Devices and methods for sensing condensation conditions and for preventing and removing condensation from surfaces

A method of determining condensation conditions and suppressing condensation having a given physical state from a surface having a first thermal sensor in thermally conductive contact therewith, comprising:

• sensing a temperature using the first thermal sensor;
• sensing a temperature using a second thermal sensor in an environment separated from the surface;
• sensing humidity using a humidity sensor in the environment of the second thermal sensor;
• causing a condensation suppression mechanism to be activated in order to suppress condensation having the given physical state from the surface when the temperature sensed by the first thermal sensor, the temperature sensed by the second thermal sensor, and the humidity sensed by the humidity sensor indicate that a condensation condition requires suppression at the surface;
• wherein the second thernmal sensor is positioned at a sufficient distance from the surface such that a space between the surface and the second thermal sensor precludes thermal transfer between the surface and the second thermal sensor.

A device that determines condensation conditions and suppresses condensation having a given physical state from a surface, comprising:

• a thermal sensor in thermally conductive contact with the surface;
• a humidity sensor;
• a condensation suppression mechanism configured to suppress condensation having the given physical state from the surface;
• a circuit configured to cause the condensation suppression mechanism to be activated when a temperature sensed by the thermal sensor and a humidity sensed by the humidity sensor indicate that a condensation condition requires suppression at the surface;
• and
• a protective enclosure enclosing at least the humidity sensor in close proximity to the humidity sensor, the protective enclosure protecting the humidity sensor from exposure to liquid water.

A method of determining condensation conditions and suppressing condensation having a given physical state from a surface having a thermal sensor in thermally conductive contact therewith, comprising:

• sensing a temperature using the thermal sensor;
• sensing humidity using a humidity sensor enclosed by a protective enclosure in close proximity to the humidity sensor, the protective enclosure protecting the humidity sensor from exposure to liquid water;
• and
• causing a condensation suppression mechanism to be activated in order to suppress condensation having the given physical state from the surface when the temperature sensed by the thermal sensor and the humidity sensed by the humidity sensor indicate that a condensation condition requires suppression at the surface.

A device that determines condensation conditions and suppresses condensation having a given physical state from a surface, comprising:

• a first thermal sensor in thermally conductive contact with the surface;
• a second thermal sensor in an environment separated from the surface;
• a humidity sensor in the environment of the second thermal sensor;
• a condensation suppression mechanism configured to suppress condensation having the given physical state from the surface;
• and
• a circuit configured to cause the condensation suppression mechanism to be activated when a temperature sensed by the first thermal sensor, a temperature sensed by the second thermal sensor, and a humidity sensed by the humidity sensor indicate that a condensation condition requires suppression at the surface;
• wherein the second thermal sensor is in thermally conductive contact with a temperature-changing device, and further comprising a circuit configured to activate the temperature-changing device in order to maintain the second thermal sensor at a temperature that is different from a temperature of the first thermal sensor, wherein the humidity sensor is in thermally conductive contact with the temperature-changing device.

A method of determining condensation conditions and suppressing condensation having a given physical state from a surface having a first thermal sensor in thermally conductive contact therewith, comprising:

• sensing a temperature using the first thermal sensor;
• sensing a temperature using a second thermal sensor in an environment separated from the surface;
• sensing humidity using a humidity sensor in the environment of the second thermal sensor;
• causing a condensation suppression mechanism to be activated in order to suppress condensation having the given physical state from the surface when the temperature sensed by the first thermal sensor, the temperature sensed by the second thermal sensor, and the humidity sensed by the humidity sensor indicate that a condensation condition requires suppression at the surface;
• wherein the second thermal sensor is in thermally conductive contact with a temperature-changing device, the method further comprising activating the temperature-changing device in order to maintain the second thermal sensor at a temperature that is different from a temperature of the first thermal sensor, wherein the humidity sensor is in thermally conductive contact with the temperature-changing device.