Patent Application
20070175232
Electronic equipment is typically tested before they are sold as a product in the environmental conditions the equipment is likely to encounter in use. For example, for electronic equipment that will encounter cold temperatures during use, the electronic equipment is typically exposed to similar cold temperatures or even more extreme cold temperatures to see how the equipment will perform. One method of testing electronic devices for performance in cold temperatures is with a thermal chamber that is able to provide long cold soak periods. With this type of arrangement, the electronic device is placed in the thermal chamber and activated while its performance is monitored. To activate the device, a cable powering the electronic device is typically passed through a port or hole in a wall of the thermal chamber. To prevent the cold air from escaping from the port of the thermal chamber, foam or clay is typically packed around the cable at the port. However, with this arrangement, when the chamber is cold for an extended period of time, ice will form around the cable port. As the ice is formed, the cables providing the power to the electronic device are stressed. The ice can also damage the cables insulation causing shorts. Moreover, as the ice melts when the chamber is warmed, the water will runs down the cables which may short out the power supply or the electronic device in the chamber.
For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a system and method of preventing the formation of ice around input/output (I/O) ports of a contained cooling system.
The above-mentioned problems of current systems are addressed by embodiments of the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.
In one embodiment, an ice prevention system for a contained cooling area is provided. The system includes a support tube that is adapted to pass through a port in a wall that forms part of the cooling area. The support tube is further adapted to provide a passage into the cooling area for a conduit. The support tube is still further adapted to contain dry nitrogen to prevent the formation of ice around the port.
In yet another embodiment, a method of preventing ice from forming near a port of a contained cooling system is provided. The method includes maintaining an amount of dry nitrogen near the port.
In still another embodiment, a method of forming an ice prevention device around a port to contained cooling area is provided. The method includes positioning a support tube through the port so that a first end of the support tube is positioned in the contained cooling area and a second end is outside the contained cooling area. Capping the first and second ends of the support tube. Positioning a conduit through the support tube and providing a dry nitrogen input to the support tube.
In further another embodiment, an ice prevention system is provided. The system includes a means to contain an amount of dry nitrogen about a port to a contained cooling system.
The present invention can be more easily understood and further advantages and uses thereof more readily apparent, when considered in view of the description of the preferred embodiments and the following figures in which:
In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to the present invention. Reference characters denote like elements throughout Figures and text.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the inventions may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims and equivalents thereof.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system to prevent ice from forming around (near) ports into a contained cooling area such as a thermal chamber. The present invention places an amount of dry nitrogen around the ports into the contained cooling area thereby replacing moisture in air around the ports. Without the moisture, ice cannot form. Moreover, in embodiments of the present invention, the dry nitrogen is at room temperature which helps warm conduits (such as electrical cables, hydraulic lines and the like) before they exit the system and are exposed to normal atmospheric conditions.
Referring to
An inlet 104 is provided on the support tube 102 to selectively allow dry nitrogen to be introduced into an interior chamber 103 formed by the support tube 102 and the first and second boots 108 and 110. Moreover in one embodiment, an outlet 103 is used to allow dry nitrogen to flow out of the interior chamber 103 of the support tube. Further in one embodiment, the outlet 106 is a solenoid adapted to expel the dry nitrogen when a pressure in the interior chamber 103 reaches a select level.
As illustrated in
A method of forming an ice prevention system of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
Referring to
In the embodiment illustrated in
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
