Device for reducing the presence of moisture within an enclosure containing a heat source
First Claim
1. A device for reducing the presence of moisture within an enclosure including a heat source comprising:
- a) a housing containing desiccant;
b) an air-impermeable and water vapor permeable layer incorporated with said housing and oriented adjacent said heat source;
c) a vent hole in the device providing a pathway from inside the enclosure to the desiccant;
d) a diffusion tube having a first opening adjacent to said desiccant and a second opening adjacent to the atmosphere external to the housing, said diffusion tube creating a pathway from the desiccant in the interior of the housing to the external atmosphere; and
e) a means for locating said housing so that the heat source can heat the desiccant to a temperature whereby the moisture is driven from the desiccant.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A venting device that reduces the moisture of an enclosure containing a heat source and prevents the entrance of water or other liquids and contamination from entering the enclosure. The moisture reducing device comprises a drying agent or desiccant which is adjacent to said heat source (such as an automotive headlamp bulb or thermally cycling device), an air-impermeable, water-vapor permeable layer, a vent that allows bulk flow of air during thermal cycling of the heat source and a internal diffusion tube or channel that limits the entrance of moisture vapor from the external atmosphere to the drying agent or desiccant. The air-impermeable, water vapor permeable layer allows for continuous diffusion of water vapor, reducing the moisture in the enclosure when the heat source is de-energized. The location of the device to the heat source regenerates the drying agent in the device when the heat source is energized. The device may be in a variety of shapes for ease of placing the device adjacent to the heat source.
120 Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A device for reducing the presence of moisture within an enclosure including a heat source comprising:
-
a) a housing containing desiccant;
b) an air-impermeable and water vapor permeable layer incorporated with said housing and oriented adjacent said heat source;
c) a vent hole in the device providing a pathway from inside the enclosure to the desiccant;
d) a diffusion tube having a first opening adjacent to said desiccant and a second opening adjacent to the atmosphere external to the housing, said diffusion tube creating a pathway from the desiccant in the interior of the housing to the external atmosphere; and
e) a means for locating said housing so that the heat source can heat the desiccant to a temperature whereby the moisture is driven from the desiccant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A device for reducing the presence of moisture within an enclosure including a heat source comprising:
-
a) a housing containing silica gel desiccant;
b) an air-impermeable and water vapor permeable layer comprising silicone imbibed expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane incorporated with said housing on a side adjacent said heat source;
c) a vent hole in the side of the said device providing a pathway from inside the enclosure to the desiccant, said vent hole covered with a hydrophobic, air-permeable expanded polytetrafluoroethylene layer;
d) a diffusion tube having a first opening adjacent to said desiccant and a second opening adjacent to the atmosphere external to the housing, said diffusion tube creating a pathway from the desiccant in the interior of the housing to the external atmosphere and having an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene layer covering the opening to the external atmosphere;
e) a mechanical means for locating said housing adjacent the heat source.
-
-
25. A device for reducing the presence of moisture within an enclosure including a heat source comprising:
-
a) an air-impermeable, water vapor-permeable silicone-imbibed expanded polytetrafluoroethylene tube, said tube oriented adjacent said heat source;
b) a connector for said tube with a vent hole in the side of the connector providing a pathway from inside the enclosure to the desiccant, said vent hole covered by a hydrophobic, air-permeable expanded polytetrafluoroethylene layer;
c) a diffusion tube having a first opening adjacent to said desiccant and a second opening adjacent to the atmosphere external to the connector, said diffusion tube creating a pathway from the desiccant in the interior of the tube to the external atmosphere and having an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene layer covering the opening to the external atmosphere;
d) a mechanical means for locating said tube and connector adjacent the heat source whereby the heat source can heat the desiccant to drive moisture from the desiccant.
-
Specification