums at either end of the air handler. Consequently, the auxiliary condensate collection pans can collect condensate from anywhere underneath the air handler, as well as from the air plenums at either end of the air handler.
When an air handler is installed in the attic of a house, the air handler and the auxiliary condensate collection pan are placed in the attic before the ceilings and walls of the house are finished. Auxiliary condensate collection pans deteriorate and leak over time. Unfortunately, a traditional replacement auxiliary condensate collection pan is too large to fit through an attic access hole. Consequently, the original auxiliary pan is often repaired instead of being replaced. Repaired pans are not as reliable as the original. Over time, the condensate collection pans may leak, often causing damage to ceilings and walls in houses.
Accordingly, what is needed is an auxiliary condensate collection pan that can fit through an attic access hole, and yet be large enough to collect condensate overflow from underneath a large air handler.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention addresses the need to replace the original auxiliary condensate collection pan where access to the air handler is only available through a small attic access hole. The present invention is an auxiliary condensate collection system with components that will fit through a small attic access hole and yet when assembled is large enough to collect condensate from anywhere underneath the air handler and the air plenums.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary condensate collection system of the present invention is a two-part condensate collection system that includes a guide sheet and a drain pan. The guide sheet is positioned under the air handler and receives condensate from an air handler of the air conditioner, and in turn the drain pan receives the condensate from the guide sheet. The guide sheet directs the flow of condensate across the guide sheet to the drain pan. The guide sheet is flexible so that is can be rolled up to fit through attic access holes and other small access ports. The drain pan is small enough to fit through the attic access holes and access ports. The guide sheet includes a guide sheet first end and a guide sheet second end. In some aspects of the first embodiment, the guide sheet first end is removeably coupled to the air handler. In some other aspects of the first embodiment, the guide sheet second end is removeably coupled to the drain pan. In some additional aspects of the first embodiment, the drain pan includes a guide sheet coupler bar. In another aspect of the first embodiment, the guide sheet includes a hook at the guide sheet first or second end. The hook cooperates with the guide sheet coupler bar to couple the guide sheet to the drain pan. In additional aspects of the first embodiment, the guide sheet is stored in a rolled-up state. In some more aspects of the first embodiment, the guide sheet is stored in a rolled-up state inside the drain pain.
The first embodiment of the present invention enables a method of collecting condensate from an air handler that includes positioning the flexible guide sheet to collect the condensate from the air handler and positioning the drain pan to receive the condensate from the guide sheet. The method also includes coupling the guide sheet to the air handler, coupling the guide sheet to the air handler with a flexible cord, coupling the guide sheet to the drain pan, and coupling a hook of the guide sheet to a coupler bar of the drain pan.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, the condensate collection system includes two small drain pans placed side-by-side or end-to-end with a guide sheet in the form of a bridge extending across the joint between the two side-by-side or end-to-end small drain pans. The two small drain pans are sized so that each small drain pan individually will fit through an attic access hole, but when placed side-by-side or end-to-end, the two drain pans have a combined area that is large enough to encompass the entire area of the footprint of the air handler, as well as air plenums at either end of the air handler. While two small drain pans usually have sufficient area to encompass the entire area of the footprint of the air handler and air plenums, the condensate collection system of the present invention may be implemented by more than two small drain pans placed side-by-side or end-to-end with multiple bridges extending across the joints between the additional side-by-side or end-to-end small drain pans. The small drain pans of the second embodiment of further have risers on which the air handler may be supported.
In a third embodiment of the present invention, the condensate collection system includes two small drain pans placed side-by-side or end-to-end with a guide sheet in the form of a bridge extending across the joint between the two side-by-side or end-to-end small drain pans. The two small drain pans are sized so that each small drain pan individually will fit through an attic access hole, but when placed side-by-side or end-to-end, the two drain pans have a combined area that encompasses the entire area of the footprint of the air handler, as well as air plenums at either end of the air handler. While two small drain pans usually have sufficient area to encompass the entire area of the footprint of the air handler and air plenums, the condensate collection system of the present invention may be implemented by more than two small drain pans placed side-by-side or end-to-end with multiple bridges extending across the joints between the additional side-by-side or end-to-end small drain pans. Further, the small drain pans of the third embodiment have elongated and rib reinforced risers on which the air handler may be supported. The bridge also includes a riser with a connecting slot that engages the sides of the side-by-side or end-to-end small drain pans and positively locks the small drain pans together.
