Retainer Or Flow Director For Atmospheric Condensate Patents (Class 62/285)
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Patent number: 7047998Abstract: A gravity flow drain extension is adapted for attachment to an exit opening of a condensation drain line. The drain extension includes an extension line for receiving and transporting water. The open connecting end of the extension line is attached to the exit opening of the condensation drain line, such that water exiting the condensation drain line enters the extension line. The extension line defines at least one discharge opening downstream of its connecting end for dispensing water at a location away from the exit opening of the condensation drain line. A backflow preventer upstream of the at least one discharge opening prevents backflow of water into the condensation drain line.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Inventor: David McKee
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Patent number: 7043934Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water making device that collects the moisture contained in the atmosphere and condenses it into high purity water. In one embodiment, moist air entering the water making/water cooling system flows across an air filter, then a precooler heat exchanger (where the air stream is cooled to or close to its dew point) and then a water extraction heat exchanger, where the air stream is cooled further and water is extracted. The water that leaves water extraction heat exchanger is collected in a water collection device and passes from there through a primary water filter into a water storage tank. The air stream then passes across a reheat heat exchanger and exhausted to the outside.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2004Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: University of Maryland, College ParkInventors: Reinhard K. Radermacher, Hisham Fawzi
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Patent number: 7032406Abstract: An ice machine includes an evaporator, a condensate collection unit, positioned below the evaporator and configured to collect condensate from a back surface of the evaporator. First and second mounting brackets attached to the first and second sides of the evaporator, respectively, and are attached to first and second side panels positioned within the ice machine. A pump deck resides below the evaporator and has a chambered section, and a sump is positioned within the chambered section. The condensate collection unit is coupled to a water discharge line, such that condensate is removed from the ice machine and does not come into contact with water that is recirculated to the evaporator. The first and second mounting brackets and first and second flanges on the sump permit easy installation and removal of the evaporator and the sump from the ice machine.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2004Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, Inc.Inventors: Michael C. Hollen, Marty J. Lafond, Lee G. Mueller, Steven P. Kutchera, Thomas G. Gutman, Mathew E. Kampert, Howard G. Funk, Richard T. Miller
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Patent number: 7007496Abstract: An internal temperature difference preventing structure for a refrigerator, including an evaporator installed in an upper portion of a refrigerating space inside a main body of the refrigerator, an air blast fan installed in front of the evaporator for blowing air toward a rear part of the evaporator, a discharge duct, including a discharge port downwardly extended from the rear part thereof, for guiding cool air, generated by the evaporator and the air blast fan, from a front part of the upper portion inside the main body to a rear part of the upper portion inside the main body, and a discharge guide portion for guiding the cool air, guided by the discharge duct to the rear part of the upper portion inside the main body, to the discharge port.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Lotte Engineering & Machinery Mfg., Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tae-Hean Kim, Young-Man La, Kyung-Won Cho
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Patent number: 7003972Abstract: Disclosed is an indoor unit for an air conditioner to smoothly drain condensed water to the outside regardless of an installation state of the indoor unit. The indoor unit includes: a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange; a drain pan for collecting and draining condensed water generated in the heat exchanger; and two or more drain parts formed in the drain pan and through which the condensed water is drained.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2004Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Nam Seob Eom, Dae Hyoun No, Sung Woo Song
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Patent number: 7000410Abstract: An apparatus and method are extracting water from the ambient air comprising drawing air through an particle ionizer grid, evaporator plates of a refrigerant system the system and recirculating the ionized air and mixing said ionized air with ambient air and recycling said mixed air through said ionizer and evaporator plates to extract moisture from the air. The system utilizes sensors to constantly sense and predictively respond to multiple parameters, monitored at multiple points in the system to predictively and efficiently adjust the system operation to continually maximize the extraction of water regardless of ambient temperature and humidity.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Ecotek International, Inc.Inventor: John Hutchinson
