Patent Application
20240393006
The present disclosure relates to apparatuses, systems, and methods for a reservoir and pump system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a reservoir and pump system for the collection and containment of condensation and other water runoff from an air conditioner.
Air conditioners, or AC units remove heat from an enclosed space in order to cool the air while also removing humidity from the space. An air conditioning system may also provide heating and ventilation. The typical AC system involves a vapor-compression refrigeration process that is achieved by using forced circulation and phase change of a refrigerant between gas and liquid to transfer heat. In its most simplest form, the refrigeration cycle includes a condensing coil, an expansion valve, an evaporator coil, and a compressor. AC units draw in heat and moisture from the air to cool the air and reduce humidity. During this process, the humidity is turned into condensation. A pipe and drainage system assists with draining the condensation produced during the AC cycle. Most condensate drain lines utilize gravity to assist in the drainage of the excess condensation; however, pumps may also be included to expedite drainage. However, while there are codes and regulations on where it is permitted to dump condensate, there is a lack of water conservation in this field. For example, a typical condensate drain and disposal system regulation requires that the condensate not discharge into a street, alley, or other areas so as to cause a nuisance. There are even additional requirements for handling condensate overflow. While a single AC unit may produce up to 25 gallons a day, and even more on hotter and more humid days, that water simply goes to waste.
Therefore, improvements are needed for AC system condensation collection that reduces water waste, stores the water for later use, and provides a system for using the stored water.
This summary is provided to briefly introduce concepts that are further described in the following detailed descriptions. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it to be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
According to at least one embodiment, a reservoir and pump system includes an air conditioner having a condensation line that ends in a termination line a distance away from the air condition. The system further includes a reservoir located proximate the termination line and configured to hold and store a volume of liquid received from the air conditioner, wherein the reservoir includes: (1) a submersible pump, the submersible pump having a motor, a check valve, a power supply, a vertical float switch, and a discharge pipe having a first end and a second end; and (2) a spigot coupled to the second end of the discharge pipe. When the condensed water flows or is expelled from the air conditioner, it travels through the condensation line, out of the termination line, and into the reservoir. The condensed water is selectively removable from the reservoir when the power supply of the submersible pump is actuated.
In example embodiments, a reservoir includes an interior void formed by a bottom surface, a top surface, and four sidewalls. The reservoir further includes a submersible pump disposed within the interior void, the submersible pump having a motor, a check valve, a power supply, a vertical float switch, and a discharge pipe. The top surface of the reservoir has a first aperture configured to allow condensed water from an air conditioner to enter the interior void of the reservoir, a second aperture configured to allow the discharge pipe to extend through the top surface, and a third aperture configured to allow a portion of the power supply to extend through the top surface.
In at least one embodiment, a storage tank and pump system is disclosed, wherein the storage tank and pump system includes an air conditioner and a storage tank. The air conditioner includes: (1) a thermostat configured for sensing temperature of air in an area or space surrounding the air condition; (2) a compressor configured for compressing a refrigerant from a low-pressure gas into a high-pressure gas; (3) condenser coils configured for receiving the high pressure gas refrigerant from the compressor, where the condenser coils condense the high pressure gas refrigerant into a high pressure liquid state by removing heat from the refrigerant; (4) an expansion valve configured for receiving the high pressure liquid refrigerant, wherein the expansion valve is configured for restricting flow of the liquid refrigerant and lowering the liquid refrigerant pressure; (5) evaporator coils configured for receiving the low pressure refrigerant liquid from the condenser coils, wherein the evaporator coils are configured for absorbing heat from the air and causing condensation to form; and (6) a condensation line that ends in a termination line a distance away from the air conditioner to allow the condensation to exit the air conditioner. The storage tank is located proximate the termination line and configured to hold and store a volume of liquid received from the air conditioner. The storage tank has a submersible pump having a motor, a check valve, a power supply, a vertical float switch, and a discharge pipe. The tank further includes a pipe having a first end coupled to the discharge pipe and a second end coupled to a spigot. The condensation flows from the air conditioner condensation line, out of the termination line, and into the storage tank. The condensation is selectively removable from the storage tank when the power supply of the submersible pump is actuated.
The above summary is to be understood as cumulative and inclusive. The above described embodiments and features are combined in various combinations in whole or in part in one or more other embodiments.
