# US 10,246,358 B1 · Automated primary condensate drain line chlorination system and method

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- Number: US 10,246,358 B1
- Document ID: US10246358B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 15/635,160
- Filed: 2017-06-27
- Granted: 2019-04-02
- Earliest claimed: 2016-06-27
- Applicants: John William Lohse
- Inventors: John William Lohse
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246358B1

## CPC

- C02F 1/76: with halogens or compounds of halogens {(C02F1/4674 takes precedence)}
- C02F 1/50: by addition or application of a germicide or by oligodynamic treatment {(C02F1/4606, C02F1/467, C02F1/76 take precedence)}
- C02F 1/686: {Devices for dosing liquid additives}
- F24F 13/222: {for evacuating condensate}
- C02F 2303/04: Disinfection
- C02F 2307/14: Treatment of water in water supply networks, e.g. to prevent bacterial growth
- F24F 2013/228: {Treatment of condensate, e.g. sterilising}
- F25D 21/14: Collecting or removing condensed and defrost water; Drip trays
- C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes)
- F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02)
- F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B)

## Abstract

An automated primary condensate drain line chlorination system includes a first T-fitting installed in an existing municipal water supply line that contains chlorine and algaecides, a second T-fitting installed between an outlet of an existing primary condensation tray of the central air conditioning system and the existing primary condensate drain line, a water supply line extending between the T-fittings, and a normally closed solenoid valve installed in the water supply line between the T-fittings operatively connected with the electrical circuit of the thermostat and fan motor of the central air conditioning system. The solenoid valve opens automatically upon operation of the fan of the evaporator unit of the central air conditioning system to allow a small amount of water from the municipal water supply line to flow into the primary condensation tray and the primary condensate drain line to prevent the growth of algae and/or fungus therein.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An automated primary condensate drain line chlorination system for introducing chlorine and algaecides into a primary condensate drain line of a central air conditioning system upon and a selected period of time after operation of the air conditioning system to prevent microbial growth in a primary condensate drain tray, the condensate drain line, and along a condensate drain system flow path, comprising:
a first T-fitting installed in an existing municipal water supply line that contains chlorine and algaecides, the first T-fitting having a perpendicular leg configured to divert a portion of the municipal water from the water supply line;
a second T-fitting installed between an outlet of an existing primary condensation tray of the central air conditioning system and the existing primary condensate drain line and having a perpendicular leg;
a water supply line extending between the perpendicular leg of the first T-fitting and the perpendicular leg of the second T-fitting; and
a normally closed solenoid valve with a programmable timer installed in the water supply line between the perpendicular leg of the first T-fitting and the perpendicular leg of the second T-fitting, a solenoid of the solenoid valve operatively connected with, and powered by, an existing electrical circuit of a thermostat and fan motor of the central air conditioning system, and the solenoid valve having a flow path bore configured to allow a small amount of the municipal water containing chlorine and algaecides to pass through the valve in its open position; wherein
the solenoid valve is opened automatically upon operation of a fan of an evaporator unit of the central air conditioning system and the programmable timer is programmed to maintain the valve open for the selected period of time after the fan ceases to operate to allow the small amount of the municipal water containing chlorine and algaecides from the existing municipal water supply line to continue flowing through the solenoid valve, through the second T-fitting, and into both the primary condensation tray and the primary condensate drain line for the selected period of time; and
the chlorine and algaecide constituents in the municipal water effectively prevent the growth of algae and/or fungus in both the primary condensate drain tray and the condensate drain line, and along the condensate drain system flow path.