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Patent number: 6997008Abstract: A refrigerator having a draining unit to drain defrost water, produced by both an evaporator and a refrigerant pipe, to an outside of a cabinet thereof. The refrigerator having a storage compartment defined in the cabinet, with an evaporator provided in the cabinet to supply cool air to the storage compartment. A first defrost water tray having a first drain port is positioned under the evaporator to drain the defrost water produced by the evaporator. A second defrost water tray is positioned under both the refrigerant pipe extending to the evaporator and the first drain port of the first defrost water tray, so as to guide a draining of the defrost water produced by the refrigerant pipe and the defrost water drained from the first drain port of the first defrost water tray. The second defrost water tray having a second drain port which is connected to a drain guide hose.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jong-Dal Lee, Gi-Joong Jeong
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Patent number: 6993925Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser adapted to display refrigerated products includes a case defining a product display area, a bottom shelf adapted to support the refrigerated products within the product display area, and a container removably coupled with the case at a location below the bottom shelf and adapted to collect debris falling below the bottom shelf. The container is removable from the case for cleaning without removing the refrigerated products from the bottom shelf.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2004Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Hussmann CorporationInventor: Martin J. Duffy
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Patent number: 6990825Abstract: A ventilating device (1) comprises one or more impellers (2) extending in a longitudinal direction around an axis of rotation. Each of the impellers (2) is adapted to suck air from an ambient atmosphere in a transverse direction over a substantial part of the impeller's length. A coupling for transmitting a driving force from one impeller to another is disclosed. The ventilating device may be comprised in a unit with a cover (6) and a chassis, and it may be mounted to or around a heating or cooling pipe (3; 4) in a room of a building. A holding member (5) which may be connected to the cover (6) holds the pipe or pipes (3; 4) and/or one or more impellers (2). The device is easy to mount and may have improved energy efficiency. A building with a ventilating device, a method of operating the ventilating device, a system comprising a plurality of ventilating devices, and a mounting member for one or more pipes and/or one or more impellers are further provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2001Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Danfoss A/SInventor: Ole Hansen
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Patent number: 6976367Abstract: A condensate overflow prevention assembly prevents condensate overflow in an air cooling system using a fluid level sensor and a pump activated by the fluid level sensor to pump the condensate away from a drainage system when a blockage occurs in the drainage system.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2003Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Inventor: Gerald S. Spanger
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Patent number: 6959561Abstract: An automotive air conditioner comprises a housing having an air flow passage defined therein. The housing includes mutually opposed side walls between which a part of the air flow passage is defined. A fan is installed in an upstream part of the air flow passage to introduce air into the air flow passage. An evaporator is installed in the air flow passage at a position downstream of the fan. The evaporator is of a stack type including a plurality of flat tube elements which are stacked on one another. Every adjacent two of the flat tube elements leave therebetween a clearance which has inlet and outlet sides. The evaporator is postured in such a manner that the flat tube elements extend between the mutually opposed side walls of the housing having the inlet sides of the clearances of the flat tube elements directed upstream toward the fan.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2002Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Calsonic Kansei CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Kawada, Toshio Nashiro
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Patent number: 6957543Abstract: An air cycle water producing machine utilizes a combination of cooling turbine, heat exchanger and fresh air cycling to increase water output while minimizing the amount of energy required to operate the system.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Inventor: Igor Reznik
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Patent number: 6948552Abstract: There is disclosed a ceiling embedded type indoor unit which is reduced in height to provide a compact unit body size and which provides a large cooling/heating capability. The ceiling embedded type indoor unit comprising two air blowoff ports and embedded in a ceiling comprises a heat exchanger formed in a U-shape with sides of the U-shape being disposed on long sides of a unit body and connected to a header pipe for circulating a coolant at one end of an open side of the U-shape, air blowoff ports disposed to extend from a bottom side the U-shape, and a centrifugal blower disposed aside to the bottom side of the U-shape relative to a substantial center of a length direction of the sides of the U-shape.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2001Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shinichi Kosugi, Takashi Sano, Yoshiki Hata, Naoki Shikazono
