Condensate Pump

Abstract

A condensate pump for an HVAC system includes a reservoir for collecting condensate water, a pump motor connected to an impeller pump for pumping the condensate water out of the reservoir, and a floatless pump controller. The floatless pump controller detects the water level in the reservoir and, based on the water level in the reservoir, controls the operation of the pump motor, and if necessary, sounds an alarm and shuts down the HVAC system. The floatless pump controller may employ an ultrasonic transducer or capacitance sensors to detect the level of condensate water in the reservoir.

1 . In a condensate pump for an HVAC system having a reservoir for collecting condensate water and a pump motor connected to an impeller pump within the reservoir for pumping the condensate water out of the reservoir, a floatless condensate pump control module comprising:
 a. an ultrasonic transducer comprising:
 i. an ultrasonic transmitter; and 
 ii. an ultrasonic receiver; and 
   b. a pump motor control switch for starting and stopping the pump motor; and   c. a microcontroller for controlling the operation of the ultrasonic transducer to detect the level of water in the reservoir and, in response to the detected water level, for controlling the operation of the pump motor control switch for starting and stopping the pump motor.   
     
     
         2 . The floatless condensate pump controller of  claim 1 , wherein the floatless condensate pump control module further includes a status indicator light controlled by the microcontroller to indicate visually the operating status of the condensate pump. 
     
     
         3 . The floatless condensate pump controller of  claim 1 , wherein the floatless condensate pump control module further includes an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver connected to the microcontroller for transmitting and receiving data to and from the microcontroller. 
     
     
         4 . The floatless condensate pump controller of  claim 1 , wherein the floatless condensate pump control module further includes an RF transceiver connected to the microcontroller for transmitting and receiving data to and from the microcontroller. 
     
     
         5 . The floatless condensate pump controller of  claim 1 , wherein the floatless condensate pump control module further includes an alarm switch controlled by the microcontroller to sound an alarm when the condensate water in the reservoir reaches a near overflow condition. 
     
     
         6 . The floatless condensate pump controller of  claim 1 , wherein the floatless condensate pump control module further includes an safety switch controlled by the microcontroller to shut down the HVAC system when the condensate water in the reservoir reaches a near overflow condition.