EXPLOSION PROOF TABLET ENCLOSURE
An explosion proof enclosure includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and second portion are configured to be releasably coupled to each other, wherein the enclosure has an assembled configuration having an internal chamber, wherein the enclosure is configured to house a tablet computer in the internal chamber, wherein, when in the assembled configuration, the enclosure is configured to prevent combustion within the internal chamber from escaping into the surrounding environment.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent applications Ser. No. 61/592,053 filed Jan. 30, 2012 and entitled “Custom enclosure for iPad2 which allow the user to operate this Apple tablet PC in a Class1 Div2, Class1 Zone2 area, Hazardous Location Listing for the US and Canada,” and Ser. No. 61/635,959 filed Apr. 20, 2012 and entitled “Custom enclosure for iPad3 which allow the user to operate this Apple table PC in a Class1 Div2, Zone2 and Class1 Zone2 area, Hazardous Location Listing for the US and Canada.”
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
BACKGROUNDThe use of electrical devices in hazardous areas may lead to an increased risk of a fire or explosion triggered by the presence of the electrical device. For instance, an electrical device may serve as an ignition source in a hazardous area containing flammable fluids or vapors. For this reason, electrical devices used in hazardous areas are often required to be certified according to the requirements specified in that particular jurisdiction. Further, often the types of protections required vary depending on the risks and hazards involved.
The types of hazardous environments are broken down into three classes, with each class focusing on different types of hazardous materials in the surrounding atmosphere. For instance: Class I areas include flammable gasses or vapors present in the air in sufficient quantities to produce an explosion in the presence of an ignition source; Class II areas include the presence of combustible dusts; and Class III areas include ignitable fibers or other materials too heavy to be suspended in the air in sufficient quantities to produce an ignitable mixture (e.g., wood chips, cotton, nylon, etc.). Two common types of hazardous areas requiring protection for electrical devices are areas that contain flammable vapors and areas containing dust or other particulates susceptible to ignition. Further, each class is divided into two divisions based on the probability of hazardous materials being present in an ignitable or combustible concentration in the surrounding air. Division 1 defines hazardous environments where the pertinent hazardous material (e.g., vapors, dust, fibers) is present during normal conditions. Division 2 defines hazardous environments where the pertinent hazardous material is present only in abnormal or fault conditions (e.g., in the event of a container failure or other leak).
Regarding Class I hazardous environments involving flammable vapors, an electrical device may be used in such an area via an explosion proof enclosure or assembly configured to keep an internal explosion within the explosion proof enclosure from escaping outward, where it would ignite vapors outside of the enclosure. Thus, with regard to environments having flammable vapors, explosion proof assemblies are designed to both prevent the entry of flammable materials into the enclosure and also, in the event of an explosion within the enclosure, to prevent the escape of hot or burning material from escaping the enclosure. Regarding Class II hazardous environments involving ignitable dusts and particulates, an electrical device may be used in such an area via a dust-ignition proof enclosure or assembly that is configured to prevent ignitable materials from entering the enclosure and by containing any arcs, sparks or heat within the enclosure that may ignite dust or other particulates in the surrounding environment. Also, there exists assemblies and enclosures for use with an electrical device that are referred to as “intrinsically safe,” where an intrinsically safe assembly including an electrical device is incapable of releasing sufficient electrical or thermal energy to cause ignition of a specific hazardous substance (i.e., Class I, Class II and Class III substances) under normal or abnormal conditions. Further, “nonincendive” components are nonsparking and incapable of releasing sufficient electrical/thermal energy to cause ignitions to hazardous substances during normal (i.e., Division 1) operating conditions.
While assemblies or enclosures have been developed for use in hazardous areas, these components are often expensive and not configured for use with particular electrical devices. Also, these components may only satisfy the requirements for a particular class and division, and thus may not be used in other hazardous environments or in hazardous environments under abnormal conditions (i.e., Division 2 conditions). Further, these components may be permanently coupled to the protected electrical device, restricting the use of multiple electrical devices with the same enclosure. Thus, there is a need in the art for an intrinsically safe or explosion proof assembly and/or enclosure capable of being safely used in varying types of conditions hazardous environments. Also, it would be beneficial if such an enclosure was not permanently coupled to or formed integrally with the protected electrical device, allowing the use of different electrical devices with the same enclosure.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREAn explosion proof enclosure includes a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion and second portion are configured to be releasably coupled to each other, wherein the enclosure has an assembled configuration having an internal chamber, wherein the enclosure is configured to house a tablet computer in the internal chamber, wherein, when in the assembled configuration, the enclosure is configured to prevent combustion within the internal chamber from escaping into the surrounding environment. In some embodiments, the enclosure includes a first aperture extending through the first portion and a second aperture extending through the second portion, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are configured to receive a screw for coupling the first portion to the second portion. In certain embodiments, the enclosure includes a window defined by an outer edge that extends through the first portion. In some embodiments, a sealing surface is disposed about the outer edge of the window, wherein the sealing surface is configured to sealingly engage against a surface of the tablet computer when the enclosure is in the assembled configuration.
