Particulate catch basin for condensate drain line

Abstract

A particulate catch basin device for a condensate drain line used with an air conditioning system is described. The device includes a detachable water container in which solid particulates are captured. The detachable water container is connected to a head apparatus to which a condensate water line is attached. Water inside the detachable water container operates as a trap to capture particulates contained in condensate water entering into the device from an air handler through the condensate water line. Water, with the particulates removed by their capture within the detachable water container, flows out of the device through a connected drain pipe. A maximum water height within the detachable water container and head should not exceed a point that is lower than a lowest point of entry into the drain pipe. The device can include transparent materials to facilitate monitoring of the accumulation of particulates within the detachable water container.

1 : A particulate catch basin device for capturing particulates flowing through a condensate drain line of an air conditioner system, the device comprising:
 a head apparatus comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side wall;
 wherein the top portion comprises a top side and a bottom side; 
 wherein a top aperture extends through the head apparatus from its top side to its bottom side; and 
 wherein a side aperture extends from an outer surface of the side wall through the side wall into an interior space of the head apparatus; 
   a container in which particulates are captured from a condensate, wherein a top open portion of the container is detachably connectable to the bottom portion of the head apparatus; wherein once detached from the head apparatus, the container is emptiable to cleanly remove particulates from the condensate, which have been captured inside the container;   a condensate line connecting an air handler to the head apparatus at the top aperture, wherein condensate water from the air handler flows through the condensate line and into the head apparatus; and   a drain line connected to the side aperture for allowing condensate water to exit the container.   
     
     
         2 : The particulate catch basin device of  claim 1 , wherein the head apparatus is constructed from a transparent material. 
     
     
         3 : The particulate catch basin device of  claim 1 , wherein the container is constructed from a transparent material. 
     
     
         4 : The particulate catch basin device of  claim 1 , wherein the condensate line, the drain line, or both are constructed from a transparent material. 
     
     
         5 : The particulate catch basin device of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises an overflow trough attached to an outer surface of the container to catch condensate water when the container is detached from the head apparatus. 
     
     
         6 : The particulate catch basin device of  claim 5 , wherein the container is cylindrical in shape and the overflow trough is annular in shape. 
     
     
         7 : The particulate catch basin device of  claim 1 , wherein condensate water from the air handler enters the container through the head apparatus from the condensate line and collects within the container so that a maximum water level within the container is near a lower inner surface of the drain pipe so that excess condensate water flows out of the drain pipe. 
     
     
         8 : The particulate catch basin device of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion of the head apparatus comprises threading and a top portion of the container also comprises threading so that the container is attachable to the bottom portion of the head apparatus by screwing the top portion of the container over or into the bottom portion of the head apparatus. 
     
     
         9 : The particulate catch basin device of  claim 1 , wherein the condensate line is part of an existing air conditioner system and the head apparatus is installable so as to be connected to the existing air conditioner system. 
     
     
         10 : A particulate catch basin device for capturing particulates flowing through a condensate drain line of an air conditioner system, the device comprising:
 a head apparatus comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side wall;
 wherein the top portion comprises a top side and a bottom side; 
 wherein a top aperture extends through the head apparatus from its top side to its bottom side; and 
 wherein a side aperture extends from an outer surface of the side wall through the side wall into an interior space of the head apparatus; 
   a container in which particulates are captured from a condensate, wherein a top open portion of the container is detachably connectable to the bottom portion of the head apparatus; wherein once detached from the head apparatus, the container is emptiable to cleanly remove particulates from the condensate, which have been captured inside the container;   a condensate line connecting an air handler to the head apparatus at the top aperture, wherein condensate water from the air handler flows through the condensate line and into the head apparatus; and   a drain line connected to the side aperture for allowing condensate water to exit the container;
 wherein the head apparatus, the container, or both are constructed from a transparent material. 
   
     
     
         11 : The particulate catch basin device of  claim 9 , wherein the container comprises an overflow trough attached to an outer surface of the container to catch condensate water when the container is detached from the head apparatus. 
     
     
         12 : The particulate catch basin device of  claim 10 , wherein the container is cylindrical in shape and the overflow trough is annular in shape. 
     
     
         13 : The particulate catch basin device of  claim 9 , wherein condensate water from the air handler enters container through the head apparatus from the condensate line and collects within the container so that a maximum water level within the container is near a lower inner surface of the drain pipe so that excess condensate water flows out of the drain pipe. 
     
     
         14 : The particulate catch basin device of  claim 9 , wherein the bottom portion of the head apparatus comprises threading and a top portion of the container also comprises threading so that the container is attachable to the bottom portion of the head apparatus by screwing the top portion of the container over or into the bottom portion of the head apparatus. 
     
     
         15 : A method for capturing and removing particulates in a flow of condensate water from an air handler of an air conditioner system, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) connecting a particulate catch basin device to a condensate line attached to an air handler, wherein the particulate catch basin device comprises:
 a head apparatus comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side wall;
 wherein the top portion comprises a top side and a bottom side; 
 wherein a top aperture extends through the head apparatus from its top side to its bottom side; 
 wherein a side aperture extends from an outer surface of the side wall through the side wall into an interior space of the head apparatus; 
 wherein the condensate line is connected to the head apparatus at the top aperture; and 
 wherein condensate water from the air handler flows through the condensate line and into the head apparatus; 
 
 a container in which particulates are captured from a condensate, wherein a top open portion of the container is detachably connectable to the bottom portion of the head apparatus; wherein once detached from the head apparatus, the container is emptiable to cleanly remove particulates from the condensate, which have been captured inside the container; and 
 a drain line connected to the side aperture; 
   (b) capturing particulates in condensate water flowing from the air handler through the condensate line within the container of the particulate catch basin device; and   (c) allowing condensate water with particulates removed to flow out of the particulate catch basin device through the drain pipe.   
     
     
         16 : The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the steps of:
 (d) detaching the container from the head apparatus and emptying the container of particulates captured within the container from the condensate water; and   (e) reattaching the container to the head apparatus.   
     
     
         17 : The method of  claim 14 , wherein the container is constructed from a transparent material so that the amount of particulates collected within a bottom of the container is visible without detaching the container from the head apparatus. 
     
     
         18 : The method of  claim 14 , wherein the head apparatus is constructed from a transparent material so that the amount of particulates collected within a bottom of the container is visible through the head apparatus without detaching the container from the head apparatus. 
     
     
         19 : The method of  claim 14 , wherein step (d) of the method further comprises the step of:
 (f) when the container is detached from the head apparatus, catching condensate water that may spill from the container in an overflow trough attached to an outer surface of the container.   
     
     
         20 : The method of  claim 14 , wherein the condensate line is part of an existing air conditioner system and the head apparatus is installable so as to be connected to the existing air conditioner system.