Devices and methods for sensing condensation conditions and for removing condensation from surfaces

• US 6,470,696 B1
• Filed: 09/18/2001
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Integrity Engineering Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Don A. Skomsky, Valerie Palfy
• Inventors: Skomsky, Don A., Palfy, Valerie
• Primary Examiner(s): JIANG, CHEN WEN
• Application Number:
  US09/953,891
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 621/40, 62/34, 621/50, 622/39, 622/72, 152/500.5, 126/271.1, 219/507, 219/508, 219/509, 219/203, 219/494, 219/497, 236/91.C, 165/202, 165/222, 165/223
• US Class Current: 62/140
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/245 using means for heating, e.g. electric heating of the visor
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00785 by the detection of humidity or frost
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2013/221 to avoid the formation of condensate, e.g. dew
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/20 Humidity
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 21/02 using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 47/006 for preventing frost
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 21/02 Detecting the presence of frost or condensate
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 21/04 Preventing the formation of frost or condensate
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 25/56 by investigating moisture content
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 25/68 by varying the temperature of a condensing surface
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 22/02 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 27/02 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 1/0236 for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/035 Electrical circuits used in resistive heating apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/84 Heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas, e.g. for demisting or de-icing windows, mirrors or vehicle windshields

Abstract

In a device and method for sensing condensation conditions and for removing such condensation from a surface, a first thermal sensor is in thermally conductive contact with the surface. A second thermal sensor is in thermally conductive contact with a cooling device. A circuit activates the cooling device in order to maintain the second thermal sensor at a temperature that is lower than a temperature of the first thermal sensor. A humidity sensor is in thermally conductive contact with the cooling device. A circuit causes a condensation removal mechanism to be activated for removing liquid from the surface when the humidity sensor indicates a presence of condensation at the temperature that is lower than the temperature of the first thermal sensor.

Claims

1. A device that senses condensation conditions and removes condensation having a given physical state from a surface, comprising:

a first thermal sensor in thermally conductive contact with the surface;

a second thermal sensor in thermally conductive contact with a cooling device;

a circuit configured to activate the cooling device in order to maintain the second thermal sensor at a temperature that is lower than a temperature of the first thermal sensor;

a humidity sensor in thermally conductive contact with the cooling device;

a condensation removal mechanism configured to remove condensation having the given physical state from the surface; and

a circuit configured to cause the condensation removal mechanism to be activated when the humidity sensor indicates a presence of condensation at the temperature that is lower than the temperature of the first thermal sensor.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the given physical state is a liquid state.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the surface is a windscreen.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the surface is a windscreen of a vehicle.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the surface is a helmet visor.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the surface is a computer monitor screen.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the surface is a window.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the surface is an enclosure for electronic equipment.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the first and second thermal sensors are thermocouples.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the first thermal sensor is in actual physical contact with the surface.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the first thermal sensor is affixed to the surface.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the first thermal sensor is embedded within the surface.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the second thermal sensor is in actual physical contact with the cooling device.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the cooling device is a thermoelectric cooler.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein the humidity sensor is a capacitive sensor.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the condensation removal mechanism is a hot-side face of the thermoelectric cooler.

17. The device of claim 1 wherein the humidity sensor is in actual physical contact with the second thermal sensor, which is in turn in actual physical contact with the cooling device.

18. The device of claim 1 wherein the condensation removal mechanism comprises a fan.

19. The device of claim 1 wherein the condensation removal mechanism comprises a heating mechanism.

20. The device of claim 1 wherein the condensation removal mechanism comprises a mechanism configured to divert an airstream through a duct having a heating mechanism contained therein.

21. The device of claim 1 wherein the condensation removal mechanism comprises an infrared source.

22. The device of claim 1 wherein the circuit configured to activate the cooling device maintains the second thermal sensor at a temperature that is lower than a temperature of the first thermal sensor by a predetermined amount.

23. The device of claim 1 wherein the circuit configured to cause the condensation removal mechanism to be activated is configured to directly activate the condensation removal mechanism.

24. A method of sensing condensation conditions and removing condensation having a given physical state from a surface having a first thermal sensor in thermally conductive contact therewith, comprising:

activating a cooling device in order to maintain a second thermal sensor in thermally conductive contact therewith at a temperature that is lower than a temperature of the first thermal sensor; and

causing a condensation removal mechanism to be activated in order to remove condensation having the given physical state from the surface when a humidity sensor in thermally conductive contact with the cooling device indicates a presence of condensation at the temperature that is lower than the temperature of the first thermal sensor.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the given physical state is a liquid state.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein the surface is a windscreen.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein the humidity sensor is a capacitive sensor.

28. The method of claim 24 wherein the cooling device maintains the second thermal sensor at a temperature that is lower than a temperature of the first thermal sensor by a predetermined amount.