GB2359618A

GB2359618A - Automatic portable vent responding to temperature and/or humidity changes

Info

Publication number: GB2359618A
Application number: GB0004023A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoff Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-02-22
Filing date: 2000-02-22
Publication date: 2001-08-29
Also published as: GB0004023D0

Abstract

A portable automatic vent responds to changes in humidity and/or temperature of air inside and/or outside an enclosure. The vent has a duct body (3) which is opened and closed by the valve or flap (4). The position of the valve is controlled mechanically by elastic material or a tension spring (7) responding to changes in hygroscopic material (5). Alternatively, the valve may be controlled electrically in response to signals from humidity (30A, 30B, Fig. 4) and temperature (40A, 40B, Fig. 4) sensors. The vent may also include a fan (80, Fig. 6).

Description

2359618 Portable automatic humidity vent The invention relates to a

portable automatic humidity vent, which can automatically and positively seal or vent a packaging enclosure or container when a fixed or permanent electrical supply is not available. The devise operates according to the temperature and humidity levels inside and outside the enclosure-

The background to the device is the dilemma faced by persons packaging goods susceptible to damage by humidity or moisture for shipment. If the packaging enclosure is sealed changes in temperature causes damaging condensation from humidity contained within the package. This effect is commonly referred to as the "sweating" effect. However, if the enclosure is permanently vented, air with high humidity can enter the enclosure and again cause damage. This phenomenon can occur in plastic bags, wooden boxes, metal containers, mobile vehicles and mobile homes and such like.

Natural ventilation is normally achieved through a grill or louver, which normally has no moving parts. When there are moving parts these are normally only manually adjustable t=I ' flow rate over a long period of time. To use natural ventilation as a means o a' ve a set air 1 to control humidity requires that a sufficient area of duct is open to get a large enough air exchange. If a traditional air vent is too large it will be detrimental, as there is little control if undesirable atmospheres are entering the enclosure.

With normal natural air vents a baffle plate or grills are used to prevent the ingress of rain or water into the enclosure. These cannot however control the ingress of airborne humidity into the enclosure. With forced air vents or fan extractors, a flap can be used to prevent air entering the enclosure. When the fan is inactive the flap is designed so that gravity will keep the flap in a closed position. When the fan activates, the pressure of the forced air is enough to move the flap allowing airflow. In some applications of portable automatic ventilation motorised dampers that can open and close a vent have been used but have not been able to respond to the natural fluctuations in humidity and temperature. Thus, an objective of this invention is to provide a method of sealing the enclosure when outside levels of humidity are high but allowing the packaging to breath when outside conditions are favourable in terms of low humidity. The same idea can be used to vent an enclosure when humidity levels inside become higher than desired.

Accordingly, the invention is a portable automatic humidity vent comprising, a duct which can be automatically closed or opened by a movable component to allow or restrict air and humidity movement from within an enclosure to the exterior of an enclosure and vice versa. The devise l s either powered by its own self contained energy source or the movement provided by a hydroscopic material.

The devise reacts to humidity and temperature levels inside and outside the package and seals or unseals the enclosure in a manner, which minimises damage to goods contained within.

1 Given that the devise may be used in all weather conditions, materials are designed to withstand extremes of temperature and humidity.

Two embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a representation of an enclosure in cross section with a portable humidity device positioned through the wall of the enclosure.

Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of the device using a hydroscopic material in closed position.

Figure 3) shows a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of the devise using a hydroscopic material in open position.

Figure 4 shows a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of the device usino electronic humidity and temperature sensors and electrical means of opening and shutting the movable component. The movable component is in the closed position.

Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of the device using electronic humidity and temperature sensors and electrical means of opening and shutting the movable component. The movable component is in the open position.

Figure 6 shows a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of the electronic device with a fan for additional air movement.

As shown in Figure 1 of the drawing, the portable automatic humidity vent 1 is positioned through the wall of an enclosure 2 so that one end of the duct is inside the enclosure and the other end is outside. The assumption is made that the enclosure itself has no or minimal air exchange &om interior to the exterior or vice versa other than through the portable automatic humidity vent itself Referring to Figure 2 the portable automatic humidity vent comprises a vent duct body 3, which is closed or opened by way of a movable component 4. in this embodiment in the form of a butterfly valve. The movable component is shown diagrammatically representing the closed position, thus restricting air exchange from the interior to the exterior or vice versa (As shown by the arrows). The movable component 4 is fixed to a hydroscopic material 5, which is fixed to the duct body at point 6. The hydroscopic material is held in tension by an elasticated material or tension spring 7which is fixed to one end of the hydroscopic material 5, at point 8 and at the other end to the duct body at point 9. The elasticated material 7 allows the movable component to pivot. The hydroscopic material 5 is passed through holes in the duct body 3. Changes in the levels of humidity and or temperature in the air in the duct body cause rotational forces in the hydroscopic material 5 thus moving the movable component. The devise is calibrated so that in humid conditions the vent opens and shuts in less humid conditions. In the 2-, embodiment shown in the hydroscopic material 5 is surrounded by the atmosphere from inside the enclosure whi eh enters the duct 10 through air ho les 11 - Different embodiments of the devise would see the devise positioned with the duct 10 positioned outside the enclosure but with the vent duct body 3 still the only potential opening. This would allow the atmosphere outside the enclosure to control the devise. Also, the hydroscopic material 5 can be chosen to give anti-clock-wise or clockwise motion in high humidity. This enables a dry enclosure to be vented to seek moist air or vice versa.

In Figure 3 the same arrangement of the devise ftom Figure 2 is shown in the open position, thus allowing airflow through the duct (As shown by the arrows) In Figure 4 an electronic version of the devise is shown. Instead of a hydroscopic material a combination of sensors and a motor is used to achieve the same action. Humidity sensors 30a and 30b and Temperature sensors 40a and 40b compare the humidity and temperature levels of the exterior and interior of the enclosure and provide electrical signals to the electronic control unit 50. The electronic control unit 50 is set to operate the actuator 60 when humidity levels inside the enclosure exceed the exterior humidity levels or the possibility of condensation can be reduced by opening the vent. The electronic control unit 50 can use both the actual humidity and temperature levels as well as the rate of change to determine the open and shut status.

The actuator 60 opens the movable component allowing air exchange between the interior and exteriorThe portable automatic humidity device is powered by an internal power source 70.

Referring to Figure 5, the device is shown with the movable component 20 represented in open position thus allowing air and humidity to exchange inside and outside the enclosure by means of natural air pressure fluctuations. The portable automatic humidity vent will close when humidity and temperature conditions change in a manner, which will cause increases of humidity or condensation to occur in the interior of the enclosure.

Referring to Figure 6, is the similar arrangement as Figures 4 and 5 but shows the addition of an extraction fan 80, which operates when the movable component is in open position, if a faster air exchange rate is required.

Z,

Claims

Claims

1. A portable automatic humidity vent comprising a movable component which automatically and positively positions itself closed or opened in a duct according to the atmospheric levels of humidity, temperature or a combination of the two. The movable component thus allows natural air movement or seals the enclosure restricting air and humidity movement from within an enclosure to the exterior of an enclosure and vice versa. The unit is powered by its own self-contained energy source and requires no external power or input.

A portable automatic humidity vent as claimed in claim 1, which uses the natural action of a hydroscopic material to position or activate the movable component.

A portable automatic humidity vent as claimed in claim 2, which uses the natural action of a hydroscopic material to position or activate the movable component fixed at one end and using an elasticated material or tension spring at the other end allowing movement.

A portable automatic humidity vent as claimed in claim 1which uses electronic or electric apparatus to position to activate the movable component.

5. A portable automatic humidity vent as claimed in claim 4 where humidity sensors placed inside or outside the enclosure, or in combination are used to determine the opening or closing of the movable component 8.

A portable automatic humidity vent as claimed in claim 4 where temperature sensors placed inside or outside the enclosure, or in combination are used to determine the opening or closing of the movable component.

A portable automatic humidity vent as claimed in claim 5 and claim 6 where a combination of temperature and humidity sensors are used to determine the opening or closing of the movable component.

A portable automatic humidity vent as claimed in claim 7 with an electronic control unit that can be set with temperature and humidity levels, and rates of change that can control the opening and shutting of the moveable component.

9. A portable automatic humidity vent as claimed in claim 8 powered by solar, wind, and kinetic energy, expansion of materials as well as traditional battery power.

10. A portable automatic humidity vent substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1- 6 of the accompanying drawing.

4.