Devices and methods for sensing condensation conditions and for preventing and removing condensation from surfaces
First Claim
1. A device that determines condensation conditions and suppresses 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 an environment separated from the surface;
a humidity sensor in the environment of the second thermal sensor;
a condensation suppression mechanism configured to suppress condensation having the given physical state from the surface; and
a circuit configured to cause the condensation suppression mechanism to be activated when a temperature sensed by the first thermal sensor, a temperature sensed by the second thermal sensor, and a humidity sensed by the humidity sensor indicate that a condensation condition requires suppression at the surface;
wherein the environment of the second thermal sensor is an ambient space with respect to the surface, and the second thermal sensor is positioned at a sufficient distance from the surface in the ambient space such that the ambient space precludes thermal transfer between the surface and the second thermal sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device and method is provided for sensing or predicting when condensation having a given physical state is present or imminent and for suppressing such condensation from a surface, such as a vehicle windscreen, eyewear, goggles, helmet visor, computer monitor screen, window, electronic equipment, etc, by preventing or removing it. A first thermal sensor is in thermally conductive contact with the surface. A second thermal sensor is in an environment separated from the surface. A humidity sensor is in the environment of the second thermal sensor. A circuit causes a condensation suppression mechanism to be activated for preventing or removing condensation having the given physical state from the surface when a temperature sensed by the first thermal sensor, a temperature sensed by the second thermal sensor, and a humidity sensed by the humidity sensor indicate that a condensation condition is either present or imminent and requires prevention or removal at the surface.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. A device that determines condensation conditions and suppresses 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 an environment separated from the surface;
a humidity sensor in the environment of the second thermal sensor;
a condensation suppression mechanism configured to suppress condensation having the given physical state from the surface; and
a circuit configured to cause the condensation suppression mechanism to be activated when a temperature sensed by the first thermal sensor, a temperature sensed by the second thermal sensor, and a humidity sensed by the humidity sensor indicate that a condensation condition requires suppression at the surface;
wherein the environment of the second thermal sensor is an ambient space with respect to the surface, and the second thermal sensor is positioned at a sufficient distance from the surface in the ambient space such that the ambient space precludes thermal transfer between the surface and the second 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, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A device that determines condensation conditions and suppresses 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 an environment separated from the surface, the environment being an ambient space with respect to the surface;
a humidity sensor in the environment of the second thermal sensor;
a condensation suppression mechanism configured to suppress condensation having the given physical state from the surface;
a circuit configured to cause the condensation suppression mechanism to be activated when a temperature sensed by the first thermal sensor, a temperature sensed by the second thermal sensor, and a humidity sensed by the humidity sensor indicate that a condensation condition requires suppression at the surface; and
a protective enclosure enclosing at least the humidity sensor in close proximity to the humidity sensor, the protective enclosure protecting the humidity sensor from exposure to liquid water. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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35. A method of determining condensation conditions and suppressing condensation having a given physical state from a surface having a first thermal sensor in thermally conductive contact therewith, comprising:
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sensing a temperature using the first thermal sensor;
sensing a temperature using a second thermal sensor in an environment separated from the surface;
sensing humidity using a humidity sensor in the environment of the second thermal sensor;
causing a condensation suppression mechanism to be activated in order to suppress condensation having the given physical state from the surface when the temperature sensed by the first thermal sensor, the temperature sensed by the second thermal sensor, and the humidity sensed by the humidity sensor indicate that a condensation condition requires suppression at the surface;
wherein the environment of the second thermal sensor is an ambient space with respect to the surface, and the second thermal sensor is positioned at a sufficient distance from the surface in the ambient space such that the ambient space precludes thermal transfer between the surface and the second thermal sensor. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification