AUTOMATED HVAC CONDENSATION DRAIN INJECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and more particularly to an automated system and method for cleaning the condensation drain line of an HVAC system.

BACKGROUND

HVAC refers to various technologies for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems which are used to control the temperature, humidity, and quality of air in an environment. The goal of these systems is to provide thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality to structures, both private and commercial. In some cases, HVAC systems are responsible for providing life-saving functions such as sufficient warmth (in the case of heating systems) in particularly cold environments, and/or sufficient cooling (in the case of air conditioning systems) in particularly hot environments. In such, their ability to function is imperative to both comfort and safety.

During operation, HVAC systems (in particular air conditioners) produce a high volume of condensation which is expelled through a drip tray and into a drain line. The ability of the drain line to direct the flow of condensation out of the system is crucial to the operation of the HVAC system. Over time, the drain line can harbor the growth of bacterial and/or fungal organisms which can cause the drain line to become clogged. If clogging becomes severe, the drain line will no longer be able to expel the condensation, causing a back-up of liquid into the drip tray, rendering the system in operable. In some cases, this can lead to flooding, thus causing damage to the surrounding environment wherein the HVAC system is operating. Further, the back-up of condensation can lead to costly repairs of the HVAC system.

In the current arts, systems exist which allow for the delivery of an anti-bacterial and/or anti-fungal agent. However, these systems do not provide the customization of pump and agent delivery settings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is further disclosed in the detailed description of the embodiments. This summary is not intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The embodiments provided herein relate to an automated HVAC condensation drain injection system for inhibiting or preventing the growth of microorganism and preventing clogging for a condensation drain line. The automated HVAC condensation drain injection system includes an agent disposed within an agent reservoir. An HVAC air handler is in fluid communication with a condensation drain line to direct the flow of condensation from a drip tray of the HVAC air handler to a drain line exit port. A programmable pump draws a predetermined volume of the agent from the agent reservoir and injects a predetermined volume of the agent through an injection system and into the condensation drain line.

The system provides a means for automating the injection of an anti-microbial agent into the HVAC's condensation draining systems. This prevents the growth of bacteria and fungus which can clog the condensation drain line, causing the HVAC system to become inoperable as well as raise the potential for flooding.

The system enables the user to input operational instructions which can ensure the dispensed at advantageous time intervals. This allows for small amounts of the agent to be dispensed more frequently than current system. The user-input can also provide the user with a means of inputting optimal frequencies and volumes to optimize the drainage of condensation.

In some aspects, the user may be able to indicate a particular agent they are using, as numerous agents are known. However, specific properties of the agent may cause for various concentrations, volumes, and frequencies of injection to be programmed to ensure the system operates effectively.

In one aspect, the injection system includes a first end connected to the agent reservoir and a second end connected to the condensation drain line.

In one aspect, the second end is terminated in an injection port.

In one aspect, the injection port connects to an access port which is connected to the condensation drain line to provide a sealed and fluid connection between injection system and the condensation drain line.

In one aspect, the agent prohibits or impedes the growth of a microorganism to prevent the clogging of the condensation drain line.

In one aspect, a controller is in operable communication with the programmable pump. The controller may include a user interface to permit the input of operational instructions.

In one aspect, the operations instructions comprise a frequency and a volume of the agent.

In one aspect, the frequency corresponds to a time period between when the volume of agent is injected.

In one aspect, a user computing device permits the interaction with the application program to allow for remote control of the programmable pump.

In one aspect, the second end of the injection system is connected to the drip tray of the HVAC air handler. This allows for the system to be decontaminated upstream of the condensation drain line.

A method for an automated HVAC condensation drain injection system is disclosed. The HVAC condensation drain injection system is first installed in the HVAC system. The user may then input an agent into the agent reservoir. Next, the user inputs operational instructions into the controller using the user interface. The operational instructions are stored in the memory such that the system is automated to inject, via the programmable pump, the agent into the condensation drain line. The controller transmits a signal to the programmable pump to inject a pre-determine volume of agent at a predetermine frequency. In such, once a time period corresponding to the predetermined frequency has elapsed, the signal is automatically sent to programmable pump to inject the predetermined volume of agent into the condensation drain line. Once the injection sequence is completed, the timer is restarted and the process restarts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present embodiments and the advantages and features thereof will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of the HVAC condensation drain injection system, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the computing system in communication with the HVAC condensation drain injection system, according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method for an automated HVAC condensation drain injection system, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are set forth in this application. Any specific details of the embodiments described herein are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitation(s) or inference(s) are to be understood or imputed therefrom.

Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components related to particular devices and systems. Accordingly, the device components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

As used herein, the term “agent” is used to describe various anti-microbial agents which are known to prevent, inhibit, or eliminate the growth and propagation of microorganisms. This can include organic compounds, natural compounds, persistent compounds, non-persistent compounds, chemically-engineered compounds, etc.

As used herein, the terms “microorganism”, “microbe” and the like can relate to any biological contaminant which may be present in the drain line of the HVAC system.

In general, the embodiments provided herein relate to an automated HVAC condensation drain injection system (which may be referred to herein as “system” or “the system”). The HVAC condensation drain injection system aid in the prevention of bacterial and fungal growth within the condensation drain. This aids in the prevention of clogs within the drain line by automatically injecting an anti-bacterial/anti-fungal into the drain line to prevent bacterial or fungal growth in the drain line of the air handler. The pump is programmable and is capable of being programmed to deliver a predetermined volume of the anti-bacterial and/or anti-fungal agent at a predetermined frequency.

It is known that the air handler's drain line can easily becoming clogged, thus causing a back-up in liquid (i.e., condensation). If clogging becomes severe, the liquid can inhibit the operation of the HVAC system, causing loss of function and the potential for flooding in the surrounding environment.

To prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus, the system disclosed herein utilizes the programmable delivery of an anti-microbial agent (i.e., a biocide, pesticide, fungicide, among other commonly used terms) to prevent the growth of organisms (i.e., bacteria, fungus, and microbes in general) within the drain line.

In some embodiments, the system controls the injection of an agent into the drain line of the HVAC system. The injection of the agent is controlled by a programmable pump. The programmable pump may be, in one example, a programmable diaphragm liquid pump having a power supply and power converter to power the system. The programmable pump is in fluid communication with a reservoir which contains the agent. The programmable pump directs the flow of the agent through conduit and into an injection port to expel the agent into the drain line.

In some embodiments, the programmable pump is in electrical communication with a controller which can be programmed to operate the pump at user-specific time frequencies. The user may input a frequency into a user interface of the controller to instruct the programmable pump to pump the agent into the drain line at incremental frequencies (such as each day for 30 days). The user may also input a volume of agent to be dispensed at each time interval, such as instructing the pump to deliver between 30 ml and 480 ml in 1 ml increments.

One skilled in the arts will readily understand that the frequency (i.e., the number of times the agent is dispensed by the pump within a period of time) and the volume (i.e., the amount of agent dispensed at each increment of time) can be modified to suit the needs of various HVAC systems. For example, some systems may require shorter time increments (i.e., a frequency of dispensing the agent each day) or longer time increments (i.e., a frequency of dispensing the agent every 5 days). Some HVAC systems may require different volumes of agent to sufficiently prevent, inhibit, or eliminate the growth of microorganisms. For example, some may require 30 ml of agent delivered each time, while others may require significantly more.

The volume of agent being dispensed is programmable to accommodate various agents commonly used in the arts. For example, the system may use 5% food grade vinegar as the agent which may require a different volume compared to other agents, or even other concentrations (e.g., 10%) of the agent. The programmable features may allow the user to switch between various agents depending on what the user has available, cost to operate the system, among other factors.

In some embodiments, the conduit is connected to the HVAC condensation drain line using an injection port which connected to a drain line access port. Connection site may be positioned near the drip tray of the HVAC system's air handler.

In some embodiments, the agent may be injected into the evaporator drip tray with the intention of treating the entire system, rather than only injecting the agent into the drain line which is downstream of the evaporator drip tray. In this case, vinegar may be corrosive to components of the air handler (e.g., the aluminum evaporator coil commonly used in HVAC systems). To prevent corrosion of the corrosive components within the HVAC system, non-corrosive agents may be beneficial such as peroxide or citric acid which are not corrosive to aluminum.

In some embodiments, the automated HVAC condensation drain injection system can be used to inject an antifreeze agent. This may be beneficial for systems operating in colder climates to prevent freezing of the liquid within the condensation drain line which would also cause the drain line to clog and/or possibly crack and leak. The antifreeze agent may be combined with other agents to further prevent the growth of microorganisms.

In some embodiments, the computing system may be operable to modify the volume of the agent and frequency it is delivered based on the climate within the environment, or external of the structure. For example, the computing system may be in operable communication with means for sensing the temperature, humidity and other factors which may affect the operation of the system. The computing system may also determine the geographic location where the system is deployed to receive real-time environmental conditions and climate information.

In some embodiments, the computing system may include means for transmitting notifications which relate to the status of the agent tank. For example, the system may transmit a notification if the amount of agent within the tank falls below a threshold level. This can be used to alert the user to refill the agent tank with the agent.

In some embodiments, the system includes one or more sensors to detect conditions within the condensation drain line. For example, the one or more sensors may be capable of determining if the condensation drain line is clogged. If a clog is detected, the sensors may output a signal to the controller to disable the pump to prevent an overflow or damage to the agent.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of the automated HVAC condensation drain injection system 100 which is connected to the HVAC system 101. The HVAC air handler 103 is configured to deliver air throughout the environment 104 within the structure using the HVAC's air delivery system including conduit and air ducts (not shown). A condensation drain line 105 exits the HVAC air handler 103 and provides a means of draining condensation 107 produced and collected within the HVAC air handler 103. The condensation 107 may be first collected in the HVAC air handler's 103 evaporator drip tray 109. Condensation 107 is then transmitted through the condensation drain line 105 to expel the condensation through a drain line exit port 113.

An automated pump system 115 includes an agent reservoir 117 which is filled with an agent 119. A programmable pump 121 is in fluid communication with the agent reservoir 117 to actively draw the agent 119 from the agent reservoir 117 and through a first conduit line 123 and into the programmable pump 121. The programmable pump 121 then pumps the agent 119 through a second conduit line 125 and into the condensation drain line 105.

In some embodiments, the first conduit line 123 and the second conduit line 125 may be a single piece of conduit and may be referred to collectively as the injection system 127. The injection system 127 begins at a first end 129 which connects to the agent reservoir 117 and terminates with an injection port 131 positioned at the second end 133 of the injection system 127. The injection port 131 connects to the condensation drain line 105 via an access port 135 which allows for the ingress of the agent 119 into the condensation drain line 105.

In some cases, the drain line 105 may extend underground 137 which makes accessing the drain line 105 difficult if a clog occurs. This provides an additional benefit to the system 100 described herein in that the injection of the agent 119 prevents the growth of microorganisms within the underground 137 portion of the condensation drain line 105.

The HVAC air handler 103 may take various forms for air handlers known in the arts and may include an evaporator coil, blower motor, air filter, and electrical and electronic components requires to deliver air through the HVAC system of the structure.

In some embodiments, a secondary tank 140 is filled with anti-freeze or a similar compound which can be selectively drawn from via the pump 121 to prevent the condensation drain line 105 from freezing. This may be especially useful in a cold environment where the fluid being pumped into the condensation drain line 105 may become frozen, and thus cause a clog therein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the injection system 115 and computer system 200 operating the controller 201 which allows for the programming and operation functions of the programmable pump 121. The controller 201 is in operable communication with a user interface 203 and display 205 to allow the user to input operational instructions for the system 100. For example, operational instructions can include the input of a frequency and volume of agent dispensed into the system. A power supply 207 provides power input to the electrical components of the system including the controller 201, the programmable pump 121, the display 205, the injection system 115 and other electrical components. A memory 209 is used store operational instructions of the system.

In some embodiments, the controller is in operable communication with one or more sensors. The one or more sensors may sense the environmental conditions surrounding the system, or within the condensation drain line. For example, the one or more sensors may determine if the condensation drain line has become clogged. If the condensation drain line has become clogged, the one or more sensors transmit a signal to the controller to instruct the programmable pump 121 to stop pumping the agent into the system. In another example, the one or more sensors may sense the temperature or other environmental conditions of the environment. If a change is detected, the one or more sensors may transmit a signal to instruct the controller to pump more agent 119, less agent 119, or to emit the anti-freeze from the secondary tank 140.

In some embodiments, the system 100 is in operable communication with a computer system 200 to allow for the remote input of operational instructions as well as the remote monitoring of the system 100. The computer system 200 in communication with a network interface 211 of the system 100 via a network 220. The computer system 200 may include an application program 230 operable to provide access to a mobile application or software which is accessible via a user computing device 240. Data storage 250 may store computer readable instructions associated with the application program 230.

In some embodiments, the power supply is in electrical connection with the air handler 103 to power the programmable pump 121. The power supply can be configured in various ways such that sufficient power is provided to the system 100.

In some embodiments, the device is capable of having pre-programmed operational functions. For example, the user may utilize the user interface 203 or may utilize the application program 230 to input operational instructions such as the volume of agent to be dispensed (in one example this may be 30ml). The user may also input a frequency (in one example this frequency may be every 2-days). The operational instructions are stored in the memory 209 which provides operational instructions to the controller 201. The controller 201 then instructs the programmable pump 121 to draw the pre-determined volume of agent out of the agent reservoir and inject the pre-determined volume of agent into the condensation drain line of the system.

The system 100 is in communication with a computer system 200 via a network 220. In another embodiment, the system 100 communicates with the computer system 200 via a hardwire connection or a network-enabled connection. The computer system 200 is operable on a user computing device 240 capable of operating the application program 230 capable of executing instructions stored in the data storage 250.

In some embodiments, the computer system 200 includes one or more processors coupled to a memory 209 through a system bus that couples various system components, such as a user interface 203, to the processors. The bus may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. For example, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, also known as Mezzanine bus.

In some embodiments, the computer system 200 includes one or more input/output (I/O) devices, such as video device(s) (e.g., a camera), audio device(s), and display(s) are in operable communication with the computer system 200. In some embodiments, similar I/O devices may be separate from the computer system 200 and may interact with one or more nodes of the computer system 200 through a wired or wireless connection, such as over a network interface.

In some embodiments, rather than including a power supply 207, the power supplied to the air handler is utilized to power the programmable pump 121.

Processors suitable for the execution of computer readable program instructions include both general and special purpose microprocessors and any one or more processors of any digital computing device. For example, each processor may be a single processing unit or a number of processing units and may include single or multiple computing units or multiple processing cores. The processor(s) can be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. For example, the processor(s) may be one or more hardware processors and/or logic circuits of any suitable type specifically programmed or configured to execute the algorithms and processes described herein. The processor(s) can be configured to fetch and execute computer readable program instructions stored in the computer-readable media, which can program the processor(s) to perform the functions described herein.

In this disclosure, the term “processor” can refer to substantially any computing processing unit or device, including single-core processors, single-processors with software multithreading execution capability, multi-core processors, multi-core processors with software multithreading execution capability, multi-core processors with hardware multithread technology, parallel platforms, and parallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Further, processors can exploit nano-scale architectures, such as molecular and quantum- dot based transistors, switches, and gates, to optimize space usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

In some embodiments, the memory 209 includes computer-readable application instructions provided by the application program 230, configured to implement certain embodiments described herein, and a data storage 250, comprising various data accessible by the application instructions. In some embodiments, the application instructions include software elements corresponding to one or more of the various embodiments described herein. For example, application instructions may be implemented in various embodiments using any desired programming language, scripting language, or combination of programming and/or scripting languages (e.g., Android, C, C++, C#, JAVA, JAVASCRIPT, PERL, etc.).

In this disclosure, terms “store,” “storage,” “data store,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any other information storage component relevant to operation and functionality of a component are utilized to refer to “memory components,” which are entities embodied in a “memory,” or components comprising a memory. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that the memory and/or memory components described herein can be volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, or both volatile and nonvolatile memory. Nonvolatile memory can include, for example, read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, or nonvolatile random access memory (RAM) (e.g., ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM). Volatile memory can include, for example, RAM, which can act as external cache memory. The memory and/or memory components of the systems or computer-implemented methods can include the foregoing or other suitable types of memory.

Generally, a computing device will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass data storage devices; however, a computing device need not have such devices. The computer readable storage medium (or media) can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium can be, for example, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium can include: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. In this disclosure, a computer readable storage medium is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.

In some embodiments, the steps and actions of the application instructions described herein are embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium may be coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integrated into the processor. Further, in some embodiments, the processor and the storage medium may reside in an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a computing device. Additionally, in some embodiments, the events or actions of a method or algorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and instructions on a machine-readable medium or computer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product.

In some embodiments, the application instructions for carrying out operations of the present disclosure can be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The application instructions can execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer, or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection can be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) can execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the application instructions can be downloaded to a computing/processing device from a computer readable storage medium, or to an external computer or external storage device via a network 220. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable application instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.

In some embodiments, the computer system 200 includes one or more network interfaces 211 that allow the computer system 200 to interact with other systems, devices, or computing environments. In some embodiments, the computer system 200 comprises a network interface 211 to communicate with a network 220. In some embodiments, the network interface 211 is configured to allow data to be exchanged between the computer system 200 and other devices attached to the network 220, such as other computer systems, or between nodes of the computer system 200. In various embodiments, the network interface 211 may support communication via wired or wireless general data networks, such as any suitable type of Ethernet network, for example, via telecommunications/telephony networks such as analog voice networks or digital fiber communications networks, via storage area networks such as Fiber Channel SANS, or via any other suitable type of network and/or protocol.

