US 12,480,685 B2
Shield for HVAC drain pan
Stephen C. Szczepanski, Wichita, KS (US); Debra S. Yates, Wichita, KS (US); Elmer Wayne Romero, Oxford, KS (US); Cole Brennan Morrow, Derby, KS (US); Johnny Huang, Wichita, KS (US); and Xianjin Cheng, Andover, KS (US)
Assigned to Johnson Controls Light Commerical IP GmbH, Schaffhausen (CH)
Filed by Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP, Milwaukee, WI (US)
Filed on Apr. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/732,198.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/182,274, filed on Apr. 30, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0349617 A1, Nov. 3, 2022
Int. Cl. F24F 13/22 (2006.01); F24F 13/20 (2006.01); F24F 13/30 (2006.01)
CPC F24F 13/222 (2013.01) [F24F 13/20 (2013.01); F24F 13/30 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A drain pan for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:
a trough defining a flow path, wherein the trough is configured to direct condensate along the flow path;
a base surface within the trough, wherein the base surface is configured to direct the condensate along the flow path;
an interior wall and a shelf cooperatively defining the trough, wherein the interior wall defines a first channel extending transverse to the flow path, and wherein the shelf comprises a surface angled toward the base surface and the shelf defines a second channel extending transverse to the flow path;
a shield disposed within the trough, wherein the shield comprises:
a body extending across the trough from the interior wall to the shelf, and the body extends within the first channel and the second channel; and
a gate coupled to the body; and
a notch formed in an edge of the shield and positioned in the flow path to enable flow of the condensate along the flow path and through the notch, wherein the edge of the shield abuts the base surface of the trough, the notch extends from the edge into the body of the shield, and the gate is movable relative to the body to adjust an overlap with the notch and adjust the flow of the condensate through the notch.