VENTILATION SYSTEM FOR LAMP ENCLOSURES
A vent for a lamp enclosure comprises a passageway between the interior and exterior of the enclosure, a non-planar vent element covers the passageway. The vent has improved air flow and offers splash protection against liquids.
1 . A lamp enclosure comprising a ventilation system, the ventilation system comprising:
a) first vent located in a first position on said lamp enclosure, said first vent having a first passageway, wherein said first passageway is covered by first air permeable, splashproof venting element, said first air permeable, splashproof venting element having a non-planar shape such that the surface area of said first air permeable, splashproof venting element is greater than the area of first passageway, and
b) second vent located in a second position on said lamp enclosure, said second vent having a second passageway, wherein said second passageway is covered by second air permeable, splashproof venting element, and wherein a pressure difference measurable at the first position and the second position causes airflow within the lamp enclosure.
2 . The lamp enclosure of claim 1 , in which the first air permeable, splashproof venting element comprises a polymeric membrane.
3 . The lamp enclosure of claim 2 in which the polymeric membrane comprises expanded PTFE.
4 . The lamp enclosure of claim 1 , in which the air permeable splashproof venting element comprises at least one pleat.
5 . A lamp enclosure comprising a ventilation system, the ventilation system comprising:
a) first aperture in a first position on said lamp enclosure,
b) vent located over said first aperture, said vent having a passageway, wherein said passageway is covered by an air permeable, splashproof venting element, said air permeable, splashproof venting element having a non-planar shape such that the surface area of said air permeable, splashproof venting element is greater than the area of the passageway, and
c) second aperture located in a second position,
wherein a pressure difference measurable at the first position and the second position causes airflow within the lamp enclosure.
6 . The ventilated lamp enclosure of claim 5 , in which the non-planar splashproof venting element comprises a porous material having air permeability greater than 5 Frazier.
7 . A ventilated lamp enclosure comprising:
a) housing enclosing a lamp;
b) a passageway within said housing between the interior of the lamp enclosure and the exterior of the lamp enclosure, and
c) splashproof, non-planar venting element covering said passageway, said venting element having a surface area greater than the area of said passageway.
8 . The ventilated lamp enclosure of claim 7 , in which the non-planar splashproof venting element comprises polymeric membrane laminate comprising expanded PTFE and a support material, said laminate having a water entry pressure of at least 0.1 psi, and an air permeability greater than 5 Frazier.
9 . A vent for an automotive lamp enclosure comprising:
a) a vent body having a passageway therethrough, and
b) venting element covering said passageway, said venting element comprising a pleated non-planar polymeric membrane laminate comprising expanded PTFE and a support material, said laminate having a water entry pressure of at least 0.1 psi, and an air permeability greater than 5 Frazier.
10 . A system for venting a lamp enclosure having two or more apertures therein, the system comprising:
a) a vent body having a passageway therethrough, and
b) venting element covering said passageway, said venting element comprising a pleated non-planar polymeric membrane laminate; the laminate comprising expanded PTFE and a support material, and having a water entry pressure of at least 0.1 psi, and air permeability greater than 5 Frazier.