U.S. patent application number 13/866361 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-05 for outdoor electronic equipment enclosures and related methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to Emerson Network Power, Energy Systems, North America, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Emerson Network Power, Energy Systems, North America, Inc.. Invention is credited to Anthony N. Kordyban, Peter M. Sprague, James W. Webster.
Application Number | 20130228631 13/866361 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44067281 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130228631 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sprague; Peter M. ; et
al. |
September 5, 2013 |
Outdoor Electronic Equipment Enclosures And Related Methods
Abstract
An electronic equipment enclosure for outdoor deployment
includes a housing defining an interior and having an intake port,
an exhaust port, an airflow path extending from the intake port to
the exhaust port, and an equipment bay for receiving the electronic
equipment. The equipment bay is positioned in the airflow path. The
equipment enclosure further includes an intake fan for creating
positive pressure within the interior of the housing and a
pressure-activated damper having an open position for allowing air
to exit the enclosure through the exhaust port in response to
positive pressure within the interior of the housing and a closed
position for preventing external air and/or water from entering the
enclosure through the exhaust port when the intake fan is not
operating. Other example equipment enclosures and methods are also
disclosed.
Inventors: |
Sprague; Peter M.; (Big
Rock, IL) ; Webster; James W.; (Bensenville, IL)
; Kordyban; Anthony N.; (Lombard, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Energy Systems, North America, Inc.; Emerson Network
Power, |
|
|
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Emerson Network Power, Energy
Systems, North America, Inc.
Warrenville
IL
|
Family ID: |
44067281 |
Appl. No.: |
13/866361 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12956829 |
Nov 30, 2010 |
|
|
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13866361 |
|
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61265193 |
Nov 30, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
236/49.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 5/0213 20130101;
F24F 2013/221 20130101; H05K 7/20572 20130101; F24F 7/007 20130101;
F24F 2221/34 20130101; H05K 7/20181 20130101; H05K 7/20145
20130101; H05K 7/20209 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
236/49.3 |
International
Class: |
H05K 7/20 20060101
H05K007/20 |
Claims
1-19. (canceled)
20. A method of inhibiting condensation in an outdoor electronic
equipment enclosure, the method comprising: identifying a maximum
expected dew point at a location of the outdoor electronic
equipment enclosure; and maintaining an air temperature within an
interior of the enclosure above the identified maximum expected dew
point to thereby inhibit condensation within the interior of the
enclosure.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the equipment enclosure includes
a ventilating fan, and wherein maintaining includes selectively
operating the ventilating fan to maintain the air temperature
within the enclosure interior above the identified maximum expected
dew point.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the equipment enclosure includes
a heater, and wherein maintaining further includes selectively
operating the heater to maintain the air temperature within the
enclosure interior above the identified maximum expected dew
point.
23. The method of claim 20 wherein the equipment enclosure includes
a heater, and wherein maintaining includes selectively operating
the heater to maintain the air temperature within the enclosure
interior above the identified maximum expected dew point.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/956,829 filed Nov. 30, 2010, which claims the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/265,193 filed Nov. 30, 2009.
The entire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to outdoor electronic
equipment enclosures and related methods.
BACKGROUND
[0003] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0004] Electronic equipment enclosures are often deployed
out-of-doors for housing and protecting various types of electronic
equipment such as telecommunications equipment, cable television
(CATV) equipment and/or data transmission equipment. Such equipment
is sometimes referred to as "outside plant equipment." The
equipment enclosures may be located virtually anywhere on Earth,
where they may be exposed to inhospitable climates having very
warm, cold, wet, dry, dusty, sandy, salty and/or windy
conditions.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an
outdoor electronic equipment enclosure includes a housing defining
an interior and having an intake port, an exhaust port, an airflow
path extending from the intake port to the exhaust port, and an
equipment bay for receiving the electronic equipment. The equipment
bay is positioned in the airflow path between the intake port and
the exhaust port. The enclosure further includes an intake fan for
creating positive pressure within the interior of the housing when
the fan is operating, and a pressure-activated damper having an
open position for allowing air to exit the enclosure through the
exhaust port in response to positive pressure within the interior
of the housing and a closed position for preventing external air
and/or water from entering the enclosure through the exhaust port
when the intake fan is not operating.
[0006] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an
outdoor electronic equipment enclosure includes a housing defining
an interior and having an intake port, an exhaust port and an
airflow path extending from the intake port to the exhaust port.
The enclosure further includes at least one fan for moving air
through the airflow path extending from the intake port to the
exhaust port, a first sensor for measuring an air temperature
external to the enclosure, a second sensor for measuring an air
temperature within the interior of the housing, and a controller
operatively coupled to the fan, the first sensor and the second
sensor. The controller is configured to selectively operate the fan
to maintain a defined temperature differential between the air
temperature external to the enclosure and the air temperature
within the interior of the housing to thereby inhibit condensation
within the interior of the housing.
[0007] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a
method is provided for inhibiting condensation in an outdoor
electronic equipment enclosure. The method includes determining a
maximum expected dew point at a location of the outdoor electronic
equipment enclosure, and maintaining an air temperature within an
interior of the enclosure above the determined maximum expected dew
point to thereby avoid condensation within the interior of the
enclosure.
[0008] Further aspects and areas of applicability will become
apparent from the description provided herein. It should be
understood that various aspects of this disclosure may be
implemented individually or in combination with one or more other
aspects. It should also be understood that the description and
specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of
illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0009] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations,
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an outdoor electronic equipment
enclosure according to one example embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an outdoor electronic equipment
enclosure according to another example embodiment of this
disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of one flap of the
pressure-activated damper shown in FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an outdoor electronic equipment
enclosure having a door according to yet another example embodiment
of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0015] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure
will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are
skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as
examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a
thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details
need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in
many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit
the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments,
well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known
technologies are not described in detail.
[0016] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be
limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the"
may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises,"
"comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and
therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,
operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the
presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The
method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to
be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the
particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically
identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood
that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
[0017] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on",
"engaged to", "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or
layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the
other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be
present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being
"directly on," "directly engaged to", "directly connected to" or
"directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no
intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to
describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in
a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between,"
"adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the
term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of
the associated listed items.
[0018] An electronic equipment enclosure for outdoor applications
according to one example embodiment of the present disclosure is
illustrated in FIG. 1 and indicated generally by reference number
50. As shown in FIG. 1, the enclosure 50 includes a housing 52
defining an interior 54. The housing 52 includes an intake port 56
and an exhaust port 58. An airflow path extends between the intake
port 56 and the exhaust port 58. The enclosure further includes at
least one fan 60 for moving air through the airflow path extending
from the intake port 56 to the exhaust port 58, a sensor 62 for
measuring an air temperature external to the enclosure 50, a sensor
64 for measuring an air temperature within the interior of the
housing 52, and at least one controller 68 operatively coupled to
the fan 60 and the sensors 62, 64. The controller 68 may be
configured to selectively operate the fan 60 to maintain a defined
temperature differential between the air temperature external to
the enclosure 50 and the air temperature within the interior 54 of
the housing 52. In this manner, the controller 68 may inhibit the
formation of condensation within the interior of the housing.
[0019] The defined temperature differential maintained by the
controller 68 may be a fixed temperature differential. For example,
the controller 68 may be configured to maintain the internal
temperature within the interior 54 of the housing 52 approximately
three or five degrees Celsius above the external (i.e., ambient)
temperature. Alternatively, the defined temperature differential
may vary depending on one or more other parameters. For example,
the controller 68 may be configured to maintain the internal
temperature at a first temperature when the external temperature
falls within a first range (e.g., above zero degrees Celsius), and
at a second temperature when the external temperature falls within
a second range (e.g., below zero degrees Celsius).
[0020] The housing 52 may include a door, a removable panel or
another suitable provision for providing access to components
within the interior 54 of the housing 52. Accordingly, the intake
port 56 and/or the fan 60 may be positioned over an opening in a
door, a removable panel or another suitable portion of the housing
52, with the airflow path extending through such opening, as will
be further apparent from the description below.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the enclosure 50 may optionally include
a heater 70. In that event, the controller 68 may be configured to
control operation of the heater 70 as necessary to maintain the
defined temperature differential discussed above.
[0022] Under typical operating conditions, the controller 68 can
reduce the temperature within the enclosure 50 by turning on or
increasing the speed of one or more intake fans. Conversely, the
controller can typically increase the temperature within the
enclosure by turning off or decreasing the speed of one or more
intake fans and/or by turning on one or more heaters. Although the
enclosure 50 of FIG. 1 does not include an air conditioning unit
for providing cooling and/or controlling humidity, the controller
68 may still inhibit formation of condensation or otherwise control
humidity by maintaining the defined temperature differential. In
other embodiments, one or more air conditioners can be employed for
cooling and/or controlling humidity within the interior 54 of the
housing 52.
[0023] When deployed in an outdoor environment, the enclosure 50
will house and protect one or more pieces of outside plant
equipment 72, as indicated generally in FIG. 1.
[0024] Although not shown in FIG. 1, the enclosure 50 may also
include hydrophobic or other filter(s) and/or damper(s) for
preventing water and/or contaminates from reaching the interior 54
of the housing 52 through the intake port 56 or the exhaust port
58.
