Dryer for portable electronics
First Claim
1. A drying system for portable electronic devices, the system comprising:
- a chamber configured to receive a portable electronic device;
a pressurization subsystem configured, when the portable electronic device is in the chamber, to produce a negative pressure environment within the chamber sufficient to gasify liquid in the portable electronic device; and
a heating subsystem comprising a thermal conduction assembly having a plurality of thermally conductive beads that are configured, when the portable electronic device is in the chamber, to at least partially conform to an external shape of the portable electronic device, the heating subsystem configured to heat the portable electronic device when it is in the chamber by generating heat and conducting the heat to the portable electronic device via the plurality of thermally conductive beads.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are described for conductively heated vacuum-based drying of portable electronic devices. For example, a portable electronic device that has been exposed to excessive liquid is placed inside a drying chamber. The drying chamber is closed and a drying routine commences. During the drying routine, the chamber is pressurized to a vacuum level sufficient to gasify liquids inside the device, and the device is conductively heated at least to replace latent heat of vaporization lost during the pressurization. Some embodiments include techniques relating to payment processing, monitoring and feedback control, decontamination, and/or other functionality.
30 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A drying system for portable electronic devices, the system comprising:
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a chamber configured to receive a portable electronic device; a pressurization subsystem configured, when the portable electronic device is in the chamber, to produce a negative pressure environment within the chamber sufficient to gasify liquid in the portable electronic device; and a heating subsystem comprising a thermal conduction assembly having a plurality of thermally conductive beads that are configured, when the portable electronic device is in the chamber, to at least partially conform to an external shape of the portable electronic device, the heating subsystem configured to heat the portable electronic device when it is in the chamber by generating heat and conducting the heat to the portable electronic device via the plurality of thermally conductive beads. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 18)
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12. A method for drying portable electronic devices, the method comprising:
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receiving a portable electronic device in a chamber, the portable electronic device having an excessive amount of liquid; pressurizing the chamber when the portable electronic device is in the chamber, so as to produce a negative pressure environment within the chamber sufficient to gasify the liquid in the portable electronic device; maintaining the negative pressure environment within the chamber at least until the portable electronic device no longer has the excessive amount of liquid; and heating the portable electronic device in the chamber conductively via a thermal conduction assembly while the negative pressure environment is maintained within the chamber, the heating being at least sufficient to replenish latent heat of vaporization lost from pressurizing the chamber, the thermal conduction assembly having a plurality of thermally conductive beads that are configured to at least partially conform to an external shape of the portable electronic device and to conduct the heat to the portable electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification