CONDENSATION P-TRAP WITH REMOVABLE RECEPTACLE
A condensation P-trap with a removable receptacle includes a base housing and the receptacle. The base housing includes a first side, a second side, a bottom portion and a top portion. A protruding inlet is disposed on the first side of the base housing to receive condensate water from a system dispersing the condensation (e.g., an air conditioning system) and a protruding outlet is disposed on the second side of the base housing at a substantially lower elevation to disperse overflowing condensate water. The receptacle is removably attached to the bottom portion of the base housing and fills with water such that the presence of the water prevents backflow to the system. Because the receptacle is removable, debris can be easily removed when the P-trap is serviced.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a condensation P-trap with a removable receptacle.
2. Description of the Related Art
An air conditioning system reduces the temperature of a volume of air by pushing it past an evaporator coil. Water vapor from the air condenses on the evaporator coil and drips into a drain pan. After collection in the drain pan, the condensate water is directed through a condensate drain line until finally exiting into a house drain or directly to the outside of the house. The drain line typically includes a trap, known as a P-trap, to prevent the air conditioning unit from drawing air from outside back into the air conditioning system by the air-conditioner fan.
A P-trap is given its name because it is shaped somewhat like the letter “P”. Typically, the outlet from the drain line is at a higher elevation than the outlet from the trap. A downwardly curved portion is filled with water and blocks air from being sucked back into the air conditioning system. However, over time, a P-trap may become clogged with debris. In fact, servicing a P-trap is a common reason for a service call. In some instances, the P-trap may be serviced by insertion of a brush through an opening in the trap. Sometimes, the entire P-trap must be removed or replaced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne aspect of the disclosure relates to a condensation P-trap with a removable receptacle. The condensation P-trap with a removable receptacle includes a base housing and the receptacle. The base housing includes a first side, a second side, a bottom portion and a top portion. A protruding inlet is disposed on the first side of the base housing to receive condensate water from a system dispersing the condensation (e.g., an air conditioning system) and a protruding outlet is disposed on the second side of the base housing at a substantially lower elevation to disperse overflowing condensate water. The receptacle is removably attached to the bottom portion of the base housing and fills with water such that the presence of the water prevents backflow to the system. Because the receptacle is removable, debris can be easily removed when the P-trap is serviced.
In an embodiment, the base housing includes a separation wall forming a pair of chambers within the base housing. In this embodiment, one of the chambers directs the flow of water from the protruding inlet to the removable receptacle, and the other chamber directs the flow of water from the removable receptacle to the protruding outlet. In another embodiment, the condensation P-trap is substantially the same except that the separation wall is not included and the protruding outlet assumes a different shape. In this embodiment, the protruding outlet is L-shaped so as to extend from the base housing to just above or into the receptacle to disperse condensate water overflowing from the removable receptacle. In various embodiments, the condensation P-trap can include a magnetic overflow switch having a float that includes a magnet attached thereto that is capable of activating a switch to shut off the system or activate an alarm. In various embodiments, the condensation P-trap can include a bleeder hole disposed near the top portion of the base housing to expel gas and reduce pressure from the base housing.
For further understanding of the disclosure, reference will be made to the following detailed description of the present invention, which is accompanied with the following drawings:
Referring to
However, over time, the traditional condensation P-trap 10 may become clogged with debris. In fact, servicing the traditional condensation P-trap 10 is a common reason for a service call. In some instances, the traditional condensation P-trap 10 may be serviced by insertion of a brush through an opening in the trap or the like. In other instances, entire traditional condensation P-trap 10 has to be removed or replaced.
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The base housing 110 may have a first side, a second side, a bottom portion and a top portion or the like. The base housing 110 may be made of a plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or a metal, such as copper, for example. In an embodiment, the P-trap 100 is constructed of PVC with base housing 110 having about a 2.75 inch outside diameter (OD) and a one-eighth inch wall. The separation wall 160 can be about one-eighth inch thick as well, for example. The height of the base housing 110 can be about 3.5 inches. The height of the receptacle 130 can be about 2 inches to about 5.75 inches. Although the receptacle 130 is shown with a substantially flat bottom, it can be curved. It is to be understood that the exact dimensions of the P-trap 100 described herein will depend on such factors as the capacity of the air conditioning system 112, the amount of expected condensation and the negative air pressure from the air conditioning system 112, as well as such factors as cost and aesthetics, etc. Where the P-trap 100 is made of a plastic, the base housing 110 and the receptacle 130 can be made using an injection molding process, for example. The protruding inlet 120 and the protruding outlet 140 can be separate pieces of piping slip jointed into corresponding holes, for example. Alternatively, the protruding inlet 120 and/or the protruding outlet 140 can be molded together with the base housing 110. Instead of using threading to join the base housing 110 and the receptacle 130, the base housing 110 and the receptacle 130 can be compression fitted, connected using interlocking parts, etc.
