Condensate draining pipe for a heating, ventilating and/or air conditioning system and method for assembling a condensate draining pipe

Abstract

A condensate draining pipe is provided for a heating system, a ventilating system, and/or an air conditioning (HVAC) system that includes, but is not limited to a condensate feed portion and a condensate drain portion. The condensate feed portion and the condensate drain portion are connectable to one another by a press-fit coupling assembly comprising an O-ring seal.

1 . A method for assembling a condensate draining pipe of at least one of a heating system, a ventilating system, or air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising the steps of:
 connecting a condensate feed portion and a condensate drain portion with a press-fit coupling assembly; and   mounting the condensate drain portion before the connecting the condensate feed portion and the condensate drain portion with the press-fit coupling assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of inserting a shaft fitting of the condensate feed portion into a sleeve flange fitting of the condensate drain portion, the shaft fitting and the sleeve flange fitting providing the press-fit coupling assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of sealing the press-fit coupling assembly with an O-ring positioned between a shaft fitting and a sleeve flange fitting. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of connecting the condensate feed portion to the condensate drain portion by compressing a seal of an O-ring between an outer surface of a shaft fitting and an inner surface of a sleeve flange fitting. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of mounting at least one of sound insulation and carpet over the condensate drain portion before the condensate feed portion is connected to the condensate drain portion by the press-fit coupling assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of coupling the condensate feed portion to a feed flange that is coupled to a HVAC module before the condensate feed portion is connected to the condensate drain portion. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising the step of mounting the condensate drain portion on a portion of bodywork of a vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising the step of mounting a drain nozzle and the drain nozzle is mounted in an opening positioned in a bodywork of a vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . A method for assembling a condensate draining pipe deployed onboard a vehicle, the condensate draining pipe including a condensate feed portion, a condensate drain portion, and a press-fit coupling assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
 mounting the condensate drain portion through an opening in the floor of the vehicle; and   joining the condensate drain portion to the condensate feed portion utilizing the press-fit coupling assembly after the condensate drain portion has been mounted through the floor of the vehicle.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the condensate drain portion includes a shaft fitting and a sleeve flange fitting, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
 connecting the shaft fitting to the condensate feed portion; and   connecting the sleeve flange to the condensate drain portion.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the step of joining the condensate drain portion to the condensate feed portion comprises inserting an end portion of the shaft fitting into the sleeve flange fitting. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the condensate feed portion comprises a resilient tubing, wherein the shaft fitting comprises a ribbed portion, and wherein the step of connecting the shaft fitting to the condensate feed portion comprises inserting the ribbed portion of the shaft fitting into the resilient tubing of the condensate feed portion. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising the step of disposing an O-ring around the shaft fitting. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the step of joining the condensate drain portion to the condensate feed portion comprises inserting an end portion of the shaft fitting into the sleeve flange fitting such that the O-ring is sealingly compressed between an outer surface of the shaft fitting and an inner surface of the sleeve flange fitting. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:
 mounting a height adjustment fitting within the vehicle; and   utilizing the height adjustment fitting to adjust the height of at least one of the condensate feed portion, the condensate drain portion, and the press-fit coupling assembly during installation of the condensate draining pipe within the vehicle.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of:
 mounting a height adjustment fitting to the vehicle; and   fixing the sleeve flange fitting to a height adjustment fitting mounted to the vehicle.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of installing at least one of carpet and sound insulation over at least a portion of the condensate drain portion after mounting the condensate drain portion through the floor of the vehicle. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the step of mounting the condensate drain portion through an opening in the floor of the vehicle comprises positioning a bushing within the opening and around the condensate draining pipe. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the condensate draining pipe is configured to drain condensation from at least one of a heating system, a ventilating system, or air conditioning (HVAC) module, and wherein the method further comprises the step of connecting the condensate feed portion to the HVAC module utilizing at least one latch. 
     
     
         20 . A method, comprising the step of:
 providing a condensate feed portion, a condensate drain portion, and a press-fit coupling assembly configured to fluidly couple the condensate feed portion to the condensate drain portion to form a condensate draining pipe, the press-fit coupling assembly comprising a shaft fitting coupled to the condensate feed portion, a sleeve flange fitting coupled to the condensate drain portion, and an O-ring disposed around the shaft fitting and positioned to be sealingly compressed between an outer surface of the shaft fitting and an inner surface of the sleeve flange fitting when condensate draining pipe is assembled.