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.

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.