[0025] As an alternative to maintaining the defined temperature
differential, the controller 68 may be configured to maintain a
particular temperature or humidity level in the enclosure 50, as
further explained below. In this regard, the enclosure 50 may
include components, such as one or more humidity sensors, in
addition to the components illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates an outdoor electronic equipment enclosure
100 according to another example embodiment of the present
disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the enclosure 100 includes a
housing 102 defining an interior 104 and having an intake port 106,
an exhaust port 108, an airflow path extending from the intake port
106 to the exhaust port 108, and an equipment bay 110 for receiving
the electronic equipment. The equipment bay 110--which may be at
any desired location(s) within the interior 104 of the enclosure
100--is positioned in the airflow path between the intake port 106
and the exhaust port 108. In this manner, air passes around and/or
through the electronic equipment horizontally, vertically and/or at
other angles as may be necessary or desired for controlling the
temperature of the electronic equipment.
[0027] The enclosure 100 further includes at least one intake fan
114 and at least one pressure-activated damper 116. The intake fan
114 creates positive pressure within the interior 104 of the
housing 102 when the fan 114 is operating. The pressure-activated
damper 116 is movable between an open position for allowing air to
exit the enclosure 100 through the exhaust port 108 in response to
positive pressure within the interior 104 of the housing 102, and a
closed position for preventing external air and/or water from
entering the enclosure 100 through the exhaust port 108 when the
intake fan 114 is not operating.
[0028] The pressure-activated damper 116 may be a passive damper,
such as a gravity-operated damper, or an active damper such as an
electromechanical damper. In some embodiments, including the
embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the pressure-activated damper 116 is a
gravity-operated damper that automatically pivots open in response
to positive pressure within the interior of the enclosure. The
damper 116 may include several flaps formed of plastic, rubber,
metal or any other suitable material or combination of materials.
FIG. 3 illustrates one of the damper flaps in the open position.
FIG. 3 also illustrates that when the damper 116 is in the closed
position, each flap is preferably oriented between about zero
degrees (i.e., vertically) and about forty-five degrees from the
vertical axis of the enclosure. It should be understood, however,
that other dampers and flap orientations may be employed, including
various types of active dampers, without departing from the scope
of this disclosure.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the enclosure 100 may also include a
filter 112 positioned in the airflow path between the intake port
106 and the equipment bay 110. In that event, positive pressure
created within the interior of the enclosure by the intake fan 114
forces filtered air out of the enclosure 100 through the exhaust
port 108 and any cracks or leaks in the enclosure 100. The
enclosure 100 of FIG. 2 does not include an exhaust fan associated
with the exhaust port, which could create negative pressure within
the enclosure that, in turn, could draw unfiltered outdoor air into
the enclosure 100 through any cracks or leaks in the enclosure.
However, exhaust fans may be employed in other embodiments without
departing from the scope of this disclosure. When exhaust fan(s)
are employed, they are preferably sized and/or operated so that the
intake fan(s) and the exhaust fan(s) collectively maintain positive
pressure (or zero pressure) within the interior of the
enclosure.
[0030] The filter 112 (and the filters employed in the embodiment
of FIG. 1, if any) may be a hydrophobic and/or membrane filter for
preventing solid and/or liquid contaminates from reaching the
interior 104 of the housing 102 via the intake port 106. For
example, the hydrophobic filter 112 may be a hydrophobic membrane
filter. Examples of suitable hydrophobic membrane filters include
those available from Gore and Schrofftec. In some embodiments, the
hydrophobic filter has a pore size sufficient to filter out, among
other things, salt particles in marine environments. Alternatively,
other types of filters may be employed. If a filter capable of
blocking liquids is not employed, the enclosure will preferably
including a drain for removing any water that passes through the
filter before the water can reach the electronic equipment within
the enclosure.
[0031] The intake fan 114 is adapted to draw outside air through
the intake port 106 and the hydrophobic filter 112, and create
positive pressure within the interior 104 of the enclosure 100. The
intake fan 114 may have one or more discrete speeds, and may be a
variable-speed fan. As outdoor air is drawn through the hydrophobic
filter, the hydrophobic filter removes solids and/or liquids from
the air before the air enters the interior of the enclosure. When
the damper 116 is in the open position, air preferably exits (and
does not enter) the enclosure 100 through the exhaust port 108 due
to the positive pressure within the interior of the housing
102.
[0032] When the intake fan is off, the hydrophobic filter 112
prevents solid and/or liquid contaminants from entering the
enclosure through the intake port 106. Further, when the intake fan
is off, the flaps of the pressure-activated damper 116 close (due
to the force of gravity) to prevent solid and/or liquid
contaminates from entering the enclosure through the exhaust port
108. Accordingly, the enclosure 100 is not required to have a
hydrophobic filter associated with the exhaust port, in addition to
the hydrophobic filter 112 associated with the intake port 106.
