Air conditioning and other installations

Abstract

The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to air conditioning and other installations, in particular to the removal of condensate and other liquids. We describe a method of preventing siphoning of a liquid through a pump having an inlet and an outlet, which outlet is coupled to a discharge line; the method comprising providing an air inlet valve in the discharge line. We also describe an air-inlet valve comprising a valve body having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet and a through-bore therebetween further comprising an air-inlet in fluid communication with the through-bore. Preferably, the air-inlet comprises a non-return or one-way valve.

1 . A method of preventing siphoning of a liquid through a pump having an inlet and an outlet, which outlet is coupled to a discharge line; the method comprising providing an air-inlet valve in the discharge line, the air-inlet valve arranged to admit air to the discharge line as the liquid flows through the discharge line. 
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the air-inlet valve is positioned at about the height of, or above the height of the outlet of the pump. 
     
     
         3 . A device for preventing siphoning of a condensate liquid through a pump, wherein the device comprises a liquid inlet couplable to an outlet of the pump, and wherein the device further comprises a liquid outlet forming a bore through the device with the liquid inlet, wherein the device further comprises an air-inlet in fluid communication with the bore and wherein the air-inlet comprises a uni-directional valve arranged to admit air into the device in response to a flow of condensate liquid through the bore. 
     
     
         4 . A device as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the valve is a duck-bill valve. 
     
     
         5 . A device as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the valve is made of an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         6 . A device as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the air-inlet comprises a cavity in fluid communication with the bore by means of a communicating line. 
     
     
         7 . A device as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the valve is a duck-bill valve and is held in position within the cavity by means of a retaining cap. 
     
     
         8 . A device as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the air-inlet comprises a cavity in fluid communication with the bore by means of a communicating line. 
     
     
         9 . A device as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the valve is held in position within the cavity by means of a retaining cap. 
     
     
         10 . A device as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the air-inlet comprises a cavity in fluid communication with the bore by means of a communicating line. 
     
     
         11 . A device as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the valve is a duck-bill valve and is held in position within the cavity by means of a retaining cap.