Granted Patent B2

US 8,182,243 · App. 12/192,529 · Granted May 22, 2012

Abstract

Claims (31)

1. A condensate pump for collecting condensate water and pumping the condensate water to a remote location comprising:

a. a condensate water reservoir for collecting condensate water;

b. a solenoid pump comprising:

i. a cylinder with an inlet and an outlet;

ii. a plunger slidably mounted in the cylinder for drawing condensate water into the cylinder from the reservoir and discharging the condensate water out of the cylinder; and

iii. an electromagnetic solenoid coil for moving the plunger within the cylinder;

c. an AC current source having a first half cycle and a second half cycle; and

d. a solenoid pump control module connected to the AC current source, wherein the solenoid pump control module:

i. connects the AC current source to the electromagnetic solenoid coil of the solenoid pump during the first half cycle of the AC current source; and

ii. disconnects the AC current source from the electromagnetic solenoid coil of the solenoid pump when a preselected amount of energy has been delivered to the electromagnetic solenoid coil.

2. The condensate pump of claim 1 , wherein the preselected amount of energy is sensed by the amount of current flowing through the electromagnetic solenoid coil.

3. The condensate pump of claim 1 , wherein the preselected amount of energy is adjustable.

4. A condensate pump for collecting condensate water and pumping the condensate water to a remote location comprising:

a. a condensate water reservoir for collecting condensate water;

b. a solenoid pump assembly comprising:

i. a housing for mounting on a support member;

ii. a shock absorbing case positioned between the housing and the support surface; and

iii. a solenoid pump connected to the condensate water reservoir for drawing condensate water from the reservoir and pumping the condensate water to a the remote location,

wherein the solenoid pump is mounted by means of shock absorbing material within the housing.

5. The condensate pump of claim 4 , wherein the condensate water reservoir and the solenoid pump assembly are separate one from the other and are connected by a suction hose so that the condensate pump can draw condensate water from the reservoir.

6. The condensate pump up claim 5 , wherein the suction hose includes a flexible bellows.

7. A solenoid pump comprising:

a. a cylinder with an inlet and an outlet;

b. a plunger slidably mounted in the cylinder for drawing condensate water into the cylinder from the reservoir and discharging the condensate water out of the cylinder;

c. an electromagnetic solenoid coil for moving the plunger within the cylinder;

d. an AC current source having a first half cycle and a second half cycle; and

e. a solenoid pump control module connected to the AC current source, wherein the solenoid pump control module:

i. connects the AC current source to the electromagnetic solenoid coil of the solenoid pump during the first half cycle of the AC current source; and

ii. disconnects the AC current source from the electromagnetic solenoid coil of the solenoid pump when a preselected amount of energy has been delivered to the electromagnetic solenoid coil.

8. The condensate pump of claim 7 , wherein the preselected amount of energy is sensed by the amount of current flowing through the electromagnetic solenoid coil.

9. The condensate pump of claim 7 , wherein the preselected amount of energy is adjustable.

Assignments (13)