MANAGING CONDENSATION WITH FLUID CONTROL FILM APPARATUS

• Main Authors: HALVERSON, Kurt J, SLAMA, David F, FRONEK, Daniel R, NELSON, Caleb T, SWANSON, Steven P, ANTILA, Garth V
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 29.09.2021
• Subjects: BLASTING; CLEANING; CLEANING IN GENERAL; COLD ROOMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT COVERED BY ANY OTHERSUBCLASS; DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OFGENERAL APPLICATION; HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; HEATING; ICE-BOXES; LAYERED PRODUCTS; LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT ORNON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM; LIGHTING; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS, e.g. MICROMECHANICALDEVICES; MICROSTRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL; REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; REFRIGERATORS; TRANSPORTING; WEAPONS

A condensation management apparatus comprises a first microstructured film arranged to condense water vapor on a substantially vertical surface of a component. The first film comprises channels disposed on first and second major surfaces of the first film and dimensioned to support capillary movement of condensate. The channels have a channel axis substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the first film. The longitudinal axis of the first film is tilted at a tilt angle of at least 4 degrees with respect to an axis normal to a direction of gravity. Openings in the channels are disposed at one or both end edges of the first film. The openings provide condensate release locations of the first film. A second film is disposed over a portion of the first film. The second film attaches the first film to the substantially vertical surface of the component.