Apparatus to protect a radon fan from mechanical failure due to damage from falling objects from within the radon mitigation system

• US 8,496,515 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2011
• Issued: 07/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wayne E. Bailey
• Original Assignee: Wayne E. Bailey
• Inventors: Bailey, Wayne Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): McAllister, Steven B
• Assistant Examiner(s): COTOV, JONATHAN J
• Application Number:
  US13/068,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20120294708A1
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 454/909, 454/341
• US Class Current: 454/341
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/701 especially adapted for elastic fluid pumps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5762 With leakage or drip collecting

Abstract

This apparatus protects a radon fan from damage due to falling water, ice, birds and animals and debris and is installed above the radon fan and protects the fan in several ways.

It is installed just above the radon fan, thus taking advantage of warm “Earth Temperature” air to reduce ice build-up. Its screen replaces the birds and animals screen often installed at the top of the exhaust pipe where ice is formed. The screen additionally prevents ice and debris from falling into the fan.

The water bypass catches back-flowing water and directs it around the fan. The access port serves as an opening for testing, observations and cleaning of any debris that is collected by the screen and the access port is sealed with a removable plug.

This apparatus protects and extends the life of a radon fan and is made part of the radon mitigation system.

Claims

1. A separator apparatus in a radon mitigation system for blocking falling ice which forms inside said radon mitigation system, debris, birds and animals which enter from the discharge end of said radon mitigation system, for diverting condensate which forms inside said radon mitigation system, for permitting internal inspections and internal cleaning of said separator apparatus, for permitting access to the inside of said separator apparatus for air quality and air flow testing thereof to mitigate the damage to the radon fan, said radon mitigation system comprising an exhaust side having a hollow interior and an inner surface, a hollow flexible exhaust fan coupling, a separator apparatus, a hollow exhaust pipe elbow, a hollow exhaust pipe on which ice and condensate may be formed, a discharge end where debris, birds and animals may enter, a suction side having a hollow interior, and a radon fan apparatus interposed between said exhaust side and said suction side and coupled to each of said exhaust side and said suction side to form a conduit through which a gaseous fluid may be conveyed, wherein said gaseous fluid is drawn by said radon fan apparatus from said suction side and expelled by said radon fan apparatus through said exhaust side, said separator apparatus comprising:

a separator housing comprising a curved elbow having a first open end and a second open end and a continuous hollow interior between said first open end and said second open end communicating between said first open end and said second open end, said first open end communicating with said exhaust side of said radon fan exhaust hollow interior and said second open end communicating through said exhaust side to said hollow interior thereof at an angle to the vertical of said exhaust side in a manner that eliminates a direct vertical path to said radon fan apparatus for falling ice, debris, birds and animals which originates from the discharge side of said radon mitigation system and can damage said radon fan apparatus; and

a screen, with the axis of said screen substantially coincident with the axis of said separator housing second open end, comprising a diameter being dimensioned to fit within said second open end of said separator housing, being arranged within said second open end of said separator housing in a manner forming a barrier comprising said inner surface of the second open end of said separator housing and the outer edge of said screen positioned to block falling ice, debris, birds and animals which may form and or enter said radon mitigation system and damage said radon fan apparatus; and

a flattened gutter attached to said screen at the outer edge, said gutter installed with a slant towards a drain port as to collect condensate and melted ice which may drain within said separator housing

a slip connector comprising a hollow interior having an inner surface, a first open end and a second open end, said hollow interior communicating between said first open end and second open end, said first open end communicating through said hollow exhaust pipe elbow to said hollow interior thereof and said second open end communicating with the said separator second open end in a manner to couple with the separator housing interior thereof; and

a drain port comprising a hollow interior having a first open end and a second open end, said hollow interior communicating between said first open end and said second open end, said first open end of said drain port communicating through said separator housing and said slip connector to said hollow interior there of immediately adjacent to the lowest point of said conical surface of said gutter and within said gutter, said second open end communicating with the outside of the said separator housing; and

a coupling comprising a hollow interior having a first open end and a second open end, said hollow interior communicating between said first open end and said second open end, said first open end of said coupling configured to facilitate a water tight connection between said second open end of said drain port; and

a drain tube comprising a hollow interior having a first open end and a second open end, said hollow interior communicating between said first open end and said second open end, said first open end of said drain tube communicating through said coupling to said separator housing and said slip connector to said hollow interior there of immediately adjacent to the lowest section of said conical surface of said gutter and within said gutter, and second open end of said drain line communicating through hollow suction side to said hollow suction side interior whereby said condensate and water may be received from said gutter by said drain tube and conducted through said drain tube into said hollow suction pipe; and

an access port with access port plug located in said slip connector adjacent to the said first open end of said housing diametric to and offset from said drain tube comprising a hollow interior having a first open end and a second open end, said hollow interior communicating between said first open end and said second open end, said first open end of said access port communicating with the outside of said slip connector and the second open end communicating with the interior of the said separator apparatus; and

a trough channel mounted on the interior surface of said slip connector substantially coincident with the axis of said slip connector having a trough interior side wall, a trough base and a trough screw comprising a first semi-cylindrical edge and a second semi-cylindrical edge, said first semi-cylindrical edge communicating through said exhaust side of said slip connector to said hollow interior there of and said second semi-cylindrical edge communicating with said suction side of said slip connector, said first and second semi-cylindrical edges are parts of homogeneous semi-cylindrical rectangular said trough interior side wall diametric to said drain tube centered over and the said second semi-cylindrical edge clear of said access port with the space created by the said semi-cylindrical configuration centered on and facing said drain tube, said semi-cylindrical rectangular shaped trough interior side wall retained by said trough screw against a semi-cylindrical rectangular shaped trough base diametric to said drain tube and centered over said access port with space created by the said semi-cylindrical configuration centered on and facing the said drain tube having the same length as said trough interior side wall with a width less than said trough interior side wall offset from said first semi-cylindrical edge of said trough channel to create an edge, said semi-cylindrical shaped trough base retained by said trough screw to said interior wall of said slip connector establishing said trough channel, said trough screw inserted through a hole in the exterior side wall of said slip connector, centered above said access port and screwed into center of said trough base and said trough interior side wall, said trough channel positioned to collect condensate which may form in said hollow exhaust pipe that may flow to said separator apparatus.

2. Said screen of claim 1, in which said screen is a domed screen having a radius facing said exhaust pipe elbow (150).

3. Said screen of claim 1 wherein said screen made of stainless steel mesh with 0.50 inch openings.

4. Said screen of claim 1, wherein said screen has a test port comprising an opening in the center of said screen to accommodate a testing probe.

5. The separator housing of claim 1 wherein sealant is applied inside said separator housing at point of contact between said screen, said gutter and inside wall of the separator housing.