Abstract:
A weatherproof cabinet with multiple-compartment cooling includes a housing and a door attached to the housing. The door includes a heat exchanger core, a first duct located at least partially between the heat exchanger door and an exterior of the door, and a second duct located at least partially between the heat exchanger door and an electronics compartment. The door also includes an inlet vent and an outlet vent that are pneumatically interconnected with the first duct. A fan is located at least partially within the first duct and is operative to draw external air into the first duct via the inlet vent, direct at least the first portion of the external air across the heat exchanger core, and then direct the first portion of the external air out of the first duct via the outlet vent. A partition is located within the first duct and separates the inlet vent from the outlet vent so that external air is not drawn into the first duct via the outlet vent during operation of the fan.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally related to telecommunications enclosures and, more particularly, is related to systems and methods for weatherproof cabinets with multiple compartment cooling. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The continuing development of newer generation telecommunications equipment has provided the benefit of a steady increase in the power density of such equipment (i.e., an increase in operating capacity using the same size or even smaller components). As a result of this increasing power density, newer generation telecommunications equipment dissipates more heat during operation than older generation equipment. There is a growing awareness that telecommunications equipment, such as electronic equipment and back-up power batteries, experience decreased operating performance and life-span when operated at high temperatures. Therefore, newer generation telecommunications equipment that is installed in weatherproof cabinets requires sufficient cooling to ensure optimal operating performance and life-span. 
     A number of existing weatherproof cabinets rely on the natural convection of the heat dissipated from enclosed equipment to the exterior cabinet walls where it is then conducted out to the external environment. However, such natural convection cooling techniques are typically not sufficient to provide the cooling needed to promote optimal performance of newer generation telecommunications equipment. Other existing weatherproof cabinets attempt to provide sufficient cooling by various methods. However, such existing cabinets typically fail to provide sufficient battery cooling or fail to provide sufficient battery cooling without the undesirable accumulation of excessive particles and debris on the batteries and/or other enclosed equipment, which typically also causes decreased operating performance and life-span. 
     Based on the foregoing, it should be appreciated that there is a need for improved systems and methods which address the above-mentioned, as well as other, shortcomings of existing systems and methods. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides systems and methods for weatherproof cabinets with multiple compartment cooling. 
     Briefly described, one embodiment of the system, among others, includes a housing. Disposed within the housing is an electronics compartment, a battery compartment, an internal fan, and an external fan. A door is attached to the housing. Additionally, a heat exchanging device is disposed within the cabinet. 
     The present invention can also be viewed as providing methods for weatherproof cabinets with multiple compartment cooling. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following: providing a weatherproof cabinet with multiple compartments and a heat exchanging device, transferring heat from an electronics compartment to the heat exchanging device, transferring heat from the heat exchanging device to outside of the cabinet, and transferring heat from a battery compartment to outside of the cabinet. 
     Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1A  is a front perspective view of a weatherproof cabinet with multiple compartment cooling that has a door mounted heat exchanging unit. 
         FIG. 1B  is a rear perspective view of a weatherproof cabinet with multiple compartment cooling that has a door mounted heat exchanging unit. 
         FIG. 2  is a cutaway side view of an embodiment of a weatherproof cabinet with multiple compartment cooling such as that depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1B  that has a door mounted heat exchanging unit. 
         FIG. 3  is a cutaway side view of another embodiment of a weatherproof cabinet with multiple compartment cooling such as that depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1B  that has a door mounted heat exchanging unit. 
         FIG. 4  is a cutaway side view of an alternate embodiment of a weatherproof cabinet with multiple compartment cooling such as that depicted in  FIG. 3  that has a door mounted heat exchanging unit. 
         FIG. 5A  is a front perspective view of a weatherproof cabinet with multiple compartment cooling that has a wall mounted heat exchanging unit. 
         FIG. 5B  is a rear perspective view of a weatherproof cabinet with multiple compartment cooling that has a wall mounted heat exchanging unit. 
         FIG. 6  is a cutaway side view of an embodiment of a weatherproof cabinet with multiple compartment cooling such as that depicted in  FIGS. 5A-5B  that has a wall mounted heat exchanging unit. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention now will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are intended to convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, all “examples” given herein are intended to be non-limiting. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , a front and rear perspective view, respectively, of a weatherproof cabinet  100  with multiple compartment cooling that has a door mounted heat exchanging unit is shown. The cabinet  100  includes a housing  102  and a door  104 . Although not depicted, in some embodiments, the cabinet  100  may include more than one door—for example, the cabinet  100  may include one or more doors on opposite sides of the cabinet  100  or adjacent to each other on the same side of the cabinet  100 . The housing  102  typically has several walls of various shapes and sizes as depicted, for example, in  FIGS. 1A-1B . The door  104  is typically attached to one or more walls of the housing  102  by some means for attachment, such as hinges, screw fasteners, or other elements, which may be known in the art. A heat exchanging unit  106  is typically mounted to the door  104 . Although not depicted, in some embodiments, the cabinet  100  may include more than one heat exchanging unit mounted to it. The heat exchanging unit  106  will be discussed in further below with respect to other figures. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1B , the door  104  of the cabinet  100  also typically includes one or more vents  108 ,  110 . Although depicted in a vertical arrangement in  FIG. 1B , in some embodiments, the vents  108 ,  110  may be positioned in other arrangements, such as horizontal. There is also typically one or more vents  111  located on the rear wall of the housing  102 , as also depicted in FIG.  1 B. These vents  111  may alternately be included on another wall of the housing  502 , instead of the rear wall, or additional vents (not depicted) may be included on other walls of the housing  502  as well. The vents  108 ,  110 ,  111  may be provided in various sizes, shapes, and configurations and typically provide one or more openings for the through-flow of air in the cabinet  100 . Moreover, the vents  108 ,  110 ,  111  may be shaped or otherwise configured to minimize the ingress of moisture and debris into the cabinet  100 , for example, in the form of wind-swept rain, dust, or other particles. The vents  108 ,  110 ,  111  may also be at least partially covered by some means for filtering (not depicted), such as filter media, screening, or other elements, which may be known in the art, to minimize the ingress of moisture and debris into the cabinet  100 . 
     In order to facilitate the weatherproof characteristics of the cabinet  100 , the housing  102  and door  104  may include other features that promote such characteristics. For example, as depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1B , the top wall  105  of the housing  102  may extend over the door  104  when it is in a closed position in order to minimize the accumulation and ingress of moisture, for example from rain or snow, at the top section where the closed door  104  and housing  102  meet. As another example, the door  104  and/or the surface of the housing  102  that contacts the door  104  when it is closed may include some means for sealing (not depicted) the cabinet  100 , such as one or more gaskets, seals, or other elements, which may be known in the art. Other elements that facilitate the weatherproof characteristics of the cabinet  100 , and which may be known in the art, may be included as part of the cabinet  100  within the scope of the invention. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1A , the interior of the cabinet  100  may include several compartments. The cabinet  100  typically includes a main compartment  112  that usually serves to enclose electronic equipment that is installed in the cabinet  100 . The main compartment  112  is typically formed of one or more walls of the housing  102 . Alternately, in some embodiments, the main compartment  112  may be formed of one or more separate walls from the walls of the housing  102 . In such embodiments, the main compartment  112  may be spaced from the walls and/or compartments of the cabinet  100  to provide thermal insulation of the main compartment  112  from the other compartments of the cabinet  100 . Typically, the door  104  serves as a wall of the main compartment  112 , for example as the front wall, and the main compartment  112  provides a weatherproof enclosure to equipment installed within it when the door  104  is in a closed position. 
     The cabinet  100  typically also includes an auxiliary compartment  114  which usually encloses batteries and related equipment. As depicted in  FIG. 1A , one or more walls of the auxiliary compartment  114  may be formed from the walls of the housing  102 . Further, the door  104  typically serves as a wall of the auxiliary compartment  114 , for example as the front wall. In some embodiments, however, a separate panel may be provided as such wall of the auxiliary compartment  114  and may be attached to the compartment  114 , for example, by some means for attachment as discussed above. 
     An entrance compartment  116  is also typically included in the cabinet  100 . The entrance compartment  116  typically provides a location on the cabinet  100  where one or more power cables, telecommunications cables, and/or other components can be routed into the cabinet  100 , for example, from one or more conduits or a trench. In that regard, the bottom wall of the entrance compartment  116  typically has one or more openings (not depicted) for cables and/or other components to be passed through and into the cabinet  100 . Furthermore, other walls of the entrance compartment  116  may also have openings (not depicted) so that cables or other components can be routed to other compartments within the cabinet  100 . One or more of the openings in the walls of the entrance compartment  116  may be fitted with some means for connecting (not depicted), such as a cable connector, a strain relief cable connector, or other components, which may be known in the art—such means for connecting may also provide a seal or barrier between the compartments. As depicted in  FIG. 1A , one or more walls of the entrance compartment  116  may be formed from the walls of the housing  102 . Further, the door  104  typically serves as a wall of the entrance compartment  116 , for example as the front wall. In some embodiments, however, a separate wall panel may be provided and attached to the compartment  116 , for example, by some means for attachment as discussed above. 
     The cabinet  100  may also include other compartments that serve various purposes within the scope of the invention. The various elements of the cabinet  100 , such as the walls of the housing  102  and the door  104 , may be constructed of various materials, such as metal, plastic, or other materials, which may be known in the art. Factors such as thermal characteristics, strength, and durability, for example, may affect the type of materials that the various elements of the cabinet  100  are constructed from. 
       FIG. 2  is a cutaway side view of an embodiment of a weatherproof cabinet  200  with multiple compartment cooling such as that depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1B  that has a door mounted heat exchanging unit. The cabinet  200  has many substantially similar characteristics to the cabinet  100  discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 1A-1B . The cabinet  200  has a housing  202 , which typically surrounds various compartments within the cabinet  200 , and a door  204 , which typically serves as a wall (such as the front wall) of the cabinet  200  and the various compartments within it when the door  204  is in a closed position. The housing  202  and door  204  have substantially similar characteristics to the housing  102  and door  104 , respectively, that were described above with respect to  FIGS. 1A-1B . In that regard, the rear wall of the housing  202  typically includes one or more rear vents  211 , and the door  204  typically includes one or more upper vents  208  and one or more lower vents  210 , as depicted in FIG.  2 . These vents  211 ,  208 , and  210  are substantially similar to the vents  111 ,  108 , and  110 , respectively, described above with respect to FIG.  1 B. Furthermore, the door  204  typically has a heat exchanging unit  206  mounted to it, which will be described further below. 
