# US 11,906,197 B1 · Systems, devices, and/or methods for managing condensate > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,906,197 B1 - Document ID: US11906197B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 18/386,782 - Filed: 2023-11-03 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2023-06-30 - Assignees: Des Champs Technologies LLC - Applicants: Des Champs Technologies LLC - Inventors: Nicholas Howard Des Champs; Leonardo Brito Manes - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11906197B1 ## CPC - F24F 13/222: {for evacuating condensate} - F16K 15/044: {spring-loaded} - F16K 27/0209: {Check valves or pivoted valves} - F24F 2013/227: {Condensate pipe for drainage of condensate from the evaporator} - 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) - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} ## Abstract Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, and/or manufacture that is configured for operably releasing condensate received from a condensate-producing unit toward a drain without allowing a substantial quantity of gas to flow through the system, machine, device, and/or manufacture, those embodiments including a valve, a spring, and/or a housing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An automatic condensate release device configured to operably selectively release condensate received from a condensate-producing unit, the automatic condensate release device comprising: a substantially spherical valve that defines a valve outer surface; an elongate housing defining: a condensate reservoir; a valve chamber configured to operably contain the valve; and a condensate release port configured to operably convey condensate from the condensate reservoir into the valve chamber; a valve seat configured to, when in contact with the valve outer surface, operably form a fluidic seal of the condensate release port; and a helical spring located substantially within the valve chamber and configured to operably bias the valve toward the valve seat; wherein: the housing defines a longitudinal housing axis, a first housing portion, and a second housing portion; the housing defines a lock configured to operably secure the first housing portion to the second housing portion, the lock comprising: at least two elongate arms that have shape memory, each arm defining a first locking surface; and a second locking surface, wherein the first locking surface is configured to operably non-destructively releasably, clickably, lockingly engage with the second locking surface, such that each first locking surface contacts, bears on, opposes, and/or extends substantially parallel to, its second locking surface; and the first housing portion and the second housing portion cooperate with an O-ring to compressively fluidically seal the housing and circumferentially fluidically seal the housing when each first locking surface is operably non-destructively releasably, clickably, lockingly engaged with its corresponding second locking surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein: the housing defines a spring seat configured to operably anchor the helical spring to the housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein: the valve chamber defines at least one valve guide configured to operably slidably direct the valve toward and away from the valve seat along the longitudinal housing axis. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein: the spring defines a longitudinal helix axis that is coaxial with the longitudinal housing axis. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein: in an operable configuration, the spring is pre-loaded to approximately 0.75 inches water column (0.027 psi). ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein: the automatic condensate release device is configured to operably release condensate toward a drain conduit while allowing substantially no air below the valve seat and within the automatic condensate release device to flow toward the condensate-producing unit and substantially no air above the valve seat and within the automatic condensate release device to flow into the drain conduit, provided that the air above the valve seat is pressurized, relative to air contacting yet outside the automatic condensate release device, between approximately negative 2 inches water column and approximately positive 0.625 inches water column. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein: the housing is configured to operably form an inlet circumferential fluidic seal formed between a selectable one of: a first inlet connection surface and a 20 millimeter (nominal internal diameter) PVC pipe fitting; a second inlet connection surface and a 0.75 inch (nominal internal diameter) schedule 40 PVC pipe fitting; and a third inlet connection surface and a 0.625 inch (nominal internal diameter) flexible mini-split hose. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein: the housing is configured to operatively form an inlet circumferential fluidic seal formed between a selectable one of: a first outlet connection surface and a 20 mm (nominal internal diameter) PVC pipe fitting; a second outlet connection surface and a 0.75 inch (nominal internal diameter) schedule 40 PVC pipe fitting; and a third outlet connection surface and a 0.625 inch (nominal internal diameter) flexible mini-split hose. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein: the automatic condensate release device is operable when the longitudinal housing axis is oriented within approximately 45 degrees of vertical. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein: the housing is formed from a substantially clear material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein: the first housing portion is configured to non-destructively disconnect from the second housing portion without rotation of the first housing portion relative to the second housing portion about the longitudinal housing axis. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The automatic condensate release device of claim 1, wherein, in an operative embodiment: the automatic condensate release device is fluidically connected to the condensate-producing unit via a condensate conduit and the automatic condensate release device is fluidically connected to a condensate drain via a drain conduit; and the first housing portion is configured to non-destructively disconnect from the second housing portion without disconnection of the automatic condensate release device from the condensate conduit or the drain conduit. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A condensate management system comprising the automatic condensate release device of claim 1. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A system comprising: a condensate-producing unit; and the automatic condensate release device of claim 1; wherein: the condensate-producing unit is fluidically connected to the automatic condensate release device.