Retainer Or Flow Director For Atmospheric Condensate Patents (Class 62/285)
  • Patent number: 5901565
    Abstract: A room dehumidifier includes a closed refrigerant cycle apparatus with an evaporator coil inclined at 20 from vertical on an air inlet side of the dehumidifier, which also includes openings in the cabinetry to allow a substantial portion of inlet air to bypass the evaporator coil, a fan and orifice plate arranged downstream of the evaporator coil, bypass openings to draw air through the cabinet, and a condenser coil arranged vertically on an outlet side of said fan. The fan blows air through the condenser coil and out back side louvers of the cabinet. A drip bucket is located beneath the evaporator coils and a compressor is located beneath the condenser coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: James J. Morton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5894737
    Abstract: An improved housing for draining condensed water from the interior of a heating and air conditioning unit installed in a motor vehicle. The contoured bottom wall of the housing includes a raised portion surrounded by a series of sloped channels which lead to a collection basin having a drain. A fan or blower forces air through the housing inlet and past the heating and cooling elements. A portion of one of the sidewalls adjacent the air inlet interrupts the entering air to create a low pressure area. Condensed moisture is drawn along the sloped channels towards a collection basin located in the low pressure area. A drain is provided in the collection basin to remove the moisture from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Pro Air, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Leon Haeck
  • Patent number: 5878591
    Abstract: An air conditioner with a direction changing device enabling safe handling of condensed water without causing reduction in direction changing capacity in a cooling-mode operation is provided. The air conditioner comprises a main body, air conditioning members provided in the main body for achieving a function of conditioning the air, an outlet grille located in a front side of the main body for directing air from inside the main body to outside the main body and a lateral flap placed in an opening of the outlet grille for changing the direction of air in the lateral direction. A part of the lateral flap is held by a mounting shaft. The lateral flap can be pivotally moved in the lateral direction about the mounting shaft. A convex portion is provided in a downwind end of the lateral flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taii Tsuji, Masaharu Ebihara
  • Patent number: 5878592
    Abstract: An evaporator for a transport refrigeration system configured to be mounted in a conditioned space and having a downwardly facing intake and an air discharge end adapted to discharge conditioned air horizontally. The evaporator includes a structural frame for mounting the unit. The structural frame includes first and second lateral supports extending on opposite sides of the evaporator and at least one horizontal transverse member interconnecting the lateral supports. The evaporator fan is structurally supported by the transverse member at a location in fluid flow communication with the air intake. The evaporator coil extends between the lateral supports intermediate the air discharge end and the location of the evaporator fan. The lateral supports serve as tube sheets of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Bruno R. Borges, Joaquim Ferreira, Didier F. Genois
  • Patent number: 5875643
    Abstract: PurposeTo provide a refrigeration cycle capacity enhancement apparatus that, in addition to lowering the temperature of coolant going from a condenser 4 to an evaporator 7, raising the temperature of coolant going from the evaporator 7 to a compressor 3, enhancing the performance thereof, and preventing the return of liquid coolant to the compressor 3, can also keep the pressure on the coolant from becoming higher and higher under high loading.ConstitutionTaking note of the fact that the capacity of a heat exchanger 5 is raised by combining drain water D from an evaporator 7 with the heat exchanger 5, this is a refrigeration cycle capacity enhancement apparatus that comprises a compressor 3 and a condenser 4 installed on the engine compartment 12 side of a vehicle, and an evaporator 7 installed on the vehicle cabin 13 side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kanai, Shunichi Furuya
  • Patent number: 5857353
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wall air conditioning apparatus for a control panel, with a fan and a lamellar heat exchanger, featuring a box-like housing with an upper inlet opening and a lower outlet opening in the wall that faces the control panel, whereby the fan is arranged behind the inlet opening and the lamellar heat exchanger is arranged under the fan and over the outlet opening at an acute angle to this wall. For improved ventilation and drainage of condensation water, it is provided that the lamellae of the lamellar heat exchanger are at an acute angle to the floor of the housing and drop off toward the wall that faces away from the control cabinet, and that the floor of the housing is provided with a drain for condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Rittal-Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Schneider, Adam Pawlowski
  • Patent number: 5845504
    Abstract: A portable, potable-water generator for producing high-purity liquid water by condensation of dew from ambient air is described. The generator employs filtration subsystems to remove particulates and aerosols from the incoming air. An enclosed heat absorber cools the filtered air below its dew point and collects droplets of condensate into a closed system. The collected liquid dew is further continually treated in a bacteriostat loop to destroy adventitious living organisms and to filter out undesirable and dangerous contaminants. All the subsystems are failsafe-interlocked to disable the generator immediately and prevent delivery of water if any one of them stops functioning within predetermined safe limits. Hybrid embodiments of the water generator attached to or integrated with refrigeration-type appliances such as water coolers, refrigerators, freezers, icemakers and air-conditioners are illustrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Worldwide Water, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry L. LeBleu
  • Patent number: 5826440
    Abstract: In an air conditioner for conditioning the air present within a cabin, a cooler unit and a condenser for liquefying a gaseous refrigerant by forced cooling are arranged integrally on the upper surface of the cabin ceiling. The outer periphery of the cooler unit and that of the condenser are covered with a cover. Further, for the discharge of drain from the cooler unit, drain pipes are disposed on both front and rear sides of the cabin. The space in the narrow cabin can be fully utilized effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Makoto Okada, Hideaki Aoki, Tokuo Fujii
  • Patent number: 5797277
    Abstract: A refrigerant system adapted for use with a vehicular air conditioner includes a supplemental heat exchanger for cooling refrigerant gas flowing into a compressor and for cooling refrigerant liquid flowing into an expansion valve. Water condensate from an evaporator is used for cooling the gas refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Kwangtaek Hong, Albert A. Patrosso
  • Patent number: 5787721
    Abstract: A drain spout that is easy to remove for cleaning and for accessing components behind or proximal to the drain pan. Instead of directly connecting the drain hose to the drain pan outlet spout, the drain hose connects to a drain funnel attached to or formed as a part of the shelf supporting the drain pan. The drain pan itself sits on the shelf and the outlet spout of the drain pan fits within the shelf funnel without a positive connection. The drain pan can be lifted out without disengaging the drain hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E. Fromm, Dwayne L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5784896
    Abstract: A refrigeration unit for storing items to be refrigerated. The refrigeration unit includes an insulated enclosure defining a compartment, and has a top wall, a rear wall, and opposing side walls. An evaporator is disposed within the compartment and is secured to the rear wall. An evaporator cover has a top portion and a rear portion. The rear portion covers the evaporator and has a sloping rear face that slopes rearwardly and downwardly toward a drain trough. The sloping rear face directs condensate from the evaporator into the drain trough. A drain plate covers the drain trough and the sloping rear face. An angled grate is secured to the drain plate and covers an inlet to an air flow channel formed by the rear wall, and the evaporator cover and the drain plate. A fan is secured over an angled opening formed in the top portion of the evaporator cover and is operable to draw air through the air flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome Tronnes, deceased, Guy Stormo, Scott Tronnes
  • Patent number: 5771708
    Abstract: A blowoff orifice is constituted by an upper wall, a lower wall and a vertical wind deflecting plate. The upper wall inclines so that a flow passage becomes narrow toward downstream and provided with a protrusion at its end portion. The lower wall has a horizontal linear portion on the downstream side and an end portion forming an acute angle at the tip of the linear portion. The vertical wind deflecting plate is provided between the upper wall and the lower wall, and capable of changing an airflow from a horizontal direction to a downward direction. The upper wall protrusion is located more downstream than the lower wall end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoko Suzuki, Takayuki Yoshida, Satoru Kotoh, Hiroaki Ishikawa, Kazunobu Jojima, Itsutarou Akiyama, Akihiro Matsushita, Masataka Kabuki
  • Patent number: 5761922
