Retainer Or Flow Director For Atmospheric Condensate Patents (Class 62/285)
  • Publication number: 20020023455
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Shinichi Kosugi, Takashi Sano, Yoshiki Hata, Naoki Shikazono
  • Publication number: 20020023454
    Abstract: A chill blow-off port is provided on a front surface side within a refrigerating compartment, and a chill return port is provided on a back wall of the refrigerating compartment, so that a chill generated by a heat exchanger flows from the front surface side within the refrigerating compartment toward the rear in the depth. Thereby, temperature unevenness within the refrigerating compartment is effectively eliminated and a cooling rate of a preserved food is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Katsumi Watanabe, Yutaka Kameda, Masataka Eto, Susumu Oagu, Shinjiro Asakura, Kentaro Shiozaki, Kenji Haruyama, Youichi Higashionna
  • Patent number: 6343479
    Abstract: An apparatus for transferring water vapor into potable water, by using a vapor compression refrigeration system which includes both a water-cooled condenser and an air-cooled condenser. The water-cooled condenser is located in the refrigerant fluid path between the exit of the compressor and the inlet of the air-cooled condenser where it behaves as a desuperheater. The water exiting the condenser, containing the superheat from the refrigerant, is transferred through conduit to a water to air heat exchange means having an open cell ligament structure, wherein as the water falls through it, the water is cooled by the evaporation of a portion of the water by an air stream also passing through it. The open cell ligament structure coincidently acts as a filter for the air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas Merritt
  • Patent number: 6343480
    Abstract: A condensate drain arrangement for an air conditioner, which includes a molded plastic basepan having a substantially horizontally extending bottom wall. The bottom wall has an outdoor section which includes a region for collecting condensate therein. A first condensate drain is formed in the basepan in fluid communication with the condensate collecting region. The first condensate drain is configured to conduct substantially all of the condensate collected within the region for collecting from the basepan. The first condensate drain is optionally enabled by the user of the air conditioner. A second condensate drain is also formed in the basepan in fluid communication with the region for collecting condensate. The second condensate drain is configured to allow collection of condensate in the collection region to a predetermined depth and to conduct condensate which would exceed said predetermined depth from the basepan. The second condensate drain is also optionally enabled by the user of the air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Juan C. C. Correa, Nestor Hernandez, Peter R. Bushnell
  • Publication number: 20020011075
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for extracting freshwater from atmospheric humidity in extremely hot and humid climates and supplying freshwater to a small group of people, a building, a farm, or forestation area. The freshwater is treated to provide drinking water by disinfecting to eliminate microorganisms and filtration to remove suspended particulates from air, erosion or corrosion products, and disinfected waste. Compact units provide drinking water for individuals, passengers in cars, vans, trucks, or recreational boats, or crewmembers on a seagoing cargo ship whether from atmospheric humidity or from moisture-laden gases. Furthermore, systems are disclosed for the ample supply of freshwater with minimal treatment for small- to large-sized buildings in a manner that alleviates the heat load on buildings. Collection of freshwater from hot humid ambient air is also provided for other uses, such as irrigation and farm animal drinking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventor: Abdul-Rahman Abdul-Kader M. Faqih
  • Patent number: 6336339
    Abstract: A damper for refrigerators is disclosed. The damper of this invention effectively vaporizes moisture drops, condensed on a higher temperature surface of a damper's baffle due to a dewing phenomenon caused by a difference in temperature between opposite surfaces of the baffle, thus allowing the baffle to be almost free from freezing. In order to expose the moisture drops on the higher temperature surface of the baffle to cool air flowing through the cool air passage for the fresh compartment when the baffle is opened, the baffle is rotatably held by a rotating shaft installed on the central portion of the baffle or by a hinge pin spaced apart from the baffle by a distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Il-Uk Joung, Do-Hyung Kim
  • Publication number: 20020000093
    Abstract: A liquid level sensor (100) is added to air conditioner condensation pan(s) (40 and/or 50) to prevent overflow and subsequent house damage by turning off the compressor (80) and the fan (20) by means of a circuit breaker (120) and associated electronics (110).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventor: Doris W. Lea
  • Patent number: 6334326
    Abstract: Fin tube type evaporator in an air conditioner including tubes for flow of a refrigerant therethrough, and fins each having a plurality of collars for coupling with the tubes, and a plurality of slits formed between the collars, wherein drain means of a predetermined form is formed between the collars, thereby draining the condensed water smoothly and reducing an air flow resistance, and leakage of condensed water out of the air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Hee Kang, Sam Chul Ha
