Refrigeration – With means preventing or handling atmospheric condensate... – Moisture condensing means distinct from principal heat absorber
Utility Patent
1999-07-29
2001-01-02
Doerrler, William (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
With means preventing or handling atmospheric condensate...
Moisture condensing means distinct from principal heat absorber
C062S290000
Utility Patent
active
06167716
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to condenser evaporator apparatus for a refrigeration unit and more specifically to a condensate evaporator apparatus with enhanced evaporation.
As is well known, commonly employed air conditioning and refrigeration systems operating on a vapor compression cycle utilize evaporators as a means of cooling the air. A refrigerant is flowed through an evaporator and expanded therein. In doing so, the refrigerant absorbs the heat of vaporization, thereby cooling the medium with which it is in contact, typically, heat exchanger tubes. The heat exchanger tubes sometimes include fins or the like for improved heat transfer. The air to be cooled is flowed over these tubes and fins, and as a result, the local air will be cooled beyond its dew point. As a result, water will condense out of the air onto the fins and tubes. This condensate must be removed or otherwise it will freeze and plug the air flow path.
A simple form of condensate removal involves the use of gravitational forces; in other words, the condensate is allowed to drop as it is formed into a drain or, if no drain is available, into a dissipator for evaporation.
A number of refrigeration systems, such as refrigerated display cases for perishable merchandise, are designed with a drip pan for collecting condensate. Often, such pans do not efficiently evaporate condensate water.
The present invention provides a combined dissipation drip pan, i.e., condensate evaporator apparatus, which provides for enhanced water evaporation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Condensate evaporator apparatus for a refrigerator unit in accordance with the present invention generally includes a collection pan and a dissipator disposed directly over the collection pan which provides a means for evaporating water introduced thereinto and for directing unevaporated water into the collection pan.
Heating means is provided for selectively heating the dissipator means in order to enhance the evaporation of water therefrom. More particularly, the heating means may comprise an electrical element disposed in the collection pan. Float means, disposed in the collection pan, are provided for turning on the electrical element in response to a level of water accumulated in the condenser pan. Thus, the float means provides a means for detecting a selected level of water in the collection pan and providing an output for responding thereto. Control means may be provided for activating the heating element in response to the detective means output.
More particularly, the dissipator means may comprise a plurality of pans fixed in the spaced apart relationship with one another. The pans are aligned for condensate to flow from an upper pan downward to a lower pan and ultimately into the collection pan if the water is not totally evaporated during its course through the dissipator means.
Each of the plurality pans includes a rim for causing water to coat each of the plurality of pans to provide a greater area of evaporation. In addition, to facilitate the downward movement of excess water from each pan, each rim includes a spillway which provides means for enabling the water to spill onto an underlying pan.
Importantly, the heating element is disposed only under a portion of the dissipator means in order to cause circulation of heat and evaporation through the dissipator means. More particularly, the heating element is disposed adjacent sides of the plurality of pans opposite the spillway means and preferably the heating means is disposed only under one quadrant of the plurality of pans. This selected positioning of the heating element causes an convective air flow through the dissipator which enhances the evaporation of water therefrom.
In addition, water accumulated in the collection pan is evaporated by the heating element with such water, in turn, condensing on portions of the dissipator remote from the heating element. This newly condensed water is, in turn, evaporated by the dissipator means.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2089953 (1937-08-01), Gaugler
patent: 2667042 (1954-01-01), Anderson
patent: 2709900 (1955-06-01), Zearfoss et al.
patent: 3059446 (1962-10-01), Constantini et al.
patent: 3280580 (1966-10-01), Constantini et al.
patent: 3412571 (1968-11-01), Bolynn
patent: 3679867 (1972-07-01), Canter
patent: 3750418 (1973-08-01), Maudlin
patent: 4431905 (1984-02-01), Slocum
patent: 4766737 (1988-08-01), Baxter, II
patent: 4783971 (1988-11-01), Alba
patent: 4829780 (1989-05-01), Hughes et al.
patent: 5279360 (1994-01-01), Hughes et al.
patent: 5341653 (1994-08-01), Tippmann et al.
patent: 5341870 (1994-08-01), Hughes et al.
patent: 5694785 (1997-12-01), Balentine
patent: 2111183 (1983-06-01), None
Doerrler William
Fredrick Family Trust
Hackler Walter A.
Jones Melvin
LandOfFree
Condensate evaporator apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Condensate evaporator apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Condensate evaporator apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2471420