Replaceable Chemical Delivery Strand for AC Drain Line Algae Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioning drain lines are prone to bacterial and algae growth, leading to clogging and potential flooding in HVAC areas, and existing solutions require electrical connections and complex installations.
Innovation Solution
A chemical delivery system that uses a removable and replaceable strand of material with attached tablets, inserted into the drain line to inhibit growth, which delivers a chemical agent directly into the condensate stream without the need for electrical power, allowing for easy replacement without disassembling the drain pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pump system is used to deliver chemical into the drain line, then the chemical delivery effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and installation complexity increase due to electrical connections and separate installation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical pump system with a passive mechanical delivery mechanism. Chemical tablets are positioned to dissolve directly in the condensate flow path, eliminating the need for electrical pumps, wiring, and complex installation. The chemical is delivered through natural dissolution as condensate flows over or through the tablets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the chemical delivery function from a complex electrical pump system and simplifies it to basic chemical tablets that dissolve naturally. This removes unnecessary electrical components and reduces the system to its essential function of chemical delivery through passive dissolution.
2Reliability
If a permanent chemical delivery system is installed in the drain line, then the growth prevention effectiveness is improved, but the ease of maintenance and replacement of consumable materials deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the chemical delivery system into replaceable chemical tablets that can be individually replaced. The tablets are positioned in the drain line where they can be accessed and replaced without replacing the entire system, allowing easy maintenance of consumable materials while maintaining continuous growth prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic system where chemical tablets can be easily replaced as they are consumed. The removable lid and positioned tablets allow the system to adapt to consumption levels, enabling simple maintenance by replacing only the depleted chemical tablets rather than the entire installation.
3Extent of automation
If electrical pump systems are used for chemical delivery, then the chemical delivery control is improved, but the use of energy and cost of installation increase due to electrical connections and separate installation professions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service chemical delivery system where chemical tablets automatically dissolve and release chemicals as condensate flows through the drain line. This eliminates the need for electrical power, pumps, or automated control systems, reducing energy consumption to zero while maintaining effective chemical delivery through passive dissolution.
4Ease of manufacture
If chemical tablets are placed directly in the drain line without a retention structure, then the ease of installation is improved, but the reliability of chemical delivery deteriorates due to potential displacement by condensate flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a retaining structure (such as a mesh holder or positioned cradle) as an intermediary between the chemical tablets and the condensate flow. This structure holds the tablets in place, preventing displacement by water flow while allowing condensate to contact and dissolve the tablets, thereby ensuring reliable chemical delivery without complex installation.
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
Prevents bacterial and algae growth in air conditioning drain lines by continuously delivering a chemical agent, ensuring the flow of condensate is unobstructed and reducing the risk of flooding, with a simple and cost-effective solution that does not require electrical connections or complex installations.
Implementation Method 1
As the moisture travels through the drainage system and passes over the at least one tablet or other delivery module, chemicals may be released into the stream of condensate
Data Source
AI summary
A chemical delivery system is provided. The chemical delivery system includes a strand of material having a plurality of chemical delivery tablets secured thereto. The strand of material can be inserted into a drain pipe opening and retained within the drain pipe by a retention disc and/or a removable cap. The chemical delivery tablets are measurably consumed as fluid or other condensate material flows through the drain pipe. The strand of material may then be readily replaced with a new strand on a period basis without necessitating disassembly of the pipe thereby preventing growth of algae or other organic material in the drain pipe.