Methods and apparatuses for drying electronic devices
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a convection chamber comprising a heater and a low-pressure chamber, the heater located in the convection chamber and configured for heating the low-pressure chamber, the low-pressure chamber located in the convection chamber and configured for receiving an electronic device, the low-pressure chamber being mated to the heater using a sealing means;
an evacuation port in the low-pressure chamber, the evacuation port connected to an evacuation means, the evacuation means adapted to decrease pressure within the low-pressure chamber by pulling air out of the low-pressure chamber;
a purging means for flushing, through a desiccator, air out of the low-pressure chamber; and
at least one three-way control valve for switching airflow from pushing air into the desiccator from the low-pressure chamber to pulling the air or moisture in the air from the desiccator to the atmosphere.
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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. Other embodiments include a desiccator for removing moisture from the air being evacuated from the electronic device prior to the air reaching an evacuation pump. Further embodiments detect humidity within the low-pressure chamber and determine when to increase and/or decrease pressure based on the humidity. Still further embodiments determine that the device is sufficiently dry to restore proper function based on the detected humidity, and in some embodiments based on the changes in humidity while pressure is being increased and/or decreased. Still further alternate embodiments automatically control some or all aspects of the drying of the electronic device. Additional embodiment disinfect the electronic device.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a convection chamber comprising a heater and a low-pressure chamber, the heater located in the convection chamber and configured for heating the low-pressure chamber, the low-pressure chamber located in the convection chamber and configured for receiving an electronic device, the low-pressure chamber being mated to the heater using a sealing means; an evacuation port in the low-pressure chamber, the evacuation port connected to an evacuation means, the evacuation means adapted to decrease pressure within the low-pressure chamber by pulling air out of the low-pressure chamber; a purging means for flushing, through a desiccator, air out of the low-pressure chamber; and at least one three-way control valve for switching airflow from pushing air into the desiccator from the low-pressure chamber to pulling the air or moisture in the air from the desiccator to the atmosphere. - 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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Specification