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Patent number: 6931882Abstract: A dual function condensate drain trap for positive or negative pressure air handling unit applicable in positive or negative pressure environments by switching connecting directions includes a drain trap which has a water inlet and a water outlet on two sides to connect to a drain pipe, and a valve seat and a retaining element located on the valve seat movable between a first position to be in contact with the valve seat and a second position to be away from the valve seat. When the pressure of water column in the water inlet is smaller than that of the water outlet, the retaining element is on the first position to form an air lock to prevent air from entering or escaping from air handling unit. By contrast, when the pressure of water column in the water inlet is greater than that of the water outlet, the retaining element is moved to the first position to drain water.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2004Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Inventor: Sam Yang
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Patent number: 6910339Abstract: A system for extracting including a cooled condenser apparatus in contact with the volume of pressurized air being dehumidified, the condensed water being transferred into collection areas by means of capillary attraction; an evaporation chamber in thermal contact with the condenser apparatus having an inlet connected to the collection areas by means of a first valve device and an outlet connected by means of a second valve device to a space wherein the pressure is lower than that of the volume of pressurized air; and a control device for controlling the valve devices in order to carry out a control cycle with a first phase for placing the evaporation chamber under negative pressure in relation to the volume of pressurized air, and a second phase for suctioning the condensed water in the collection areas towards the decompression chamber, until the pressure in the decompression chamber reaches a predefined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2003Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Agence Spatiale EuropeenneInventors: Robert Laine, Primo Tamburini
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Patent number: 6895770Abstract: A condensate secondary pan for a central air conditioning system is herein disclosed whereby overflow protection of the primary condensate removal system for a fan coil unit of a central air conditioning system is realized. The secondary pan is positioned directly beneath the primary pan of the central air conditioning system to convey condensate safely outside an enclosure should the primary pan overflow due to clogging of the primary drain line, or leak due to cracks or fissures formed in the primary pan. The condensate secondary pan has a predetermined girth sufficient to extend laterally beyond the primary pan of a conventional fan coil unit. The condensate secondary pan also has a bottom panel which is frustoconical in shape, thus minimizing the pooling of condensate on its surface as well as an integral drain pipe connecting means, thereby eliminating the need for a superfluous user supplied connecting means which is typically made of metal and thus is susceptible to corrosion.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2003Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Inventor: Kenneth J. Kaminski
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Patent number: 6895771Abstract: A gravity-assisted water saving system, and method of use, utilized for collecting condensate from an air conditioning system, sanitizing it, and then diverting it for constructive use. It has a chamber with an inclined bottom surface, a removable basket for containing tablets used for sanitizing swimming pool water or bleach tablets used for laundry sanitizing purposes, a double P-trap assembly on its water inlet side that prevents sanitizing vapors from entering the air conditioning system to which it is connected, a removable cap sealing its top opening to prevent escape of sanitizing vapors into the atmosphere, and an optional mounting bracket for enhanced stabilization against a stationary object. Inflow tubing connected to the chamber permits ready attachment of the present invention to an air conditioning condensate discharge pipe, while a discharge tube in an inferior position transports reclaimed water to its location of subsequent use.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2003Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Inventor: Christopher R. Cantolino
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Patent number: 6892551Abstract: In order to provide an air conditioner capable of safely discharging drain water outwards, and having good assembly properties and maintenance properties, an electrical equipment box 270 including a control substrate is placed on the side of a first side plate 250 of a base panel 200, and a drain pump unit 600 is placed adjacent to a second side plate 260, to treat drain water in a position apart from an electrical system.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Fujitsu General LimitedInventors: Yoshihiro Gunji, Yukihiko Imai
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Patent number: 6883336Abstract: An air-conditioning condensate drainage system for mounting to the roof membrane of the roof structure of buildings or for construction thereof directly onto the roof membrane of a building structure. The air-conditioning condensate drainage system is defined by one or more strips of material having an isolation membrane having a bottom surface for assembly to a roof membrane. A pair of spaced ridge elements project upwardly from the isolation membrane and cooperate with the isolation membrane to define an air-conditioning condensate drainage channel. In the alternative, ridge strips may be disposed in spaced relation and fixed directly to a roof membrane to define condensate drain channels along the roof membrane to in-roof drains. The condensate drain strip or ridge strips may be molded or extruded and maybe formed directly on and adhered to or fixed to the roof membrane to define the condensate drain channels.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2003Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignees: Crossd Holdings, LTD, BJBJ, LTDInventors: William E. Dudley, C. Ross Dutton
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Patent number: 6877550Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, an evaporator is disposed at an upper side of a blower approximately horizontally so that air blown by the blower passes through the evaporator from below upwardly. The evaporator is slightly tilted from a horizontal surface by a predetermined angle, and the blower is disposed in such a manner that air is mainly blown by the blower toward the evaporator in a direction substantially parallel to a tangential line at a scroll finish portion of the scroll casing. Accordingly, condensed water on a bottom heat-exchanging surface of the evaporator can be pushed downwardly by component force of the flow of air mainly blown from the blower.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2003Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: DENSO CorporationInventors: Kazushi Shikata, Satoshi Mizutani, Tomohiro Kamiya
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Patent number: 6877333Abstract: A filter assembly for use with a gravity-assisted water saver system that sanitizes condensate from an air conditioning system with vapors released from dissolvable tablets, such as those used for treating swimming pool water or laundering purposes. It is compact and cleanable via a removable bottom cover, and it inner structure is configured to substantially reduce the likelihood of treatment vapors from the treatment chamber backing through the filter assembly and entering the connected air conditioning system from which condensate is collected. Applications can include, but are not limited to, use with systems that replenish water lost from swimming pools due to evaporation, and divert water for use in filling toilets, pressure washing, cleaning, and other gray water uses.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2003Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Inventor: Christopher Ralph Cantolino
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Patent number: 6868689Abstract: A condensate drain pan comprises a compound-sloped floor surface having intersecting sloped faces which slope from a high point to a low point. The intersecting sloped faces form creases therebetween to facilitate condensate elimination, and the floor surface includes condensate directing embossments which further facilitate condensate elimination. The condensate drains to a drain opening at the low point.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2001Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Buffalo Air Handling CompanyInventors: Donald A. McNeil, James M. Wakefield, James C. Land
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Patent number: 6865903Abstract: In a arrangement structure of a drain hose that drains water from an air conditioning case to an outside of a vehicle, the drain hose is disposed to extend along a silencer provided in the inside of the vehicle. The silencer is formed with a depression and the drain hose is arranged in the depression. Thus, loads such as by passenger's feet and baggage are received by the silencer, thereby reducing crush of the drain hose. The drain hose can be made of rubber and is flexibly shaped along its arrangement route. Accordingly, the drain hose does not need separate flexible joint members at positions corresponding to bends in the arrangement route. Since the drain hose is supported in the depression, fixing members for fixing the drain hose are not required.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2003Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Mitsuru Kosaka
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Publication number: 20040255605Abstract: An arrangement for directing the defrost water in refrigerators, comprising a single cabinet (10), provided with internal lateral walls (11), in which interior is superiorly mounted an evaporator (20) positioned immediately above a tray (40) for collecting defrost water, comprising at least one deflecting chute (15) provided on each of the internal lateral walls (11) of the cabinet (10), in a downwardly backwardly inclined arrangement above the mounting plane of the tray (40), and having an upper end projecting beyond the vertical projection of the contour of the evaporator (20), and a lower end that is back spaced in relation to the vertical projection of the front edge of the tray (40).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2004Publication date: December 23, 2004Inventors: Joan Alfredo Correa Junior, Alexandre Pinto Rebello Rucker, Edio de Souza Bonelli, Jair Cordova Henrique
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Publication number: 20040244398Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water making device that collects the moisture contained in the atmosphere and condenses it into high purity water. In one embodiment, moist air entering the water making/water cooling system flows across an air filter, then a precooler heat exchanger (where the air stream is cooled to or close to its dew point) and then a water extraction heat exchanger, where the air stream is cooled further and water is extracted. The water that leaves water extraction heat exchanger is collected in a water collection device and passes from there through a primary water filter into a water storage tank. The air stream then passes across a reheat heat exchanger and exhausted to the outside.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventors: Reinhard K. Radermacher, Hisham Fawzi
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Publication number: 20040237561Abstract: A system for utilizing water originating from an air conditioning system in order to supply water to an automobile windshield wiper system, includes air conditioning generating equipment for an automobile, the air conditioning generating equipment including a compressor, a condenser and an evaporating compartment; a water-collecting container positioned below a level of the evaporating compartment; first tubing for connecting the evaporating compartment to the water-collecting container to supply water from the evaporating compartment to the water-collecting container; second tubing for connecting the water-collecting container to a windshield wiper system of the automobile; and a pump for pumping the water from the water-collecting container to the windshield wiper system through the second arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventor: Walter Duarte Barreto Junior
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Publication number: 20040231345Abstract: A process for recovering potable water from the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. In this process the exhaust gases are cooled causing water to condense out, and the water formed is passed through particulate filters, activated carbon filters and ion exchange resin filters. In this process, the water is treated to reduce the levels of nitrates, sulfates, acidic and other organic components therein (for example, by passing it through a flow through capacitor) before the water is passed through the ion exchange resins. The apparatus for practicing this process is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventor: Marit Jagtoyen Mazzetti
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Patent number: 6817194Abstract: A conduit elbow having first opening and a second opening and housing a pump assembly for use in an air conditioning system, the pump assembly including a pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, and wherein the pump inlet is a fluid communication with a reservoir. The reservoir is formed integrally with the pump assembly and has an inlet fluid communication with a first fluid-carrying pipe of an air-conditioning installation and wherein the pump outlet of an air fluid communication with a second fluid-carrying pipe of an air-conditioning installation.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2003Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Aspen Pumps LimitedInventor: Bernard Leach
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Patent number: 6796368Abstract: In an air conditioning apparatus where air flows through a cooling heat exchanger (21) upwardly from below, it is an object to improve draining performance of condensed water in the cooling heat exchanger (21). To achieve this object, the cooling heat changer (21) for cooling air is disposed in a case (20) forming an air passage to be inclined by a small angle (&thgr;) from a horizontal direction, the inclination direction of the cooling heat exchanger (21) is the same direction as a longitudinal direction (B) of tubes (21a) through which cooling fluid flows, and the cooling heat exchanger (21) is disposed so that a flow direction (A) of air flowing into a lower side of the cooling heat exchanger (21) is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (B) of the tubes (21a).Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1999Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Kazunori Saida, Yoshihiko Okumura, Hiromi Tahara
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Patent number: 6796135Abstract: The presence of sufficient condensate flow for odor-free operation of an air conditioning system is detected based on the surface temperature of a thermistor disposed in a condensate drainpipe of the evaporator and the power supplied to the thermistor. The surface temperature is used to calculate the temperatures of stagnant circumambient air and water. If the temperature for stagnant air is approximately equal to the evaporator temperature, the evaporator is too dry and the operating point of the air conditioning system is lowered to reduce the surface temperature of the evaporator. If the temperature for stagnant water is approximately equal to the evaporator temperature, the drainpipe is plugged. Alternately, a constant power is supplied to the thermistor, and its surface temperature is compared to a set of experimentally determined reference temperatures to deduce the evaporator state.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2003Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mohinder Singh Bhatti, Mingyu Wang, John Lawrence Pawlak, III
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Publication number: 20040182100Abstract: A refrigerator having a draining unit to drain defrost water, produced by both an evaporator and a refrigerant pipe, to an outside of a cabinet thereof. The refrigerator having a storage compartment defined in the cabinet, with an evaporator provided in the cabinet to supply cool air to the storage compartment. A first defrost water tray having a first drain port is positioned under the evaporator to drain the defrost water produced by the evaporator. A second defrost water tray is positioned under both the refrigerant pipe extending to the evaporator and the first drain port of the first defrost water tray, so as to guide a draining of the defrost water produced by the refrigerant pipe and the defrost water drained from the first drain port of the first defrost water tray. The second defrost water tray having a second drain port which is connected to a drain guide hose.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jong-Dal Lee, Gi-Joong Jeong
