Condensate drain pan for roof mounted vehicle air conditioning unit

• US 5,791,156 A
• Filed: 01/06/1997
• Issued: 08/11/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas J. Strautman
• Original Assignee: Thomas J. Strautman
• Inventors: Wanser, Russell L., Strautman, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pedder, Dennis H.
• Application Number:
  US08/779,560
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 296/38, 62/244, 62/285, 62/288, 62/291, 62/DIG. 16
• US Class Current: 62/244
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00364 for caravans or trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00371 for vehicles carrying large numbers of passengers, e.g. buses
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/3233 characterised by condensed liquid drainage means
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/00235 Devices in the roof area of the passenger compartment
• CPC Class Codes: B61D 27/0018 Air-conditioning means, i.e. combining at least two of the following ways of treating or supplying air, namely heating, cooling or ventilating air-conditioning in general F24F
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/22 Means for preventing condensation or evacuating condensate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 62/16 Roof and ceiling located coolers

Abstract

A drain pan for collecting and draining condensate from a packaged vehicle roof mounted air conditioning unit. The drain pan has an opening registering with the roof opening for air distribution and control components within the vehicle, a bottom surface gasket for this opening, and an upper surface to seal against a gasket for the air conditioning unit.

Claims

1. A condensate drain pan for use with a roof mounted vehicle air conditioning unit, said unit of the type defined by a packaged unit externally mounted on the roof of a vehicle and having a gasket attached to a base, said unit having mechanical and electrical components connected through a roof opening to a mating air distribution and control module within said vehicle, said drain pan comprising:

a drain pan having a top surface and a bottom surface and a vertically extending peripheral lip;

said drain pan defining an opening therein, said bottom surface having a gasket attached thereto, said gasket surrounding said opening;

said drain pan having at least one means for draining condensate;

said drain pan being disposed between said vehicle roof and said air conditioning unit for collecting and draining condensate from said air conditioning unit.

2. A condensate drain pan for use with a roof mounted vehicle air conditioning unit, said unit of the type defined by a packaged unit externally mounted on the roof of a vehicle and having a gasket attached to a base, said unit having mechanical and electrical components connected through a roof opening to mating air distribution and control components within said vehicle, said drain pan comprising:

a substantially planar drain pan floor defining an opening, said drain pan floor having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a peripheral edge;

a peripheral lip integrally formed along said peripheral edge and extending normal to said drain pan floor top surface, whereby said peripheral lip and said drain pan floor top surface form a condensate collection pan;

said peripheral lip including at least one condensate drain fitting;

a gasket adhesively secured to said bottom surface, said gasket surrounding said opening, whereby said drain pan is disposed between said vehicle roof and said air conditioning unit such that said vehicle roof opening, said drain pan floor opening, and said air conditioning unit base are substantially aligned, said gasket surrounding said drain pan floor opening forming a positive seal between said vehicle roof and said drain pan floor bottom surface, and said gasket attached to said air conditioning unit base forming a positive seal between said air conditioning unit and said drain pan floor.

3. A condensate drain pan for use with a roof mounted vehicle air conditioning unit, said unit of the type defined by a packaged unit externally mounted on the roof of a vehicle and having a gasket attached to a base, said unit having mechanical and electrical components connected through a roof opening to mating air distribution and control components within said vehicle, said drain pan comprising:

a substantially planar drain pan floor having a top surface with a continuous peripheral lip extending normal thereto, and a bottom surface, said floor defining an opening for receiving air distribution and control components therethrough;

said lip including at least one means for connecting a condensate drain line;

said bottom surface having a sealing gasket attached thereto, said gasket surrounding said drain pan floor opening;

said drain pan having an installed position disposed between said vehicle roof and said air conditioning unit such that said vehicle roof opening, said drain pan floor opening, and said air conditioning unit base are substantially aligned, said gasket surrounding said drain pan floor opening forming a positive seal between said vehicle roof and said drain pan floor bottom surface, and said gasket attached to said air conditioning unit base forming a positive seal between said air conditioning unit and said drain pan floor.

4. A condensate drain pan for use with a roof mounted vehicle air conditioning unit according to claim 3, further including a condensate drain line connected to said means for connecting.

5. A condensate drain pan for use with a roof mounted vehicle air conditioning unit according to claim 4, further including means for diverting condensate from said drain line, a water filter means, and a water storage means, whereby condensate may be diverted from said drain line, filtered by said filter means and stored for use in said storage means.

6. A condensate drain pan for use with a roof mounted vehicle air conditioning unit according to claim 3, further including a quantity of resilient material attached to said bottom surface in spaced relation with said sealing gasket.