In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the condensation collection system includes a matrix of individual drain pans with overlapping sidewall flange sections and overlapping end wall sections. The condensate collection system is installed in an attic under an air handler and plenums by passing two or more of the drain pans through the attic opening into the space in the attic occupied by the air handler and plenums. The drain pans are then placed on a support surface side-by-side and/or end-to-end. As configured, the overlapping sidewall flange of one of the drain pans overlaps the sidewall of an adjacent drain pan to thereby form a matrix of drain pans.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following more particular description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.
As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to air conditioners and specifically to an auxiliary condensate collection system for the air handler including associated plenums of an air conditioner. In a first embodiment, the condensate collection system includes a guide sheet and a drain pan. The guide sheet receives condensate from an air handler of the air conditioner, and the drain pan receives the condensate from the guide sheet. The guide sheet directs the flow of condensate across the guide sheet to the drain pan. The guide sheet is flexible so that it can be rolled up to fit through attic access holes and other small access ports. The drain pan is small enough to also fit through the attic access holes and access ports.
The cooling coil of an air conditioner causes condensation as it operates. The product of the condensation is liquid water condensate, which drips from the cooling coil as the air handler and the air conditioner operate. Each air handler has a drain pan to collect condensate, but the drain pans in the air handlers are usually not large enough to collect all the condensate from an air handler. An auxiliary condensate overflow collection drain pan is used exterior to the air handler to collect condensate that overflows from the drain pan within the air handler. The auxiliary condensate overflow collection drain pan is large enough to collect condensate that drips from anywhere on the air handler including the input and output plenums on either end of the air handler. Auxiliary drain pans have overflow pipes coupled to them that direct water from the auxiliary drain pan to outside the house or to a nearby sewer or septic drain.
Issues arise when the auxiliary drain pan leaks. The most common cause of drain pan leaks is corrosion of the metal of the drain pain. But they can also leak due to damage to the drain pan for other reasons. A drain pan leak can cause severe damage to ceilings and walls, including collapse of a ceiling into the house. When an auxiliary drain pan leaks, it is desirable to replace it. But, unfortunately, drain pains are commonly much larger than an access hole to the attic. Thus replacing the auxiliary drain pan on an air handler in the attic or other space that has limited access requires enlarging the attic access hole, or, more often, repairing the auxiliary drain pan. Repairs to an auxiliary drain pan tend to have limited durability before the drain pan begins to leak again.
What is needed is an auxiliary drain pan that fits through an attic access hole and can be deployed under the air handler to catch condensate overflow.
Drain pan 114 receives condensate 116 from guide sheet 112. Condensate 116 gathers and flows across guide sheet 112 to drain pan 114. Guide sheet 112 is shaped and positioned such that condensate 116, which drips anywhere on guide sheet 112, flows into the drain pan 114. Guide sheet 112 has a first end 132 that is positioned higher than a guide sheet second end 134, so that condensate flows towards drain pan 114. Drain pan 114 has drain holes 126 that can be coupled to drain pipes or drain pipe fittings, for draining the condensate out of drain pan 114, as is known in the art of condensate drain pans. Drain pan 114 can also have an overflow detector (not shown) inside of drain pan 114 to detect when the water level gets too high in drain pan 114, as is also known in the art of condensate drain pans.
