Automated primary condensate drain line chlorination system and method

Abstract

An automated primary condensate drain line chlorination system includes a first T-fitting installed in an existing municipal water supply line that contains chlorine and algaecides, a second T-fitting installed between an outlet of an existing primary condensation tray of the central air conditioning system and the existing primary condensate drain line, a water supply line extending between the T-fittings, and a normally closed solenoid valve installed in the water supply line between the T-fittings operatively connected with the electrical circuit of the thermostat and fan motor of the central air conditioning system. The solenoid valve opens automatically upon operation of the fan of the evaporator unit of the central air conditioning system to allow a small amount of water from the municipal water supply line to flow into the primary condensation tray and the primary condensate drain line to prevent the growth of algae and/or fungus therein.

Claims

1. An automated primary condensate drain line chlorination system for introducing chlorine and algaecides into a primary condensate drain line of a central air conditioning system upon and a selected period of time after operation of the air conditioning system to prevent microbial growth in a primary condensate drain tray, the condensate drain line, and along a condensate drain system flow path, comprising: a first T-fitting installed in an existing municipal water supply line that contains chlorine and algaecides, the first T-fitting having a perpendicular leg configured to divert a portion of the municipal water from the water supply line; a second T-fitting installed between an outlet of an existing primary condensation tray of the central air conditioning system and the existing primary condensate drain line and having a perpendicular leg; a water supply line extending between the perpendicular leg of the first T-fitting and the perpendicular leg of the second T-fitting; and a normally closed solenoid valve with a programmable timer installed in the water supply line between the perpendicular leg of the first T-fitting and the perpendicular leg of the second T-fitting, a solenoid of the solenoid valve operatively connected with, and powered by, an existing electrical circuit of a thermostat and fan motor of the central air conditioning system, and the solenoid valve having a flow path bore configured to allow a small amount of the municipal water containing chlorine and algaecides to pass through the valve in its open position; wherein the solenoid valve is opened automatically upon operation of a fan of an evaporator unit of the central air conditioning system and the programmable timer is programmed to maintain the valve open for the selected period of time after the fan ceases to operate to allow the small amount of the municipal water containing chlorine and algaecides from the existing municipal water supply line to continue flowing through the solenoid valve, through the second T-fitting, and into both the primary condensation tray and the primary condensate drain line for the selected period of time; and the chlorine and algaecide constituents in the municipal water effectively prevent the growth of algae and/or fungus in both the primary condensate drain tray and the condensate drain line, and along the condensate drain system flow path.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an automated primary condensate drain line chlorination system and method which automatically introduces water containing chlorine and algaecides into the primary condensate drain line of an air conditioning system upon operation of the air conditioning system, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a modification of the automated primary condensate drain line chlorination system and method which automatically introduces water containing chlorine and algaecides into the primary condensate drain line of an air conditioning system upon operation of the air conditioning system and for a period of time after operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(3) The present invention is directed to an automated primary condensate drain line chlorination system and method which automatically introduces municipal water containing chlorine and algaecides into the primary condensate tray and drain line of an air conditioning system upon operation of the air conditioning system.

(4) Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown schematically in FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the present invention, and in FIG. 2, a modification of the first embodiment.

(5) An evaporator unit 10 of a conventional central air conditioning system is disposed inside an air handler unit located in an attic crawl space of the home or building to be conditioned, and is connected in fluid communication with a conventional condenser unit located outside of the home or building (conventional and therefore not shown). In operation, the condenser unit condenser cools the refrigerant which loses its heat to the ambient air outside of the home or building and condenses into its liquid state. The cooled refrigerant is then carried into the home or building where it passes through the evaporator coils. Inside the air handling unit, a motor-driven fan passes air from within the conditioned space over the evaporator coils, transferring heat from the inside air to the coils and blows the cooled air into the conditioned space (conventional and therefore not shown).

(6) During the refrigeration cycle, moisture condenses on the coils of the evaporator unit 10 and drips into a primary condensation pan or tray 11 located beneath the evaporator coils. The primary condensation pan or tray 11 typically has an outlet connected to a primary condensate drain line 12, which directs it through a P-trap and to a drain, sewer system, or an outside area.

(7) In the illustrated example, a secondary or auxiliary drain pan 13 is provided beneath the evaporator unit 10 and primary condensation tray 11 in the air handler unit, and is positioned to catch the overflow spillage from the primary condensation tray. The auxiliary condensation drain pan 13 also has an outlet connected to a secondary condensate drain line 14, which directs it to the exterior of the home or building.

(8) In the present invention (FIGS. 1 and 2), a normally closed solenoid valve 15 is installed between the primary condensation pan or tray 11 and an existing municipal water supply line 16 which contains chlorine and algaecides, that typically runs through the attic or crawl space of the home or building to be conditioned. More particularly, a first T-fitting 17 is installed in the municipal water supply line 16 and a second T-fitting 18 is installed between the outlet of the primary condensation pan or tray 11 and the primary condensate drain line 12. The perpendicular leg of the first T-fitting 17 is connected by a first segment of a water supply line 19A to the inlet of the solenoid valve 15, and a second segment of the water supply line 19B is connected to the perpendicular leg of the second T-fitting 18.

(9) A backflow prevention device BPD may be installed in the first segment of the water supply line 19A between the first T-fitting 17 and the inlet of the solenoid valve 15 to protect the potable water supplies that are connected with the existing municipal water supply line 16 from contamination or pollution due to backflow.

(10) The solenoid of the solenoid valve 15 is operatively connected with, and powered by, the existing electrical circuit of the thermostat and fan motor. The flow path bore of the solenoid valve 15 is configured to allow a small amount of fluid to pass through the valve in its open position.

(11) In the embodiment of FIG. 1, when the fan is in operation, controlled by the thermostat, the solenoid valve 15 opens and a small amount of water from the existing municipal water supply line 16 flows through the solenoid valve and into the primary condensation tray 11 and the primary condensate drain line 12.

(12) The modification of the system of FIG. 2 only differs from the above described system in that the solenoid valve 15 is provided with a timer which can be programmed to remain open for a selected period of time after the fan ceases to operate.

(13) The present system is a significant improvement over conventional methods because it automatically supplies municipal water containing chlorine and algaecides into the primary condensation tray 11 and the primary condensate drain line 12 upon operation of the air conditioning system.

(14) The EPA and many municipalities require treated tap water to have a detectable level of chlorine and/or chloramines (a combination of chlorine and ammonia) to help prevent contamination. The chlorine and chloramine constituents in the municipal water are also very effective disinfectants and prevent the growth of algae and/or fungus in the condensate drain trays and condensate drain lines which is a major cause of obstructions and collection of debris in the drain trays and pans and along the condensate drain system flow path.

(15) While the present invention has been disclosed in various preferred forms, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and are not to be considered in a limiting sense in interpreting the claims. The claims are intended to include all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein. Variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art from this disclosure, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed in the following claims defining the present invention.