Condensation prevention system and methods of use

Abstract

A method of preventing condensation on equipment inside a temperature-controlled enclosure comprises measuring the temperature in at least one location inside the enclosure. The temperature inside the enclosure is compared with a safe temperature, at which the risk of condensation is reduced. The temperature inside the enclosure is increased until the safe temperature is achieved. A user is then notified that it is safe to access the enclosure.

1 . A system for preventing condensation on equipment within a temperature-controlled enclosure, the system comprising:
 at least one temperature sensor inside the enclosure;   at least one temperature sensor outside the enclosure;   at least one humidity sensor outside the enclosure;   a control system for calculating an ambient dewpoint outside the enclosure and regulating the temperature inside the enclosure; and   a control panel for receiving input from a user and for displaying information about the status of the system.   
     
     
         2 . A system of  claim 1  wherein the control system is programmed to:
 determine temperature in at least one location inside the enclosure; 
 compare the temperature inside the enclosure to a target temperature; and 
 increase the temperature inside the enclosure to the target temperature. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the target temperature is equal to the ambient dewpoint outside the enclosure. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the target temperature is greater than the ambient dewpoint outside the enclosure. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the target temperature is equal to the ambient dewpoint outside the enclosure plus a marginal dewpoint. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the marginal dewpoint is between 1° and 4° Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is programmed to notify a user when it is safe to access the enclosure. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is programmed to notify a user when it is not safe to access the enclosure. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is programmed to allow a selected amount of time to pass before notifying the user that it is safe to access the enclosure, after the air temperature inside the enclosure reaches a safe temperature. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is programmed to return the temperature inside the enclosure to a default temperature after the enclosure is closed. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the control system is further programmed to wait a selected amount of time after the enclosure is closed before returning the temperature inside the enclosure to the default temperature. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is programmed to:
 detect that an access to the enclosure is open;   determine the temperature in at least one location inside the enclosure;   compare the temperature inside the enclosure to a safe temperature; and   increase the temperature inside the enclosure to the safe temperature.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the safe temperature is equal to the ambient dewpoint outside the enclosure. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the safe temperature is greater than the ambient dewpoint outside the enclosure. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the safe temperature has a value equal to the ambient dewpoint outside the enclosure plus a marginal dewpoint. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the marginal dewpoint is between 1° and 4° Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the control system is further programmed to return the temperature inside the enclosure to a default temperature after the enclosure is closed. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the control system is further programmed to wait a selected amount of time after the enclosure is closed before returning the temperature inside the enclosure to the default temperature.