     The cabinet  200  includes an electronics compartment  212  which typically holds electronic equipment  213 , such as telecommunications equipment. The electronics compartment  212  typically has substantially similar characteristics to the main compartment  112  discussed above with respect to FIG.  1 A. For example, the electronics compartment  212  is typically formed of one or more walls of the housing  202 , although in some embodiments, the electronics compartment  212  may be formed of one or more separate walls from the walls of the housing  202 . In addition to the weatherproof environment generally provided within the cabinet  200 , the electronics compartment  212 , in some embodiments, may further provide a water-tight and/or air-tight environment to the electronics equipment  213  installed within it when the door  204  of the cabinet  200  is in a closed position. 
     The cabinet  200  also typically includes a battery compartment  214  which typically holds one or more batteries and related equipment. The battery compartment  214  is typically substantially similar in characteristics to the auxiliary compartment  114  discussed above with respect to FIG.  1 A. As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the rear vents  211  typically provide an opening at the rear of the battery compartment  214  to allow air or other gaseous flow through the battery compartment  214 , for example hydrogen produced by batteries—this feature will be discussed further below. 
     Although not shown in  FIG. 2 , a cable entrance compartment is also typically included in the cabinet  200 . This cable entrance compartment typically has substantially similar characteristics to the entrance compartment  116  discussed above for FIG.  1 A. For example, the cable entrance compartment typically provides a location where one or more power cables, telecommunications cables, and/or other components can be routed into the cabinet  200 . The cable entrance compartment may also include one or more openings in the walls of the cable entrance compartment to facilitate the flow of air through the cabinet  200 . 
     As discussed above, the cabinet  200  includes a heat exchanging unit  206  that is typically mounted to the door  204 , as depicted in FIG.  2 . The heat exchanging unit  206  may have various features and configurations, which may be known in the art, such as those of a typical weatherproof heat exchanger, for example. Typically, the heat exchanging unit  206  includes at least several elements. The heat exchanging unit  206  typically includes a heat exchanging core  217 . The heat exchanging core  217  may include one or more extended or convoluted surfaces (such as fins), heat pipes, thermoelectric devices (for example, that operate by Peltier effect), or other heat exchanging elements which may be known in the art. The heat exchanging unit  206  also typically includes an external duct  219 . The external duct  219  typically directs external air across the heat exchanging core  217 . As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the upper and lower vents  208 ,  210  typically provide one or more openings through the door  204  into the external duct  219 . Thus, external air may flow in and/or out of the external duct  219  through the upper and lower vents  208 ,  210 . 
     The heat exchanging unit  206  also typically includes an internal duct  221 . The internal duct  221  typically directs air circulated within one or more compartments of the cabinet  200  across the heat exchanging core  217 . The cabinet  200  may further include one or more external fans  218  that may, for example, be integrated elements of the heat exchanging unit  206 , as depicted in FIG.  2 . The external fans  218  typically function to circulate external air through the external duct  219  of the heat exchanging unit  206 . The external fans  218  may be provided by various types and configurations of fans which may be known in the art. Typically, the external fans  218  have at least a motor and one or more fan blades. Further, the external fans  218  are typically mounted at a location near or within the external duct  219  by some means for mounting (not depicted), such as bolts, studs, or other elements which may be known in the art. The external fans  218  may be powered by electrical power provided to the cabinet  200  by various means. For example, power may be provided by one or more power cables that pass into the cabinet  200  at the cable entrance compartment (not shown) or by one or more batteries which are installed in the battery compartment  214 . 
     As depicted by the solid flow lines in  FIG. 2 , the external fans  218  typically cause air to flow through the upper vents  208  and the lower vents  210  and circulate through the external duct  210 , including across the heat exchanging core  217 . In that regard, the upper and lower vents  208 ,  210  may function as either inlet or outlet vents of the heat exchanging unit  206  in various embodiments of the invention. For example, as depicted by the solid flow lines in  FIG. 2 , the lower vents  210  may function as inlet vents while the upper vents  208  may function as outlet vents. In that regard, the operation of the external fans  218  typically causes external air to be drawn into the lower vents  210 , circulated through the external duct  219  across the heat exchanging core  217 , and blown out of the upper vents  210 . Typically, this circulation of external air across the heat exchanging core  217  transfers heat from the core  217  to the external air and subsequently out of the cabinet  200 . As mentioned, in other embodiments, the external fans  218  may cause the flow of external air through the vents  208 ,  210  and the external duct  219  to vary from the foregoing description. 
     As also depicted by the solid flow lines in  FIG. 2 , the external fans  218  typically cause external air to flow through one or more openings in the external duct  219 , into the battery compartment  214 , and subsequently out of the rear vents  211 . Typically, the main flow of external air through the cabinet  200  flows through the external duct  219  and across the heat exchanging core  217 , while a lesser flow of external air flows through the battery compartment  214 . However, the volume and pressure of the external air that flows through the battery compartment  214  may be varied by varying the size and/or shape of the openings between the external duct  219  and the battery compartment  214  and by varying the size, shape, and/or configuration of the rear vents  211 . In that regard, the flow of external air through the battery compartment  214  may be varied to reduce or prevent the undesirable accumulation of excessive particles and debris on equipment enclosed in the battery compartment  214  and to control the amount of cooling supplied to the battery compartment  214 . Although not depicted in  FIG. 2 , external air flow may be provided through other compartments, for example the cable entrance compartment (not shown), in a similar manner to the external air flow provided through the battery compartment  214 . 
