U.S. patent application number 10/932488 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-02 for venting member.
Invention is credited to Jeffrey T. Butler, Stephen G. Gonya, Peter M. Ziolkowski.
Application Number | 20060046635 10/932488 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35944010 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060046635 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gonya; Stephen G. ; et
al. |
March 2, 2006 |
Venting member
Abstract
A venting member includes a fastener and a gas-permeable member
positioned at least partially within the fastener to allow movement
of a gas through the fastener, but prevent movement of liquids.
Inventors: |
Gonya; Stephen G.;
(Endicott, NY) ; Butler; Jeffrey T.; (Candor,
NY) ; Ziolkowski; Peter M.; (Apalachin, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL BEST & FRIEDRICH, LLP
100 E WISCONSIN AVENUE
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202
US
|
Family ID: |
35944010 |
Appl. No.: |
10/932488 |
Filed: |
September 2, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/339 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 5/0213
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/339 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/00 20060101
F24F007/00 |
Goverment Interests
[0001] The invention was conceived or reduced to practice in the
performance of work under U.S. Government contract
#N00019-93-C-0196 award by the U.S. Navy.
Claims
1. A venting member, comprising: a fastener; and a gas-permeable
member positioned at least partially within the fastener to allow
movement of a gas through the fastener.
2. The venting member of claim 1, wherein the fastener is at least
one of a screw and a bolt.
3. The venting member of claim 1, wherein the fastener defines a
longitudinal axis, and wherein the fastener includes an aperture
formed therethrough substantially parallel to the longitudinal
axis, the aperture receiving the gas-permeable member.
4. The venting member of claim 1, wherein the fastener has an
aperture, and wherein the gas-permeable member is positioned at
least partially within the aperture.
5. The venting member of claim 1, wherein the fastener has an
aperture, and wherein the gas-permeable member is press-fit within
the aperture.
6. The venting member of claim 1, wherein the fastener has an
aperture with opposite ends, and wherein opposite ends of the
gas-permeable member are exposed to the respective opposite ends of
the aperture.
7. The venting member of claim 1, further comprising a screen at
least partially positioned in the fastener.
8. The venting member of claim 1, wherein the gas-permeable member
is configured as a cylinder.
9. The venting member of claim 1, wherein the gas-permeable member
is configured to block movement of liquids through the
fastener.
10. The venting member of claim 1, wherein the fastener has an
aperture, and wherein at least one portion of the aperture has a
reduced diameter to retain the gas-permeable member therein.
11. A vented assembly comprising: a venting member including a
fastener, and a gas-permeable member positioned at least partially
within the fastener to allow movement of a gas through the
fastener; and at least one wall defining in part an enclosure, the
fastener coupling to the at least one wall to fluidly connect a
space inside the enclosure and a space outside the enclosure.
12. The vented assembly of claim 11, wherein the fastener defines a
longitudinal axis, and wherein the fastener includes an aperture
formed therethrough substantially parallel to the longitudinal
axis.
13. The vented assembly of claim 11, wherein the fastener has an
aperture, and wherein the gas-permeable member is positioned at
least partially within the aperture.
14. The vented assembly of claim 11, wherein the fastener has an
aperture with opposite ends, and wherein opposite ends of the
gas-permeable member are exposed to the respective opposite ends of
the aperture.
15. The vented assembly of claim 11, further comprising a screen at
least partially positioned in the fastener.
16. The vented assembly of claim 11, wherein the gas-permeable
member is configured as a cylinder.
17. The vented assembly of claim 11, wherein the gas-permeable
member is configured to block movement of liquids through the
fastener.
18. The vented assembly of claim 11, wherein the fastener has an
aperture, and wherein at least one portion of the aperture has a
reduced diameter to retain the gas-permeable member therein.
19. The vented assembly of claim 11, further comprising a seal
preloaded against the at least one wall by the fastener, the seal
fluidly sealing the space inside the enclosure from the space
outside the enclosure.
20. The vented assembly of claim 11, wherein the at least one wall
includes a threaded aperture therethrough, and wherein the fastener
is at least one of a screw and a bolt threadably engageable with
the threaded aperture.
21. The vented assembly of claim 20, further comprising a
thread-locking device coupled to at least one of the fastener and
the threaded aperture, wherein the thread-locking device fluidly
seals the space inside the enclosure from the space outside the
enclosure when the fastener is threadably engaged with the threaded
aperture.
22. A venting member comprising: a fastener including a body
portion and a head portion, the body portion defining a
longitudinal axis; an aperture formed through the body portion and
the head portion; and a gas-permeable member positioned at least
partially within the aperture to allow gas to pass through the
fastener via the aperture.
23. The venting member of claim 22, wherein the fastener is at
least one of a screw and a bolt.
24. The venting member of claim 22, further comprising a screen at
least partially positioned in the fastener near the head portion of
the fastener.
25. The venting member of claim 22, wherein the gas-permeable
member is configured as a cylinder.
26. The venting member of claim 22, wherein the gas-permeable
member is configured to block movement of liquids through the
fastener via the aperture.
