Self-sustaining environmental control unit

• US 20050128689A1
• Filed: 01/12/2005
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Vos, David L., Caci, J. Claude
• Granted Patent: US 7,272,468 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.20
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04007 related to heat exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0432 Temperature; Ambient temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0438 Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04492 Humidity; Ambient humidity; Water content
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04723 of the coolant
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0494 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04947 of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2475 Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/249 comprising two or more groupings of fuel cells, e.g. modular assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20836 Thermal management, e.g. server temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A method and apparatus for housing an electronic device are provided. The apparatus includes an environmentally sealed chamber to protect the electronic device from harsh environments. The environmental conditions of the chamber are controllable using environmental controls which are controlled by digital processor with a stored program coupled with sensors. The digital processor may also control the application of power from an external interface. The apparatus also includes a self-contained power source running from a primary fuel. A control system is provided for managing power production and energy storage to maintain continuity of environmental conditions.

Claims

1. An apparatus for housing an electronic device, comprising:

an environmentally sealed chamber having environmental conditions therein, wherein the chamber is adapted to receive the device;

environmental controls that control the environmental conditions; and

a self-contained power source adapted to generate power for controlling the environmental controls.