Controlling airflow within an explosion-proof enclosure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9668385-B2
Application number	US-201113331331-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 20, 2011
Priority date	Dec 22, 2010
Publication date	May 30, 2017
Grant date	May 30, 2017

Abstract

A system is described herein. The system can include an explosion-proof enclosure having an interior comprising a first region and a second region. The system can also include a heat-generating component positioned within the second region of the explosion-proof enclosure. The system can further include an air moving device positioned within the first region of the explosion-proof enclosure. The air moving device can draw a first portion of intake air from outside the explosion-proof enclosure. The air moving device can also pass the first portion of the intake air over the heat-generating component to generate first exhaust air, where the first portion of the intake air cools the heat-generating component. The air moving device can further remove the first exhaust air from the interior of the explosion-proof enclosure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
an explosion-proof enclosure comprising an enclosure body and an enclosure cover coupled to the enclosure body, wherein the enclosure cover and the enclosure body, when coupled to each other, form an enclosed interior;
a baffle disposed within the enclosed interior of the explosion-proof enclosure, wherein the baffle divides the enclosed interior into a first region and a second region;
a first heat-generating component positioned, at least in part, within the second region of the explosion-proof enclosure; and
an air moving device positioned within the first region of the explosion-proof enclosure and configured to:
draw a first portion of intake air from outside the explosion-proof enclosure;
pass the first portion of the intake air over the first heat-generating component in the enclosed interior of the explosion-proof enclosure to generate first exhaust air, wherein the first portion of the intake air cools the first heat-generating component; and
remove the first exhaust air from the enclosed interior of the explosion-proof enclosure,

wherein the explosion-proof enclosure, with the baffle, the first heat-generating component, and the air moving device disposed in the enclosed interior,
wherein the enclosure body and the enclosure cover of the explosion proof enclosure,
when coupled to each other, contain an explosion that originates from the enclosed interior, and
wherein the enclosure body and the enclosure cover of the explosion proof enclosure,
when coupled to each other, allow explosion gases inside the enclosed interior to escape across at least one joint and cool as the gases exit the enclosed interior.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an air moving device intake coupled to the air moving device and configured to receive the first exhaust air from the first heat-generating component;
at least one air intake filter assembly configured to remove contaminants from the intake air as the intake air passes from outside the explosion-proof enclosure to the enclosed interior of the explosion-proof enclosure, wherein the air intake filter assembly is coupled to a first wall of the explosion-proof enclosure in the second region of the explosion-proof enclosure; and
at least one exhaust air filter assembly configured to pass the first exhaust air from the air moving device intake to outside the explosion-proof enclosure, wherein the exhaust air filter assembly is coupled to a second wall of the explosion-proof enclosure in the first region of the explosion-proof enclosure,
wherein the first exhaust air has a first temperature greater than a second temperature of the intake air.

3. The system of claim 2 , further comprising:
a controller intake configured to direct a second portion of the intake air from the at least one air intake filter assembly to the air moving device to generate second exhaust air, wherein the second portion of the intake air cools the air moving device,
wherein the at least one exhaust air filter assembly is further configured to pass the second exhaust air from the air moving device to outside the explosion-proof enclosure,
wherein the second exhaust air has a third temperature greater than the second temperature of the intake air.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the baffle is positioned on a side of the air moving device proximate to the second region.

5. The system of claim 2 , wherein the air intake filter assembly comprises a heat exchanger for cooling the intake air.

6. The system of claim 2 , wherein the air intake filter assembly comprises a thermoelectric cooler for cooling the intake air.

7. The system of claim 2 , wherein the intake air passes through the at least one air intake filter assembly at a rate of at least 75 cubic feet per minute when the first heat-generating component generates heat in the second region of the explosion-proof enclosure at 50° C.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the intake air passes through the at least one air intake filter assembly at a rate of at least 175 cubic feet per minute when the first heat-generating component generates heat in the second region of the explosion-proof enclosure at 50° C.

9. The system of claim 2 , wherein the at least one exhaust air filter assembly comprises a sintered filter.

10. The system of claim 2 , wherein the at least one air intake filter assembly comprises a plurality of cavities, wherein each cavity of the plurality of cavities has coupled thereto sintered material, wherein the sintered material is configured to remove contaminants from the intake air as the intake air passes through the sintered material to the enclosed interior of the explosion-proof enclosure.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of cavities comprises an elliptical shape.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of cavities comprises a rectangular shape.

13. The system of claim 2 , wherein the at least one air intake filter assembly and the first wall of the explosion-proof enclosure form a flame path therebetween.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first heat-generating component comprises a variable frequency drive.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the air moving device is a blower and comprises a second heat-generating component.

16. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one channel positioned in the second region of the enclosed interior of the explosion-proof enclosure and configured to direct the intake air toward the first heat-generating component.

17. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a manifold coupled to the air moving device and configured to direct the first exhaust air outside the explosion-proof enclosure.

18. A system comprising:
a baffle configured to be disposed within an enclosed interior of an explosion-proof enclosure, wherein the enclosed interior is defined by an enclosure cover coupled to an enclosure body, wherein the baffle divides the enclosed interior into a first region from a second region;
a first heat-generating component configured to be positioned, at least in part, within the second region of the enclosed interior of the explosion-proof enclosure; and
an air moving device configured to be positioned within the first region of the enclosed interior of the explosion-proof enclosure, wherein the air moving device is further configured to:
draw a first portion of intake air from outside the explosion-proof enclosure;
pass the first portion of the intake air over the first heat-generating component in the enclosed interior of the explosion-proof enclosure to generate first exhaust air, wherein the first portion of the intake air cools the first heat-generating component; and
remove the first exhaust air from the enclosed interior of the explosion-proof enclosure,

wherein the explosion-proof enclosure, with the baffle, the first heat-generating component, and the air moving device disposed in the enclosed interior,
wherein the enclosure body and the enclosure cover of the explosion proof enclosure,
when coupled to each other, contain an explosion that originates from the enclosed interior, and
wherein the enclosure body and the enclosure cover of the explosion proof enclosure,
when coupled to each other, allow explosion gases inside the enclosed interior to escape across at least one joint and cool as the gases exit the enclosed interior.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the air moving device comprises a second heat-generating component.

Assignees

• Manahan Joseph Michael
• Decarr Graig E
• Cooper Technologies Co

Inventors

• Manahan Joseph Michael
• Decarr Graig E

Classifications

• H02B1/28

  dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof · CPC title

• H05K7/20909 Primary

  Forced ventilation, e.g. on heat dissipaters coupled to components · CPC title

• H02B1/56

  Cooling; Ventilation · CPC title