US4594082A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dehydrating air-filtering apparatus
Assignee: Harris Corp
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Filing: 1984-11-19
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Granted: 1986-06-10
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Expires: 2004-11-19
Abstract
Abstract A filtering apparatus for reducing problems due to water condensation in mobile or portable electronic instruments through the use of a controlled air path into an otherwise sealed enclosure. The apparatus includes a screen with a fine mesh for condensing water particles contained in the air that flows through the path with the screen positioned so that the condensed water flows out of the enclosure, and a dehydrating material located in series with the screen for absorbing additional moisture from the air. The apparatus is designed to fit almost entirely within the enclosure while being readily accessible for easy replacing of the filtering components.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Catherwood, Sr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:12
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K5/00; H05K5/06; B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/26; B01D53/261; H05K5/02; H05K5/0212; H05K5/0213; H05K5/0216
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A dehydrating air-filtering apparatus for radio frequency communications equipment contained within a sealed enclosure comprising: means defining an aperture formed in one of the sides of the enclosure, other than the top side; a screen having a mesh size that is adapted to condense moisture contained in the air flow there through; a container having a dehydrating material therein, being formed to allow air passage through said dehydrating material; and mounting means for detachably securing said screen and container to said enclosure in a series arrangement with said aperture for providing a controlled path for air flow into and out of said enclosure serially through said screen and said dehydrating material, and with said container extending within said enclosure, said screen being positioned adjacent to said aperture so that any condensed moisture formed on said screen tends to flow off said screen and exterior to said enclosure, wherein said filtering apparatus removes moisture from the air passing into the enclosure through the controlled path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A dehydrating air-filtering apparatus for radio frequency communications equipment contained within a sealed enclosure comprising: means defining an aperture formed in one of the sides of the enclosure, other than the top side; a screen having a mesh size that is adapted to condense moisture contained in the air flow there through; a container having a dehydrating material therein, being formed to allow air passage through said dehydrating material; and mounting means for detachably securing said screen and container to said enclosure in a series arrangement with said aperture for providing a controlled path for air flow into and out of said enclosure serially through said screen and said dehydrating material, and with said container extending within said enclosure, said screen being positioned adjacent to said aperture so that any condensed moisture formed on said screen tends to flow off said screen and exterior to said enclosure, wherein said filtering apparatus removes moisture from the air passing into the enclosure through the controlled path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
Air-filtering apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes: a clip engaging an internal flange extending through said aperture and located within said enclosure which secures said screen and said container within said internal flange.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
Air-filtering apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein: said container has an indentation about the exterior near the end which is positioned adjacent to the screen, said indentation is circular and perpendicularly oriented to the length of said container and adapted to be engaged with said clip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
Air-filtering apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said filter means includes: a sealing member positioned between said enclosure and said screen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
Air-filtering apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes: an elongated tube that encapsulates said screen and said container with the end of the tube opposite said screen having a detachable end cap formed with an axial opening, so that said screen and said container are retained in said tube by said end cap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
Air-filtering apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said mounting means includes: a flange secured to the side of said enclosure and extending into said enclosure through said aperture, said flange being formed with a circular opening extending axially there through for securing said elongated tube in place within the enclosure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
Air-filtering apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said flange includes a threaded portion in said circular opening, and Said elongated tube included a thread portion for a screw connection with said flange.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Air-filtering apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the end of said elongated tube opposite the detachable end cap is formed into a hex nut.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
Air-filtering apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said mounting means includes: a pin positioned exterior to said enclosure engaging a flange portion extending through the aperture and beyond the exterior of said enclosure, said pin securing said screen and said container to said flange when engaged.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
Air-filtering apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein resilient means is positioned between said screen and said container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
Air-filtering apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said container of dehydrating material is formed with a detachable end so that said dehydrating material can be replaced when necessary.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
Air-filtering apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes a beveled portion between said screen and the end of said mounting means, so that water droplets formed on said screen flow off said screen and along said beveled edges to the exterior of said enclosure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
Air-filtering apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mounting means is recessed relative to said side of said enclosure so that it does not extend beyond the exterior side.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
149 words
A dehydrating air-filtering apparatus for radio frequency communications equipment contained within a sealed enclosure comprising: means defining an aperture formed in one of the sides of said enclosure other than the top; container means detachably secured in said aperture and wholly extending within said enclosure, said container means containing a dehydrating material which is retained within said means at one end by a mesh screen and a detachable end cap at the other end, said container means being positioned in series with said aperture for providing a controlled path of air flow into and out of the otherwise sealed enclosure serially through said mesh screen and said dehydrating material, said screen having a mesh size that is adapted to condense moisture contained in the air flowing there through, and is positioned adjacent to said aperture so that the condensed moisture flows down said screen and exterior of said enclosure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
149 words
A dehydrating air-filtering apparatus for radio frequency communications equipment contained within a sealed enclosure comprising: means defining an aperture formed in one of the sides of said enclosure other than the top; container means detachably secured in said aperture and wholly extending within said enclosure, said container means containing a dehydrating material which is retained within said means at one end by a mesh screen and a detachable end cap at the other end, said container means being positioned in series with said aperture for providing a controlled path of air flow into and out of the otherwise sealed enclosure serially through said mesh screen and said dehydrating material, said screen having a mesh size that is adapted to condense moisture contained in the air flowing there through, and is positioned adjacent to said aperture so that the condensed moisture flows down said screen and exterior of said enclosure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
Air-filtering apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein: a flange is secured to the side of said enclosure and extending into said enclosure through said aperture, said flange being formed with a circular opening extending axially there through and detachably securing said container means to the enclosure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
Air-filtering apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein said flange includes: a threaded portion with said circular opening to provide a detachable screw connection with a threaded portion in said contained means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
Air-filtering apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein: said container means and said flanges are recessed so that they do not extend beyond the exterior side of said enclosure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
Air-filtering apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein: the circular opening in said container means is beveled between said screen and the flange so that water droplets formed on said screen will flow off said screen and along said beveled edges to the exterior of said enclosure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
156 words
Radio frequency communication apparatus comprising: a sealed enclosure; means defining an aperture formed in one of the sides of said enclosure, other than the top side; a screen having a mesh size that is adapted to condense moisture contained in the air flow therethrough; a container having a dehydrating material therein, being formed to allow air passage through said dehydrating material; and mounting means for detachably securing said screen and said container to said enclosure in a series arrangement with said aperture for providing a controlled path for air flow into and out of said enclosure through said screen and said dehydrating material, and with said container extending within said enclosure, said screen being positioned adjacent to said aperture so that any condensed moisture formed on said screen tends to flow off said screen and exterior to said enclosure, wherein said filtering apparatus removes moisture from the air passing into said enclosure through the controlled path.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
156 words
Radio frequency communication apparatus comprising: a sealed enclosure; means defining an aperture formed in one of the sides of said enclosure, other than the top side; a screen having a mesh size that is adapted to condense moisture contained in the air flow therethrough; a container having a dehydrating material therein, being formed to allow air passage through said dehydrating material; and mounting means for detachably securing said screen and said container to said enclosure in a series arrangement with said aperture for providing a controlled path for air flow into and out of said enclosure through said screen and said dehydrating material, and with said container extending within said enclosure, said screen being positioned adjacent to said aperture so that any condensed moisture formed on said screen tends to flow off said screen and exterior to said enclosure, wherein said filtering apparatus removes moisture from the air passing into said enclosure through the controlled path.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-06-09 | 1989-12-09 | 1990-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-09 | 1993-12-09 | 1994-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-09 | 1997-12-09 | 1998-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |