Condensate management system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11333393-B2
Application number	US-201716466179-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 29, 2017
Priority date	Dec 5, 2016
Publication date	May 17, 2022
Grant date	May 17, 2022

Abstract

A condensation management system includes an elongated flexible film configured to be stretched under tension between a first film support and a second film support. The film includes first and second ends that extend laterally across a width of the film. The film includes first and second sides that extend longitudinally between the first and second film ends. The film has a concave surface and an opposing convex surface extending between the first and second sides of the film. Microchannels are disposed in at least one of the concave surface and the convex surface. The microchannels induce a predetermined radius of curvature in the concave and convex surfaces of the film when the film is stretched longitudinally between the first and second film supports.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A condensation management system comprising:
a first film support;
a second curved film support separated from the first support by a distance;
an elongated flexible film stretched between the first support and a second support, the film comprising:
a first end extending laterally across the film, the first end supported by the first support;
a second end extending laterally across the film, the second end supported by the second support;
first and second sides extending longitudinally between the first and second ends;
a concave surface extending between the first and second sides;
an opposing convex surface extending between the first and second sides;
wherein the sides of the film are unsupported other than by the first support and the second support.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:
the first film support has a curved attachment surface to which the first end of the film is attached; and
the second film support has a curved attachment surface to which the second end of the film is attached.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein a lateral stiffness of the film is less than a longitudinal stiffness of the film.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising microchannels disposed in at least one of the concave surface and the convex surfaces of the film, the microchannels configured to induce a predetermined radius of curvature in the concave and convex surfaces.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the microchannels are capillary channels configured to wick fluid against the force of gravity.

6. A condensation management device comprising
an attachment portion comprising a curved attachment surface;
an elongated flexible film;
a film retainer configured to attach an end of the elongated flexible film to the curved attachment surface, the curved attachment surface configured to impart a curve to the flexible film, the curved attachment surface and film retainer configured to operate together to secure the flexible film such that the film extends away from the attachment portion under tension; and
a mounting portion mechanically coupled to the attachment portion and configured to mount the condensation management device relative to a condensate forming surface in an orientation so that condensate that forms on the condensate forming surface falls onto a concave surface of the film.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the curved attachment surface comprises one or more condensate drain notches configured to allow the condensate to drain from the film.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein:
the condensate forming surface is a surface of a pipe; and
the mounting portion is configured to at least partially encircle the pipe.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein the film retainer comprises a strap that at least partially encircles the curved surface.

10. The device of claim 6 wherein the curved attachment surface has a radius of curvature between about 3 cm to about 10 cm.

11. The device of claim 6 wherein the condensation management device includes a mechanism configured to facilitate replacement of the film, the replacement mechanism comprising:
a supply roll that holds a quantity of the film;

a waste roll, wherein rotation of the waste roll draws clean film from the supply roll while storing used film onto the waste roll.

12. The device of claim 6 , wherein the elongated flexible film comprises microchannels disposed on the concave surface of the film.

13. The device of claim 6 , wherein the film comprises at least one of polyethelyne, polypropylene, polyester, co-polyester, and polyurethane.

Assignees

• 3M Innovative Properties Co

Inventors

• Halverson Kurt J
• Swanson Steven P

Classifications

• F16T1/00 Primary

  Steam traps or like apparatus for draining-off liquids from enclosures predominantly containing gases or vapours, e.g. gas lines, steam lines, containers · CPC title

• F25D21/14

  Collecting or removing condensed and defrost water; Drip trays · CPC title

• F24F13/222 Primary

  for evacuating condensate · CPC title

• F24F2013/227

  Condensate pipe for drainage of condensate from the evaporator · CPC title

• C08J5/18

  Manufacture of films or sheets · CPC title