     The cabinet  200  also typically includes one or more internal fans  220 , as depicted in FIG.  2 . Similar to the external fans  218  described above, the internal fans  220  may be provided by various types and configurations of fans which may be known in the art. Furthermore, the internal fans  220  also have at least a motor and one or more fan blades. The internal fans  220  are typically mounted in the electronics compartment  212  by some means for mounting (not depicted), such as bolts, studs, or other elements which may be known in the art. As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the electronics compartment  212  may also include one or more internal walls that serve to facilitate the circulation of internal air by, for example, channeling the air to the internal fans  220  and past the electronics equipment  213 . Similar to the external fans  218 , the internal fans  220  may also be powered by electrical power provided to the cabinet  200  by various means, such as by one or more power cables that pass into the cabinet  200  at the cable entrance compartment (not shown) or by one or more batteries which are installed in the battery compartment  214 . 
     As depicted by the dashed flow lines in  FIG. 2 , the internal fans  220  typically circulate air within the electronics compartment  212 . In that regard, the internal fans  220  typically cause internal air to circulate around the electronic equipment  213  enclosed within the electronics compartment  212  and through the internal duct  221  of the heat exchanging unit  206 . This circulation of internal air typically causes the transfer of heat generated by the electronics equipment  213  to the heat exchanging core  217  of the heat exchanging unit  206 . Thus, the circulation of internal air around the electronics equipment  213  by the internal fans  220  provides cooling to the electronics equipment  213 . The heat that is transferred to the heat exchanging core  217  is typically transferred out of the cabinet  200  by the external air flow that circulates through the external duct  219  across the heat exchanging core  217 , as depicted by the solid flow lines in FIG.  2 . Additional heat transfer out of the cabinet  200  from the electronics compartment  212 , the battery compartment  214 , and/or other compartments may also occur through the walls of the cabinet  200 . 
     The cooling provided to the electronics compartment  212  and to other compartments of the cabinet  200 , such as the battery compartment  214 , may also be varied by varying the speed of the external fans  218  and/or the internal fans  220 . Moreover, cooling to the various compartments of the cabinet  200  may also be varied by cycling the operation of the external fans  218  and/or internal fans  220  on and off for various time durations. In that regard, the operation of the external fans  218  and/or internal fans  220  may, for example, be activated dependent on the temperature in one or more compartments of the cabinet  200 . When the external fans  218  and/or the internal fans  218  are off, the compartments may still be provided with some cooling. For example, heat from the compartments may be transferred out of the cabinet  200  through the vents  208 ,  210 ,  211 . Furthermore, gases and/or other byproducts generated by equipment held in one or more of the compartments of the cabinet  200 , for example hydrogen from the batteries held in the battery compartment  214 , may be vented through one or more of the vents  208 ,  210 ,  211 . 
       FIG. 3  is a cutaway side view of another embodiment of a weatherproof cabinet with multiple compartment cooling such as that depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1B  that has a door mounted heat exchanging unit. In that regard, the cabinet  300  has many substantially similar characteristics to the cabinets  100  and  200  described above with respect to  FIGS. 1A-1B  and  2  respectively. The cabinet  300  includes a housing  302  with multiple compartments and a door  304  with a heat exchanging unit mounted to it. The rear wall of the housing  302  typically includes one or more rear vents  311 , and the door  304  typically includes one or more upper vents  308  and one or more lower vents  310 . 
     The cabinet  300  also includes an electronics compartment  312  which typically holds electronic equipment  313 , such as telecommunications equipment, and may provide a water-tight and/or air-tight environment to the electronics equipment  313  when the door  304  is in a closed position. The cabinet  300  also includes a battery compartment  314  which typically holds one or more batteries and related equipment, and the rear vents  311  typically provide an opening at the rear of the battery compartment  314  to allow air or other gaseous flow through the battery compartment  314 , for example hydrogen produced by batteries. The cabinet  300  may also include a cable entrance compartment (not shown) which typically provides a location where one or more power cables, telecommunications cables, and/or other components can be routed into the cabinet  300 . 
     As mentioned above, the cabinet  300  also includes a heat exchanging unit  306  that is typically mounted to the door  304 , as depicted in FIG.  2 . Typically, the heat exchanging unit  306  includes at least a heat exchanging core  317 , an external duct  319 , and an internal duct  321 . The cabinet  300  also typically includes one or more external fans  318  that may, for example, be integrated elements of the heat exchanging unit  306 . The external fans  318  are typically mounted at a location near or within the external duct  319  by some means for mounting (not depicted), such as those discussed above with respect to FIG.  2 . The external fans  318  may be powered by electrical power provided to the cabinet  300  by various means, such as by one or more power cables that pass into the cabinet  300  at the cable entrance compartment (not shown) or by one or more batteries which are installed in the battery compartment  314 . 
