Self-sustaining environmental control unit

• US 7,272,468 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2005
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Vos, David L., Caci, J. Claude
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard; Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Garland; Steven R.
• Application Number:
  US11/034,524
• Publication Number:
  US 20050128689A1
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 700/276, 361/679, 361/600, 361/688, 361/686, 361/680, 361/687, 361/695, 361/691, 165/104, 165/33, 206/576, 235/400
• US Class Current: 700/276
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04007 related to heat exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0432 Temperature; Ambient temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0438 Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04492 Humidity; Ambient humidity; Water content
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04723 of the coolant
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0494 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04947 of auxiliary devices, e.g. batteries, capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2475 Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/249 comprising two or more groupings of fuel cells, e.g. modular assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20836 Thermal management, e.g. server temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A method and apparatus for housing an electronic device are provided. The apparatus includes an environmentally sealed chamber to protect the electronic device from harsh environments. The environmental conditions of the chamber are controllable using environmental controls which are controlled by digital processor with a stored program coupled with sensors. The digital processor may also control the application of power from an external interface. The apparatus also includes a self-contained power source running from a primary fuel. A control system is provided for managing power production and energy storage to maintain continuity of environmental conditions.

Claims

1. A portable apparatus for housing an electronic device, comprising:

an environmentally sealed chamber having environmental conditions therein, wherein the chamber is adapted to receive the device;

environmental controls that control the environmental conditions;

at least two different types of self-contained power sources, each of which is adapted to generate power for operating the device; and

a digital controller for monitoring the environmental conditions of the chamber and for selectively activating and deactivating the environmental controls to control the environmental conditions, wherein the digital controller is configured to regulate power generated by at least one of the self-contained power sources.

2. The portable apparatus for housing the electronic device, as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least two different types of self-contained power sources include a fuel cell and at least one of a wind turbine and solar panels.

3. The portable apparatus for housing the electronic device, as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least two different types of self-contained power sources include at least one of a permeable exchange fuel cell, a solid oxide fuel cell and a direct methanol fuel cell.

4. The portable apparatus for housing the electronic device, as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least two different types of self-contained power sources are direct current devices having low electromagnetic radiation.

5. The portable apparatus for housing the electronic device, as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least two different types of self-contained power sources cooperate to generate power for operating the device by collectively supplying a steady supply of electric power to the electronic device.

6. A portable apparatus for housing an electronic device, comprising:

an environmentally sealed chamber having environmental conditions therein, wherein the chamber is adapted to receive the device;

environmental controls that control the environmental conditions;

at least two different types of self-contained power sources, each of which is adapted to generate power for operating the device;

a digital controller for monitoring the environmental conditions of the chamber and for selectively activating and deactivating the environmental controls to control the environmental conditions; and

a plurality of sensors configured to detect environmental conditions and provide information regarding the environmental conditions to the digital controller.