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Publication number: 20040172962Abstract: There is disclosed a ceiling embedded type indoor unit which is reduced in height to provide a compact unit body size and which provides a large cooling/heating capability. The ceiling embedded type indoor unit comprising two air blowoff ports and embedded in a ceiling comprises a heat exchanger formed in a U-shape with sides of the U-shape being disposed on long sides of a unit body and connected to a header pipe for circulating a coolant at one end of an open side of the U-shape, air blowoff ports disposed to extend from a bottom side the U-shape, and a centrifugal blower disposed aside to the bottom side of the U-shape relative to a substantial center of a length direction of the sides of the U-shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2001Publication date: September 9, 2004Inventors: Shinichi Kosugi, Takashi Sano, Yoshiki Hata, Naoki Shikazono
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Patent number: 6779357Abstract: A mullion shelf assembly is provided that includes a shelf having translucent upper and lower surfaces and contains an insulative medium that resists heat transfer between the surfaces. The mullion shelf assembly may also include a shelf with an upper surface in fluid communication with a sump. The sump is in fluid communication with a drain that remove condensation from the compartment bounded by the mullion shelf assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2003Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: Viking Range CorporationInventor: Billie Ray Fann
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Publication number: 20040134213Abstract: An air-conditioning condensate drainage system for mounting to the roof membrane of the roof structure of buildings or for construction thereof directly onto the roof membrane of a building structure. The air-conditioning condensate drainage system is defined by one or more strips of material having an isolation membrane having a bottom surface for assembly to a roof membrane. A pair of spaced ridge elements project upwardly from the isolation membrane and cooperate with the isolation membrane to define an air-conditioning condensate drainage channel. In the alternative, ridge strips may be disposed in spaced relation and fixed directly to a roof membrane to define condensate drain channels along the roof membrane to in-roof drains. The condensate drain strip or ridge strips may be molded or extruded and maybe formed directly on and adhered to or fixed to the roof membrane to define the condensate drain channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Inventors: William E. Dudley, C. Ross Dutton
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Patent number: 6745590Abstract: A condensate removal system is provided for use in association or connection with equipment that produces a liquid or condensate during operation. The condensate removal system is configured to receive a liquid or condensate produced by equipment and is configured to induce the liquid or condensate to flow from the system as liquid or condensate droplets and/or liquid or condensate vapor. The system is configured to contain and to vibrate a liquid or condensate received from equipment in an ultrasonic frequency zone to induce the liquid or condensate to form into droplets and/or vapors. The system is configured and arranged to force the droplets and vapors from the system and can be further configured to expel the droplets and vapors to an area external to the system and/or into a duct, for instance, to exhaust the droplets and vapors or to recirculate the droplets and vapor to equipment to provide cooling to the equipment and/or components of the equipment.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2003Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: American Power ConversionInventors: Rollie R. Johnson, John M. McNally, John Bean, Gregory R. Uhrhan, David N. Susek
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Publication number: 20040099000Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cool air circulating blower for a refrigerator. The blower comprises a blowing fan for blowing cool air, a motor for driving the blowing fan, and a shroud for guiding the cool air leaving the blowing fan. The shroud is designed to suppress generation of turbulence in such a manner that the cool air leaving the blowing fan is dispersed quickly and condensed water obtained by condensation of moisture laden in the cool air is guided to some places other than the motor, whereby the noise caused due to the turbulence is reduced, the power consumption is decreased, the blowing efficiency is improved, and any breakdown of the motor due to the condensed water is prevented.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2003Publication date: May 27, 2004Applicant: LG Electronics IncInventors: Young Gyu Jung, Chang Joon Kim
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Patent number: 6729152Abstract: An evaporator assembly includes a support housing for mounting to an internal compartment of a delivery truck or trailer. At least one evaporator coil mounts to the support housing along with at least one cooling fan. Electric heating strips are attached to the bottom of the evaporator coils to heat the compartment and defrost the evaporator coils. A plastic outer skin incorporates a drain pan to collect condensation and moisture dripping from the evaporator coils during the defrost cycle. A heat shield is attached between the heating strips and the plastic outer covering to prevent heat from damaging the plastic outer covering.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2001Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Sylvain Gully, Bernard Valentin, Philippe Vaas, Stephane Boudonnet
