U.S. patent application number 11/343057 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-02 for ice build-up preventor for thermal chamber ports.
This patent application is currently assigned to Honeywell International Inc.. Invention is credited to Nicholas A. Hartney, Robert A. Schultz, Winston S. Webb.
Application Number | 20070175232 11/343057 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38320662 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070175232 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schultz; Robert A. ; et
al. |
August 2, 2007 |
Ice build-up preventor for thermal chamber ports
Abstract
A system for preventing the formation of ice about a port to a
contained cooling area. The system includes a support tube that is
adapted to pass through the 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.
Inventors: |
Schultz; Robert A.; (Maderia
Beach, FL) ; Hartney; Nicholas A.; (St. Petersburg,
FL) ; Webb; Winston S.; (Largo, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
101 COLUMBIA ROAD
P O BOX 2245
MORRISTOWN
NJ
07962-2245
US
|
Assignee: |
Honeywell International
Inc.
Morristown
NJ
|
Family ID: |
38320662 |
Appl. No.: |
11/343057 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/282 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01M 99/002
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/282 |
International
Class: |
F25D 21/10 20060101
F25D021/10 |
Claims
1. An ice prevention system for a contained cooling area, the
system comprising: a support tube adapted to pass through a port in
a wall that forms part of the cooling area, the support tube
further adapted to provide a passage into the cooling area for a
conduit, the support tube still further adapted to contain dry
nitrogen to prevent the formation of ice around the port.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a first boot adapted
to cap a first end of the support tube that is contained in the
cooling area, the first boot having a first boot aperture wherein
the conduit passes through; and a second boot adapted to cap the
second end of the support tube that is outside the cooling area,
the second boot having a second boot aperture wherein the conduit
passes through.
3. The system of claim 2, further comprising: a first support tube
clamp adapted to secure the first boot to the first end of the
support tube; and a second support tube clamp adapted to secure the
second boot to the second end of the support tube.
4. The system of claim 2, further comprising: a first conduit clamp
adapted to secure the conduit in the first boot aperture of the
first boot; and a second conduit clamp adapted to secure the
conduit in the second boot aperture of the second boot.
5. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a dry nitrogen input
adapted to selectively input the dry nitrogen into the support
tube.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a dry nitrogen output
adapted to selectively output the dry nitrogen from the support
tube.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the dry nitrogen output is a
solenoid adapted to expel the dry nitrogen from the support tube
when pressure in the support tube exceeds a desired level.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the conduit is one of an
electrical cable and a fluid carrying tube.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the support tube is a PVC
pipe.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the contained cooling area is a
thermal chamber.
11. A method of preventing ice from forming near a port of a
contained cooling system, the method comprising: maintaining an
amount of dry nitrogen near the port.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein maintaining the amount of dry
nitrogen near the port further comprises: providing a flow of dry
nitrogen to an input of a support tube that passes through the
port; and allowing a relatively small flow of dry nitrogen to flow
out of the support tube.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein allowing the relatively small
amount of dry nitrogen to flow out of the support tube further
comprises: allowing the relatively small flow of dry nitrogen to
flow through at least one boot opening of a boot that caps an end
of the support tube.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein allowing the relatively small
amount of dry nitrogen to flow out of the support tube further
comprises: selectively expelling the dry nitrogen out of an output
in the support tube.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein maintaining an amount of dry
nitrogen near the port further comprises: pressurizing with the dry
nitrogen an interior chamber of a support tube that passes through
the port to about 1 to 2 psi.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: monitoring the
pressure in the interior chamber of the support tube.
17. A method of forming an ice prevention device around a port to
contained cooling area, the method comprising: 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.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: providing a dry
nitrogen output from the support tube.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein capping the first and second
ends of the support tube further comprises: clamping a first boot
around the first end of the of support tube; and clamping a second
boot around the second end of the of support tube.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein positioning the conduit through
the support tube further comprises; clamping a portion of the first
boot around the conduit; and clamping a portion of the second boot
around the conduit.
21. An ice prevention system, the system comprising: a means to
contain an amount of dry nitrogen about a port to a contained
cooling system.
22. The system of claim 21, further comprising: a means to provided
dry nitrogen to the means to contain the dry nitrogen; and a means
to expel the dry nitrogen from the means to contain the dry
nitrogen.
23. The system of claim 20, further comprising: a means to pass a
conduit through the means to contain the dry nitrogen into the
contained cooling system.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 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.
[0002] 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.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] 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:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram of a ice prevention
system for a thermal chamber of one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating one method of forming
a ice prevention system of one embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0011] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating one method of
operating an ice prevention system of one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] 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.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, a cross-sectional view illustrating an
ice prevention system 100 of one embodiment of the present
invention is provided. This ice prevention system 100 is used in
conjunction with a thermal chamber 122 in this embodiment. This is
by way of example and not by way of limitation. The ice prevention
system 100 and methods described in this specification can be used
on any contained cooling area. The ice prevention system 100
includes a support tube 102. The support tube 102 is positioned
through a port 124 (or aperture) in a wall of the thermal chamber
122. As illustrated, a first end 109 of the support tube 102 is
located in the thermal chamber 122 and a second end 111 of the
support tube is located outside the thermal chamber 122. The first
end 109 of the support tube 102 is capped with a first boot 108.
Likewise, the second end 111 of the support tube 102 is capped with
a second boot 110. In one embodiment, the first and second boots
108 and 111 are secured to the first and second ends 109 and 111 of
the support tube 102 via clamps 112 and 114.
[0016] 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.
[0017] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a conduit 120 is passed through a
first boot aperture 115 in the first boot 108 and a second boot
aperture 117 in the second boot 110. Accordingly, the conduit 120
passes through the support tube 102 and the port 124. As discussed
above, the conduit can be any type of delivery system or a tube
that carries power or an agent like a hydraulic fluid or the like
to activate a device under test. In one embodiment, a first clamp
116 is used to secure a portion of the first boot 108 around the
conduit 120 and a second clamp is used to secure a portion of the
second boot around the conduit 120. In embodiments, of the present
invention, a seal created by the first and second clamps around the
conduit 120 is not air tight. That is, in embodiments of the
present invention, small amounts of dry nitrogen are allowed to
escape out of the interior chamber 103 where the conduit is coupled
to the respective first and second boots 108 and 110. This helps
prevent moisture in air from getting near the port 124. Moreover,
in one embodiment, the amount of dry nitrogen leaking out from by
conduit-second boot seal that is outside the chamber is greater
than the amount of dry nitrogen leaking into the thermal chamber
from the conduit-second boot seal
[0018] A method of forming an ice prevention system of one
embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, a support tube 102 is positioned through a
port 124 of a contained cooling area 122 (202). The support tube
102 is designed to fit snuggly in the port 124 and have a first end
109 positioned inside the contained cooling area 122 and a second
end 111 outside the contained cooling area. Although, the support
tube 102 is illustrated as being tubular is shape, it will be
understood in the art the support tube 102 can have any shape. The
only limitation is that a portion of the support tube 102 must fit
snuggly through the port 124. In one embodiment the support tube
102 is made out of a PVC pipe. Ends of the support tube 102 are
then capped (204) and (206). In one embodiment, the support tube
102 is capped with boots made of a pliable material like rubber or
the like. In one embodiment, the boots 108 and 110 are attached to
respective ends of the support tube with clamps 112 and 114. The
boots 108 and 110 each have an aperture (first boot aperture 115
and second boot aperture 117) in which a conduit 120 is passed
through (208). Hence, the conduit 120 passes through the support
tube 102 and the port 124. As discussed above, the boots 108 and
110 are coupled to the conduit 120 about the apertures 115 and 117.
In one embodiment this is accomplished with clamps 116 and 118 that
allow a certain amount of the dry nitrogen to leek between the
apertures 115 and 117 and the conduit 120.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 3 a flow diagram illustrating one method
of using an ice preventing device of the present invention is
provided. As illustrated, this method begins by directing a flow of
dry nitrogen into an input 104 of a support tube 102. This provides
an amount of dry nitrogen around the port 124 of the contained
cooling area 122. In one embodiment, a select amount of dry
nitrogen is allowed to leak out of the internal chamber 103 about
at least one connection between the first and second boot apertures
115 and 117 and the conduit 120 (304). This helps keep air with
moisture away from the port area. Moreover, in one embodiment, a
larger flow of dry nitrogen is leaked out of the second boot
aperture-conduit connection than the first boot aperture-conduit
connection.
[0020] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the pressure in the
interior chamber 103 is monitored (306). In one embodiment this is
done with a solenoid that is designed to open at a select pressure
to release the gas. It is then determined if the pressure exceeds a
desired pressure (308). If the pressure exceeds the desired
pressure (308), a flow of dry nitrogen is released from outlet 106
in the support tube 102. If the pressure does not exceed the
desired pressure (308), the pressure is continued to be monitored
at (306). The desired pressure in the interior chamber 103 in one
embodiment of the present invention is about 1 to 2 PSI.
[0021] 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.
* * * * *