Gas separation: apparatus – Solid sorbent apparatus – Plural solid sorbent beds
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-17
2001-09-18
Spitzer, Robert H. (Department: 1724)
Gas separation: apparatus
Solid sorbent apparatus
Plural solid sorbent beds
C096S130000, C096S146000, C096S147000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290758
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Sealed environment housings provide higher short term reliability for the electronics than vented enclosures, particularly for equipment located underground in cable pits.
However, the sealed housings suffer from a build-up of humidity and the resulting condensation can affect the reliability of the components. Previous attempts to overcome this problem have included an “Umbrella” over the components to divert condensation on the inside of the lid away from the components. This arrangement does not lower the overall humidity and condensation can still occur directly on the components, particularly those which operate intermittently or at low temperatures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention proposes the provision of a sealed enclosure with a humidity pump to reduce the humidity within the enclosure.
In a first embodiment, the humidity pump includes a receptacle passing through a wall of the enclosure, the receptacle having access to the internal atmosphere within the enclosure and to the external atmosphere, there being a regenerative desiccant within the receptacle, and heater means to heat at least a first part of the regenerative desiccant to drive off moisture to the external atmosphere.
Preferably, a membrane which is permeable to water vapour but substantially impermeable to water, separates at least the first part of the desiccant from the outer atmosphere to prevent external water from contacting the desiccant.
In one embodiment, the desiccant is divided into first and second parts and separated by a wicking material.
In a further embodiment, a cooling mechanism, such as a Peltier device is provided to cool a part of the receptacle exposed to the inner atmosphere to facilitate condensation on the cooled part.
In a modification of this embodiment, wicking material is used to draw condensate from the cooled part to the desiccant.
In a still further embodiment, the humidity pump includes condensing means within the enclosure, wicking means to draw off the condensate to the outside of enclosure, and heating means to heat at least a first part of the wicking means to drive off moisture to the outer atmosphere. Preferably a vapour permeable membrane isolates the wicking material from the external atmosphere.
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Alcatel
Spitzer Robert H.
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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