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Patent number: 6729153Abstract: Disclosed is an indoor unit in an air conditioner of which components are arranged symmetrically so as to enable a compact design. The present invention includes a case having an intake port and a blow outlet, a blower installed inside a central part of the case along a length direction of the case, a heat exchanger installed between the intake port and blower so as to heat-exchange a room air which is sucked in, a fan motor coupled with one side of the blower so as to drive the blower, and a pipe part installed at a space opposite to the fan motor centering around the blower and connected between the heat exchanger an outdoor unit so that an operational fluid circulates through the pipe part.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Dong Soo Moon, Mun Kee Chung
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Publication number: 20040060314Abstract: In order to provide an air conditioner capable of safely discharging drain water outwards, and having good assembly properties and maintenance properties, an electrical equipment box 270 including a control substrate is placed on the side of a first side plate 250 of a base panel 200, and a drain pump unit 600 is placed adjacent to a second side plate 260, to treat drain water in a position apart from an electrical system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: FUJITSU GENERAL LIMITEDInventors: Yoshihiro Gunji, Yukihiko Imai
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Patent number: 6708516Abstract: An air conditioner having an air blower (1) for air blowing, a front heat exchanger (2) and a rear heat exchanger (3) respectively provided on the front side and the rear side of an indoor unit (10) so as to surround the air blower (1) and for carrying out heat exchange between the indoor air and a refrigerant, a rear drain pan (11) provided under this rear heat exchanger (3) and for receiving drained water, and an air blower air path (4) formed around the air blower (1) and narrowed near the front end portion of the drain pan (11). The lower portion of the rear heat exchanger (3) is located rearward in comparison with the upper portion of the rear heat exchanger (3) so as to be inclined backward.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2003Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hidetomo Nakagawa, Masao Nagano, Isao Funayama, Toshiaki Yoshikawa
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Patent number: 6701737Abstract: In an air conditioner including an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan which are disposed in an indoor-side chamber, and an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor fan which are disposed in an outdoor-side chamber, the indoor-side chamber and the outdoor-side chamber being partitioned by a partition plate mounted on a bottom plate, the outdoor heat exchanger is disposed on said bottom plate, and the bottom plate is integrally formed with a dam member for damming up drain water flowing from at least one of the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Electric Air ConditioningInventors: Yasunori Ohama, Takuya Kajita, Akira Okada, Tetsushi Yamashita, Kiyoshi Kobayashi
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Publication number: 20040040330Abstract: In a arrangement structure of a drain hose that drains water from an air conditioning case to an outside of a vehicle, the drain hose is disposed to extend along a silencer provided in the inside of the vehicle. The silencer is formed with a depression and the drain hose is arranged in the depression. Thus, loads such as by passenger's feet and baggage are received by the silencer, thereby reducing crush of the drain hose. The drain hose can be made of rubber and is flexibly shaped along its arrangement route. Accordingly, the drain hose does not need separate flexible joint members at positions corresponding to bends in the arrangement route. Since the drain hose is supported in the depression, fixing members for fixing the drain hose are not required.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2003Publication date: March 4, 2004Inventor: Mitsuru Kosaka
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Publication number: 20040040337Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigerator, which according to the invention contains at least one separate, thermally well-insulated and cooled compartment (5) with a drain pipe (10) for draining from the compartment (5) condensation-water formed during the cooling down of a hot receptacle (11) placed in the compartment (5).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2003Publication date: March 4, 2004Inventor: Wanja Bellander
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Patent number: 6698225Abstract: A condensate trap for an air conditioning system includes a chamber having an upstream port coupled to the air conditioning system and a downstream port coupled to the external atmosphere, a sealing device disposed in the chamber. Whether the trap is used with a blow-through or a draw-through system, the spring keeps the sealing device in contact with the upper seat member until the force of the spring is overcome by the weight of condensate accumulating on top of the float plus or minus the pressure exerted by the air conditioning system. When the spring force exerted on the sealing device is overcome, the sealing device moves out of contact with the upper seat member and the condensate drains from the trap.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Inventor: Manuel J. Chaves
