Condensate liquid pumping system

Abstract

A condensate liquid pumping system pumps from a reservoir outlet condensate liquid received from an air-handling apparatus. A filter located upstream of the reservoir outlet filters the condensate liquid. A filter blockage sensor located upstream of the filter senses a predetermined liquid level upstream of the filter which is indicative of blockage of the filter. The filter and the filter blockage sensor may be disposed inside the reservoir. The filter may be a removable filter that can be easily withdrawn for service or replacement without disassembling the reservoir or disconnecting or disturbing any of the tubing or other components of the reservoir or the condensate liquid pumping system.

1 . A condensate liquid pumping system for pumping liquid received from an air-handling apparatus, the pumping system comprising:
 a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet receiving condensate liquid from the air-handling apparatus;   a pump communicating with the reservoir outlet to pump the condensate liquid out of the reservoir;   a filter to filter the condensate liquid, the filter located upstream of the reservoir outlet; and   a filter blockage sensor disposed upstream of the filter to sense a predetermined liquid level upstream of the filter which is indicative of blockage of the filter.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the filter is disposed inside the reservoir. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the filter blockage sensor is disposed in the reservoir upstream of the filter. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the filter blockage sensor is disposed in a drainage pan located upstream of and coupled to the reservoir inlet. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the filter is disposed upstream of the reservoir inlet. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the filter blockage sensor is disposed in a drainage pan located upstream of and coupled to the reservoir inlet. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a liquid level sensor disposed in the reservoir downstream of the filter, the pump being activated when the liquid level sensor detects a predetermined liquid level. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the liquid level sensor senses a second, higher predetermined level of liquid in the reservoir downstream of the filter indicative of a pump abnormality condition. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the liquid level sensor includes a float coupled to a switch that activates the pump when the float, which is located in the reservoir, reaches the predetermined level. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the filter blockage sensor includes a float coupled to a switch. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the filter blockage sensor includes at least one electrode. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the electrode is adjustably disposed. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the filter blockage sensor includes at least one infrared level detector. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the filter blockage sensor includes at least one contact molded onto a wall of the reservoir. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the filter blockage sensor communicates with a controller utilizing at least one of a dedicated cable, electronic impulses, infrared signal, ultraviolet signal, and fiber optic cable. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the pump includes an alarm circuit triggered when the second, higher predetermined level of liquid is detected. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the filter blockage sensor also is connected to the alarm circuit. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the alarm circuit shuts off the air-handling apparatus and deactivates the pump so as to prevent overheating damage to the pump. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the alarm circuit generates an audible or visual signal. 
   
   
       20 . A mini-split air conditioner comprising the pumping system of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the filter blockage sensor is disposed inside the reservoir, and further comprising:
 a drainage pan coupled to the reservoir inlet; and   a drainage pan liquid level sensor disposed in the drainage pan.   
   
   
       22 . A condensate liquid removal system comprising:
 a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet receives liquid generated by an air cooling apparatus; and   a removable filter disposed in the reservoir and that filters the liquid that enters the reservoir, wherein   the reservoir includes a sealable opening by which the removable filter can be installed and removed from the reservoir.   
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the filter is comprised of at least one of metal, plastic mesh, a slotted plate, a fiber cartridge and a plastic cartridge. 
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the sealable opening is a slot in a wall of the reservoir through which the removable filter is slidable. 
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the sealable opening is an end of the reservoir, the system further comprising a removable end cap that sealably fits on the end, the removable end cap having the reservoir inlet and holding the removable filter. 
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising a pump coupled to the reservoir outlet to pump liquid out of the reservoir through the outlet. 
   
   
       27 . A condensate liquid removal system comprising:
 a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet receives condensate liquid generated by an air cooling apparatus; and   a filter that is removably attached to the inlet.   
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the filter is disposed in a tube that is removably attached to the reservoir inlet by a quick-connect coupling. 
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the filter is comprised of at least one of metal, plastic mesh, a slotted plate, a fiber cartridge and a plastic cartridge. 
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 27 , further comprising a pump coupled to the reservoir outlet to pump liquid out of the reservoir through the outlet. 
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the filter blockage sensor is disposed in a drain line connecting the reservoir to a drainage pan that is located upstream of and coupled to the reservoir inlet. 
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein a second filter blockage sensor is disposed in a drain line connecting the reservoir to the drainage pan. 
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein a second filter blockage sensor is disposed in a drain line connecting the reservoir to the drainage pan.