The previous summary and the following detailed descriptions are to be read in view of the drawings, which illustrate some, but not all, embodiments and features as briefly described below. The summary and detailed descriptions, however, are not limited to only those embodiments and features explicitly illustrated.
These descriptions are presented with sufficient details to provide an understanding of one or more particular embodiments of broader inventive subject matters. These descriptions expound upon and exemplify particular features of those particular embodiments without limiting the inventive subject matters to the explicitly described embodiments and features. Considerations in view of these descriptions will likely give rise to additional and similar embodiments and features without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matters. Although steps may be expressly described or implied relating to features of processes or methods, no implication is made of any particular order or sequence among such expressed or implied steps unless an order or sequence is explicitly stated.
Any dimensions expressed or implied in the drawings and these descriptions are provided for exemplary purposes. Thus, not all embodiments within the scope of the drawings and these descriptions are made according to such exemplary dimensions. The drawings are not made necessarily to scale. Thus, not all embodiments within the scope of the drawings and these descriptions are made according to the apparent scale of the drawings with regard to relative dimensions in the drawings. However, for each drawing, at least one embodiment is made according to the apparent relative scale of the drawing.
Like reference numbers used throughout the drawings depict like or similar elements. Unless described or implied as exclusive alternatives, features throughout the drawings and descriptions should be taken as cumulative, such that features expressly associated with some particular embodiments can be combined with other embodiments.
Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains. Although any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the presently disclosed subject matter, representative methods, devices, and materials are now described.
Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in the subject specification, including the claims. Unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the instant specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained within the scope of these descriptions.
An reservoir and pump system 100, according to at least one embodiment, is shown in
The AC unit components and functions are comparable to a typical air conditioning system. For example, the AC unit includes a thermostat that senses the temperature of the air in the surrounding area and controls the operation of the air conditioner based on the desired temperature settings. A compressor plays a vital role in the refrigeration cycle. It compresses the low-pressure gas refrigerant, typically in a gaseous state, into a high-pressure gas. Condenser coils receive the high-pressure gas refrigerant from the compressor. In addition, the condenser coils remove heat from the refrigerant, causing it to condense into a high-pressure liquid state. The heat extracted from the refrigerant is usually expelled to the outdoor environment. An expansion valve is responsible for receiving the high-pressure liquid refrigerant from the condenser coils. Its function is to restrict the flow of the liquid refrigerant, which results in a drop in pressure. This pressure drop is necessary for the refrigerant to evaporate and absorb heat in the evaporator coils. Subsequently, the evaporator coils receive the low-pressure refrigerant liquid from the expansion valve. As is typical, the evaporator coils are located inside the indoor unit of the air conditioner and are responsible for absorbing heat from the air in the surrounding area. As the refrigerant absorbs heat, it evaporates into a low-pressure gas. A condensation line then collects the condensed water vapor formed on the evaporator coils as a result of the cooling process, which in turn allow the condensation to exit the air conditioner. A termination line 10 is the endpoint of the condensation line and is located a distance away from the air conditioner. The termination line 10 serves as an outlet for the condensation to be safely disposed of, preventing water damage to the unit and surrounding areas. Overall, the AC unit system follows the basic principles of refrigeration and air conditioning, using the compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator coils to cool and dehumidify the air in the surrounding area.
As shown in
In particular embodiments, the top surface 22 includes a first aperture 26 for allowing the condensed water from the termination line to enter the interior void 28, as depicted in
In example embodiments, the first aperture 26 is sized and shaped for receiving a funnel 30 in order to capture the most condensation possible from the termination line 10 of the AC unit. In particular embodiments, as shown in
In example embodiments, the storage tank 20 is formed from any suitable material (e.g., stainless steel, plastic, polymer, metal, composite material, and/or the like) and made using molding or other conventional techniques and equipment (e.g., extrusion molding, injection molded, blow molded, compression molding, rotational molding, thermoforming, 3D printing, casting, etc.). In example embodiments, the storage tank 20 is constructed of a sturdy, durable material that is able to withstand various types of environmental elements and conditions. In example embodiments, the storage tank 20 may include one or more handles or wheels (not shown) for moving or adjusting the position of the storage tank. For example, where it is desired to use the water collected by the storage tank for gardening, one or more wheels may be used to transport the storage tank from one area of the garden to the next. The one or more handles or wheels may also be helpful where the collected water is intended to be deposited into a larger holding tank, for example, for lawn irrigation. In particularly hot environments, the stored water may be routed to an irrigation system for the home or building's foundation to prevent cracking. The water may also be beneficial for water collection that is later filtered for drinking, bathing, or other potable water needs.