     The cabinet  300  also typically includes one or more internal fans  320  that are typically mounted in the electronics compartment  312  by some means for mounting (not depicted), such as those discussed above with regard to FIG.  3 . The electronics compartment  312  may also include one or more internal walls that serve to facilitate the circulation of internal air by, for example, channeling the air to the internal fans  320  and past the electronics equipment  313 . The internal fans  320  may also be powered by various means such those described with respect to the external fans  318 . 
     The foregoing elements of the cabinet  300  are at least substantially similar in characteristics to their named counterparts discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 1A-1B  and  2 . Further, the operation of the elements, for example, to cool the compartments of the cabinet  300  is substantially similar to the operation of the elements described above with respect to the cabinet  200  of FIG.  2 . Thus, cooling is typically provided to the electronics compartment  312  as a result of the internal fans  320  causing the circulation of internal air, as depicted by the dashed flow lines, across the electronic equipment  313 , through the internal duct  321 , and across the heat exchanging core  317 , where the heat is absorbed. The heat is then transferred out of the cabinet  300  as a result of the external fans  318  causing the circulation of external air, as depicted by the solid flow lines, into the external duct  319  through the lower vents  310 , across the heat exchanging core  317 , and out of the external duct  319  through the upper vents  308 . Additionally, cooling is typically provided to the battery compartment  314  as a result of the external fans  318  causing external air to flow, as also depicted by the solid flow lines, through the lower vents  310  into the battery compartment  314  and out of the rear vents  311 . 
     In variation to the cabinet  200  of  FIG. 2 , however, this embodiment of the cabinet  300  includes a lower panel or door  303 . This lower panel  303  typically covers the front of the battery compartment  314 , instead of the door  304 , and the lower panel  303  may also cover the front of the cable entrance compartment (not shown). The lower panel  303  is typically attached to one or more walls of the housing  302  by some means for attachment, such as hinges, screw fasteners, or other elements, which may be known in the art. The lower panel  303  also typically includes one or more openings that align with one or more openings in the external duct  319  of the heat exchanging unit  306  to allow the flow of external air through the battery compartment  314 , as depicted by the solid flow lines. 
     The volume and pressure of the external air that flows through the battery compartment  314  may be varied by varying the size and/or shape of the openings in the lower panel  303  and the external duct  319  and by varying the size, shape, and/or configuration of the rear vents  311 . Thus, the flow of external air through the battery compartment  314  may be varied to, for example, reduce or prevent the undesirable accumulation of excessive particles and debris on equipment enclosed in the battery compartment  314  and control the amount of cooling supplied to the battery compartment  314 . 
       FIG. 4  is a cutaway side view of an alternate embodiment of a weatherproof cabinet  400  with multiple compartment cooling such as that depicted in  FIG. 4  that has a door mounted heat exchanging unit. In that regard, the cabinet  400  includes may elements and features that are substantially similar to the elements and features of the cabinet  300  of FIG.  3 . The cabinet  400  includes a housing  402  and a door  404  with a heat exchanging unit mounted to it. The rear wall of the housing  402  typically includes one or more rear vents  411 , and the door  404  typically includes one or more upper vents  408  and one or more lower vents  410 . The cabinet  400  also includes an electronics compartment  412  which typically holds electronic equipment  413 . The cabinet  400  further includes a battery compartment  414 , and the rear vents  411  typically provide an opening at the rear of the battery compartment  414  to allow air or other gaseous flow through the battery compartment  414 , for example hydrogen produced by batteries. Additionally, the cabinet  400  includes a lower panel  403  that covers the front of the battery compartment  414  and may also cover the front of the cable entrance compartment (not shown). The cabinet  400  may also include a cable entrance compartment (not shown) which typically provides a location where one or more power cables, telecommunications cables, and/or other components can be routed into the cabinet  400 . 
     The cabinet  400  also includes a heat exchanging unit  406 , as mentioned above, that is typically mounted to the door  404 , as depicted in FIG.  4 . The heat exchanging unit  406  typically includes at least a heat exchanging core  417 , an external duct  419 , and an internal duct  421 . The cabinet  400  also typically includes one or more external fans  418  that may, for example, be integrated elements of the heat exchanging unit  406  and mounted within the external duct  414 . The cabinet  400  further typically includes one or more internal fans  420  that are typically mounted in the electronics compartment  412 . The electronics compartment  412  may also include one or more internal walls that serve to facilitate the circulation of internal air by, for example, channeling the air to the internal fans  420  and past the electronics equipment  413 . 
     As discussed above, the foregoing elements of the cabinet  400  are at least substantially similar in characteristics to their named counterparts discussed above with respect to FIG.  3 . Further, the operation of the elements, for example, to cool the compartments of the cabinet  400  is substantially similar to the operation of the elements described above with respect to the cabinet  300  of FIG.  3 . However, in variation to the cabinet  300 , this embodiment of the cabinet  400  includes an air flow tube  422  that directs external air from the external duct  419  of the heat exchanging unit  406  into the battery compartment  414 . The air flow tube  422  may be constructed of various materials such as plastic, rubber, or other materials which may be known in the art. Factors such as flexibility, thermal characteristics, and durability, for example, may affect the type of materials that the air flow tube  422  is constructed from. 
