Methods and Apparatuses for Drying Electronic Devices
AssigneeRevive Electronics, LLC
InventorsReuben Zielinski, Joel Trusty, David Douberteen, Mark Earle, Imran Arain, James M. Shrake, Evan Zaldivar, Babu Gopala Krishna Santhosh Kadambari
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for drying electronic devices are disclosed. Embodiments include methods and apparatuses that heat and decrease pressure within the electronic device. Some embodiments increase and decrease pressure while adding heat energy, such as by using a heated platen in contact with the electronic device or by supplying a gas (e.g., air), which may be heated, into the interior of the electronic device.
Claims31
(canceled)
An apparatus for drying hearing aid devices, the apparatus comprising:
- a low-pressure chamber comprising an interior configured for placement of a hearing aid device in the interior and removal of the hearing aid device from the interior, wherein an interior surface of the low-pressure chamber is coated with metalized coating, and wherein ultraviolet (UV) light reflected off of the interior surface of the low-pressure chamber illuminates the hearing aid device at least one of before, during, or after a drying operation for the hearing aid device;
- an evacuation pump connected to the low-pressure chamber;
- a heater connected to the low-pressure chamber, wherein the heater, comprising a conductive surface in physical contact with the hearing aid device, conductively heats the hearing aid device;
- a component for maintaining the hearing aid device in physical contact with the conductive surface during the drying operation for the hearing aid device, wherein the component pushes the hearing aid device against the conductive surface when the apparatus is in a closed position;
- and
- at least one control system connected to the evacuation pump and to the heater, the at least one control system controlling removal of moisture from the hearing aid device by controlling the evacuation pump to decrease pressure within the low-pressure chamber, and controlling operation of the heater to conductively heat the hearing aid device.
An apparatus for drying hearing aid devices, the apparatus comprising:
- a low-pressure chamber having an interior configured for placement of a hearing aid device in the interior and removal of the hearing aid device from the interior, wherein an interior surface of the low-pressure chamber is coated with metalized coating, and wherein light reflected off of the interior surface of the low-pressure chamber illuminates the hearing aid device at least one of before, during, or after a drying operation for the hearing aid device;
- an evacuation pump connected to the low-pressure chamber;
- a heater connected to the low-pressure chamber, wherein the heater, comprising a conductive surface in physical contact with the hearing aid device, conductively heats the hearing aid device;
- an object for maintaining the hearing aid device in physical contact with the conductive surface during the drying operation for the hearing aid device, wherein the object pushes or pulls the hearing aid device against the conductive surface;
- and
- at least one control system connected to the evacuation pump and to the heater, the at least one control system controlling removal of moisture from the hearing aid device by controlling the evacuation pump to decrease pressure within the low-pressure chamber, and controlling operation of the heater to conductively heat the hearing aid device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.