Automated Condensate Drain Cleaning for Overflow Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Air conditioning systems face issues with condensate drain line clogging due to microbial growth and debris, leading to potential overflow and property damage, which existing solutions often require manual intervention and specialized skills.

Innovation Solution

An automated condensate drain line cleaning system that introduces a fluid, controlled by a controller and fluid flow regulation devices, to remove microbial material and debris from the drain line, preventing overflow and reducing user involvement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual cleaning methods are used to remove microbial growth and debris from condensate drain lines, then the drain line can be cleared of clogs, but the system requires specialized skills, manual intervention, and cannot prevent overflow proactively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecondensate drain line functionalityVSAvoidmanual intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service automated cleaning by introducing cleaning fluid through the existing condensate drain line infrastructure. The controller automatically schedules and executes cleaning cycles without requiring manual disconnection or specialized plumber intervention, allowing the system to clean itself periodically to prevent clogs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary cleaning actions before clogs fully develop and cause overflow. The controller schedules regular cleaning cycles that remove microbial growth and debris proactively, preventing the accumulation that would lead to complete blockages and condensate overflow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-generated harmful factors

If compressed air is used to manually clean condensate drain lines, then debris can be removed, but the system requires disconnection of the drain line and specialized equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial growth and debris removalVSAvoidequipment and disconnection requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses hydraulic principles by introducing cleaning fluid through the condensate drain line to flush out debris and microbial growth. This eliminates the need for compressed air equipment and disconnection, as the fluid delivery system utilizes the existing drain line infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts the cleaning function from the manual plumber operation and integrates it into the HVAC system itself. The controller and fluid delivery system are incorporated into the existing HVAC infrastructure, removing the need for external equipment and disconnection of drain lines

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If condensate drain lines are not cleaned regularly, then the system operates without maintenance, but microbial growth and debris accumulate leading to clogs and potential overflow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operation continuityVSAvoiddrain line flow capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller schedules periodic cleaning cycles at predetermined intervals to maintain drain line flow capacity. This regular automated cleaning prevents the progressive accumulation of microbial growth and debris that would otherwise lead to clogs and overflow, ensuring continuous reliable operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that monitor drain line conditions and provide feedback to the controller. When debris accumulation or flow restriction is detected, the controller automatically initiates cleaning cycles to restore proper flow capacity, maintaining system reliability without interrupting productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively prevents condensate overflow and associated damage by automating the cleaning process, reducing the need for manual intervention and specialized skills, and ensuring regular maintenance of air conditioning drainage systems.

Implementation Method 1

a fluid delivery system having a fluid supply line introducing a cleaning fluid into the condensate drain line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

at least one fluid flow regulation device electrically coupled with the controller to cause a regulated flow of the cleaning fluid into the condensate drain line responsive to at least one control signal from the controller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow regulation:

Data Source

PatentUS9372036B2Automated condensate drain line cleaning system, method, and kit

Publication Date: 2016.06.21 VISIONEX HLDG

AI summary

Automated condensate drain line cleaning apparatus are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus may include a controller, a fluid supply line, and at least one fluid flow regulation device. The at least one fluid flow regulation device may be electrically coupled with the controller to receive at least one control signal from the controller. The at least one fluid flow regulation device may cause a fluid to flow into a condensate drain line through the fluid supply line responsive to the at least one control signal. Other apparatus as well as methods and kits are also disclosed.