Claims
- 1. A method for maintaining a relative humidity level in a cabinet, comprising:
determining a relative humidity set point; activating a heater in a fluid pan; determining if a fluid is present in said fluid pan; measuring said relative humidity in said cabinet; and maintaining said relative humidity within a predetermined range.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of determining a relative humidity set point comprises:
inputting said relative humidity set point.
- 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of determining if a fluid is present in said fluid pan comprises:
measuring a status of a float switch.
- 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of maintaining said relative humidity within a predetermined range comprises:
repeatedly measuring said relative humidity in said cabinet, and deactivating said heater responsive to said relative humidity within a predetermined range of said relative humidity set point; and reactivating said heater responsive to said relative humidity falling outside of said predetermined range of said relative humidity set point.
- 5. A holding cabinet with a closed loop humidity control system comprising:
a holding cabinet; an air temperature probe for measuring an air temperature within said holding cabinet; a humidity sensor for measuring a humidity within said holding cabinet; a heater for heating air within said holding cabinet to a predetermined temperature; an air fan for circulating said air and for introducing air from outside said holding cabinet; and a water pan for holding water within said holding cabinet.
- 6. The holding cabinet of claim 5, wherein said water pan comprises:
at least one heating element for heating said heating pan; and at least one float switch for determining a water level in said water pan.
- 7. A system for humidity measurement comprising:
a humidity sensor; and an astable oscillating circuit.
- 8. A system for maintaining a relative humidity level in a cabinet, comprising:
means for determining a relative humidity set point; means for activating a heater in a fluid pan; means for determining if a fluid is present in said fluid pan; means for measuring said relative humidity in said cabinet; and means for maintaining said relative humidity within a predetermined range.
- 9. A method for maintaining a relative humidity level in a cabinet, comprising:
initializing a cabinet system; calibrating a slide vent motor; determining a desired relative humidity within the cabinet; determining a desired position for a slide vent; and positioning the slide vent in accordance with the determination.
- 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of calibrating a slide vent motor comprises:
activating a slide vent motor; monitoring transition signals from a switch; determining a dwell time; and determining a period of the slide vent.
- 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
providing an error message when no transition signals are received from the switch.
- 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of positioning the slide vent comprises:
determining a present position of the slide vent; determining whether the current position is within a range of the desired position; actuating the motor responsive to a determination that the current position is not within a range of the desired position.
- 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
purging the cabinet.
- 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of purging the cabinet comprises:
shutting down an air heater and a water heater; determining an actual relative humidity level within the cabinet; activating a fan responsive to a determination that the relative humidity is above a predetermined humidity level.
Parent Case Info
[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/217,707, entitled “Holding Cabinet with Closed-Loop Humidity Control System and Method for Controlling Humidity in a Holding Cabinet,” filed Jul. 12, 2000, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/156,449, entitled “Holding Cabinet with Closed-Loop Humidity Control System and Method for Controlling Humidity in a Holding Cabinet,” filed Sep. 28, 1999, which are incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60156449 |
Sep 1999 |
US |
|
60217707 |
Jul 2000 |
US |
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09671700 |
Sep 2000 |
US |
Child |
10252842 |
Sep 2002 |
US |