     As depicted by the solid flow lines in  FIG. 4 , external air that flows into the battery compartment  414  from the air flow tube  422  typically flows out of the rear vents  411 . The volume and pressure of the external air that flows through the battery compartment  414  may be varied by varying the size and/or shape of the air flow tube  422  and by varying the size, shape, and/or configuration of the rear vents  311 . Thus, the flow of external air through the battery compartment  414  may be varied to, for example, reduce or prevent the undesirable accumulation of excessive particles and debris on equipment enclosed in the battery compartment  414  and control the amount of cooling supplied to the battery compartment  414 . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  show a front and rear perspective view, respectively, of a weatherproof cabinet  500  with multiple compartment cooling that has a wall mounted heat exchanging unit. 
     The cabinet  500  includes a housing  502  and a door  504 . Although not depicted, in some embodiments, the cabinet  500  may include more than one door—for example, the cabinet  500  may include doors on opposite sides of the cabinet  500  or adjacent to each other on the same side of the cabinet  500 . The housing  502  typically has several walls of various shapes and sizes as depicted, for example, in  FIGS. 5A-5B . The door  504  is typically attached to one or more walls of the housing  502  by some means for attachment, such as hinges, screw fasteners, or other elements, which may be known in the art. A heat exchanging unit  506  is typically mounted to a wall of the cabinet  500 , for example to the rear wall. Although not depicted, in some embodiments, the cabinet  500  may include more than one heat exchanging unit mounted to it. The heat exchanging unit  506  will be discussed further below with respect to other figures. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 5A-5B , the door  504  of the cabinet  500  typically includes one or more front vents  511 . Further, the rear wall of the housing  502  typically includes one or more vents  508 ,  510 . Although depicted in a vertical arrangement in  FIG. 5B , in some embodiments, the vents  508 ,  510  may be positioned in other arrangements, such as horizontal. Further, the vents  508 ,  510  may alternately be included on another wall of the housing  502 , instead of the rear wall, or additional vents (not depicted) may be included on other walls of the housing  502  as well. These vents  508 ,  510 ,  511  may be provided in various sizes, shapes, and configurations and typically provide one or more openings for the through-flow of air in the cabinet  500 . Moreover, the vents  508 ,  510 ,  511  may be shaped or otherwise configured to minimize the ingress of moisture and debris into the cabinet  500 , for example, in the form of wind-swept rain, dust, or other particles. The vents  508 ,  510 ,  511  may also be at least partially covered by some means for filtering (not depicted), such as filter media, screening, or other elements, which may be known in the art, to minimize the ingress of moisture and debris into the cabinet  500 . 
     In order to facilitate the weatherproof characteristics of the cabinet  500 , the housing  502  and door  504  may include other features that promote such characteristics. For example, as depicted in  FIGS. 5A-5B , the top wall  505  of the housing  502  may extend over the door  504  when it is in a closed position in order to minimize the accumulation and ingress of moisture, for example from rain or snow, at the top section where the closed door  504  and housing  502  meet. As another example, the door  504  and/or the surface of the housing  502  that contacts the door  504  when it is closed may include some means for sealing (not depicted) the cabinet  500 , such as one or more gaskets, seals, or other elements, which may be known in the art. Other elements that facilitate the weatherproof characteristics of the cabinet  500 , and which may be known in the art, may be included as part of the cabinet  500  within the scope of the invention. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5A , the interior of the cabinet  500  may include several compartments. The cabinet  500  typically includes a main compartment  512  that usually serves to enclose electronic equipment that is installed in the cabinet  500 . The main compartment  512  is typically formed of one or more walls of the housing  502 . Alternately, in some embodiments, the main compartment  512  may be formed of one or more separate walls from the walls of the housing  502 . In such embodiments, the main compartment  512  may be spaced from the walls and/or compartments of the cabinet  500  to provide thermal insulation of the main compartment  512  from the other compartments of the cabinet  500 . Typically, the door  504  serves as a wall of the main compartment  512 , for example as the front wall, and the main compartment  512  provides a weatherproof enclosure to equipment installed within it when the door  504  is in a closed position. 
     The cabinet  500  typically also includes an auxiliary compartment  514  which usually encloses batteries and related equipment. As depicted in  FIG. 5A , one or more walls of the auxiliary compartment  514  may be formed from the walls of the housing  502 . Further, the door  504  typically serves as a wall (for example, the front wall) of the auxiliary compartment  514 . In some embodiments, however, a separate panel may be provided as such wall of the auxiliary compartment  514  and may be attached to the compartment  514 , for example, by some means for attachment as discussed above. 
     An entrance compartment  516  is also typically included in the cabinet  500 . The entrance compartment  516  typically provides a location on the cabinet  500  where one or more power cables, telecommunications cables, and/or other components can be routed into the cabinet  500 , for example, from one or more conduits or a trench. In that regard, the bottom wall of the entrance compartment  516  typically has one or more openings (not depicted) for cables and/or other components to be passed through and into the cabinet  500 . Furthermore, other walls of the entrance compartment  516  may also have openings (not depicted) so that cables or other components can be routed to other compartments within the cabinet  500 . One or more of the openings in the walls of the entrance compartment  516  may be fitted with some means for connecting (not depicted), such as a cable connector, a strain relief cable connector, or other components, which may be known in the art—such means for connecting may also provide a seal or barrier between the compartments. As depicted in  FIG. 5A , one or more walls of the entrance compartment  516  may be formed from the walls of the housing  502 . Further, the door  504  typically serves as a wall (such as the front wall) of the entrance compartment  516 , although in some embodiments, a separate wall panel may be provided and attached to the compartment  516 , for example, by some means for attachment as discussed above. 
