Systems and methods for weatherproof cabinets with multiple compartment cooling

• US 20040007347A1
• Filed: 07/11/2002
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Commscope Inc of North Carolina (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Commscope Solutions Properties LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stoller, Harry R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,889,752 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/47
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/206 Air circulating in closed loop within cabinets wherein heat is removed through air-to-air heat-exchanger

Abstract

Systems and methods for weatherproof cabinets with multiple compartment cooling are provided. One such embodiment includes a housing in which an electronics compartment, a battery compartment, an internal fan, and an external fan are disposed. A door is attached to the housing, and a heat exchanging device is disposed within the cabinet. Methods are also provided.

Claims

1. A weatherproof cabinet with multiple compartment cooling, comprising:

a housing having at least a top wall, a bottom wall, a left wall, a right wall, and a rear wall, wherein at least one of said walls includes at least one vent;

an electronics compartment disposed within said housing;

a battery compartment disposed within said housing;

a door at least partially attached to said housing, wherein said door provides a front wall for at least part of said housing and said door includes at least one vent;

a heat exchanging device mounted to said cabinet; and

an internal fan and an external fan disposed within said cabinet.

2. The weatherproof cabinet of claim 1, wherein:

said heat exchanging device comprises at least an external duct, an internal duct, and a heat exchanging core disposed at least partially between said ducts, wherein said external duct includes at least one opening to said battery compartment for the through-flow of air;

said external fan is configured to circulate air through said external duct; and

said internal fan is configured to circulate air through said internal duct and said electronics compartment.

3. The weatherproof cabinet of claim 2, wherein:

said heat exchanging device is mounted to said door;

said door includes a lower vent and an upper vent that provide external openings to said external duct of said heat exchanging device; and

said rear wall of said housing includes a rear vent that provides an external opening to said battery compartment.

4. The weatherproof cabinet of claim 3, wherein said external fan is configured to cause the flow of air through said lower vent into said external duct, across said heat exchanging core, through said upper vent, through said opening of said external duct to said battery compartment, through said battery compartment, and through said rear vent.

5. The weatherproof cabinet of claim 3, wherein said external fan is at least partially disposed within said external duct.

6. The weatherproof cabinet of claim 3, wherein said door provides a front wall to said housing including said electronics compartment and said battery compartment.

7. The weatherproof cabinet of claim 3, wherein said door provides a front wall to said electronics compartment, and further comprising a lower panel to provide a front wall for said battery compartment, wherein said lower panel includes at least one opening that aligns with said opening of said external duct for the through-flow of air.

8. The weatherproof cabinet of claim 3, wherein said door provides a front wall to said electronics compartment, and further comprising a lower panel to provide a front wall for said battery compartment, wherein said battery compartment includes at least one opening in gaseous communication with said opening of said external duct.

9. The weatherproof cabinet of claim 8, wherein said opening of said external duct and said opening of said battery compartment are connected by a flexible tubing for the through-flow of air between said external duct and said battery compartment.

10. The weatherproof cabinet of claim 3, further comprising at least one internal wall disposed within said electronics compartment, wherein said internal wall directs the circulation of air within said electronics compartment.

11. The weatherproof cabinet of claim 3, further comprising a cable entrance compartment disposed within said housing, wherein said cable entrance compartment includes at least one opening for the routing of cables into said cabinet.

12. The weatherproof cabinet of claim 2, wherein:

said heat exchanging device is mounted to said rear wall of said housing;

said rear wall of said housing includes a lower vent and an upper vent that provide an external opening to said external duct of said heat exchanging device; and

said door includes a front vent that provides an external opening to said battery compartment.

13. The weatherproof cabinet of claim 12, wherein said external fan is configured to cause the flow of air through said lower vent into said external duct, across said heat exchanging core, through said upper vent, through said opening of said external duct to said battery compartment, through said battery compartment, and through said front vent.

14. The weatherproof cabinet of claim 12, wherein said external fan is at least partially disposed within said external duct.

15. The weatherproof cabinet of claim 12, wherein said door provides a front wall to said housing including said electronics compartment and said battery compartment.

16. The weatherproof cabinet of claim 12, further comprising at least one internal wall disposed within said electronics compartment, wherein said internal wall directs the circulation of air within said electronics compartment.

17. The weatherproof cabinet of claim 12, further comprising a cable entrance compartment disposed within said housing, wherein said cable entrance compartment includes at least one opening for the routing of cables into said cabinet.

18. The weatherproof cabinet of claim 1, wherein said rear wall is at least partially provided by a second door at least partially attached to said housing.

19. A method for cooling multiple compartments of a weatherproof cabinet, comprising:

providing a weatherproof cabinet having at least a housing;

a door; and

an electronics compartment, a battery compartment, and a heat exchanging device disposed within said cabinet;

transferring heat from said electronics compartment to said heat exchanging device;

transferring heat from said heat exchanging device to outside of said cabinet; and

transferring heat from said battery compartment to outside of said cabinet.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said transferring of heat from said electronics compartment comprises transferring heat from equipment disposed within said electronics compartment to said heat exchanging device by circulating internal air within said electronics compartment and through said heat exchanging device.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said transferring of heat from said heat exchanging device to outside of said cabinet comprises causing external air to flow into said heat exchanging device, and causing said external air to flow out of said heat exchanging device.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein said transferring of heat from said battery compartment to outside of said cabinet comprises:

causing external air to flow into said heat exchanging device;

causing said external air to at least partially flow into said battery compartment; and

causing said external air to flow out of said battery compartment.