US 5,666,690 A · Condensation line purging device

Abstract

Condensation line purging devices and assemblies. The present invention relates to devices and assemblies for purging HVAC condensation lines. Such lines are relatively delicate, as opposed, for instance, to drain lines and plumbing systems. Accordingly, devices of the present invention include a body which is adapted to contain a conventional gas cylinder such as a 12 gram CO.sub.2 cylinder. The body is adapted to connect to a nozzle which in turn is connected to a connector that is attached to the condensation line. The body may be rotated onto the nozzle in a manner that controllably releases gas pressure from the gas cylinder into the condensation line so as to cause a pressure buildup that effectively purges the condensation line without breaching its seals or other discontinuities. Such control may occur by virtue of the shape of a pin protruding from the interior portion of the nozzle and adapted to penetrate the gas cylinder. It may occur by virtue of the shape of the pin in cooperation with the gas cylinder and in further cooperation with shoulders formed on the nozzle and body which control their rotational relationship. Such control may also occur by the manner in which the body and nozzle are rotated relative to one another during the purging process. Accordingly, devices according to the present invention allow a great degree of flexibility and control in carefully purging gas condensation lines with a minimum of time, effort and expense and with lower risk of damage to the lines.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A device for purging condensation lines, comprising:

a. a body comprising inner and outer walls forming a cavity adapted to contain at least one gas cylinder and which contains a first threaded surface adapted to receive and cooperate with a nozzle;
and
b. a nozzle, comprising inner and outer walls, a first threaded surface adapted to receive and correspond to the first threaded surface on the body in a substantially airtight manner;
a second threaded surface adapted to receive and correspond to a threaded connector which is in turn adapted to be connected to a condensation line;
at least one vent for venting from the cavity of the body to the condensation line;
and a pin adapted to penetrate a portion of the gas cylinder in order to release gas from the cylinder in a controlled manner through the vent thereby to purge the condensation line by causing a controlled buildup of pressure in the line which effectively purges the line but does not breach seals or other discontinuities formed in the line.

3 more elements

An assembly for purging a condensation line, comprising:

a. a body comprising inner and outer walls forming a cavity adapted to contain at least one gas cylinder and which contains a first threaded surface formed on the outer wall and adapted to receive and cooperate with a nozzle;
b. a nozzle, comprising inner and outer walls, a first threaded surface formed on the inner wall and adapted to receive and correspond with the first threaded surface on the body in a substantially airtight manner;
a second threaded surface formed on the outer wall and adapted to receive and correspond to a threaded connector which is in turn adapted to be connected to a condensation line;
at least one vent for venting from the cavity of the body to the condensation line;
and a pin of substantially non-constant cross section adapted to penetrate a portion of the gas cylinder in order to release gas from the cylinder in a controlled manner through the vent thereby to purge the condensation line at a point in time when the first threaded surface of the body and the nozzle have reached a predetermined level of cooperation, but to purge the condensation line without subjecting it to undue pressure which could breach seals or other discontinuities in the condensation line;
c. a gas cylinder contained in the body;
and
d. a connector comprising inner and outer walls, a threaded surface on the inner wall cooperating with the second threaded surface of the nozzle for attachment in a substantially airtight manner, which connector is attached to the condensation line in a substantially airtight manner;
and
e. in which the body and the nozzle further comprise shoulders which are adapted to mate at a point in time when the first threaded surfaces of the body and the nozzle have reached a predetermined level of cooperation, and before the pin has penetrated the gas cylinder by a predetermined amount, in order to prevent damage to the pin and/or to control rate of discharge of gas from the cylinder.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Condensation line purging device

Life of this patent

Condensation line purging device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12