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Patent number: 6698215Abstract: A level sensing device (10) for a drain pan (50) which collects fluid from a source of fluid (40) in an associated HVAC unit (39). The drain pan (50) has at least one side wall (55). The device (50) has a bracket (12) having agenerally U-shaped portion with first and second legs (16, 18). The generally U-shaped portion serves to mount the device (10) to the at least one side wall (55) of the drain pan (50). A shelf (20) extends from the second leg (16) of the bracket (12). A switch (24) is secured to the bracket (12). The switch (24) is triggered when the fluid level (65) rises above a predetermined level causing electrical power to the associated HVAC unit (39) to be shut off. An HVAC unit (39) employing this device is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Advanced Distributor Products LLCInventors: Joseph Paul Bush, Colby Wayne Logan
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Patent number: 6684648Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for extraction of freshwater from ambient air in regions of extremely hot and humid climates, for supply of drinking water and freshwater for small to large groups of people in remote and isolated areas or wherever freshwater resources are not conveniently accessible. Compact mobile units are disclosed to provide freshwater and drinking water for resort areas, to passengers on land and sea vehicles, in situations of emergency, and to areas of water shortage. The art of adaptation of commercial dehumidification units is taught in design and construction of apparatus for production of freshwater and drinking water. Preparation of drinking water included ultraviolet disinfection, ozone treatment, and/or chlorine addition; activated carbon and ion exchange filters; and adding of fluorine, air/oxygen to refresh the water storage units, and minerals for taste and health provisions.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Fakieh Research & Development CenterInventor: Abdul-Rahman Abdul-Kader M. Faqih
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Patent number: 6658882Abstract: In an air conditioner (10) including an indoor-side chamber (21) containing an indoor heat exchanger (11) and an indoor fan (12), and an outdoor-side chamber (22) containing outdoor heat exchanger (13) and an outdoor fan (14), the indoor-side chamber (21) and the outdoor-side chamber (22) being partitioned by a partition plate (20), the partition plate (2) has a top panel (42) having a ventilation opening portion and a ventilation shutter (49) for opening/closing said ventilation opening portion (48) to freely adjust the opening degree of said ventilation opening portion (48). An indoor fan casing (34) having a heater lower-portion mounting portion (64) located above a drain pan (33) is provided between the indoor fan (12) and the partition plate (20), and an electrical heater (55) is disposed on the heater lower-portion mounting portion (64) so that the electric heater (55) is located above the drain pan (33) through the lower-portion mounting portion (64).Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Electric Air Conditioning Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasunori Ohama, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Takuya Kajita, Harutaka Genno, Junichi Gouya, Keiko Kajita
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Publication number: 20030221439Abstract: A level sensing device (10) for a drain pan (50) which collects fluid from a source of fluid (40) in an associated HVAC unit (39). The drain pan (50) has at least one side wall (55). The device (50) has a bracket (12) having agenerally U-shaped portion with first and second legs (16, 18). The generally U-shaped portion serves to mount the device (10) to the at least one side wall (55) of the drain pan (50). A shelf (20) extends from the second leg (16) of the bracket (12). A switch (24) is secured to the bracket (12). The switch (24) is triggered when the fluid level (65) rises above a predetermined level causing electrical power to the associated HVAC unit (39) to be shut off. An HVAC unit (39) employing this device is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2002Publication date: December 4, 2003Applicant: ADVANCED DISTRIBUTOR PRODUCTS LLCInventors: Joseph Paul Bush, Colby Wayne Logan
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Publication number: 20030209020Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing make-up water for a chilled water system. A first water tower for cooling water is provided. Condensate water from a condensate water source is extracted. Make-up water for the first water tower is provided using the condensate water. The apparatus comprises a first water tower for generating cooling water; an air compressor to produce compressed air; a condensate water source to extract condensate water from the compressed air; and a water flow control system for providing water from the condensate water source to the first water tower.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2003Publication date: November 13, 2003Inventor: Eric Klein
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Patent number: 6644060Abstract: An apparatus for extracting potable water from the environment air comprises a moisture collecting system having dew-forming surfaces and disposed so that the air drawn into the apparatus passes therethrough and moisture from the air condenses in the dew-forming surfaces. The apparatus also comprises a water reservoir capable of receiving water collected as moisture in the moisture collecting system. The water reservoir has a bottom and a side surface constituting a surface of revolution around a longitudinal axis of the reservoir, the reservoir having an outlet port formed at the bottom thereof along the longitudinal axis, for the withdrawal of water from the reservoir, and a circulation inlet port formed in the side surface. The circulation inlet port is designed so as to enable the introduction of water into the reservoir tangentially to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Dil Sham VenturesInventor: Amir Dagan