    Abstract: Provided is a low temperature display case, which comprises: a duct that is so formed that it communicates with a rear and a lower portion of a storage chamber having an opening at the front, an evaporator that is provided upright in a duct at a rear location, a blower for discharging, from an upper edge of the opening of the storage chamber, air that is cooled at the evaporator by heat exchange, a drain pan that is located at a bottom level of the duct and that is inclined downward toward a drain hole, defrosting heaters that are provided in a lower portion of the duct and that are located forward of a position under the evaporator, and a sharply sloped portion that is provided on the drain pan below the evaporator and that is inclined at a greater angle toward the drain hole than is the drain pan; wherein to defrost the evaporator a refrigerant at a high temperature is fed into the evaporator, and heat is generated by the defrosting heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokuni Tamai, Atsushi Todoroki, Hisao Sagara, Norikazu Ogushi, Yasunari Ishihara
  • Patent number: 5720183
    Abstract: A water trap cup for use in connection with a drain tube in a refrigerator is described. In one embodiment, the water trap cup includes a bottom wall and a side wall extending from the bottom wall. The side wall includes retaining webs configured for retaining an end of the drain tube within the water trap cup, and a bottom stop extends from the side wall and maintains the drain tube end spaced from the bottom wall so that a seal is not formed between the bottom wall and the drain tube. The retaining webs generally define a first chamber and a second chamber, and the first and second chambers are in fluid communication. To assemble the water trap cup to the drain tube, the first chamber is aligned with the tube, and the cup is pushed upward into engagement with the drain tube until the drain tube end contacts the bottom stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Eric E-Lee Chang
  • Patent number: 5709101
    Abstract: An improved cooled air suction duct for refrigerator having a defrosted water receiving member integrally formed with a cooled air suction duct, thus improving the flow of the cooled air in the system and enhancing productivity, which includes a defrosted water receiving member disposed at a lower side of an evaporator for receiving a defrosted water; and a cooled air suction duct imbedded within an intermediate insulation wall for returning a cooled air to the evaporator, the cooled air suction duct being integral with the defrosted water receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Gue Ho Jeong
  • Patent number: 5701749
    Abstract: A water collection and dispensing machine having a primary housing with an air inlet and an air outlet, an air blower structured to draw air into the primary housing through the air inlet and push air out of said primary housing through the air outlet. The water collection and dispensing machine further includes an evaporator coil structured to cycle a cold refrigerant liquid therethrough, the evaporator coil being disposed in line with the air inlet so that the air drawn into the primary housing through the air inlet passes thereover and moisture therefrom condenses on an exterior surface of the evaporator coil so that it may be collected in the form of water droplets, filtered to eliminate contaminants, and dispensed for convenient consumption by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Inventor: John M. Zakryk
  • Patent number: 5697227
    Abstract: An improved base pan is disclosed for a large ground or roof mounted "packaged" air conditioning unit. The base pan comprises a non-corrosive polymeric material but includes a section which is coated with a non-flammable substance. An airflow section of the base pan is defined by a raised platform, which, in combination with a set of ramp members, directs precipitation and condensation from the sensitive airlow section. Moisture droplets which do fall on the sensitive airflow section are directed toward a channel which uniformly slopes toward a drain hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P. Bruce, Joe W. Dark, Bradley L. Kersh, William P. Timmons, John W. Schedel
  • Patent number: 5694786
    Abstract: A retrieving system for condensed water of air conditioning system, which will collect condensed water produced air conditioning system operation for utilization; which will collect condensed water produced during operation of air conditioning system via condensed water pipe into reservoir, and filtering net will filter out dirt when condensed water flowing into reservoir, when water level inside reservoir reaches preset level, float ball switch will turn on pump outside of the reservoir automatically, which will pump cool condensed water from reservoir into cooling tower, when water level of reservoir lowered to lower limit, float ball switch will turn off pump automatically, in this way we can get cyclic turn-on and turn-off operation to save electricity and water of air conditioning system simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventor: San-Shuo Huang
  • Patent number: 5669230