Guide sheet 112 is removeably coupled to both air handler 118 and drain pan 114 in this embodiment. Guide sheet 112 has a first end 132 and a second end 134. In this embodiment guide sheet first end 132 is removeably coupled to air handler 118 and guide sheet second end 134 is removeably coupled to drain pan 114. Guide sheet 112 in this embodiment is coupled to air handler 118 with a cord 120. Cord 120 is coupled to cord holes 138 (see
Guide sheet 112 in this embodiment is coupled to drain pan 114 with a hook 124 and a coupler bar 122, as shown in
Drain pan 114 is small enough to fit through an attic access hole or other small access port. Guide sheet 112 is flexible so that it can be rolled up or otherwise folded so that it fits through an attic access hole of other small access port. Thus, drain pan 114 and guide sheet 112 can easily be used to replace a defective auxiliary condensate collection pan in an attic, for example. Guide sheet 112 is flexible enough in this embodiment so that guide sheet 112 can be rolled up and placed inside drain pan 114, as shown in
In order to install the condensate collection system 110, the drain pan 114 and the rolled up guide sheet 112 are brought into the attic through the attic access hole. The rolled up guide sheet 112 is unfolded, and the first end 132 of the guide sheet 112 is attached, for example, to the source air plenums 140. The drain pan 214 is then positioned on a joist 162 below the first end 132 of the guide sheet 112 and proximate to the second end 134 of the guide sheet 112. Installation is then completed by attaching the second end of the guide sheet 112 by means of the hook 124 and coupler bar 122 two drain pan 114.
A second embodiment of a condensate collection system 310 of the present invention is illustrated in
As shown in
The drain pans 312 and 312′ also have frustoconical hollow risers 326 and 326′ that can support the air handler above the bases 314 and 314′. The risers 326 and 326′ are formed by conical riser sidewalls 328 and 328′, which extend upwardly and inwardly from the bases 314 and 314′, and terminate in top support surfaces 334 and 334′.
The bridge 344 is a curved surface that in
The condensate collection system 310 is installed by passing the drain pans 312 and 312′ and the bridge 344 through the attic access opening into the space in the attic occupied by the air handler and plenums. The drain pans 312 and 312′ are then placed on a support surface side-by-side as shown in
A third embodiment of a condensate collection system 410 of the present invention is illustrated in
As shown in
The bases 414 and 414′ of the drain pans 412 and 412′ have reinforcing ribs 417 and 417′ that stiffen the bases 414 and 414′. The sidewalls 418 and 418′ of the drain pans 412 and 412′ have top flanges 420 and 420′ that extend around the tops of the sidewalls 418 and 418′. Reinforcing ribs 424 and 424′ extend between the bases 414 and 414′ and the top flanges 420 and 420′ to stiffen the sidewalls 418 and 418′ of the drain pans 412 and 412′. Side-by-side sidewalls 421 and 421′ have top flanges sections 422 and 422′ that alternately overlap each other to form an elongated joint 442 as shown in
The drain pans 412 and 412′ also have hollow risers 426 and 426′ that can support the air handler above the bases 414 and 414′. The risers 426 and 426′ have elongated sections 431 and 431′ and end sections 432 and 432′. The end sections 432 and 432′ are set at approximately 90° to the length of the elongated sections 431 and 431′. The risers 426 and 426′ are formed by riser sidewalls 428 and 428′ that extend upwardly and inwardly from the bases 414 and 414′ and terminate in top support surfaces 434 and 434′. The riser side walls 428 and 428′ have riser reinforcing ribs 430 and 430′ that extend along the side walls 428 and 428′ from the bases 414 and 414′ to the top support surfaces 434 and 434′. Where the riser reinforcing ribs 430 and 430′ end at the top support surfaces 434 and 434′, the top support surfaces 434 and 434′ are wider than the top support surfaces 434 and 434′ between the reinforcing ribs 430 and 430′. Top support beads 436 and 436′ extend around the periphery of the top support surfaces 434 and 434′ to reinforce the top support surfaces 434 and 434′ and to create a contact surface for the air handler and plenums. Weep holes 438 and 438′ are provided at various points along the lengths of the support beads 436 and 436′ in order to allow condensate to drain from the top support surfaces 434 and 434′ down the sidewalls 418 and 418′ and onto the bases 414 and 414′ of the drain pans 412 and 412′.
