Condensate removal apparatus and method

Abstract

A coupling assembly and associated method is provided for an air conditioning system. The coupling assembly is configured for coupling an indoor coil section of the air conditioning system to a condensate drain line. The coupling assembly has a conduit that is attachable at one end to the indoor coil section. Also, a pump is enclosed within the conduit that has a suction port and a parallel discharge port. The suction port is operably connected to a condensate collection member of the indoor coil section and the discharge port operably connected to the condensate drain line. Preferably, the coupling assembly also has a switching circuit controlling operation of the pump in relation to rate at which condensate is pumped.

1 . A coupling assembly for an air conditioning system, the coupling assembly configured for coupling an indoor coil section of the air conditioning system to a condensate drain line, the coupling assembly comprising: 
 a conduit that is attachable at one end to the indoor coil section; and    a pump enclosed within the conduit having a suction port and a substantially parallel discharge port, the suction port operably connected to a condensate collection member of the indoor coil section and the discharge port operably connected to the condensate drain line.    
   
   
       2 . The coupling assembly of  claim 1  wherein the pump comprises a reservoir for collecting a volume of condensate in fluid communication with the suction port.  
   
   
       3 . The coupling assembly of  claim 2  wherein the pump comprises a housing that is formed integrally with the reservoir.  
   
   
       4 . The coupling assembly of  claim 2  further comprising a switching circuit controlling operation of the pump in relation to an amount of condensate in the reservoir.  
   
   
       5 . The coupling assembly of  claim 4  wherein the switching circuit operably energizes the pump when an amount of condensate in the reservoir exceeds a first predetermined amount.  
   
   
       6 . The coupling assembly of  claim 5  wherein the switching circuit operably de-energizes the pump when the amount of condensate in the reservoir is less than a second predetermined amount.  
   
   
       7 . The coupling assembly of  claim 6  wherein the switching circuit operably signals an alarm when the amount of condensate in the reservoir exceeds a third predetermined amount.  
   
   
       8 . The coupling assembly of  claim 1  wherein the discharge port is adapted for operably connecting directly to the condensate drain line that is operably disposed substantially parallel with a plane defined by accumulated condensate in the condensate collection member.  
   
   
       9 . The coupling assembly of  claim 1  wherein the conduit defines a passage extending continuously from the one end to an opposing end and is sized for routing the condensate drain line and at least one of an electrical lead and a fluid-bearing conduit to the indoor coil section.  
   
   
       10 . The coupling assembly of  claim 1  wherein the conduit defines a substantially straight member.  
   
   
       11 . A method for removing condensate from an air handler, comprising: 
 providing a coupling assembly having a conduit enclosing a pump with suction and discharge ports disposed in substantially parallel relation to each other;    connecting the pump suction port to a condensate collection member of the air handler;    connecting the pump discharge port to a first segment of a condensate drain line;    connecting one end of the conduit to the air handler; and    pumping condensate from the condensate collection member to the condensate drain line.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the providing step is characterized by the pump having a reservoir for collecting a volume of condensate at the pump suction port.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the providing step is characterized by a switching circuit controlling operation of the pump in relation to an amount of condensate in the reservoir.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the providing step is characterized by the switching circuit energizing the pump in relation to an amount of condensate in the reservoir.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the providing step is characterized by the switching circuit de-energizing the pump in relation to the amount of condensate in the reservoir.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the providing step is characterized by the switching circuit signaling an alarm in relation to the amount of condensate in the reservoir.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the providing step is characterized by the switching circuit de-energizing the air handler in relation to the amount of condensate in the reservoir.  
   
   
       18 . The method of claim  111  wherein the providing step is characterized by the conduit defining a passage extending continuously from the one end to an opposing end and sized for routing the condensate drain line and at least one of an electrical lead and a fluid-bearing conduit to the air handler.  
   
   
       19 . The method of claim  111  wherein the pumping step is characterized by pumping the condensate through a second segment of the drain line that is disposed non-parallel to the first segment.  
   
   
       20 . A condensate removal system for an air conditioner, comprising: 
 a condensate collection member disposed to collect condensate from a heat exchanging member; and    means for pumping the condensate from the collection member to a distant drainage location with a minimal static head loss.