Thus, the expense of an exhaust port hydrophobic filter can be
avoided, if desired. Alternatively, the exhaust port may also be
provided with a hydrophobic or other filter, if desired, to further
ensure no solid and/or liquid contaminants enter the enclosure via
the exhaust port 108.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the enclosure 100 may also include, if
desired, a particle filter 118 positioned in the airflow path
upstream of the hydrophobic filter 112 (i.e., air entering the
intake port 106 passes through the particle filter 118 before
reaching the hydrophobic filter 112), and a heater 120, which may
be an electric heater. A controller (not shown), such as an
environmental control unit (ECU), may also be provided for
selectively controlling operation of the fan(s) and heater(s) as
may be desired for any given application of these teachings.
[0034] The controller may be configured to operate fan(s),
heater(s) and air conditioners (if employed) as necessary to
maintain the internal temperature or humidity of the enclosure at a
defined level. For example, the controller may be configured to
operate the heater(s) as necessary to maintain the air temperature
within the enclosure above the freezing temperature of water (i.e.,
zero degrees Celsius) or some other desired temperature (above or
below zero degrees Celsius). In some embodiments, the controller is
configured to shutdown the intake fan(s) and turn on one or more
circulating fans within the interior of the enclosure before
operating the heater. The controller may also be configured to
maintain a positive temperature differential between the internal
temperature of the enclosure and the external (i.e., ambient)
temperature outdoors, as described above, using one or more sensors
(not shown in FIG. 2). Further still, the controller may be
configured to maintain the internal temperature at or above a
setpoint temperature, which may be greater than the maximum
expected dew point at the location of the enclosure, as described
below. At the same time, the controller may also maintain the
internal temperature of the enclosure within operating limits of
the electronic equipment within the enclosure. The controller may
be a separate component, such as an environmental control unit, or
may be integrated with the intake fan(s), heater(s), sensor(s),
and/or other components.
[0035] Additionally, or alternatively, the controller may be
configured to inhibit condensation by controlling the relative
humidity within the interior of the enclosure. For example, the
controller may be configured to maintain the relative humidity in
the enclosure below a particular setpoint, such as 65% relative
humidity. Maintaining a low relative humidity may also reduce
corrosion of equipment within the enclosure, which can occur even
without condensation.
[0036] As noted above, the controller can be configured to control
humidity and/or inhibit formation of condensation without employing
an air conditioner. It should be understood, however, that one or
more air conditioners may be employed for cooling and/or
controlling humidity within the interior of the housing without
departing from the scope of this disclosure.
[0037] When deployed in an outdoor environment, the enclosure 100
will house and protect one or more pieces of outside plant
equipment 72, as indicated generally in FIG. 2.
[0038] The housing 100 (as well as the housing 50 of FIG. 1) may
have a monolithic or multi-part construction, possibly including
one or more doors, removable panels, or other provisions for
accessing the interior of the housing. In some embodiments,
including the example embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a housing 300 may
include a door 302 having an opening 306 extending therethrough.
The airflow path extends through door opening 306, and the intake
fan 308 is mounted to the door 302 over the opening 306 for drawing
preferably filtered air into the interior of the enclosure.
[0039] Baffles may also be provided on the intake and exhaust ports
(as shown in FIGS. 1-3) to force entering and/or exiting air
through a convoluted path, to reduce airspeed and protect the
damper flaps (if applicable).
[0040] When the enclosures described herein are deployed outdoors,
they can house and protect various types of electronic equipment.
By employing one or more teachings herein for controlling
environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity and/or
condensation) within the enclosure, the need to use hardened
electronic equipment can be reduced or eliminated, resulting in
further cost savings. Similarly, due to the enclosure designs,
electronic equipment rated for near-ambient temperatures and/or
non-condensing humidity levels (e.g., non-hardened equipment) may
be advantageously deployed in the enclosures.
[0041] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a
method is provided for inhibiting condensation in an outdoor
electronic equipment enclosure. The method includes determining a
maximum expected dew point on an external side of the enclosure,
and maintaining an air temperature within an interior of the
enclosure above the determined maximum expected dew point to
thereby inhibit formation of condensation within the interior of
the enclosure.
[0042] If the equipment enclosure includes a ventilating fan (such
as an intake or exhaust fan) and/or a heater, the fan and/or heater
may be selectively operated to maintain the air temperature within
the enclosure interior above the determined maximum expected dew
point.
[0043] The method described above can be practiced with a wide
variety of outdoor electronic equipment enclosures including,
without limitation, the example outdoor equipment enclosures
described above.
[0044] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual
elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not
limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are
interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if
not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in
many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *