HVAC lateral condensate drain channel

Abstract

The present invention relates to HVAC units with condensate drainage systems, for use in motorized vehicles. The present invention provides for at least two or dual condensate drain paths with no extra parts required pre-distribution of the treated air from the HVAC unit, the drainage means or channel situated to allow condensate to ‘fall back’ or, to run upstream back from the evaporator in the opposite direction to the air in the main airflow or stream which continues to run downstream from the drainage area to be conditioned by the heat exchanger.

1 . An HVAC unit with a condensate draining system comprising: 
 a housing;    a air propulsion means;    an air flow provided by the propulsion means;    a heat exchanger downstream of the air propulsion means;    a channel or drain means downstream of the air propulsion means and upstream of the heat exchanger;    wherein the channel or drain drains condensate from the air flow upstream up to the area of the channel or drain means and upstream from the heat exchanger in two separate or dual paths.    
   
   
       2 . An HVAC unit as in  claim 1 , wherein the drain means is a U shaped channel or drain.  
   
   
       3 . An HVAC unit as in  claim 2 , wherein the U shaped channel or drain has a step.  
   
   
       4 . An HVAC unit as in  claim 3 , wherein of the side of the step downstream of the air propulsion means that contacts the air flow upstream up to the area of the channel or drain is higher than the side of the step downstream of the channel or drain.  
   
   
       5 . An HVAC unit as in  claim 1 , further comprising a step, wherein the drainage means is a channel or drain and wherein side of the step downstream of the air propulsion means that contacts the air flow upstream up to the area of the channel or drain is higher than the side of the step downstream of the channel or drain.  
   
   
       6 . An HVAC unit, as in  claim 3 , wherein the HVAC unit is a lateral HVAC unit, and the HVAC unit has a second drain with or without drain pan, through which condensate drains from the air outflow side of the heat exchanger prior to exiting the U shaped drain and leaving the HVAC unit.  
   
   
       7 . An HVAC unit as in  claim 4 , wherein the heat exchanger is an evaporator.  
   
   
       8 . An HVAC unit, as in  claim 4 , wherein the U shaped channel or drain has a gap at its center, and the air from the air flow jumps, clears or misses the gap such that a slightly lower pressure exists in the area of the drain due to the movement of the air.  
   
   
       9 . An HVAC unit, as in  claim 4 , wherein the condensate is drawn down into a slope of the U shaped drain or channel due partly to the lower pressure at the area of the U shaped drain or channel.  
   
   
       10 . An HVAC unit, as in  claim 7 , wherein the lower edge of the blower and the lower edge of the evaporator are at approximately the same height.