In some embodiments, the enclosure includes an aperture extending through the first portion, wherein the sealing surface is disposed about the aperture. In certain embodiments, the enclosure includes an adhesive or other substance disposed on a surface of the first portion configured to releasably and sealingly couple the first portion to the second portion when the enclosure is in the assembled configuration. In some embodiments, the second portion of the enclosure further comprises a data interface configured to allow the communication of an external electrical signal to the tablet computer when the enclosure is in the assembled configuration. In some embodiments, the data interface of the enclosure includes a cable having a first terminal end and a second terminal end, wherein a first connector is coupled to the first terminal end of the cable, wherein a second connector is coupled to the second terminal end of the cable. In certain embodiments, the first connector comprises a 30-pin dock connector. In some embodiments, the second connector comprises a universal serial bus port. In certain embodiments, the data interface includes a dust cap that is configured to prevent particulates from contacting the second connector. In some embodiments, the dust cap includes a flange and a cap portion and the flange is coupled to a surface of the second portion. In certain embodiments, the dust cap has a first position preventing particulates from contacting the second connector and a second position exposing the second connector. In some embodiments, when the dust cap is in the second position, the data interface is configured to allow for the coupling of an external connector to the second connector.
A method of forming an explosion proof assembly includes disposing a tablet computer within a first portion and a second portion of an explosion proof enclosure and assembling the first portion and second portion of the explosion proof enclosure such that an internal chamber of the assembled enclosure is sealed from the external environment, wherein, when in the assembled configuration, the enclosure is configured to prevent combustion within the internal chamber from escaping into the surrounding environment. In some embodiments, the method includes coupling an external connector to a connector coupled to the second portion of the enclosure. In certain embodiments, the method includes rotating a dust cap coupled to the second portion of the enclosure so as to expose a port disposed on the second portion. In some embodiments, the method includes actuating a touch screen of the table computer when the explosion proof enclosure is in the assembled configuration. In certain embodiments, the method includes transmitting an electrical signal between an external device coupled to the external connector to the tablet computer.
An embodiment of an explosion proof enclosure includes a first portion, a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to be releasably coupled to retrieve a tablet computer, and a sealing mechanism disposed between the first portion and the second portion configured to create an explosion proof internal chamber to receive the tablet computer.
Embodiments described herein comprise a combination of features and characteristics intended to address various shortcomings associated with certain prior devices, systems, and methods. The various features and characteristics described above, as well as others, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description, and by referring to the accompanying drawings.
For a detailed description of exemplary embodiments, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
In the drawings and description that follow, like parts are typically marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The present disclosure is susceptible to embodiments of different forms. Specific embodiments are described in detail and are shown in the drawings, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the disclosure, and is not intended to limit the disclosure to that illustrated and described herein. It is to be fully recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments discussed below may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce desired results.
Unless otherwise specified, in the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . ”. Any use of any form of the terms “connect”, “engage”, “couple”, “attach”, or any other term describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the elements and may also include indirect interaction between the elements described. The term “fluid” may refer to a liquid or gas and is not solely related to any particular type of fluid such as hydrocarbons. The terms “pipe”, “conduit”, “line” or the like refers to any fluid transmission means. The various characteristics mentioned above, as well as other features and characteristics described in more detail below, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the embodiments, and by referring to the accompanying drawings.
The embodiments described herein include an explosion proof assembly that includes a tablet computer having a touch screen, such as the iPad® produced by Apple, Inc. Particularly, the explosion proof assembly includes a tablet computer disposed within a removably coupled enclosure. The enclosure allows for the use of the tablet computer in hazardous areas including flammable vapors and ignitable dust, corresponding to Class 1 and Class II areas, respectively. Also, the enclosure allows for the use of the tablet in hazardous areas during Division 2 conditions. Further, the assembly is configured to be nonincendive such that the assembly does not allow for the release of any sparks or electrical/thermal energy sufficient to cause ignition of hazardous substances in the surrounding environment.
In an embodiment, a non-incentive, non-modified tablet computer (e.g., iPad2, iPad3, etc.) with an accompanying enclosure is provided that allows a user to operate the tablet in hazardous environments, including Class I/Division 2, Class II/Division 2, ATEX Zone 2 and IECEx classified areas.
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First portion 300 also includes a flat rear face 307 (
Second portion 400 includes an inner flat face 401 defined by a rectangular outer edge 402. Extending from edge 402 of face 401 is an inner chamfered surface 403 extending about inner face 401 and having four chamfered corners 405. Portion 400 also includes a flat outer face 411 defined by an outer edge 404. Extending from edge 404 is an outer chamfered surface 407 that extends about outer face 411 and has four chamfered corners 409. Sealing mechanism 420 is disposed between inner chamfered surface 403 and outer chamfered surface 407. A ledge 408 extends from chamfered outer surface 407 and includes an aperture 410, allowing access to actuate second button 108 of tablet 100. Referring briefly to
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As with enclosure 200 of assembly 10, portions 600 and 700 of assembly 20 are coupled in a similar fashion as portions 300 and 400 are coupled to form assembly 10 (e.g., sealing mechanisms 320, 420, respectively, of portions 600 and 700 are engaged with each other). Portions 600 and 700 may also be coupled via a plurality of screws (e.g., screws 454) that extend through apertures (e.g., apertures 352, 452) disposed in portions 600 and 700. In this embodiment, engagement between mechanisms 320 and 420 of enclosure 500 creates a seal satisfying the IP65 standard. However, in other embodiments the seal may satisfy other standards such as IP68 or IP65, etc.
Once assembly 20 is in the assembled configuration an electrical signal may be communicated between an external electrical device and tablet 100. A method for communicating a signal between an external device and tablet 100 includes rotating cap portion 756 of dust cap 753 about screw 755 such that opening 752 is exposed. Once opening 752 is exposed, a connector of the external device or conduit is coupled to port 750 of interface 740 such that an electrical signal may be communicated between tablet 100 and the external device or conduit. In this manner, tablet 100 may be safely recharged within enclosure 500 while assembly 20 is in a hazardous area (e.g., Class I, Division 2 and Class II, Division 2 areas).
The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present disclosure. While certain embodiments have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and teachings of the disclosure. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only, and are not limiting. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above, but is only limited by the claims which follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims.
Claims
1. An explosion proof enclosure comprising:
- a first portion; and
- a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to be releasably coupled to each other;
- wherein the enclosure has an assembled configuration having an internal chamber;
- wherein the enclosure is configured to house a tablet computer in the internal chamber;
- wherein, when in the assembled configuration, the enclosure is configured to prevent combustion within the internal chamber from escaping into the surrounding environment.
2. The enclosure of claim 1, further comprising:
- a first aperture extending through the first portion; and
- a second aperture extending through the second portion;
- wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are configured to receive a screw for coupling the first portion to the second portion.
3. The enclosure of claim 1, further comprising a window defined by an outer edge that extends through the first portion.
4. The enclosure of claim 3, wherein:
- a sealing surface is disposed about the outer edge of the window;
- wherein the sealing surface is configured to sealingly engage against a surface of the tablet computer when the enclosure is in the assembled configuration.
5. The enclosure of claim 4, further comprising:
- an aperture extending through the first portion;
- wherein the sealing surface is disposed about the aperture.
6. The enclosure of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive disposed on a surface of the first portion configured to releasably couple the first portion to the second portion when the enclosure is in the assembled configuration.
7. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the enclosure further comprises a data interface configured to allow the communication of an external electrical signal to the tablet computer when the enclosure is in the assembled configuration.
8. The enclosure of claim 7, wherein the data interface comprises:
- a cable having a first terminal end and a second terminal end;
- wherein a first connector is coupled to the first terminal end of the cable;
- wherein a second connector is coupled to the second terminal end of the cable.
9. The enclosure of claim 8, wherein the first connector comprises a 30-pin dock connector.
10. The enclosure of claim 8, wherein the second connector comprises a universal serial bus port.
11. The enclosure of claim 8, wherein the data interface includes a dust cap that is configured to prevent particulates from contacting the second connector.
12. The enclosure of claim 11, wherein:
- the dust cap comprises a flange and a cap portion; and
- the flange is coupled to a surface of the second portion.
13. The enclosure of claim 11, wherein the dust cap has a first position preventing particulates from contacting the second connector and a second position exposing the second connector.
14. The enclosure of 13, wherein, when the dust cap is in the second position, the data interface is configured to allow for the coupling of an external connector to the second connector.
15. A method of forming an explosion proof assembly comprising:
- disposing a tablet computer within a first portion and a second portion of an explosion proof enclosure; and
- assembling the first portion and second portion of the explosion proof enclosure such that an internal chamber of the assembled enclosure is sealed from the external environment;
- wherein, when in the assembled configuration, the enclosure is configured to prevent combustion within the internal chamber from escaping into the surrounding environment.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising coupling an external connector to a connector coupled to the second portion of the enclosure.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising rotating a dust cap coupled to the second portion of the enclosure so as to expose a port disposed on the second portion.
18. The method of claim 15, further comprising actuating a touch screen of the table computer when the explosion proof enclosure is in the assembled configuration.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising transmitting an electrical signal between an external device coupled to the external connector to the tablet computer.
20. An explosion proof enclosure comprising:
- a first portion;
- a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to be releasably coupled to retrieve a tablet computer; and
- a sealing mechanism disposed between the first portion and the second portion configured to create an explosion proof internal chamber to receive the tablet computer.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 21, 2012
Publication Date: Aug 1, 2013
Applicant: XCIEL, INC. (Katy, TX)
Inventor: Xciel, Inc. (Katy, TX)
Application Number: 13/683,834
International Classification: A45F 5/00 (20060101);