The protruding inlet 120 is disposed on the first side of the base housing 110 to receive condensation from an air conditioning system 112 dispersing the condensate water. The removable receptacle 130 is coupled on the bottom portion of the base housing 110 to receive the condensate water from the protruding inlet 120. The removable receptacle 130 may be removed from the base housing 110 to clean debris 135 collected over time. The protruding outlet 140 is disposed on the second side of the base housing 110 at lower a lower elevation than the protruding inlet 120. The protruding outlet 140 disperses overflowing condensate water 180 overflowing from the removable receptacle 130 to the outside of the base housing 110. The bleeder hole 150 may be disposed near the top portion of the base housing 110 to expel gas and reduce pressure (i.e., air) from the base housing 110. In the embodiment shown in
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While this invention has been described in conjunction with the various exemplary embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A condensation P-trap, comprising:
- a base housing having a first side, a second side, a bottom portion and a top portion;
- a protruding inlet disposed on the first side of the base housing to receive condensate from a system dispersing the condensation;
- a removable receptacle coupled to the bottom portion of the base housing to receive the condensation from the protruding inlet, the removable receptacle removeable from the base housing; and
- a protruding outlet disposed on the second side of the base housing that is disposed lower on the base housing than the protruding inlet, the protruding outlet dispersing overflowing condensation overflowing from the removable receptacle outside the base housing.
2. The condensation P-trap according to claim 1, further comprising a separation wall forming a pair of chambers within the base housing.
3. The condensation P-trap according to claim 1, further comprising an overflow switch.
4. The condensation P-trap according to claim 3, wherein the overflow switch is a magnetic overflow switch.
5. The condensation P-trap according to claim 4, wherein the magnetic overflow switch includes a float.
6. The condensation P-trap according to claim 5, wherein the float includes a magnet that is capable of activating a switch.
7. The condensation P-trap according to claim 1, wherein the base housing is made of plastic.
8. The condensation P-trap according to claim 1, wherein the base housing is made of metal.
9. The condensation P-trap according to claim 1, wherein the system is an air conditioning system.
10. The condensation P-trap according to claim 1, wherein the removable receptacle is coupled on the bottom portion of the base housing with corresponding threading.
11. The condensation P-trap according to claim 10, wherein the coupling further includes a seal.
12. The condensation P-trap according to claim 1, further including a bleeder hole.
13. A condensation P-trap, comprising:
- a base housing having a first side, a second side, a bottom portion and a top portion;
- a protruding inlet disposed on the first side of the base housing to receive condensation from a system dispersing the condensation;
- a removable receptacle coupled on the bottom portion of the base housing to receive the condensation from the protruding inlet, the removable receptacle capable of being removed from the base housing; and
- a protruding outlet disposed on the second side of the base housing that is disposed lower than the protruding inlet near the bottom of the base housing, the protruding outlet comprising an L-shaped pipe extending adjacent the removable receptacle.
14. The condensation P-trap according to claim 13, further comprising an overflow switch.
15. The condensation P-trap according to claim 13, wherein the overflow switch is a magnetic overflow switch.
16. The condensation P-trap according to claim 13, wherein the magnetic overflow switch includes a magnet that is capable of activating a switch.
17. The condensation P-trap according to claim 13, wherein the base housing is made of plastic or metal.
18. The condensation P-trap according to claim 13, wherein the system is an air conditioning system.
19. The condensation P-trap according to claim 13, wherein the removable receptacle is coupled to the bottom portion of the base housing with a plurality of corresponding threading.
20. A condensation P-trap, comprising:
- a base housing having a first side, a second side, a bottom portion and a top portion;
- a protruding inlet disposed on the first side of the base housing to receive condensation from a system dispersing the condensation, the protruding inlet comprising an L-shaped pipe extending adjacent the removable receptacle;
- a removable receptacle coupled on the bottom portion of the base housing to receive the condensation from the protruding inlet, the removable receptacle capable of being removed from the base housing; and
- a protruding outlet disposed on the second side of the base housing that is disposed lower than the protruding inlet near the bottom of the base housing.
Type: Application
Filed: May 1, 2015
Publication Date: Nov 3, 2016
Inventor: Dexter Lau (Phoenix, AZ)
Application Number: 14/702,631