Refrigerator Condensation Removal System

Abstract

A refrigerator has a machine compartment located at its top end. The refrigerator includes a drain tube and a pump coupled to the drain tube and located at the bottom end of the refrigerator. The pump transfers the accumulated condensation from the drain tube to a pan located at the top end of the refrigerator. The heat and airflow generated by the machine compartment then evaporates the condensation from the pan.

1 . A refrigerator having a top end and a bottom end, said refrigerator comprising:
 a machine compartment located at the top end;   a drain tube;   a pump coupled to the drain tube and located at the bottom end;   an output tube coupled to said pump and extending to the top end; and   a first pan located at the top end and coupled to said output tube.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein said machine compartment comprises:
 a compressor;   a condenser; and   a condenser fan.   
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein said pump is a peristaltic pump. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , further comprising an input tube coupled to said pump and said drain tube. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , further comprising a condensate tube located at the bottom end. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , further comprising a defrost heater and a motor coupled to said pump, wherein said pump is activated when said defrost heater is on, and said pump is deactivated when said defrost heater is off. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , further comprising a second pan coupled to said pump and a float switch, wherein said pump is activated by said float switch. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein said output tube is coupled to said condenser. 
     
     
         9 . A method of removing condensation generated by a refrigerator having a top end and a bottom end comprising:
 receiving the condensation from the bottom end of the refrigerator;   pumping the condensation to a pan on the top end of the refrigerator; and   evaporating the condensation from the pan using, at least in part, heat generated by a machine compartment of the refrigerator.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 defrosting the refrigerator;   wherein said pumping the condensation is performed at the same time as defrosting the refrigerator.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said pumping the condensation is triggered by a float pump. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said pump is a peristaltic pump. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said machine compartment is located at the top end of the refrigerator and comprises a compressor, a condenser and a condenser fan. 
     
     
         14 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a pump adapted to receive accumulated condensation;   an output tube coupled to said pump and extending to a top end of the refrigerator; and   a first pan coupled to said output tube.   
     
     
         15 . The refrigerator of  claim 14 , further comprising a machine compartment located at the top end, wherein the machine compartment is adapted to generate heat to evaporate the accumulated condensation in said first pan. 
     
     
         16 . The refrigerator of  claim 14 , wherein said pump is a peristaltic pump. 
     
     
         17 . The refrigerator of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a drain tube; and   an input tube coupled to said pump and said drain tube.   
     
     
         18 . The refrigerator of  claim 17 , further comprising a condensate tube located at a bottom end of the refrigerator. 
     
     
         19 . The refrigerator of  claim 14 , further comprising a defrost heater and a motor coupled to said pump, wherein said pump is activated when said defrost heater is on, and said pump is deactivated when said defrost heater is off. 
     
     
         20 . The refrigerator of  claim 14 , further comprising a second pan coupled to said pump and a float switch, wherein said pump is activated by said float switch. 
     
     
         21 . The refrigerator of  claim 15 , wherein said machine compartment comprises a condenser and said output tube is coupled to said condenser. 
     
     
         22 . The refrigerator of  claim 20 , wherein said second pan is coupled to a bottom end of the refrigerator.