# US 11,079,136 B2 · Condensate management manifold and system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,079,136 B2 - Document ID: US11079136B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/471,004 - Filed: 2017-12-18 - Published: 2020-03-12 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2016-12-20 - Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company - Applicants: 3M Innovative Properties Company - Inventors: Steven P. Swanson; Kurt J. Halverson; Caleb T. Nelson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11079136B2 ## CPC - F24F 13/222: {for evacuating condensate} - F25D 21/14: Collecting or removing condensed and defrost water; Drip trays - 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 A condensation management manifold includes a first portion having a first elongated channel comprising a first condensate flow channel. A second portion of the manifold has second elongated channel comprising a second condensate flow channel. The second portion is configured to nest at least partially within the first portion such that a first surface of a flexible condensate management film is fluidically coupled to the first flow channel and an oppositely oriented second surface of the condensate management film is fluidically coupled to the second flow channel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A condensation management manifold comprising: a first portion including a first elongated channel comprising a first condensate flow channel; and a second portion including a second elongated channel comprising a second condensate flow channel, the second portion configured to nest at least partially within the first portion such that a first surface of a flexible condensate management film is fluidically coupled to the first flow channel and an oppositely oriented second surface of the condensate management film is fluidically coupled to the second flow channel; wherein when the second portion is nested within the first elongated channel of the first portion, the second portion and the first elongated channel provide a friction clamp that attaches an end of the flexible condensate management film to the manifold. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1, wherein the friction clamp is configured to clamp a flexible condensate management film having a thickness of between 50 microns and 1000 microns. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1, wherein the friction clamp is a reversible friction clamp that allows the condensate management film to be attached and subsequently detached from the manifold without substantial damage to the film or the manifold. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1, wherein, in cross section, the first elongated channel includes a first section configured to provide the friction clamp and a second section that forms the first condensate flow channel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1, wherein, in cross section, the first section includes two curved sides that are separated by the first flow channel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The manifold of claim 5, wherein each of the two curved sides comprise a portion of a circle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1, wherein, in cross section, the second elongated channel is an incomplete circle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1, further comprising at least one or more drain grooves between the first portion and the second portion of the manifold, the at least one or more drain grooves configured to allow condensate from the film to enter the first condensate flow channel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The manifold of claim 8, wherein the drain grooves are disposed on an inner surface of the first elongated channel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The manifold of claim 8, wherein the drain grooves are disposed on an outer surface of the second portion that nests within the first portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1, wherein a length of the first portion and a length of the second portion is between 5 inches and 36 inches. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1, wherein a maximum inner width of the first elongated channel is between 4 millimeters and 20 millimeters. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1, wherein a maximum inner width of the second elongated channel is between 4 millimeters and 16 millimeters. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1, wherein: the first portion includes a first end and a second end with the first elongated channel disposed between the first and second ends of the first portion; the second portion includes a first end and a second end with the second elongated channel disposed between the first and second ends of the second portion; and the first portion and the second portion are attached together by a hinge at the first end of the first portion and the first end of the second portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second channels are substantially straight along a longitudinal axis of the manifold. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1, wherein the first portion includes a third condensate flow channel fluidically coupled to the first surface of the flexible condensate management film.