    Abstract: An improved base pan is disclosed for a large ground or roof mounted "packaged" air conditioning unit. The base pan comprises a non-corrosive polymeric material but includes a section which is coated with a non-flammable substance. An airflow section of the base pan is defined by a raised platform, which, in combination with a set of ramp members, directs precipitation and condensation from the sensitive airlow section. Moisture droplets which do fall on the sensitive airflow section are directed toward a channel which uniformly slopes toward a drain hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P. Bruce, Joe W. Dark, Bradley L. Kersh, William P. Timmons, John W. Schedel
  • Patent number: 5669221
    Abstract: A portable, potable-water generator for producing high-purity liquid water by condensation of dew from ambient air. The generator employs filtration subsystems to remove particulates and aerosols from the incoming air. An enclosed heat absorber cools the filtered air to its dew point and collects droplets of condensate into a closed system. The collected dew is further continually treated in a bacteriostat loop to destroy adventitious living organisms and to filter out undesirable and dangerous contaminants. All the subsystems are failsafe-interlocked to disable the generator immediately and prevent delivery of water if any one of them stops functioning within predetermined safe limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Worldwide Water, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry L. LeBleu, Francis C. Forsberg
  • Patent number: 5664430
    Abstract: An air handling unit has a condensate pan which is removably disposed in an opening below the cooling coil. A pair of parallel u-shaped channels have coil support members transversely disposed thereon to support the cooling coil thereabove while slideably receiving the condensate pan therebetween. Sloped tracks are installed between the respective legs of the u-shaped channels, and the condensate pan is correspondingly tapered such that when it is placed in the installed position, its bottom is sloped downwardly toward a drain line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Raul B. Karman
  • Patent number: 5651259
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for retrieving condensed fluid from an air conditioner in a vehicle, storing the collected fluid for subsequent use, and transferring the retrieved fluid to a reservoir in the vehicle. The method and apparatus described allow manual distribution or automatic distribution of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Condenseco, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin E. Twyman
  • Patent number: 5638693
    Abstract: A room air conditioner designed to provide convenience in assembly and improve productivity by improving the structure of a wall portion for guiding and expelling conditioned air to a room. In the air conditioner, the wall portion includes a lower isolation and upper isolation wall portion. The lower isolation wall portion is molded and formed to provide a base wall, a lower barrier wall, a scroll section, a lower evaporator cover wall, a condensate gutter and a lower control unit chamber. The upper isolation wall portion is molded and formed to provide an upper barrier wall, an upper evaporator cover wall, a brace, and an upper control unit chamber. The lower and upper isolation wall portions are assembled together by latching structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sang Kyun Baek
  • Patent number: 5586441
    Abstract: A sealed, closed end heat pipe efficiently warms the drain for an evaporator so that condensation may flow unobstructed away from the evaporator in the refrigeration circuit. An evaporator end of the heat pipe is exposed to ambient air and a condenser end is located close to the drain inlet adjacent the evaporator. Thus, no external power source is required as fluid within the evaporator end is heated to vapor phase and circulates toward the condenser end, and cooled fluid from the condenser end returns to the evaporator end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Russell A Division Of Ardco, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilbert J. Wilson, Robert G. O'Neal
  • Patent number: 5570587
    Abstract: This invention relates to a multifunction refrigerator for transmitting cool air into a cereal storage room and kimchi storage room, comprising an evaporator 700 for generating cool air from a wall face of the refrigerator and a first partition 400 for conducting the cool air generated from said evaporator 700 into a cold storage room 100 and cereal storage room 200, and dividing the refrigerator into two parts of the cold storage room 100 and the cereals custody room 200. And, this refrigerator also comprises an evaporator 700 for generating cool air from a wall face of a refrigerator and a second partition 500 for transmitting compulsorily cool air generated from the evaporator 700 and thereby maintaining kimchi storage room 300 at low temperature, and inhalation fan for inhaling cool air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Goldstar Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Kyeong-Taek Kim
  • Patent number: 5520009