The bridge 444 comprises a bridge riser 445, end sections 464, and connecting slot 460. The bridge riser 445 includes a riser base flange 446, riser sidewalls 448, and top support surface 452. The sidewalls 448 extend upwardly and inwardly from the base flange 446 and terminate at top support surface 452. The riser sidewalls 448 have riser reinforcing ribs 450 that extend along the sidewalls 448 from the base flange 446 to the top support surface 452. Where the riser reinforcing ribs 450 end at the top support surface 452, the top support surface 452 is wider than the top support surface 452 between the reinforcing ribs 450. A top support bead 454 extends around the periphery of the top support surface 452 to reinforce the top support surface 452 and to create a contact surface for the air handler and plenums. Weep holes 456 are provided at various points along the length of the support bead 454 in order to allow condensate from the top support surface 452 to drain down the sidewalls 448, onto the base flange 446, and then onto the bases 414 and 414′ of the drain pans 412 and 412′.
Each end section 464 of the bridge 444 comprises a cowl 458 and an end wall 466 with a top flange 468. The cowl 458 is connected to the end of the riser 445 and slopes downwardly toward and terminates at the end wall 466.
The bridge 444 also has a connecting slot 460 formed by the sloped inner surfaces 462 of the riser sidewalls 448 and the sloped interior of the cowl 458. The connecting slot 460 fits over the sloped sidewalls 421 and 421′ of the drain pans 412 and 412′ to hold the drain pans 412 and 412′ together and to cover the joint 442. Consequently, any condensate that strikes the top surface 452 of the bridge 444 will drain down the sloped sidewalls 448 and into the drain pans 412 and 412′ and cannot reach the joint 442. The bridge 444 has return slots 470 in the base flange 446 located at four corners of the bridge 444. With the bridge 444 positioned over the sloped sidewalls 421 and 421′, the return slots 470 engage the riser end sections 432 and 432′ of the drain pans 412 and 412′ to further stabilize the connection between the drain pans 412 and 412′ created by the bridge 444.
The condensate collection system 410 is installed in an attic under an air handler and plenums by passing the drain pans 412 and 412′ and the bridge 444 through the attic opening into the space in the attic occupied by the air handler and plenums. The drain pans 412 and 412′ are then placed on a support surface side-by-side as shown in
A fourth embodiment of a condensate collection system 510 of the present invention is illustrated in
With reference to
The base 514 of the drain pan 512 has reinforcing ribs 515 that stiffen the base 514. One of the sidewalls 518 of the drain pan 512 has a top sidewall flange 520, and the opposite sidewall 518 has an overlapping sidewall flange 522. Reinforcing ribs 519 extend between the base 514 and the top sidewall flange 520 and the overlapping sidewall flange 522 to stiffen the sidewalls 518 of the drain pan 512. One of the end walls 516 of the drain pan 512 has a top end wall flange 521, and the opposite end wall 516 has an overlapping end wall flange 523. Reinforcing ribs 517 extend between the base 514 and the top end wall flange 521 and the overlapping end wall flange 523 to stiffen the end walls 516 of the drain pan 512.
The condensate collection system 510 is installed in an attic under an air handler and plenums by passing two or more of the drain pans 512 through the attic opening into the space in the attic occupied by the air handler and plenums. The drain pans 512 are then placed on a support surface side-by-side and/or end-to-end as shown in
The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above.
Claims
1. An auxiliary condensate collection system for collecting condensate from the combination of an air handler and attach plenums, the combination having a footprint area and wherein the combination is installed in an attic having an attic access hole with an opening having an opening area less than the footprint area, the condensate collection system comprising a guide sheet configured to fit through the attic access hole and a first drain pan sized to fit through the attic access hole wherein the guide sheet is positioned below the air handler and attach plenums for receiving condensate emitted from the air handler or attach plenums and for directing the condensate to the first drain pan.
2. The auxiliary condensate collection system of claim 1, wherein the guide sheet is flexible, has an open area equal to or greater than the area of the footprint area, and is foldable to fit through the attic access hole.
3. The auxiliary condensate collection system of claim 2, wherein the sheet has a first end connected to the air handler or the plenums and a second end attached to the first drain pan.
