One-piece float switch housing and drain line assembly with condensate collection pan
First Claim
1. A one-piece assembly for use with a source of condensate production and a condensate collection pan having a preformed drain line opening, said assembly also used with a vertically deployable float body that rises with rising levels of collected condensate and sends a signal to shut off the source of condensate production when a pre-established threshold level of collected condensate is reached in the pan, said assembly comprising:
- a liquid-level float switch housing member having a hollow interior with diameter and height dimensions configured for vertical movement therein of a deployable float body, said housing also having a slotted configuration adapted for providing fluid inlet, debris blocking, and air venting functions for reliability of float body deployment, said housing further having an open bottom end and a top opening; and
a drain line connection member secured in fixed orientation to said float switch housing member, said drain line connection member configured with a substantially planar mounting plate having a drain line bore therethrough, said drain line connection member also having a drain line connector rearwardly-depending from said mounting plate, and wherein said drain line connection member further comprises opposed and substantially rearwardly-depending lateral protrusions configured for securely engaging complementary stabilizing support structure associated with the preformed drain line opening of a condensate collection pan.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A one-piece liquid-level float switch housing and drain line assembly for use with a collection tray or pan to collect condensate and shut off the source of condensate production when it exceeds a pre-established threshold level. The assembly is configured for rapid connection through a pre-formed drain line opening in the perimeter wall of a condensate collection tray/pan to place the deployable float body within its housing in a level orientation relative to the tray/pan without additional leveling adjustment. The housing has an open bottom and vertically-extending slots providing fluid inlet, debris blocking, and air venting functions for enhanced float body operation. The condensate pan/tray used with the assembly has a nesting configuration that includes a perimeter wall with varying combinations of gussets, curved ribs, angled corner configurations, and support shelves, and a central bottom surface with raised patterns, all of which strengthen the tray/pad during installation and use.
23 Citations
52 Claims
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1. A one-piece assembly for use with a source of condensate production and a condensate collection pan having a preformed drain line opening, said assembly also used with a vertically deployable float body that rises with rising levels of collected condensate and sends a signal to shut off the source of condensate production when a pre-established threshold level of collected condensate is reached in the pan, said assembly comprising:
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a liquid-level float switch housing member having a hollow interior with diameter and height dimensions configured for vertical movement therein of a deployable float body, said housing also having a slotted configuration adapted for providing fluid inlet, debris blocking, and air venting functions for reliability of float body deployment, said housing further having an open bottom end and a top opening; and a drain line connection member secured in fixed orientation to said float switch housing member, said drain line connection member configured with a substantially planar mounting plate having a drain line bore therethrough, said drain line connection member also having a drain line connector rearwardly-depending from said mounting plate, and wherein said drain line connection member further comprises opposed and substantially rearwardly-depending lateral protrusions configured for securely engaging complementary stabilizing support structure associated with the preformed drain line opening of a condensate collection pan. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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20. A pan for use in providing a drain line opening for transport out of said pan any surplus condensate accumulating in said pan from an associated condensate producing system, said pan comprising:
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a central portion with a plurality of risers spaced apart from one another that are configured and adapted for collective support at least in part of a condensate producing system; a perimeter wall around said central portion and having at least one preformed drain line opening and mounting structure around said at least one preformed drain line opening configured for secure positioning and long-term fixed orientation of a float switch housing member relative to said pan that resists changes over time which could lead to malfunction of a deployable float body within the float switch housing member; and a plurality of strengthening gussets between said central portion and said perimeter wall. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A pan for use with an assembly configured to provide a drain line opening for transport out of said pan any surplus condensate accumulating in said pan from an associated condensate producing system, the assembly comprising a drain line connection member configured with a substantially planar mounting plate, a drain line bore through the mounting plate, and a drain line connection member rearwardly-depending from the mounting plate, said pan comprising:
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a central portion with a plurality of risers spaced apart from one another that are configured and adapted for collective support at least in part of a condensate producing system; a perimeter wall around said central portion and at least one support shelf with a preformed drain line opening therein, said at least one support shelf being configured and dimensioned for secure engagement of the assembly mounting plate thereto; and a plurality of strengthening gussets between said central portion and said perimeter wall, whereby as a result of said secure engagement said pre-formed drain line opening becomes aligned with the mounting plate drain line bore and the drain line connection member rearwardly-depending from the mounting plate becomes securely engaged with and fixed in orientation relative to said pre-formed drain line opening.
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Specification