CONDENSATION PREVENTION SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USE

• US 20090014548A1
• Filed: 07/10/2007
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vertiv Corporation (Vertiv Holdings Co.)
• Original Assignee: Liebert Corporation (Vertiv Holdings Co.)
• Inventors: HARVEY, Thomas E., DUKES, David A., CRISS, Karl M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,886,983 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/44.C
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/22 Means for preventing condensation or evacuating condensate
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2013/221 to avoid the formation of condensate, e.g. dew
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0212 Condensation eliminators
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0213 Venting apertures; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20 Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating

Abstract

A method of preventing condensation on equipment inside a temperature-controlled enclosure comprises measuring the temperature in at least one location inside the enclosure. The temperature inside the enclosure is compared with a safe temperature, at which the risk of condensation is reduced. The temperature inside the enclosure is increased until the safe temperature is achieved. A user is then notified that it is safe to access the enclosure.

Claims

1. A method of preventing condensation on equipment within a temperature-controlled enclosure, comprising:

determining temperature in at least one location inside the enclosure;

comparing the temperature inside the enclosure to a target temperature; and

increasing the temperature inside the enclosure to the target temperature.

2. The method of claim 1, in which the target temperature has a value equal to the ambient dewpoint outside the enclosure plus a dewpoint margin.

3. The method of claim 2, in which the dewpoint margin is between 1°

and 4°

Fahrenheit.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a request from a user seeking to access the enclosure.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying a user when it is safe to access the enclosure.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying a user when it is not safe to access the enclosure.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing a selected amount of time to pass before notifying the user that it is safe to access the enclosure, after the air temperature inside the enclosure reaches the safe temperature.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising returning the temperature inside the enclosure to a default temperature after the enclosure is closed.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising waiting a selected amount of time after the enclosure is closed before returning the temperature inside the enclosure to the default temperature.

10. A method of preventing condensation on equipment within a temperature-controlled enclosure, comprising:

detecting that an access to the enclosure is open;

determining the temperature in at least one location inside the enclosure;

comparing the temperature inside the enclosure to a safe temperature; and

increasing the temperature inside the enclosure to the safe temperature.

11. The method of claim 10, in which the safe temperature has a value equal to the ambient dewpoint outside the enclosure plus a dewpoint margin.

12. The method of claim 11, in which the dewpoint margin is between 1°

and 4°

Fahrenheit.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising returning the temperature inside the enclosure to a default temperature after the enclosure is closed.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising waiting a selected amount of time after the enclosure is closed before returning the temperature inside the enclosure to the default temperature.

15. A system for preventing condensation on equipment within a temperature-controlled enclosure, the system comprising:

at least one temperature sensor inside the enclosure;

at least one temperature sensor outside the enclosure;

at least one humidity sensor outside the enclosure;

a control system for regulating the temperature inside the enclosure; and

a control panel for receiving input from a user and for displaying information about the status of the system.