Condensate discharge device for combustion apparatus

• US 4,627,460 A
• Filed: 11/15/1985
• Issued: 12/09/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AOS Holding Company (A. O. Smith Corporation)
• Original Assignee: A D Smith Corporation
• Inventors: Eising, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dority, Jr., Carroll B.
• Application Number:
  US06/798,793
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• Field of Search: 126/381, 126/382, 126/19.5, 431/29, 165/119, 251/54, 251/119, 251/120, 251/319, 137/192, 137/247.23, 137/247.21, 137/433, 137/314, 137/397, 137/409, 137/533.11, 137/546
• US Class Current: 137/192
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/005 for draining or otherwise eliminating condensates or moisture accumulating in the apparatus F01N3/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16T 1/22 of closed-hollow-body type
• CPC Class Codes: F16T 1/38 Component parts; Accessories valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 8/006 Means for removing condensate from the heater
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/00 Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3068 Float
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5907 Collector for waste liquid derived from solid, gas or vapor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7358 By float controlled valve

Abstract

A condensate discharge device for combustion apparatus which automatically drains condensate from the combustion chamber or flue while preventing escape of gaseous products of combustion. The device includes a housing having an inlet in its upper end connected to the combustion conduit containing the waste gases of combustion. An outlet tube is disposed in an opening in the lower end of the housing in alignment with the inlet and the upper end of the outlet tube projects a substantial distance above the lower surface of the housing and provides a seat. A hollow plastic ball rests on the seat to prevent escape of gases from the housing. Condensate generated by cooling of the combustion gases flows into the housing and when the condensate accumulates to a level above the seat, the ball will float to permit the discharge of the condensate while preventing discharge of the gaseous products of combustion. A generally vertical vent tube communicates with the outlet tube and has an open upper end positioned beneath the conduit. If an obstruction occurred in the outlet tube, condensate will overflow through the vent tube to permit condensate from accumulating in the conduit.

Claims

1. A condensate discharge device for a combustion appartus, comprising a housing having an inlet connected to a conduit containing waste gases of combustion and having an opening in the lower end, an outlet tube havihg one end disposed within the opening and defining a seat, a spherical float disposed within the housing and disposed to engage the seat to prevent flow through said outlet tube, condensate generated by cooling of said combustion gases flowing from said conduit into said housing and an accumulation of condensate above the level of said seat causing the float to lift from the seat to permit the discharge of condensate while preventing discharge of gas through said outlet tube, and a vent tube connected to said outlet tube and extending upwardly therefrom, an accumulation of condensate in said outlet tube being discharged through said vent tube to prevent said condensate from backing-up into said conduit.

2. The device of claim 1, and including a flexible hose connected to the outer end of said outlet tube and connecting said tube with a drain area.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper end of said vent tube is at a level beneath the lower portion of said conduit whereby an accumulation of condensate will vent through said vent tube before accumulating in said conduit.

4. In combination, a conduit to conduct waste gases of combustion and having an opening in a lower portion thereof, cooling of said waste gases generating condensate, a condensation discharge device connected to said opening for collecting and discharging said condensate, said device including a housing communicating with said opening, an outlet tube having an inner end portion disposed within the housing with the inner end of said outlet tube defining a seat and having an outer end portion disposed on the exterior of said housing, a spherical float disposed within the housing and arranged to engage the seat to prevent flow through said outlet tube, an accumulation of condensate above the level of said seat causing said float to lift from said seat to permit discharge of the condensate through said outlet tube while preventing discharge of gas through said outlet tube, and a vent tube extending upwardly from the outer portion of said outlet tube and having an upper end communicating with the atmosphere, a back-up of condensate in said outlet tube overflowing through said vent tube to prevent said condensate from accumulating in said conduit.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said inner portion of said outlet tube constitutes a vertical leg and said outer portion of said outlet tube constitutes a generally horizontal leg, said vent tube extending vertically from said horizontal leg.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, and including a flexible hose connected to the horizontal leg of said outlet tube to drain condensate to a drain area.