In some embodiments, the network 220 corresponds to a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the Internet, a direct peer-to-peer network (e.g., device to device Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.), and/or an indirect peer-to-peer network (e.g., devices communicating through a server, router, or other network device). The network 220 can comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. The network 220 can represent a single network or multiple networks. In some embodiments, the network 220 used by the various devices of the computer system 200 is selected based on the proximity of the devices to one another or some other factor. For example, when a first user device and second user device are near each other (e.g., within a threshold distance, within direct communication range, etc.), the first user device may exchange data using a direct peer-to-peer network. But when the first user device and the second user device are not near each other, the first user device and the second user device may exchange data using a peer-to-peer network (e.g., the Internet). The Internet refers to the specific collection of networks and routers communicating using an Internet Protocol (“IP”) including higher level protocols, such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (“TCP/IP”) or the Uniform Datagram Packet/Internet Protocol (“UDP/IP”).

In some embodiments, the system is world-wide-web (www) based, and the network server is a web server delivering HTML, XML, etc., web pages to the computing devices. In other embodiments, a client-server architecture may be implemented, in which a network server executes enterprise and custom software, exchanging data with custom client applications running on the computing device.

In some embodiments, the system can also be implemented in cloud computing environments. In this context, “cloud computing” refers to a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned via virtualization and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction, and then scaled accordingly. A cloud model can be composed of various characteristics (e.g., on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, measured service, etc.), service models (e.g., Software as a Service (“SaaS”), Platform as a Service (“PaaS”), Infrastructure as a Service (“IaaS”), and deployment models (e.g., private cloud, community cloud, public cloud, hybrid cloud, etc.).

In some instances, the memory 209 may store information related to the HVAC system, such as the model number to determine the operational characteristics of the system. This may allow the system to store recommended operational instructions which can be displayed to the user. In such, the system may suggest volumes and frequencies which are recommended and may be preferred for the particular system. The user interface 203 may allow the user to input a particular agent they are using, which may change the operational instructions input to the programmable pump 121.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method for an automated HVAC condensation drain injection system. The HVAC condensation drain injection system is installed in the HVAC system. In step 300, the user input an agent into the agent reservoir. In step 310, the user inputs operational instructions into the controller using the user interface. In step 320, operational instructions are stored in the memory such that the system is automated to inject, via the programmable pump, the agent into the condensation drain line. In step 340, the controller transmits a signal to the programmable pump to inject a pre-determine volume of agent at a predetermine frequency. In such, once a time period corresponding to the predetermined frequency has elapsed, the signal is automatically sent to programmable pump to inject the predetermined volume of agent into the condensation drain line. Once the injection sequence is completed, the timer is restarted, in step 350. The process then reverts back to step 330 to begin the next sequence.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The systems and methods described herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.

Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this disclosure. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this disclosure.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

It should be noted that all features, elements, components, functions, and steps described with respect to any embodiment provided herein are intended to be freely combinable and substitutable with those from any other embodiment. If a certain feature, element, component, function, or step is described with respect to only one embodiment, then it should be understood that that feature, element, component, function, or step can be used with every other embodiment described herein unless explicitly stated otherwise. This paragraph therefore serves as antecedent basis and written support for the introduction of claims, at any time, that combine features, elements, components, functions, and steps from different embodiments, or that substitute features, elements, components, functions, and steps from one embodiment with those of another, even if the description does not explicitly state, in a particular instance, that such combinations or substitutions are possible. It is explicitly acknowledged that express recitation of every possible combination and substitution is overly burdensome, especially given that the permissibility of each and every such combination and substitution will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

In many instances entities are described herein as being coupled to other entities. It should be understood that the terms “coupled” and “connected” (or any of their forms) are used interchangeably herein and, in both cases, are generic to the direct coupling of two entities (without any non-negligible (e.g., parasitic intervening entities) and the indirect coupling of two entities (with one or more non-negligible intervening entities). Where entities are shown as being directly coupled together or described as coupled together without description of any intervening entity, it should be understood that those entities can be indirectly coupled together as well unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

While the embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that these embodiments are not to be limited to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, these embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit of the disclosure. Furthermore, any features, functions, steps, or elements of the embodiments may be recited in or added to the claims, as well as negative limitations that define the inventive scope of the claims by features, functions, steps, or elements that are not within that scope.

An equivalent substitution of two or more elements can be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element can be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims.