Condensate scavenging system and method for in-ground vehicle lifts
An in-ground lift ( 10 ) is provided with a condensate scavenging system ( 30 ) that includes a pump ( 32 ) and a control ( 34 ) that is connected to the pump ( 32 ) and configured to selectively switch the pump ( 32 ) between a non-pumping state wherein the pump ( 32 ) is inactive and a pumping state wherein the pump ( 32 ) is expelling condensate from the base structure ( 12 ) of the lift ( 10 ). It is preferred that the control ( 34 ) be configured so that the pump ( 32 ) automatically switches between the non-pumping state and the pumping state in response to a predetermined change of state in the in-ground vehicle lift ( 10 ).
1. A system to remove condensate from a base structure of an in-ground vehicle lift, the system comprising:
a pump including a condensate inlet operably connected to a condensate collection location in the base structure, and a condensate outlet to direct the condensate from the base structure, the pump having a non-pumping state and a pumping state, the pump configured to switch automatically between the non-pumping and pumping states in response to a pre-determined change of state in the in-ground vehicle lift;
wherein said pump is an air operated diaphragm pump; and
wherein said pump comprises an air inlet, the air inlet connected to a compressed air line of said in-ground vehicle lift.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said air inlet is connected to an air line that supplies compressed air to a compressed air powered safety lock of the in-ground vehicle lift.
3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a compressed air filter regulator connected upstream of the air inlet and downstream from the compressed air line.
4. A system to remove condensate from a base structure of an in-ground vehicle lift, the system comprising:
a pump including a condensate inlet operably connected to a condensate collection location in the base structure, and a condensate outlet to direct the condensate from the base structure, the pump having a non-pumping state and a pumping state; and
a control connected to the pump and configured to selectively switch the pump between the non-pumping and pumping states;
wherein said pump is an air operated diaphragm pump; and
wherein said pump comprises an air inlet, the air inlet connected to a compressed air line of said in-ground vehicle lift.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein said control comprises a compressed air line that supplies compressed air to a compressed air powered safety lock of the in-ground vehicle lift.
6. The system of claim 4 wherein said control comprises a manual air valve.
7. The system of claim 4 wherein said control comprises an air valve that is configured to supply compressed air to the pump in response to at least one of a timer and a predetermined change of state in the in-ground vehicle lift.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein said air valve is an electric solenoid valve.
9. The system of claim 7 wherein said air valve is a pilot actuated air valve.
10. A condensate scavenging, in-ground vehicle lift comprising:
a base structure for in-ground installation;
at least one lift cylinder mounted in the base structure; and
a pump including a condensate inlet operably connected to a condensate collection location in the base structure, and a condensate outlet to direct the condensate from the base structure, the pump having a non-pumping state and a pumping state, the pump configured to switch automatically between the non-pumping and pumping states in response to a pre-determined change of state in the in-ground vehicle lift;
wherein said pump is an air operated diaphragm pump; and
further comprising a compressed air line; and wherein said pump comprises an air inlet connected to the compressed air line.
11. The system of claim 10 further comprising a compressed air powered safety lock connected to the compressed air line to receive compressed air therefrom.
12. A condensate scavenging, in-ground vehicle lift comprising:
a base structure for in-ground installation;
at least one lift cylinder mounted in the base structure;
a pump including a condensate inlet operably connected to a condensate collection location in the base structure, and a condensate outlet to direct the condensate from the base structure, the pump having a non-pumping state and a pumping state; and
a control connected to the pump and configured to selectively switch the pump between the non-pumping and pumping states;
wherein said pump is an air operated diaphragm pump; and
further comprising a compressed air line, and wherein said pump comprises an air inlet, the air inlet connected to the compressed air line.
13. The in-ground vehicle lift of claim 12 further comprising a compressed air powered safety lock connected to the compressed air line to receive compressed air therefrom.