Devices and methods for sensing condensation conditions and for removing condensation from surfaces
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
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.
87 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A device that senses condensation conditions and removes condensation having a given physical state from a surface, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification