Dehumidifier for water damaged electronic devices

• US 20100122470A1
• Filed: 07/07/2009
• Published: 05/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bradley C. Davis, Gregory Montgomery
• Original Assignee: Bradley C. Davis, Gregory Montgomery
• Inventors: Montgomery, Gregory, Davis, Bradley C.
• Application Number:
  US12/459,700
• Publication Number:
  US 20100122470A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 34/472
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 21/083 by using sorbent or hygroscopic materials, e.g. chemical substances, molecular sieves
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 9/003 Small self-contained devices, e.g. portable

Abstract

A dehumidifier is used for restoring a water damaged electronic device. The dehumidifier comprises a sealable watertight container having a wall with an inside surface. The container has an interior chamber, and an open end. The open end has a releasable seal. The wall has an anti-static property, which prevents electrostatic charges from damaging the electronic device.

The wall is a moisture barrier. The interior chamber is large enough to receive the electronic device. A desiccant material is placed within a water vapor-permeable enclosure, which is disposed within the interior chamber. The desiccant material is a hydrophilic material such as silica gel, calcium carbonate, molecular sieve, activated clay, or alumina. The container wall is generally transparent. A humidity indicator is placed within the interior chamber.

An optional heater is placed within the interior chamber.

Claims

1. A dehumidifier for a water damaged electronic device, comprising:

a sealable watertight container having a wall with a wall inside surface, an interior chamber, and an open end, the open end having a releasable seal, the wall having an anti-static property, the wall being a moisture barrier, the interior chamber being adapted to receive the electronic device; and

a desiccant material disposed within the interior chamber.

2. The dehumidifier of claim 1, further comprising:

a water vapor-permeable enclosure received within the interior chamber; and

the desiccant material being disposed within the water vapor-permeable enclosure.

3. The dehumidifier of claim 1, wherein the desiccant material is coated onto the wall inside surface.

4. The dehumidifier of claim 1, wherein the desiccant material is a hydrophilic material selected from the group consisting of:

silica gel, calcium carbonate, molecular sieve, activated clay, and alumina.

5. The dehumidifier of claim 1, further comprising:

the container wall being generally transparent; and

a humidity indicator received within the interior chamber.

6. The dehumidifier of claim 1, further comprising an electrical heater disposed within the interior chamber.

7. The dehumidifier of claim 1, further comprising an exothermic chemical heater disposed within the interior chamber.

8. A method for dehumidifying a water damaged electronic device, the method comprising the steps of:

inserting the electronic device into a sealable watertight container;

sealing the watertight container with a releasable seal;

providing a wall of the container with an anti-static property;

protecting the electronic device from an electrostatic discharge with the anti-static property;

providing the wall of the container with a moisture barrier;

disposing a desiccant material within the container; and

drying the electronic device with the desiccant material.

9. The dehumidifying method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a water vapor-permeable enclosure within the container; and

disposing the desiccant material within the water vapor-permeable enclosure.

10. The dehumidifying method of claim 8, further comprising the step of coating the desiccant material onto an inside surface of the wall.

11. The dehumidifying method of claim 8, further comprising the step of selecting the desiccant material from the group of hydrophilic materials consisting of:

silica gel, calcium carbonate, molecular sieve, activated clay, and alumina.

12. The dehumidifying method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

removing a battery from the electronic device prior to inserting the electronic device into the container; and

removing contaminants by washing the electronic device prior to inserting the electronic device into the container.

13. The dehumidifying method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

providing general transparency to the container wall; and

receiving a humidity indicator within the container.

14. The dehumidifying method of claim 8, further comprising the step of disposing an electrical heater within the container.

15. The dehumidifying method of claim 8, further comprising the step of disposing an exothermic chemical heater within the container.

16. A method for dehumidifying a water damaged electronic device, the method comprising the steps of:

removing a battery from the electronic device;

removing contaminants by washing the electronic device;

inserting the electronic device into a sealable watertight container;

sealing the watertight container with a releasable seal;

providing a wall of the container with an anti-static property;

protecting the electronic device from an electrostatic discharge with the anti-static property;

providing the wall of the container with a moisture barrier;

receiving a water vapor-permeable enclosure within the container;

disposing a desiccant material within the water vapor-permeable enclosure; and

drying the electronic device with the desiccant material.

17. The dehumidifying method of claim 16, further comprising the step of selecting the desiccant material from the group of hydrophilic materials consisting of:

silica gel, calcium carbonate, molecular sieve, activated clay, and alumina.

18. The dehumidifying method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of:

providing general transparency to the container wall; and

receiving a humidity indicator within the container.

19. The dehumidifying method of claim 16, further comprising the step of disposing an electrical heater within the container.

20. The dehumidifying method of claim 16, further comprising the step of disposing an exothermic chemical heater within the container.