    Abstract: For removing water condensed on the outer surface of a tube (10) which is insulated by means of an insultating assembly (12), a plug (30) is arranged extending through the insulating assembly. The plug comprises a conduit component (32) in which a capillary suction material (36) is enclosed. The material (36) communicates with an evaporator foil (38) circumferentially encircling the outer cylindrical surface of the insulating assembly (12). The capillary suction material (36) may be substituted by a foil of a capillary suction material or a hygroscopic paint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Rockwool International A/S
    Inventors: Keld Jepsen, Ian Cridland, Jorgen S. Petersen, A. M. Ettema
  • Patent number: 5511386
    Abstract: A fan coil condensate drain pan is made to be field adjustable to be pitched either to the fight side or to the left side when the fan coil unit is installed. This permits the drain pan to be self-draining and to be connected to a convenient field drain with a minimum of piping. The drain pan employs an elongated trough with an open upper side, and with left and right end caps. There are left and fight drain nipples that project through the respective end caps. The cabinet for the fan coil unit has left and right mounting brackets to which the left and right end caps are attached. The brackets have vertically elongated adjustment slots, and sheet metal screws or other suitable fasteners in these slots hold the end caps in place. The pitch can be selected on installation by loosening the screws on one side and lowering the end cap at that side. The drain nipple on the other side can be left open to serve as an overflow outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Russ, James M. McKallip
  • Patent number: 5505254
    Abstract: A tube supporting device is provided for supporting closely packed tubes in a heat exchanger. The device has a support plate transversely disposed with respect to the tubes. The support plate has a plurality of holes formed therein which are penetrated by the tubes and which support the tubes against lateral movement. The holes can be a variety of shapes to create one or more gaps between the peripheral surfaces of the holes and the outer surfaces of the tubes. The gaps enhance the flow of condensate which has formed on the tubes and causes the condensate to flow to a bottom portion of the heat exchanger without moving to and collecting on the support plate. The holes also inhibit lateral movement of the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohiro Chiba
  • Patent number: 5481886
    Abstract: A drain case 4 is disposed between the bottom wall of a unit case and the lower end of refrigerant passage pipes 15 of a stacked type refrigerant evaporator. The drain case 4 is W-shape in cross section, and comprising two pieces of outside inclined walls 32 contacting the side ends of two pieces of tank parts 16 and 17 formed at the lower end side of the refrigerant passage pipes 15, a chevron type protruded wall 33 contacting a recessed part 28 formed at the bottom end of the part between the adjacent two pieces of tank parts 16 and 17, and inside inclined walls 34 having a drain hole 36. In this arrangement, the condensed water flows from the side ends of the two pieces of tank parts 16 and 17 and the part between the two pieces of tank part 16 and 17 into the lower ends thereof reaches the two pieces of outside inclined walls 32 and protruded wall 33 of the drain case 4 before reaching the bottom end of the two pieces of tank parts 16 and 17, and then is efficiently drained therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsuo Hasegawa, Yoshiharu Kajikawa, Takayuki Morita, Suehiro Okazaki, Toshihiro Yamamoto, Toshiya Nagasawa, Shogo Sumi
  • Patent number: 5443114
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling an engine or component in a vehicle which employs an air conditioning unit such that the condensate which naturally forms on the evaporator during air conditioner unit operation is collected and directed to the transmission pan to enhance cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Inventor: Reynaldo M. Deary
  • Patent number: 5437164
    Abstract: Set for attaching air conditioner components, including a base (10), which has: component attaching ribs (11); at least two component seating pads (12, 13); and a water drain (21, 22, 24). The base (10) is made of a single piece, incorporating: the component attaching ribs (11) which are disposed on the surface of the base (10); the component seating pads (12, 13) being each defined by a solid piece, shaped for the seating of a respective component (60, 70), the water drain (21, 22, 24) being adequately disposed in fluid communication relative to each other, in order to provide the draining of the undesirable water deposits from the base (10). There is also incorporated, in a single piece, a condenser tube positioning element (27) , disposed to provide adequate positioning for mounting a condenser (40) , and provided in a single piece is at least one compressor spacing element (51), disposed to receive and retain in a determined position, a respective element for attaching a compressor (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Consul S.A.
    Inventor: Ettore S. Consiglio
  • Patent number: 5398517
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus is contained within the potable water collection apparatus, to selectively clean the cooling coil and the collection pan, when the collection apparatus is not collecting potable water. The potable water collection apparatus comprises an enclosure having an air mover to provide a dynamic airflow path between an inlet port and an outlet port; a compressor; a condensing coil in fluid communication with the compressor; a cooling coil in fluid communication with the condensing coil, thus forming a closed loop circulation system for the circulation of a refrigerant fluid. The cooling coil is in the dynamic airflow path. A collection tray is disposed below the cooling coil, and a collection container receives collected water from the collection tray. The cleaning apparatus comprises a hood enclosure for substantially enclosing the cooling coil and the inner surface of the collection tray. The hood enclosure is movable between a first closed cleaning position and a second opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Inventor: Forrest R. Poindexter
  • Patent number: 5392613
    Abstract: A room air conditioner of the type having an indoor section and outdoor section which are supported by a basepan and separated by a partition. The indoor section includes an indoor fan and an evaporator. The cold evaporator condenses moisture from the air to be cooled. Means are provided to collect the condensate and to conduct it along a path from the indoor section, through an opening in the partition, at basepan level, to the outdoor section. The opening in the partition has a given height from the basepan which is sufficient to allow condensate flow, and a given width. A hood is provided adjacent to the opening on the outdoor side of the partition wall which extends from the top of the opening downwardly a distance less than the given height of the opening. The hood completely encloses the given width to thereby define a lower edge under which water or air must pass to pass through the condensate opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Theodore S. Bolton, John H. Michaels
  • Patent number: 5388427
    Abstract: A refrigerator has a freezer compartment, a refrigeration compartment located beneath the freezer compartment, and a heating/cooling compartment located beneath the refrigeration compartment. The heating/cooling compartment contains its own heating and cooling mechanisms mounted on external surfaces of walls which form the heating/cooling compartment. The heating/cooling compartment can be used to ferment and then store food such as kimchi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sun G. Lee
  • Patent number: 5327740
    Abstract: A dehumidifier includes an elongated body in which a first open ended chamber and a second open ended chamber are defined parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction of the body. A first cover and a second cover are detachably secured to the ends of the body, to cover the open ends of the first and second chambers, respectively. An evaporator is housed in the first chamber. A pipe is disposed in the second chamber, and divides the second chamber into a precooling zone, which corresponds to the internal space of the pipe extending along the axis thereof, and a reheating zone which corresponds to the external space. A path connects the outlet of the precooling zone and the inlet of the first chamber, and is defined between the dehumidifier body and the second cover, for feeding the air from the precooling zone to the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: CKD Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinari Ogasawara, Masumu Satoh, Kazuyoshi Hanazawa
  • Patent number: 5327743
    Abstract: A sub cooling condensate trap as an auxiliary unit for an air conditioning system, comprising a container having a heat exchange coil disposed therein and through which hot liquid refrigerant is passed, and water inlet and outlets in the container through which condensate water from the air conditioner condenser is passed countercurrently to the refrigerant, thereby sub cooling the refrigerant and increasing the power usage efficiency of the air conditioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Enerjed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jed A. Coltrin
  • Patent number: 5303563
    Abstract: A sprayer seated on at least a portion of the upper periphery of a vegetable crisper and periodically supplied with pressurized fluid for emitting through at least one orifice a spray over the vegetables held within the crisper for maintaining the freshness thereof. The sprayer preferably is an elongated ribbon-like member having a plurality of orifices and which cooperatively forms at least a partial seal between the upper peripheral edge of the crisper and a removable top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Hydro-Crisper, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry W. Bishop, Stephen W. Braun, Lee Payne, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5279360
