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Condensate pumpRelated Patent Categories: Pumps, Condition Responsive Control Of Pump Drive Motor, Responsive To Accumulation Of Pumped Liquid In Receiver, By Float, Controlling Motive Fluid Or Drive MotorCondensate pump description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070224050, Condensate pump. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a condensate pump that collects condensate water from the evaporator of an HVAC system and pumps the condensate water to another location for proper disposal. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A condensate pump is used in an HVAC system to collect condensate water from the evaporator of the HVAC system and to pump the condensate water to a remote location for disposal. Particularly, the condensate pump typically comprises a reservoir, a float for detecting the level of condensate water in the reservoir, and a pump controlled by the float for pumping the water out of the reservoir to the remote location. [0003] Condensate pumps are often located in extreme environments and subjected to moisture, heat, and cold. Moreover, condensate pumps are often installed in inaccessible locations where maintenance is difficult, and therefore reliability over many years is necessary. Further, the condensate water in the reservoir of the condensate pump provides an environment for growth of algae, spores, and other contaminants that can produce an unhealthy environment in the building where the condensate pump is located. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] The present invention addresses the issues raised by the installation of a condensate pump in an extreme environment. Particularly, the condensate pump of the present invention is capable of operating reliably in such an extreme environment over an extended period of time. Further, the condensate pump of the present invention is designed to operate quietly. In addition, the condensate pump of the present invention insures that the condensate water in the reservoir does not create an environment for the growth of alga, spores, and other unhealthy environmental contaminants. [0005] In order to achieve the objects outlined above, the condensate pump of the present invention embodies a number of features that together produce an improved condensate pump. The condensate pump of the present invention includes a reservoir with a top assembly, which includes control electronics, a pump motor, and a pump impeller, mounted on top of the reservoir. [0006] With respect to installation of the condensate pump, the condensate pump of the present invention includes wall hangers attached to the reservoir so that the pump can be mounted off of the floor in an elevated position for ease of installation and subsequent access. The top assembly has four openings, one at each corner, to accommodate a discharge tube from the HVAC evaporator. In addition, the top assembly can be reversed with respect to the reservoir thus offering installation flexibility to accommodate, for example, the placement of the electric service with respect to the discharge tube from the evaporator. Further, the condensate pomp has an automatic voltage sensing circuit that automatically adapts the control circuitry and the pump motor to accommodate either 120 volts or 240 volts. Consequently, installation personnel do not have to rewire the pump to accommodate the voltage that is available at the site. [0007] With respect to maintenance, the condensate pump of the present invention includes various features to assist both in the reduction of maintenance requirements and to assist when maintenance is required. Of particular importance, the reservoir has tube holders that extend into the reservoir from each of the four openings in the top assembly. The tube holders insure that the discharge tube from the evaporator does not bottom out in the reservoir and thus restrict the flow of condensate water from the evaporator into the reservoir of the condensate pump. The reservoir is made of a clear plastic material so that the water level in the reservoir can be readily observed without removing the top assembly. Further, the condensate pump of the present invention has a power light so that maintenance personnel can readily determine whether the condensate pump has power or not. The condensate pump also has an audible alarm that is sounded when the condensate water reaches an above normal level that indicates that the pump has stopped working. In addition, the control circuitry of the condensate pump can shut off the HVAC system when an alarm condition is detected. [0008] With respect to quiet operation, the condensate pump has rubber feet that support the condensate pump on a support surface to inhibit the transmission of vibration to the surrounding structure. Further, the motor and impeller for the condensate pump are mounted on a rubber bushing to further isolate any noise or vibrations generated by the motor from the surrounding environment. [0009] With respect to environmental issues, the condensate pump has a tablet drawer that passes through the top assembly and extends into reservoir below. The tablet drawer holds several biostat tablets which when exposed to the condensate water in the reservoir chemically inhibit the growth of algae, spores, or other unhealthy environmental contaminants. The tablet drawer has openings in its sides to allow condensate water in the reservoir to pass through drawer and slowly dissolve the biostat tablets within the drawer. Because the reservoir is transparent, maintenance personnel can observe the degree to which the biostat tablets have dissolved and can replace them as needed in the tablet drawer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the condensate pump in accordance with the present invention. [0011] FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the condensate pump in accordance with present invention. [0012] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the condensate pump in accordance with the present invention. [0013] FIG. 4 is a back elevation view of the condensate pump in accordance with the present invention. [0014] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the condensate pump in accordance with the present invention. [0015] FIG. 6 is a side elevation in view of the condensate pump in accordance with the present invention. [0016] FIG. 7 is an opposite side elevation view of the condensate pump in accordance with the present invention. [0017] FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view of the float control mechanism (low water position-pump off) of the condensate pump in accordance with the present invention. [0018] FIG. 9 is a detailed perspective view of the float control mechanism (high water position-pump on) of the condensate pump in accordance with the present invention. [0019] FIG. 10 is a detailed perspective view of the tablet drawer of the condensate pump in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TIE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Continue reading about Condensate pump... Full patent description for Condensate pump Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Condensate pump patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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