4. The auxiliary condensate collection system of claim 3, wherein the sheet has a center section, and the first end of the sheet and the second end of the sheet are connected to the air handler or the plenums and the center section is attached to and empties into the first drain pan.
5. The auxiliary condensate collection system of claim 1, wherein the sheet is flexible, has an open area equal to or greater than the area of the footprint area, and is rolled into a configuration that fits through the attic access hole.
6. The auxiliary condensate collection system of claim 5, wherein the sheet has a first end connected to the air handler or the plenums and a second end attached to the first drain pan.
7. The auxiliary condensate collection system of claim 1, further comprising a second drain pan sized to fit through the attic access hole, wherein the first drain pan has a side and an end and the second drain pan has a side and an end, and the first drain pan and second drain pan are aligned side-by-side or end-to-end with a joint between the sides or ends, and wherein the guide sheet forms a bridge spanning the joint and directing condensate into each drain pan.
8. The auxiliary condensate collection system of claim 7, wherein the joint is open.
9. The auxiliary condensate collection system of claim 7, wherein the joint is closed.
10. The auxiliary condensate collection system of claim 7, wherein the bridge is connected to the side of the first drain pan and overlaps the side of the second drain pan when the first drain pan and the second drain pan are aligned in a side-by-side relationship.
11. The auxiliary condensate collection system of claim 7, wherein the bridge is connected the end of the first drain pan and overlaps the end of the second drain pan when the first drain pan and the second drain pan are aligned in an end-to-end relationship.
12. The auxiliary condensate collection system of claim 7, wherein the bridge is connected to one end of the first drain pan and is connected to one side of the first drain pan, and the bridge overlaps an adjacent side or an adjacent end of the second drain pan when the first drain pan and the second drain pan are aligned in a side-by-side relationship or an end-to-end relationship.
13. The auxiliary condensate collection system of claim 7, wherein the first pan and the second pan have risers for supporting the air handler and attached plenums.
14. The auxiliary condensate collection system of claim 13, wherein the bridge includes a riser for supporting the air handler and attach plenums.
15. An auxiliary condensate collection system for collecting condensate from the combination of an air handler and attach plenums, the combination having a footprint area and wherein the combination is installed in an attic having an attic access hole with an opening having an opening area less than the footprint area, the condensate collection system comprising: wherein the sum of the bridge area, the first drain pan area, and the second drain pan area is equal to or greater than the footprint area of the air handler and attach plenums.
- a. a first drain pan sized to fit through the attic access hole and having a side, an end, and a first drain pan area;
- b. a second drain pan sized to fit through the attic access hole and having a side, an end, and a second drain pan area, wherein the first drain pan and second drain pan are aligned side-by-side or end-to-end with a joint between the sides or ends; and
- c. a bridge having a bridge area and spanning the joint and directing condensate from the air handler and attach plenums into at least one of the drain pans,
16. The auxiliary condensate collection system of claim 15, wherein the joint is open.
17. The auxiliary condensate collection system of claim 15, wherein the joint is closed.
18. The auxiliary condensate collection system of claim 15, wherein the bridge is connected to the side of the first drain pan and overlaps the side of the second drain pan when the first drain pan and the second drain pan are aligned in a side-by-side relationship.
19. The auxiliary condensate collection system of claim 15, wherein the bridge is connected the end of the first drain pan and overlaps the end of the second drain pan when the first drain pan and the second drain pan are aligned in an end-to-end relationship.
20. The auxiliary condensate collection system of claim 15, wherein the bridge is connected to one end of the first drain pan and is connected to one side of the first drain pan, and the bridge overlaps an adjacent side or an adjacent end of the second drain pan when the first drain pan and the second drain pan are aligned in a side-by-side relationship or an end-to-end relationship.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 22, 2015
Publication Date: Sep 15, 2016
Inventors: Keith Platt (Snellville, GA), Jonathan Sada (Lawrenceville, GA), Emanuel Jones (Atlanta, GA), Bryce Lowe (Atlanta, GA)
Application Number: 14/860,841