    Abstract: An improved evaporator or evaporator/condenser for use in refrigeration or heat pump systems including first and second spaced, pressure resistant headers (10, 12) ; a plurality of elongated tubes (20) of flattened cross-section extending in parallel, spaced relation between and in fluid communication with the headers (10, 12) and serpentine fins (34) extending between and bonded to adjacent ones of the tubes (20). The tubes (20) and fins (34), between the headers (10, 12), define a nonplanar configuration having an apex (80). A condensate trough (82) is aligned with and opens towards the apex (80) to receive condensate dripping therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Hughes, Leon A. Guntly, John B. Welker, David T. Hill, Jerome P. Henkes, Michael J. Reinke, C. James Rogers
  • Patent number: 5271242
    Abstract: A heat pump and method are provided whereby an interior heat pump having dual, vertically positioned condensor-evaporator compartments allows outside air to pass into an inlet passageway beneath the heat pump which communicates with the lower of said compartments. The outside air passes upwardly through an opening in the bottom of said lower compartment where it then passes through a condensor-evaporator and is directed by a centrifugal fan out another opening in the floor of the lower compartment. The inlet and outlet outside air passageways are slanted whereby any moisture collected therein will be drained away through a foundation wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Consolidated Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Robert R. Addington
  • Patent number: 5271241
    Abstract: Drain water from a refrigerator flows to an evaporating plate located adjacent a compressor, so that heat from the compressor promotes the evaporation. A water spreader spreads the drain water as it reaches the evaporating plate to facilitate evaporation. Water which is not evaporated on the evaporating member gravitates to a container and is reabsorbed by the other evaporator member when the latter dries. The evaporator plate has ribs to efficiently use the heat received from the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyung K. Kim
  • Patent number: 5226286
    Abstract: A refrigerator comprises a lot of hollowed projections provided on the bottom of a reservoir and an auxiliary condenser secured to the top of the hollowed projections by supporting pieces in which one end is fixed in contact with the outer surface of the auxiliary condenser and the other end is fixed along one face of the hollowed projections so as to always be in contact with water, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the auxiliary condenser and the evaporation efficiency of the water by directly transferring heat radiated from the auxiliary condenser to the water through supporting pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-yong Mo
  • Patent number: 5218838
    Abstract: Two or more indoor units are provided on ceiling and floor of a room. Each of the indoor units has an air heat exchanger for cooling indoor air, and a drain pan for catching drainage produced by the air heat exchanger. A drain pipe is provided in the ceiling and under the floor. The, drainage in each of the drain pans flows into the drainage pipe. The drain in the drain pipe is carried and discharged outdoor by a drain carrying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Manabu Kitamoto, Yasunori Ichikawa, Keiichiro Shimizu, Eiji Kuwahara, Masao Amano, Masayuki Hibi, Keizo Iwata
  • Patent number: 5212958
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pump pack for automatic and continuous emptying of water condensate from a dehumidifier positioned below ground level or remotely from a gravity drain. The present invention includes a small submersible electrical pump powered by a conventional 110 volt AC power source, includes an on/off float switch connected with the power source, in cooperation with a flexible hose of small diameter of variable length. Condensate collected in the water collection pan is withdrawn at a preselected water level by the pump and passes through the tubing to an elevated or remote drain means or to other appropriate areas for disposal. The present invention permits continuous operation of portable dehumidifiers which would otherwise shut off when the condensate water pan fills after approximately one day's unattended use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Inventor: John C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5207074
