CONDENSATION PREVENTION SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USE

• US 20110101118A1
• Filed: 01/06/2011
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Liebert Corporation (Vertiv Holdings Co.)
• Original Assignee: Liebert Corporation (Vertiv Holdings Co.)
• Inventors: HARVEY, Thomas E., DUKES, David A., CRISS, Karl M.
• Application Number:
  US12/986,035
• Publication Number:
  US 20110101118A1
• 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 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 calculating an ambient dewpoint outside the enclosure and 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.

2. A system of claim 1 wherein the control system is programmed to:

determine temperature in at least one location inside the enclosure;

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

increase the temperature inside the enclosure to the target temperature.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the target temperature is equal to the ambient dewpoint outside the enclosure.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the target temperature is greater than the ambient dewpoint outside the enclosure.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the target temperature is equal to the ambient dewpoint outside the enclosure plus a marginal dewpoint.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the marginal dewpoint is between 1°

and 4°

Fahrenheit.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system is programmed to notify a user when it is safe to access the enclosure.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system is programmed to notify a user when it is not safe to access the enclosure.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system is programmed to allow 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 a safe temperature.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system is programmed to return the temperature inside the enclosure to a default temperature after the enclosure is closed.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the control system is further programmed to wait a selected amount of time after the enclosure is closed before returning the temperature inside the enclosure to the default temperature.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system is programmed to:

detect that an access to the enclosure is open;

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

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

increase the temperature inside the enclosure to the safe temperature.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the safe temperature is equal to the ambient dewpoint outside the enclosure.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the safe temperature is greater than the ambient dewpoint outside the enclosure.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the safe temperature has a value equal to the ambient dewpoint outside the enclosure plus a marginal dewpoint.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the marginal dewpoint is between 1°

and 4°

Fahrenheit.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the control system is further programmed to return the temperature inside the enclosure to a default temperature after the enclosure is closed.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the control system is further programmed to wait a selected amount of time after the enclosure is closed before returning the temperature inside the enclosure to the default temperature.