Catch for condensates

Abstract

The present invention relates to exhaust condensate removal equipment for energy efficient heating apparatuses that may be positioned either vertically or any angle off horizontal. The device collects condensate from ducts and may be retrofit into existing systems. The device has an inner chamber that collects and directs condensates toward a drain nipple through which the condensate is then removed from the sealed system. The system may optionally include a reusable seal and clamp for ease of maintenance or retrofitting an existing system.

1 . A conduit section for drainage of flue gas condensate, said conduit section comprising: 
 a first end, for ingress of a stream of flue gas, said first end having a first seal;    a second end, for egress of the stream of flue gas, said second end having a second seal;    a chamber within said conduit section, said chamber having a first closed end and a second open end, said second open end facing away from the ingress of the stream of flue gas;    a drain portion positioned on said chamber for flow of said condensates from said chamber, wherein said conduit section is removably attachable as all inline unit.    
   
   
       2 . The conduit section of  claim 1  wherein said conduit section is installed as a unit into an existing exhaust conduit system to remove condensate.  
   
   
       3 . The conduit section of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a first conduit channel within said first end to position and support said first seal; and    a second conduit channel within said second end to position and support said second seal.    
   
   
       4 . The conduit section of  claim 3  wherein said seal comprising a resilient, flexible gasket body including a first surface, a second surface and at least two edges, a plurality of angular protrusions having a tip and a base, said protrusions disposed on the first surface, a trough between said angular protrusions, wherein said protrusions cover said trough and said tip contacts said base of an adjacent angular protrusion when compressed, a compression cavity having a center, said cavity disposed on the second surface beneath said plurality of angular protrusions, wherein said center of said compression cavity bows when the gasket body is sealed, and at least two sealing walls positioned at said at least two edges.  
   
   
       5 . The conduit section of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a first removable coupling device adjacent said first end; and    a second removable coupling device adjacent said second.    
   
   
       6 . The conduit section of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a butterfly damper, said damper positioned within said first end of said conduit.    
   
   
       7 . The conduit section of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 a plurality of compression grooves in said ends, said grooves adjacent said removable coupling device, wherein said grooves contract when compressed.    
   
   
       8 . The conduit section of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 a hole positioned adjacent said second end of said conduit;    a worm screw of said second removable coupling device positioned at said hole; and    a band attached to said worm screw, said band positioned within said second end, wherein said second end acts as a female coupling to an existing flue.    
   
   
       9 . The conduit section of  claim 1  wherein said first end and said second end of said conduit are substantially similar in size.  
   
   
       10 . The conduit section of  claim 9  wherein said first end and said end of said conduit have a substantially circular cross sectional shape.  
   
   
       11 . The conduit section of  claim 1  wherein said chamber of said first closed end is formed by a resistance weld between an internal pipe and the conduit.  
   
   
       12 . The conduit section of  claim 1  is positioned in a horizontal orientation and wherein said drain is oriented in a downward angle.  
   
   
       13 . The conduit section of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a unit with a burner exhausting a flue gas under a positive pressure;    a plurality of exhaust sections sealedly connected to said unit with the burner to remove the flue gas under positive pressure, wherein said conduit section is installed inline to remove condensate from said plurality of exhaust sections.    
   
   
       14 . An inline conduit condensate drain, said inline conduit comprising: 
 a inner conduit having a first diameter and an internal exhaust outlet;    an outer conduit having at least two attachment portions with a second diameter larger than said first diameter of said inner conduit, said inner conduit intersects and is sealedly affixed within said outer conduit;    a condensate chamber, wherein said condensate chamber is formed in said outer conduit and positioned above said intersection of said inner conduit and said outer conduit, and wherein said condensate chamber is spaced away from said inner conduit; and    a drain portion positioned on said condensate chamber, wherein said inline conduit is sealedly attached between at least two other exhaust conduits.    
   
   
       15 . The inline conduit of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 at least two sealing channels within said outer conduit adjacent said at least two attachment portions; and    a gasket seal positioned within said at least two sealing channels, said seal comprising a resilient, flexible gasket body including a first surface, a second surface and at least two edges, a plurality of angular protrusions having a tip and a base, said protrusions disposed on the first surface, a trough between said angular protrusions, wherein said protrusions cover said trough and said tip contacts said base of an adjacent angular protrusion when compressed, a compression cavity having a center, said cavity disposed on the second surface beneath said plurality of angular protrusions, wherein said center of said compression cavity bows when the gasket body is sealed, and at least two sealing walls positioned at said at least two edges.    
   
   
       16 . The inline conduit section of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 a valve body positioned within said outer conduit;    an opening in said valve body to allow flue gas to pass; and    a valve covering said opening.    
   
   
       17 . The inline conduit of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 a flue gas source under positive pressure, wherein said inline conduit is attached externally to said flue gas source under positive pressure.    
   
   
       18 . The inline conduit of  claim 14  wherein said inline conduit is installed into a duct of a heater unit in a substantially horizontal orientation.  
   
   
       19 . A method for draining condensate from positive pressure flues comprising: 
 providing an inline conduit having a first end, for ingress of a stream of flue gas, said first end having a first seal, a second end, for egress of the stream of flue gas, said second end having a second seal, a chamber within said conduit section, said chamber having a first closed end and a second open end, said second open end facing away from the ingress of the stream of flue gas, a drain portion positioned on said chamber adjacent for flow of said condensates from said chamber, wherein said first seal and said second seal are both external a casing of a flue gas source;    providing a source of flue emissions under positive pressure; and    attaching said inline conduit externally to said source of flue emissions under positive pressure.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising: 
 removing an existing section of conduit for installation of said inline conduit.