Methods and apparatuses for drying electronic devices
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- placing a portable electronic device, that has been rendered at least partially inoperable due to moisture intrusion, into a low-pressure chamber;
heating the portable electronic device;
decreasing pressure within the low-pressure chamber;
removing moisture from an interior of the portable electronic device to an exterior of the portable electronic device;
increasing the pressure within the low-pressure chamber after the decreasing pressure, the increasing further comprising;
measuring a relative humidity within the low-pressure chamber; and
increasing the pressure after the relative humidity has decreased and a rate of decrease of the relative humidity has slowed;
equalizing the pressure within the low-pressure chamber with pressure outside the low-pressure chamber; and
removing the portable electronic device from the low-pressure chamber.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for drying electronic devices are disclosed. Embodiments include methods and apparatuses that heat and decrease pressure within the electronic device. Some embodiments increase and decrease pressure while adding heat energy, such as by using a heated platen in contact with the electronic device or by supplying a gas (e.g., air), which may be heated, into the interior of the electronic device. Embodiments include heating the gas supplied into the interior of the electronic device with pump used to decrease pressure within the electronic device and/or a separate heater. Still other embodiments include controlling the temperature of the gas supplied into the electronic device. Still further embodiments automatically control, such as by using an electronic processor, some or all aspects of the drying of the electronic device.
142 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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placing a portable electronic device, that has been rendered at least partially inoperable due to moisture intrusion, into a low-pressure chamber; heating the portable electronic device; decreasing pressure within the low-pressure chamber; removing moisture from an interior of the portable electronic device to an exterior of the portable electronic device; increasing the pressure within the low-pressure chamber after the decreasing pressure, the increasing further comprising; measuring a relative humidity within the low-pressure chamber; and increasing the pressure after the relative humidity has decreased and a rate of decrease of the relative humidity has slowed; equalizing the pressure within the low-pressure chamber with pressure outside the low-pressure chamber; and removing the portable electronic device from the low-pressure chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for:
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a low-pressure chamber defining an interior and having the interior configured for placement of an electronic device in the interior and removal of the electronic device from the interior; an evacuation pump connected to the low-pressure chamber; a heater connected to the low-pressure chamber; and a first controller connected to the evacuation pump and a second controller connected to the heater, the first controller controlling removal of moisture from the electronic device by controlling the evacuation pump to decrease pressure within the low-pressure chamber, and the second controller controlling operation of the heater to add heat to the electronic device.
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16. An apparatus, comprising:
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a low-pressure chamber defining an interior and having the interior sized and configured for placement of an electronic device in the interior and removal of the electronic device from the interior; an evacuation pump connected to the low-pressure chamber; a heater connected to the low-pressure chamber; and a controller connected to the evacuation pump and to the heater, the controller controlling removal of moisture from the electronic device by controlling the evacuation pump to decrease pressure within the low-pressure chamber and controlling operation of the heater to add heat to the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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18. A method for:
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providing a low-pressure chamber defining an interior and having the interior configured for placement of an electronic device in the interior and removal of the electronic device from the interior; providing an evacuation pump connected to the low-pressure chamber; providing a heater connected to the low-pressure chamber; and providing a controller connected to the evacuation pump and to the heater, the controller controlling removal of moisture from the electronic device by controlling the evacuation pump to decrease pressure within the low-pressure chamber and controlling operation of the heater to add heat to the electronic device.
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Specification