Referring now to
In example embodiments, the submersible pump 50 includes a motor (housed within the pump), a check valve 52, a power supply 54, a vertical float switch 56, and a discharge pipe 58. The submersible pump 50 may be used to remove the water that has been collected and stored by the storage tank 20. Thus, the water may enter the pump 50 through a suction inlet or similar opening and exit the pump through the discharge pipe 58 when the pump is actuated, or turned on. The pump 50 is equipped with a float switch 56 that activates the pump when the later level reaches a particular height. The water may then be expelled through the discharge pipe.
The check valve or backflow preventer 52 is installed in the discharge pipe 58 of the submersible pump and helps to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the pump. The check valve 52 is designed to allow water to flow in only one direction to prevent backflow of the water back into the storage tank once it has been pumped out. When the pump 50 is actively pumping out the water, the water pushes against the check valve 52, opening it and allowing the water to flow out through the discharge pipe 58. When the pump is in the OFF state, the check valve automatically closes, preventing any water from flowing back into the pump. In particular embodiments, the check valve 52 is formed from any suitable, durable material such as PVC, ABS, or metal.
The submersible pump 50 includes a power supply 54 that may be coupled to a power source 70 for providing electricity to the pump. Any suitable power supply may be used to supply electricity to the pump. In example embodiments, the power supply may be an AC power supply, a DC power supply, or a solar power supply. In some embodiments, the pump 50 may be powered by a direct electrical connection by hardwiring the pump directly to an electrical circuit. In embodiments where the storage tank will need to be transported, the pump 50 may include a power supply having a plug for connecting to an existing electrical outlet. In particular embodiments, the pump 50 may also include a battery backup system in case of power outages. A backup power supply, such as an uninterruptible power supply, can be connected to the pump and may kick in during any power outages. In alternate embodiments, as shown in
The float switch 56, while described as a vertical float switch, may be any suitable float switch including a tethered float switch. In example embodiments, the float switch is used to detect the level of liquid or water in the storage tank 20. The float switch 56 includes a buoyant float 62 attached to a switch mechanism 64. As the liquid level rises or falls, the float 62 also moves up or down accordingly. When the water reaches a particular level, the float 62 triggers the switch 64, either by physically moving it or through magnetic or electrical signals. The float switch 56 is useful in controlling the pump system by allowing a user to switch between an ON state and an OFF state. In various embodiments, the switch may be any suitable switch including a toggle switch, rocker switch, pus-button switch, rotary switch, etc.
The discharge pipe 58 has a first end coupled to the pump 50 and a second end that extends through the top surface 22 of the storage tank to the exterior of the storage tank. In particular embodiments, a spigot or valve 66 is coupled to the second end of the discharge pipe 58. The discharge pipe 58 is generally constructed from a rigid material such as PVC, or any other suitable material that can handle the flow of water and resist corrosion. In example embodiments, the pipe 58 is coupled to the second end or discharge end of the discharge pipe and coupled to a spigot 66. In particular embodiments, the spigot 66 may include a Y-shaped splitter having a first arm 66a with a first opening and a second arm 66b having a second opening. When the condensed water is pumped through the discharge pipe 58 to the spigot 66, the condensed water may flow out of at least one of the first opening and the second opening. In particular embodiments, each arm of the Y-shaped splitter includes a valve shut off 68 for diverting the water between either the first arm or the second arm, or entirely preventing the water from exiting the system. Thus, the first and second valve shut offs 68 allow for single or dual flow of the water. In some embodiments, the spigot 66 includes a backflow preventer device. In various embodiments, the spigot may be coupled to a typical garden hose or other accessory for directing or aiming the flow of the water. In some embodiments, the installed pump 50 is capable of running two 25 foot soaker hoses simultaneously.
When the power supply 54 of the pump 50 is activated, the condensed water is pumped from the storage tank 20, though the discharge pipe 58, and out the spigot 66. Thus, the water is selectively removable from the reservoir 20 when the power supply 54 is actuated.
Particular embodiments and features have been described with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood that these descriptions are not limited to any single embodiment or any particular set of features, and that similar embodiments and features may arise or modifications and additions may be made without departing from the scope of these descriptions and the spirit of the appended claims.
