Condensation management system, a furnace including the same and a condensation collection box

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9878404-B2
Application number	US-83461110-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 12, 2010
Priority date	Jan 15, 2010
Publication date	Jan 30, 2018
Grant date	Jan 30, 2018

Abstract

A condensation management system, a furnace having the condensation management system and a cold end header box employable in the condensation management system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the condensation management system includes: (1) a first drain hose positioned to drain flue condensation from a flue pipe of the furnace, (2) a second drain hose positioned to drain the flue condensation from the flue pipe and (3) a condensation collector box configured to collect both the flue condensation and combustion condensation from a heat exchanger of the furnace, the condensation collector box including at least one drain for draining both the flue condensation and the combustion condensation therefrom.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A condensation management system for a furnace, comprising:
a cold end header box comprising first and second drain ports;
a first drain hose positioned to drain flue condensation from a flue pipe of said furnace directly to the first drain port of said cold end header box; and
a second drain hose positioned to drain said flue condensation from said flue pipe directly to the second drain port of said cold end header box;
wherein:
said cold end header box is configured to collect both said flue condensation, from said first and second drain hoses, and combustion condensation, from a heat exchanger of said furnace,
said cold end header box including first and second drains for draining both said flue condensation and said combustion condensation therefrom, wherein the first drain is operable in upflow and left horizontal positions and the second drain is operable in upflow and right horizontal positions, and wherein the first and second drains are operable to direct condensation in opposite directions;
said first and second drain hoses extend from the flue pipe to a common edge of the cold end header box, the second drain hose angled diagonally away from the first drain hose; and
the flue pipe is functional in upflow, left horizontal, and right horizontal positions.

2. The condensation management system as recited in claim 1 wherein said cold end header box includes two drains, wherein said two drains are positioned to allow drainage, of both said flue condensation and said combustion condensation, from said cold end header box through at least one of said two drains in multiple installation positions of said furnace.

3. The condensation management system as recited in claim 1 wherein both said first and said second drain hoses are positioned to drain said flue condensation when said furnace is installed in an upflow position.

4. The condensation management system as recited in claim 1 wherein only one of said first drain hose or said second drain hose is positioned to drain said flue condensation when said furnace is installed in a horizontal position.

5. The condensation management system as recited in claim 1 wherein said cold end header box includes a first and a second drain port, wherein said first drain hose is coupled to said first drain port and said second drain hose is coupled to said second drain port.

6. The condensation management system as recited in claim 5 wherein said first and said second drain ports include a flow restriction orifice configured to reduce gas from said flue from entering said cold end header box.

7. The condensation management system as recited in claim 5 wherein said first drain port extends from said first drain.

8. The condensation management system as recited in claim 5 wherein said second drain port extends from a front of said cold end header box.

9. The condensation management system as recited in claim 1 wherein said cold end header box includes positive and negative pressure channels, each pressure channel having an open end.

10. A furnace, comprising:
a heat exchanger;
a combustion air inducer configured to generate air flow through said heat exchanger;
a flue pipe configured to vent gas from said furnace; and
a condensation management system including:
a cold end header box comprising first and second drain ports;
a first drain hose positioned to drain flue condensation from said flue pipe directly to the first drain port of said cold end header box; and
a second drain hose positioned to drain said flue condensation directly to the second drain port of said cold end header box;
wherein:
said cold end header box is configured to collect both said flue condensation, from said first and second drain hoses, and combustion condensation, from said heat exchanger,
said cold end header box including first and second drains for draining both said flue condensation and said combustion condensation therefrom, wherein the first drain is operable in upflow and left horizontal positions and the second drain is operable in upflow and right horizontal positions, and wherein the first and second drains are operable to direct condensation in opposite directions;
only one of said first drain hose or said second drain hose is positioned to drain said flue condensation when said furnace is installed in either horizontal position; and

the flue pipe is functional in upflow, left horizontal, and right horizontal positions.

11. The furnace as recited in claim 10 wherein said cold end header box includes only two drains, wherein said two drains are positioned to allow drainage, of both said flue condensation and said combustion condensation, from said cold end header box through at least one of said two drains in multiple installation positions of said furnace.

12. The furnace as recited in claim 10 wherein both said first and said second drain hoses are positioned to drain said flue condensation when said furnace is installed in an upflow position.

13. The furnace as recited in claim 10 wherein said cold end header box includes positive and negative pressure channels, each pressure channel having an open end.

14. The furnace as recited in claim 10 wherein said cold end header box includes a first and a second drain port, wherein said first drain hose is coupled to said first drain port and said second drain hose is coupled to said second drain port.

15. The furnace as recited in claim 14 wherein said first and said second drain ports include a flow restriction orifice configured to reduce gas from said flue from entering said cold end header box.

16. The furnace as recited in claim 14 wherein said first drain port extends from said first drain.

17. The furnace as recited in claim 14 wherein said second drain port extends from a front of said cold end header box.

18. The furnace as recited in claim 10 further comprising a flue collar coupled to said flue pipe and including drainage export ports couplable to said first and second drain hoses.

19. A cold end header box for use with a furnace, comprising:
a front having a support collar operable to support a combustion air inducer, the support collar surrounding a negative channel supply port, a positive channel supply port, and a fixed orifice configured to regulate gas flow through a heat exchanger of said furnace, the front further comprising a negative pressure port and a positive pressure port, said front coupled to first, second, third and fourth sides that extend from said front in a first direction;
a first drain coupled to said first side at an opening thereof located proximate said second side, said first drain extending from said first side along an axis parallel with said second and third sides;
a second drain coupled to said fourth side at an opening thereof located proximate said second side, said second drain extending from said fourth side along said axis parallel with said second and third sides;
a first drain port coupled to said front proximate said second side;
a second drain port coupled to said first drain, wherein said first drain port and said second drain port extend in a second direction that is generally opposite said first direction and are positioned to receive flue condensation directly from a flue pipe of said furnace; and
a back opposing the front and comprising;
a positive pressure channel comprising an inlet end coupled to the positive channel supply port and further comprising a pressure reference inlet end, the positive pressure channel coupled to the positive pressure p

Assignees

• Gedcke Jeff P
• Joyner Jr George L
• Kowald Glenn W
• Paller Hans J
• Lennox Ind Inc

Inventors

• Gedcke Jeff P
• Joyner Jr George L
• Kowald Glenn W
• Paller Hans J

Classifications

• Y10T29/49

  Method of mechanical manufacture · CPC title

• Y10T29/49348

  Burner, torch or metallurgical lance making · CPC title

• F24H8/006

  Means for removing condensate from the heater · CPC title

• F25D21/14

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

• Y10T29/49389

  Header or manifold making · CPC title