  • Patent number: 6332331
    Abstract: A water removal enhancement device applicable to an evaporator of a refrigeration system includes a pulse power supply, an electrode mounted under the evaporator, and metallic needles formed on the bottom of the evaporator. The needles of the evaporator and the electrode are electrically connected to the power of the pulse power supply, so that negative (or positive) electricity is charged to the evaporator and the needles, while the positive (or negative) power of the pulse power supply is charged to the electrode. The condensed water formed on the evaporator and falling to the needles is therefore easily attracted by the electrode via electric discharge effect on tip points and easily drop from the evaporator to the electrode and drain away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Wei-Yueh Cheng, Shih-Pei Lin
  • Patent number: 6321554
    Abstract: A flush-mount enclosure, particularly for making provisions for air-conditioning systems, comprising a box-like containment body for refrigeration tubing and a power supply cable, a condensation collector being associable, so that it can be removed and turned through 180°, with said box-like body in a downward region, said collector having at least an outlet arranged at a lateral end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Tecnosystemi S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giorgio Rigoni
  • Patent number: 6321556
    Abstract: An evaporator unit for an air conditioning system includes a housing having a back panel and a front section. The front section defines an air inlet at one end and an air outlet at an opposite end thereof. The housing defines an air flow path through the unit extending from the inlet to the outlet. An evaporator coil is supported in the housing in the air flow path. The unit includes an evaporator fan for effecting air flow along the air flow path and through the evaporator coil where the air is cooled and water is removed therefrom resulting in condensation. The unit includes a first condensate collection pan mounted in the housing adjacent to the evaporator coil. The first condensate collection pan is configured to collect condensate from the evaporator coil when the evaporator unit is mounted with the back panel in a substantially vertical orientation with one end defining the lower end of the housing and the opposite end defining the upper end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Carlos Afonso Tesche, Juan Carlos Carne Correa
  • Patent number: 6308526
    Abstract: An air handling apparatus and method for installation where a cabinet is connected to a mounting plate with a mounting bracket, the mounting plate is attached to an electrical equipment enclosure. Gravity and latching screws secure the cabinet to the mounting plate and also facilitate a seal between the cabinet and the enclosure. After connection of the cabinet to the mounting plate, the mounting plate and mounting brackets are concealed from view by the cabinet and enclosure. The mounting bracket is a combination of hooks and slots. Panel elements of the cabinet are interconnected using a combination of hooks and slots with seals compressed between the panels. The cabinet includes a horizontally disposed evaporator coil, the evaporator coil between an evaporator blower and a condenser blower. Air conditioning elements are vertically stacked within the cabinet. Airflow in the cabinet is generally upward in both the internal and external circulation regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Kooltronic, Incorporated
    Inventors: James A. Esty, Boris L. Muzikant
  • Patent number: 6298678
    Abstract: An improved window-type air conditioner for easy installation includes: a main unit having a base plate on which heavy components of the air conditioner, such as a compressor, and indoor and outdoor heat-exchangers, are mounted; a cabinet for receiving the main unit through an opening in the front side thereof; and an inclination section for maintaining a predetermined downward inclination of the main unit in the cabinet. The inclination section includes at least two guide rails formed on a bottom of the cabinet at a predetermined downward inclination toward the outside for supporting the lower side of the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 6289688
    Abstract: A condensate drain outlet for a room conditioner of the type which includes a sheet metal basepan having a horizontally extending bottom wall and a rear wall joined to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall in a perpendicular relationship. The rear wall has a substantially U-shaped opening formed therein. A one-piece molded plastic condensate drain insert for insertion into the U-shaped opening includes a mounting plate having a size configured to overly the U-shaped opening in the rear wall and having an opening extending therethrough. A tubular section, having an axial opening extending therethrough, extends from one side of the mounting plate. A U-shaped section extends by a distance greater than the thickness of the rear wall from the other side of the mounting plate. The U-shaped section has an open back, and an inner surface which is in fluid communication with the opening in the plate and the opening in the tubular section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Luciano da Luz Moraes, Daniel Alessandro Oliveira de Barros
  • Patent number: 6286328
    Abstract: An overhead type air conditioning unit for a vehicle of the present invention, having a conditioner casing in which a heat exchanger for air conditioning and a blower are internally installed, and mounted in a ceiling of a passenger component. Furthermore, the air conditioning unit is characterized in that a casing of the blower is molded within the conditioner casing in one body. Therefore, the number of parts and the costs to prepare molds are reduced and expense is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuhide Kawahara
  • Publication number: 20010015073
    Abstract: A cooling device having an air conduit for cooling air, which flows horizontally through a heat exchanger, for instance an evaporator, with vertically positioned fins, and with an air deflector, which is positioned below the evaporator and collects evaporator condensation water. For a troublefree cooling air flow and a controlled condensation water removal, the evaporator is placed on the air deflector in such a way that the evaporator fins extend up to the air deflector. The air deflector and evaporator are inclined, the inclination falling away to a free, rear edge of the air deflector directed into the air conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas Willkommen
  • Publication number: 20010015072
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for the dehumidification of air in a space inside an enclosure, the system including at least one air/brine heat exchanger unit for heating cold fresh air introduced into the heat exchanger from the outside and for dehumidifying the air within the enclosure by vapor condensation; and a brine regenerator in brine communication with the air/brine beat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventor: Gad Assaf
  • Patent number: 6266963
    Abstract: There is disclosed a novel apparatus for use as a beverage container glass door merchandiser. The apparatus includes an insulated enclosure, the enclosure having an outside and an inside and at least partially defining a drain from the inside to the outside. A Stirling cooler has a hot portion and a cold portion. A heat-conducting member is disposed inside the enclosure and is connected in heat exchange relationship to the cold portion of the Stirling cooler. The heat-conducting member is also operatively associated with the drain such that condensation on the heat-conducting member can flow out of the enclosure through the drain. A method of cooling an insulated enclosure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventor: Arthur G. Rudick
  • Patent number: 6247324
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes a case body, and an air cooling coil disposed in the case body to cool an air stream flowing thereacross. A blower is disposed in the case body, and is driven by an output shaft of a motor to blow the air stream across the air cooling coil and deliver cooled air stream forwardly and outwardly of the case body. A drain pane is disposed under the air cooling coil to collect droplets of condensate, and has a first outlet to drain water therein. A water pump includes a pump body with an accommodation chamber, and an impeller received in the chamber and provided with a driven shaft. The driven shaft extends outwardly of the pump body to form a coupling end to be coupled with the output shaft so as to enable the motor to drive the impeller to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: Chien-Chih Hsu
  • Patent number: 6244302
    Abstract: A method and device for drawing off humidity, such as condensation fluid, from an insulation layer around apparatuses, such as pipe lines and the like. The method is characterized in that a hollow body, such as a sleeve is arranged in a passage in the insulation material, and where a number of openings in the wall portion of the hollow body or the sleeve communicates with the surroundings outside the insulation layer, whereby condensation fluid can be drawn off from the insulation layer to the surroundings via the hollow body in the form of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Lars Hogne Vikanes
  • Patent number: 6240740
    Abstract: An air conditioner indoor unit which includes a heat exchanger; a fan; a drain pan provided under the heat exchanger, the drain pan retrieving drain water condensed on the heat exchanger; an outlet nozzle member provided under the drain pan, the outlet nozzle member providing an air path for blowing off air supplied by the fan and a hollow space between the drain pan and the outlet nozzle member; a drain pan drainage formed in the drain pan, the drain pan drainage draining drain water stored in the drain pan; a hollow space drainage formed in the outlet nozzle member at a location close to the drain pan drainage, the hollow space drainage draining drain water stored in the hollow space; and a drain hose connected to the drain pan drainage and the hollow space drainage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruyoshi Endo, Tamaki Kawakami, Yoshinori Tanikawa, Kunio Matsushita
  • Patent number: 6209337
    Abstract: A portable water purification and collection system includes a cabinet member having an interior chamber defined by a plurality of side walls, one of which has a vent thereon. Received within the interior chamber and adjacent the vent is a fan for inducing air flow from the atmosphere to the cabinet interior. Between the fan and the vent is an electrostatic air filter for removing particulates from the air as well as a condenser for producing condensate therefrom. The resulting condensate drips into a collection reservoir and then to an ultraviolet light unit that destroys microorganisms within the condensate. From the ultraviolet light unit, the condensate flows to a main reservoir from which it may be dispensed to an external container via a spigot mounted to a cabinet side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: William F. Edwards
  • Patent number: 6199395
    Abstract: A condensate handling assembly comprises a collection container for receiving and retaining condensate, a heating container for receiving condensate from the collection container, and a heating device for raising the temperature of condensate in the heating container to pressurize condensate in the heating container. A transfer conduit interconnects the collection container and the heating container, and a one-way valve is disposed in the transfer conduit for permitting flow of condensate from the collection container to the heating container. A level sensor senses the level of condensate in the collection container and activates the heating device upon the condensate in the collection container reaching a selected level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Arthur D. Little, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Dieckmann, Richard C. Williams, Robert A. Zogg
  • Patent number: 6196303
    Abstract: A heat exchange assembly has a heat exchanger, a fan at one side and a drain tray assembly extending beneath the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a pipe along which heated or cooled water is supplied, and a stack of vertical, parallel plates between which the fan passes air. The drain tray assembly has a tray with a peripheral wall and a drain outlet at one end. An inverted gutter fits loosely within the tray spaced from its edges by two channels. The height of the gutter is such as to block the space between the upper surface of the tray and the underside of the heat exchanger so as to prevent air flow beneath the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Smiths Industries Public Ltd. Co.
    Inventor: Jonathan Ivan Hepper
  • Patent number: 6196015
    Abstract: A built-in box (1) for the feeding of inner units of air conditioning systems having a hollow element (2) substantially shaped as a parallelepiped, the hollow element having open base and the inside of the bottom (22) provided with a plurality of ribs (24). The built-in box (1) also has a small tank (3) for the drainage of the condensate, the tank (3) being positioned in correspondence with the open base of the hollow element (2) and being provided with at least a section of pipe (33) connecting it to the drain pipe (8) of the building main system. A substantially flat cover (4) can be fixed to the edge of the tank (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Nicola Pignolo
  • Patent number: 6182453
    Abstract: A portable, potable-water generator for producing high-purity liquid water by condensation of dew from ambient air. The generator employs an air filter 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 combined condensate collector and storage reservoir. Before discharge, the collected dew is treated in a bacteriostat loop to destroy adventitious living organisms and to filter out undesirable and dangerous contaminants. A recirculation loop provides the ability to recirculate stored condensate during periods of inactivity. Further, quick disconnect fittings and variable length flexible tubing allows use of the invention to serve remote dispensers and/or appliances and allows use of municipal water treated through the apparatus in low condensate situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Worldwide Water, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis C. Forsberg
  • Patent number: 6151906
    Abstract: According to the present invention, an air conditioning unit is provided which includes an indoor section and an outdoor section, which are supported by a basepan and which are separated by a partition forming part of the basepan. The indoor section includes an indoor fan and an evaporator coil. During operation, the cold evaporator condenses water from the air being cooled and the condensate flows downwardly to the lower end of the evaporator where it is collected and a flow path is provided from the indoor section through the partition to the outdoor section. The lower end of the evaporator is supported by a substantially horizontal support surface. A condensate collection channel has a first portion located adjacent to, substantially parallel to and in fluid communication with the horizontal support surface. The first portion of the condensate collection channel is inclined from a high point at one end thereof to a low point at the other end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Regis Batista da Silva
  • Patent number: 6125647
    Abstract: A flexible plastic drain sock that is attachable to an exterior of an evaporative cooler and held beneath a discharge port formed in a water pan of the cooler. The drain sock is flexible and is made to have a length sufficient to extend from the cooler to the edge of a roof upon which the cooler is mounted. In this manner, water can be drained from the discharge port into the drain sock and conveyed across the roof and over the edge of the roof without contacting the roof, and thus without depositing corrosive salts and other hard-water debris onto the roof. The drain sock preferably includes a wide entrance that is removably coupled to opposing sides of the cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: Gene A. Martinez
  • Patent number: 6112536
    Abstract: A condensate drain pan. The drain pan comprises a frame supporting a surface; a side outlet in the frame proximal a high point; and a bottom outlet in the surface proximal a low point. The surface is sloped so that the first side drains to the side outlet; the surface is sloped so that the second side drains to the bottom outlet; and the surface is sloped from the high point to the low point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: William G. Hansen
  • Patent number: 6105383
    Abstract: An evaporator unit for use in the passenger compartment of a small bus that includes a low profile cabinet mounted in the ceiling of the passenger compartment against the back wall of the compartment. The cabinet contains a housing having a floor that slants downwardly from front to back and an evaporator coil is mounted in the front of the housing that is tilted rearwardly to reduce the height of the cabinet. A tangential blower wheel is mounted behind the coil and arranged to pass air from an inlet in the floor of the housing through the coil and out of the cabinet outlet. A shroud surrounds the blower wheel that cooperates with a baffle plate to efficiently conduct air through the unit. The top edge of the baffle forms the lower lip of the shroud exit region and the plate extends downward so that its lower edge is adjacent to the bottom of the coil to establish a converging air passage with the rear face of the coil to evenly distributes the air flow passing through the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Reimann, David R. Siegenthaler
  • Patent number: 6092385
    Abstract: A cooling unit has a cooling casing for forming an air passage, and a cooling heat exchanger disposed in the cooling casing. The cooling casing is composed of upper and lower cases detachably connected to each other in an up-down direction on a connection portion therebetween. The lower case has a first end surface on the connection portion at an inside of the cooling casing, and a protrusion portion protruding toward the upper case from the first end surface. On the other hand, the upper case has a second end surface contacting the first end surface on the connection portion, and a recess portion into which the protrusion portion is fitted. Further, a step portion downwardly stepped from the first end surface is formed in the lower case on an inside of the protrusion portion at a position proximate to the opening portion. Thus, a space is formed under the second end surface of the upper case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6085539
    Abstract: The base pan of a packaged terminal air conditioning system has a first condensate collecting surface under its evaporator coil and a second condensate collecting surface under its condenser coil. Fluid communication between the two surfaces is provided by a condensate flow channel, and the second condensate collecting surface is disposed at a lower vertical height than said first condensate collecting surface, such that the condensate which forms on the evaporator coil drops off and immediately flows to the second condensation collecting surface. A lifting wall is placed just upstream of a lower portion of the condenser fan and adjacent the second condensate collecting surface. The lifting wall, in cooperation with the fan creates an area of decreasing pressure above the second condensate collection surface so as to draw up the condensate into a radially inward portion of the fan where it is drawn into the fan and dispersed onto the condenser coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6070425
    Abstract: In an air conditioning apparatus, an evaporator is disposed in an air-conditioning case to be inclined relative to a horizontal direction and to form a lower space below the evaporator. Air flows through the evaporator from a lower side toward an upper side thereof in the air-conditioning case. The lower space is partitioned by a partition member into an air-blown space and a drain space, and a drain guide member is disposed in the drain space to approximately contact a lower end portion of the inclined evaporator, where condensed water is gathered. Therefore, it can prevent air from hitting from below against the lower end portion of the evaporator. Consequently, the condensed water that has been gathered at the lower end portion of the inclined evaporator can be discharged rapidly along the drain guide member without being affected by the flow of air, and drips to a bottom surface of the air-conditioning case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Ito, Kazunori Saida, Hiromi Tahara, Kenji Suwa
  • Patent number: 6070424
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a base having an inlet opening, an outlet opening, an evaporator pan, a condenser pan, and a compressor mounting surface all integrally formed therein. All of the components of the refrigeration system mount onto the base to from a unitary structure. An evaporator is mounted to the base above said evaporator pan. A condenser is mounted to said base above said condenser pan. A compressor mounted to the compressor mounting surface and operatively connected to said evaporator and said condenser. A cover encloses the inlet opening, outlet opening and evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Victory Refrigeration Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Bauman, Kennard C. Hildreth, III, Johnie J. Cooper, Michael J. Palladino, J. Thomas Jablonsky
  • Patent number: 6065296
    Abstract: This disclosure features a single package vertical air conditioner (both evaporator and condenser) in an easily installed cabinet. The cabinet includes a chassis above a dual level drain pan having a sump. The pan sits on a set of rubber feet to enable mounting. Side openings align with a telescoping two part plenum to connect to a louvered grill on the outside of a building to enable fresh air input and heat exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: U.S. Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary K. Feger
  • Patent number: 6065531
    Abstract: An improvement to an air-water heat exchanger having an exchanger unit and a blower that are located in a housing constructed of a shell surrounded by a hood that is connected to a cabinet wall where the cabinet wall and the floor of the shell include openings and the housing is divided by at least one separating wall into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber that connect to the openings in the floor of the shell. The improvement involves a blower, having an air outlet, that is located in the inlet chamber of the heat exchanger in such a manner so as to draw air through an air suction opening in the floor of the shell, and then supply that air through an opening in the separating wall to the exchanger unit located in the outlet chamber where the air is cooled and then directed by a drip separator and a baffle plate toward the associated air outlet opening in the floor of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Rittal-Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Schneider, Adam Pawlowski
  • Patent number: 6062032
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes a housing including a front panel and a rear panel. A heat exchanger is disposed within the housing and includes a front portion disposed adjacent the front panel, and a rear portion disposed adjacent the rear panel. A lower drain tray is positioned beneath the front portion of the heat exchanger for collecting and draining away condensed water falling therefrom. An upper drain tray is positioned beneath the rear portion of the heat exchanger for collecting and draining away condensed water falling therefrom. The upper drain tray is of integrally molded construction with the rear panel, whereby no gaps are present therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yeon-Seob Yoon
  • Patent number: 6058718
    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 acrosols 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 fail safe-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: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventors: Francis C Forsberg, Dan D Wollmann
  • Patent number: 6053003
    Abstract: Defrost water evaporating apparatus for a refrigerator. The apparatus has a plurality of bottom walls for separating a lower space from a refrigerating compartment, a base pan assembled to an underside of the refrigerator, a partition integrally formed at the base pan for partitioning the lower space into first and second space, a drain tube for guiding a defrost water into the first space, a condenser fixing structure for making the defrost water directly contact with a condenser, thereby evaporating the defrost water by a heat exchange with the condenser. The fixing structure has a couple of condenser fixing portions and an extending portion for increasing an actual heat exchange area of the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon-Ho Song, Woo-Yeub Choi
  • Patent number: 6053004
    Abstract: A unit of a separate type air conditioner capable of easily preventing water seeping into the power source board installation region is presented. In the rotating direction, a drip board between a fan and a power source installation boar is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoko Beppu, Koji Hatano, Mitsuo Nakanuma
  • Patent number: 6044656
    Abstract: An automotive air conditioner comprises an offset blower for blowing an air, an evaporator is centrally disposed within a dashboard and receives the air from below, and a heater approximately horizontally disposed above the evaporator. The evaporator inclines downward along the direction of the air flow. A plurality of condensed water guide plates are provided under the evaporator so as to allow a condensed water smoothly flow on the surface of each guide plate and is discharged from the evaporator through a condensed water drain pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Shirota, Hisashi Tanaka, Hiroshi Nonoyama, Kazushi Shikata, Yukio Uemura, Hikaru Sugi, Manabu Miyata, Koji Ito, Teruhiko Kameoka
  • Patent number: 6041611
    Abstract: A system for cleaning-out a condensate drain line is disclosed. The condensate drain line is operatively associated with an air-conditioner that contains an evaporator coil and a primary drain pan. The system comprises a manifold operatively placed in fluid communication with the condensate drain line. The manifold includes a first, second, and third line. In one embodiment, the first line extends from the manifold, and the second and third line are axially aligned with the condensate drain line. The system further includes a first valve member disposed within the first line, a second valve member disposed within the second line, and a third valve member disposed within the third line. A water stream, which is operatively connected with the first line, is provided so that the water stream may be channeled through the manifold and into the condensate drain line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: James R. Palmer
  • Patent number: 6023936
    Abstract: An indoor unit of an air conditioner which has a simple construction and can be easily assembled. The indoor unit has a housing including a front frame and a rear frame coupled to the front frame, an evaporator installed in the housing for generating a chilled air, a blow fan for blowing the chilled air generated by the evaporator, a motor for rotating the blow fan, a drain pan for receiving and discharging a defrosted water dropped from the evaporator, ribs which are coupled with the drain pan for rotatably fixing the blow fan to the rear frame, and a hook assembly for detachably securing the drain pan to the rear frame. The indoor unit does not require a separate device for securing the blow fan and the drain pan to the rear wall of the housing, so the number of elements and assembling steps are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soung-Hyun Choi
  • Patent number: 5996354
    Abstract: In order to cool a room, a cooling element fitted in the ceiling region is cooled to below the freezing point, preferably to about -40.degree. C., during the cooling phases so that condensate forming thereon freezes immediately. During regeneration phases when the room is not in use, the cooling element is defrosted and the melted condensate is caught in a condensate tray beneath the cooling element and drained via a discharge. The great temperature difference between the room to be cooled and the cooling element also makes it possible to obtain a strong cooling effect with a small cooling element, especially by indirect radiation exchange between the room and the cooling element via an intermediate ceiling. In addition, the air in the room is dehumidified since water vapor is deposited on and bonded to the cooling element in the form of ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Barcol-Air AG
    Inventors: Helmuth Sokolean, Klaus Roschmann
  • Patent number: 5990783
    Abstract: An ozone/supersonic wave insect expelling device has an ozone generating circuit and a supersonic wave generating circuit which use the same power source so to generate supersonic wave for expelling pest insect, and for generating ozone for clearing the air. Therefore, ozone/supersonic wave insect expelling device has a dual effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Long Well Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Hsiu-Mei Feng
  • Patent number: 5979172
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high efficiency whole house or room air conditioner having an auxiliary heat exchanger in the liquid line between the condenser and the expansion device where the coolant fluid utilized in the auxiliary heat exchanger is condensate water produced by the evaporator. Also disclosed is a substantially dripless window or wall mounted air conditioner having an auxiliary heat exchanger in the hot gas line between the compressor and the condenser where the coolant fluid utilized in the auxiliary heat exchanger is condensate water and the condensate water coolant fluid is converted to a substantial extent to the gaseous phase by heat exchange with the hot gas line from the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Kevin Teller
  • Patent number: 5966959
    Abstract: A condensate drain pan arrangement with a positive slope. The drain pan arrangement comprises a housing including a first wall with a first aperture, a second wall with a second aperture where the first and second walls are spaced; a coil located in the space in the housing and between the first and second walls; and a drain pan having a condensate receiving portion within the housing and located under the coil. The drain pan includes a first end cap with a drainage attachment proximal the first aperture and positively engaged to the first wall, and a second end cap proximal the second aperture. The second end cap includes an engagement portion and a bottom portion. The drain pan arrangement includes an access plate including a lifting portion operably engaged to the bottom portion and raising same predetermined amount, and a securing portion operably engaged with the engagement portion to prevent movement of the second end cap, the second end cap is fixed with relation to the second wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Stewart
  • Patent number: 5966958
    Abstract: The invention provides a condensate tray for a condenser assembly of a refrigeration assembly and a condenser assembly having the condensate tray. The condensate tray includes an operatively upper liner associated with an operatively lower tray bottom. The liner and bottom are spaced from each other to accommodate a coolant coil disposed therebetween in a predetermined path. At least one locating groove is provided in either of the upper liner and the lower bottom for locating the coolant coil in the predetermined path. The condensate tray minimizes vibration in the coil which may lead to rupture thereof. Also, the tray is easy to clean and shields the coil from condensate which may cause corrosion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Habco Beverage Systems Inc.
    Inventor: James Maynard
  • Patent number: 5904053
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes an evaporator coil with a drain pan having alternative drain openings which receive movable primary and secondary drain plugs. A drain pan for use with horizontal A-coils is provided with alternative drain pan openings permitting a variety of configurations whereby the evaporator coil may be oriented in the space conditioning system in the most effective manner depending upon on-site conditions. A combination horizontal coil support and drainage duct with coil baffle provides a channel for effective communication of drainage fluid from the coil to the drain pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: International Comfort Products
    Inventors: Gregory A. Polk, Andy L. Derryberry, Steve Brady, Cos Caronna, Timothy P. O'Leary, Clarence D. Cash, Louis R. Goodman, Charles E. Brown, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5901566
    Abstract: A heat pump which has overlapping chambers and a somewhat s-shaped drain pan disposed between the two chambers provides a low profile, compact design. The chamber for circulating conditioned air has two air intake openings, one for a duct return and one for free return and a somewhat diagonally positioned evaporator/condenser coil. The drains are fully trapped within the housing of the heat pump for convenience in installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Consolidated Technology Corp.
    Inventors: James R. Macosko, Brady J. Evans, Garry A. Harper