    Abstract: Using a series of identically sized, single row, single circuit refrigerant coil modules, fin/tube refrigerant coils of different nominal air conditioning tonnages are constructed by arranging different numbers of the identically sized module in accordion-pleated orientations, with each modular coil having the same depth in the direction of intended air flow across the coil. Compared to conventional "A" coils used on the indoor side of air conditioning circuits, these accordion-pleated modular coils are more compact in the air flow direction, provide more coil surface area, permit lower coil face velocities with higher fin density, and significantly reduce the overall coil manufacturing costs since only one size of coil slab needs to fabricated and inventoried to later assemble refrigerant coils of widely varying nominal air conditioning tonnages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jimmy L. Cox, John B. Greenfield, Kendall L. Ross
  • Patent number: 5201192
    Abstract: A water droplet collector for collecting drops of dew condensed from the air onto cool surfaces in a high humid compartment such as a cooling storage cabinet formed to store perishable fresh foodstuffs therein. The water droplet collector is composed of a perforated thin plate and a base plate detachably overlapped with the perforated thin plate in such a manner as to form a capillary clearance for attraction of drops of dew condensed on the perforated thin plate. Both the plates are detachably mounted within the high humid compartment in such a manner that the base plate is arranged to receive drops of dew falling from a ceiling of the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuo Hara
  • Patent number: 5156018
    Abstract: A unit-type air conditioner has an out-door portion which has an out-door heat-exchanger, an out-door fan opposing the out-door heat exchanger and an air guider having an orifice defining the passage of air from the out-door fan and the out-door heat exchanger. The center of the circle of a slinger ring attached to the out-door fan is slightly offset from the center of the circle of the orifice such that the circle of the slinger ring is offset from the center of the orifice in the direction in which the slinger ring scoops condensate water generated in the air conditioner. Part of the condensate water scooped by the slinger ring is sprayed to the out-door heat exchanger so as to be evaporated by the heat generated in the heat-exchanger, while the remaining part of the condensate water collides with the wall of the orifice so as to be returned to a drain pan. Consequently, undesirable springing of condensate wall from out-door air suction openings is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatuhiro Kobayashi, Mitsuo Nakanuma, Hideki Matsumi
  • Patent number: 5117650
    Abstract: A primary pan assembly for use in conjunction with an air conditioning system, which includes two primary plates and a silicon rubber cover which are assembled together to form the primary pan which includes a lower cylinder to be disposed at the assembled pan during installation thereof so as to pass a pair of built drain pipes through the lower cylinder, whereby the plastic primary pan can easily be assembled with the silicone rubber plate and tightly attached to the pair of built drain pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Permanent Solution Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Il Yoo Kim
  • Patent number: 5105630
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes an air cleaner and a plastic drain pan assembly, which contains a drain pan, a fan cover supporting bracket having a plurality of slant barriers and a radiator supporting bracket having a horizontally elongated slant valley for slantingly receiving a radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Inventor: Chang H. Kim
  • Patent number: 5099873
    Abstract: A polymeric insert is arranged for securement within a base portion of a water cooler housing to accommodate drainage from a water cooler top wall. Drainage and condensation is accommodated to minimize corrosion of a lower portion of the water cooler housing. A modification of the structure includes a fungicide and herbicide distribution reservoir and an alarm indicating stoppage of the associated drain structure of the organization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Inventor: Gabriel G. Sanchez
  • Patent number: RE34154
    Abstract: A suction guide device for a dehumidifier is disclosed in which the suction guide member consists of an insertion section, an expanded section and a tapered section connecting the former two sections, and accommodates an evaporator, a condenser and a suction means therein.Further, the suction guide member is firmly secured at its front and rear ends unlike the case of the conventional device, and therefore the device according to the present invention prevents the vibrations and noise, and saves power consumption during the operation, thereby making the dehumidifier using the deivce of the prevent invention economical, useful and practical.Further, the discharged air from the holes of the tapered section is guided so that it passes close to the compressor, thereby contributing to the advantages mentioned above, because the air being discharged efficiently cools the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shin H. Lee