     The cabinet  500  may also include other compartments that serve various purposes within the scope of the invention. The various elements of the cabinet  500 , such as the walls of the housing  502  and the door  504 , may be constructed of various materials, such as metal, plastic, or other materials, which may be known in the art. Factors such as thermal characteristics, strength, and durability, for example, may affect the type of materials that the various elements of the cabinet  500  are constructed from. 
       FIG. 6  is cutaway side view of an embodiment of a weatherproof cabinet with multiple compartment cooling such as that depicted in  FIGS. 5A-5B  that has a wall mounted heat exchanging unit. The cabinet  600  has many substantially similar characteristics to the cabinet  500  discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 5A-5B . The cabinet  600  has a housing  602 , which typically surrounds various compartments within the cabinet  600 , and a door  604 , which typically serves as a wall (such as the front wall) of the cabinet  600  and the various compartments within it when the door  604  is in a closed position. The housing  602  and door  604  have substantially similar characteristics to the housing  502  and door  504 , respectively, that were described above with respect to  FIGS. 5A-5B . In that regard, the rear wall of the housing  502  typically includes one or more upper vents  608  and one or more lower vents  610 , and the door  604  typically includes one or more front vents  611 , as depicted in FIG.  6 . These vents  608 ,  610 , and  611  are substantially similar to the vents  508 ,  510 , and  511 , respectively, described above with respect to  FIGS. 5A-5B . Furthermore, the rear wall of the cabinet  600  typically has a heat exchanging unit  606  mounted to it, which will be described further below. 
     The cabinet  600  includes an electronics compartment  612  which typically holds electronic equipment  613 , such as telecommunications equipment. The electronics compartment  612  typically has substantially similar characteristics to the main compartment  512  discussed above with respect to FIG.  5 A. For example, the electronics compartment  612  is typically formed of one or more walls of the housing  602 , although in some embodiments, the electronics compartment  612  may be formed of one or more separate walls from the walls of the housing  602 . In addition to the weatherproof environment generally provided within the cabinet  600 , the electronics compartment  612 , in some embodiments, may further provide a water-tight and/or air-tight environment to the electronics equipment  613  installed within it when the door  604  of the cabinet  600  is in a closed position. 
     The cabinet  600  also typically includes a battery compartment  614  which typically holds one or more batteries and related equipment. The battery compartment  614  is typically substantially similar in characteristics to the auxiliary compartment  514  discussed above with respect to FIG.  5 A. As depicted in  FIG. 6 , the front vents  611  typically provide an opening at the front of the battery compartment  614  to allow air or other gaseous flow through the battery compartment  614 , for example hydrogen produced by batteries—this feature will be discussed further below. 
     Although not shown in  FIG. 6 , a cable entrance compartment is also typically included in the cabinet  600 . This cable entrance compartment typically has substantially similar characteristics to the entrance compartment  516  discussed above for FIG.  5 A. For example, the cable entrance compartment typically provides a location where one or more power cables, telecommunications cables, and/or other components can be routed into the cabinet  600 . The cable entrance compartment may also include one or more openings in the walls of the cable entrance compartment to facilitate the flow of air through the cabinet  600 . 
     As discussed above, the cabinet  600  includes a heat exchanging unit  606  that is typically mounted to the rear wall of the cabinet  600 , as depicted in FIG.  6 . The heat exchanging unit  606  may have various features and configurations, which may be known in the art, such as those of a typical weatherproof heat exchanger, for example. Typically, the heat exchanging unit  606  includes at least several elements. The heat exchanging unit  606  typically includes a heat exchanging core  617 . The heat exchanging core  617  may include one or more extended or convoluted surfaces (such as fins), heat pipes, thermoelectric devices (for example, that operate by Peltier effect), or other heat exchanging elements which may be known in the art. The heat exchanging unit  606  also typically includes an external duct  619 . The external duct  619  typically directs external air across the heat exchanging core  617 . As depicted in  FIG. 6 , the upper and lower vents  608 ,  610  typically provide one or more openings through the rear wall of the cabinet  600  into the external duct  619 . Thus, external air may flow in and/or out of the external duct  619  through the upper and lower vents  608 ,  610 . 
     The heat exchanging unit  606  also typically includes an internal duct  621 . The internal duct  621  typically directs air circulated within one or more compartments of the cabinet  600  across the heat exchanging core  617 . The cabinet  600  may further include one or more external fans  618  that may, for example, be integrated elements of the heat exchanging unit  606 , as depicted in FIG.  6 . The external fans  618  typically function to circulate external air through the external duct  619  of the heat exchanging unit  606 . The external fans  618  may be provided by various types and configurations of fans which may be known in the art. Typically, the external fans  618  have at least a motor and one or more fan blades. Further, the external fans  618  are typically mounted at a location near or within the external duct  619  by some means for mounting (not depicted), such as bolts, studs, or other elements which may be known in the art. The external fans  618  may be powered by electrical power provided to the cabinet  600  by various means. For example, power may be provided by one or more power cables that pass into the cabinet  600  at the cable entrance compartment (not shown) or by one or more batteries which are installed in the battery compartment  614 . 
     As depicted by the solid flow lines in  FIG. 6 , the external fans  618  typically cause air to flow through the upper vents  608  and the lower vents  610  and circulate through the external duct  610 , including across the heat exchanging core  617 . In that regard, the upper and lower vents  608 ,  610  may function as either inlet or outlet vents of the heat exchanging unit  606  in various embodiments of the invention. For example, as depicted by the solid flow lines in  FIG. 6 , the lower vents  610  may function as inlet vents while the upper vents  608  may function as outlet vents. In that regard, the operation of the external fans  618  typically causes external air to be drawn into the lower vents  610 , circulated through the external duct  619  across the heat exchanging core  617 , and blown out of the upper vents  610 . Typically, this circulation of external air across the heat exchanging core  617  transfers heat from the core  617  to the external air and subsequently out of the cabinet  600 . As mentioned, in other embodiments, the external fans  618  may cause the flow of external air through the vents  608 ,  610  and the external duct  619  to vary from the foregoing description. 
     As also depicted by the solid flow lines in  FIG. 6 , the external fans  618  typically cause external air to flow through one or more openings in the external duct  619 , into the battery compartment  614 , and subsequently out of the front vents  611 . Typically, the main flow of external air through the cabinet  600  flows through the external duct  619  and across the heat exchanging core  617 , while a lesser flow of external air flows through the battery compartment  614 . However, the volume and pressure of the external air that flows through the battery compartment  614  may be varied by varying the size and/or shape of the openings between the external duct  619  and the battery compartment  614  and by varying the size, shape, and/or configuration of the front vents  611 . In that regard, the flow of external air through the battery compartment  614  may be varied to reduce or prevent the undesirable accumulation of excessive particles and debris on equipment enclosed in the battery compartment  614  and to control the amount of cooling supplied to the battery compartment  614 . Although not depicted in  FIG. 6 , external air flow may be provided through other compartments, for example the cable entrance compartment (not shown), in a similar manner to the external air flow provided through the battery compartment  614 . 
     The cabinet  600  also typically includes one or more internal fans  620 , as depicted in FIG.  6 . Similar to the external fans  618  described above, the internal fans  620  may be provided by various types and configurations of fans which may be known in the art. Furthermore, the internal fans  620  also have at least a motor and one or more fan blades. The internal fans  620  are typically mounted in the electronics compartment  612  by some means for mounting (not depicted), such as bolts, studs, or other elements which may be known in the art. As depicted in  FIG. 6 , the electronics compartment  612  may also include one or more internal walls that serve to facilitate the circulation of internal air by, for example, channeling the air to the internal fans  620  and past the electronics equipment  613 . Similar to the external fans  618 , the internal fans  620  may also be powered by electrical power provided to the cabinet  600  by various means, such as by one or more power cables that pass into the cabinet  600  at the cable entrance compartment (not shown) or by one or more batteries which are installed in the battery compartment  614 . 
     As depicted by the dashed flow lines in  FIG. 6 , the internal fans  620  typically circulate air within the electronics compartment  612 . In that regard, the internal fans  620  typically cause internal air to circulate around the electronic equipment  613  enclosed within the electronics compartment  612  and through the internal duct  621  of the heat exchanging unit  606 . This circulation of internal air typically causes the transfer of heat generated by the electronics equipment  613  to the heat exchanging core  617  of the heat exchanging unit  606 . Thus, the circulation of internal air around the electronics equipment  613  by the internal fans  620  provides cooling to the electronics equipment  613 . The heat that is transferred to the heat exchanging core  617  is typically transferred out of the cabinet  600  by the external air flow that circulates through the external duct  619  across the heat exchanging core  617 , as depicted by the solid flow lines in FIG.  6 . Additional heat transfer out of the cabinet  600  from the electronics compartment  612 , the battery compartment  614 , and/or other compartments may also occur through the walls of the cabinet  600 . 
     The cooling provided to the electronics compartment  612  and to other compartments of the cabinet  600 , such as the battery compartment  614 , may also be varied by varying the speed of the external fans  618  and/or the internal fans  620 . Moreover, cooling to the various compartments of the cabinet  600  may also be varied by cycling the operation of the external fans  618  and/or internal fans  620  on and off for various time durations. In that regard, the operation of the external fans  618  and/or internal fans  620  may, for example, be activated dependent on the temperature in one or more compartments of the cabinet  600 . When the external fans  618  and/or the internal fans  618  are off, the compartments may still be provided with some cooling. For example, heat from the compartments may be transferred out of the cabinet  600  through the vents  608 ,  610 ,  611 . Furthermore, gases and/or other byproducts generated by equipment held in one or more of the compartments of the cabinet  600 , for example hydrogen from the batteries held in the battery compartment  614 , may be vented through one or more of the vents  608 ,  610 ,  611 . 
     It is emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. For example, the above-described embodiments of the cabinets  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 , and  600  may include one or more doors in various locations and configurations, one or more vents in various locations and arrangements, one or more heat exchanging units in various locations and arrangements, and additional compartments in various locations and configurations. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the invention, and protected by the following claims.