27. The venting member of claim 22, wherein at least one portion of
the aperture has a reduced diameter to retain the gas-permeable
member therein.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to venting members, and
more particularly to venting members configured to vent
enclosures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Enclosures are used in a wide range of applications and
generally provide a protective environment for an electrical
component housed in the enclosure. Such an electrical component is
housed in the enclosure typically because the component may be
damaged when it is exposed to environmental agents, such as water
or a lubricant.
[0004] It is sometimes desirable to vent the sealed enclosure to
allow pressure equalization between the gases inside the sealed
enclosure and the gases in the environment surrounding the sealed
enclosure. Venting the enclosure can prevent damage to its internal
components, by preventing excessive pressure or vacuum within the
enclosure.
[0005] Various methods are currently used to vent an enclosure
housing. One such method includes forming a hole or an aperture
through the enclosure so that it is not fluid-tight. The aperture
allows the passage of gases and liquids between the interior of the
enclosure and the enclosure's surroundings, however, the aperture
also allows liquids to enter the enclosure. To protect the
electrical components, a drain hole is typically formed in the
enclosure to allow liquid accumulated in the enclosure to drain.
Also, the electrical component is typically potted or encased with
an epoxy material to prevent contact with liquid in the enclosure.
However, this method is somewhat undesirable because of the costs
associated with potting electrical components and because the epoxy
tends to retain heat given off by the electrical components, and in
many instances the electrical components cannot be potted because
the potting material degrades performance or prevents
operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention attempts to address the shortcomings
of current methods of venting an enclosure by providing a venting
member including a fastener and a gas-permeable member positioned
at least partially within the fastener to allow movement of a gas
through the fastener.
[0007] The present invention also provides a vented assembly
including a venting member including a fastener and a gas-permeable
member positioned at least partially within the fastener to allow
movement of a gas through the fastener. The vented assembly also
includes at least one wall defining in part an enclosure. The
fastener couples to the at least one wall to fluidly connect a
space inside the enclosure and a space outside the enclosure.
[0008] Further, the present invention provides a venting member
including a fastener including a body portion and a head portion.
The body portion defines a longitudinal axis. The venting member
also includes an aperture formed through the body portion and the
head portion, and a gas-permeable member positioned at least
partially within the aperture to allow gas to pass through the
fastener via the aperture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate
like parts:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective cutaway view of a venting member of
the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the venting member of
FIG. 1 coupled to a wall of an enclosure, illustrating a first
configuration of the venting member; and
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the venting member of
FIG. 1 coupled to the wall of the enclosure, illustrating a second
configuration of the venting member.
[0013] Before at least one embodiment of the invention is explained
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and the
arrangements of components set forth in the following description
or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limited.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] A venting member 10 in the form of a fastener 14 is shown in
FIG. 1. The venting member 10 is configured to be coupled to a wall
18 (see FIGS. 2-3) of an enclosure (not shown) to provide a
passageway for gases to move between a space inside the enclosure
and the environment outside the enclosure. In the illustrated
construction, the fastener 14 is in the form of a bolt or a cap
screw having a threaded body portion 22 and a head portion 26
configured to be engaged by a tool (not shown). However, in other
constructions of the venting member (not shown), the venting member
may be in the form of any of a number of different fasteners, such
as, but not limited to, a rivet or a nail. Also, depending on the
application, the fastener 14 may be made from metal or plastic.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, an aperture 30 is formed through the
fastener 14 along a longitudinal axis 34 defined by the body
portion 22 of the fastener 14. A first reduced-diameter portion 38
of the aperture 30 is located at an end of the aperture 30 near the
head portion 26 of the fastener 14, and a second reduced-diameter
portion 42 of the aperture 30 is located at an opposite end of the
aperture 30. A gas-permeable member 46 is supported in the aperture
30 and secured therein between the first and second
reduced-diameter portions 38, 42. In the illustrated construction,
the gas-permeable member 46 is cylindrical in shape and press-fit
within the aperture 30. Also, in the illustrated construction, the
gas-permeable member 46 extends substantially along the entire
length of the threaded body 15 of fastener 14. Alternatively, the
gas-permeable member 46 may be a substantially planar membrane
extending across the aperture 30. Further, in yet other
constructions of the venting member (not shown), the gas-permeable
member 46 may define any of a number of different shapes, and may
be configured in any of a number of different lengths along the
longitudinal axis 34.
[0016] The gas-permeable member 46 allows the passage of gases
through the aperture 30, while blocking the passage of liquids
through the aperture 30. The press-fit connection between the
gas-permeable member 46 and the aperture 30 ensures that
substantially no liquids leak through the aperture 30. The
gas-permeable member 46 may be made from a single piece of
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), otherwise known by the trade name
TEFLON.RTM.. Alternatively, the gas-permeable member 46 may include
a core (not shown) made from another gas-permeable polymeric
material and a PTFE coating over the core. In yet other
constructions of the venting member (not shown), other polymers or
a gas-permeable ceramic material may be used to achieve an
acceptable permeability rate for a particular application of the
venting member.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, a screen 50 is also supported in the
aperture 30 between the gas-permeable member 46 and the first
reduced-diameter portion 38. The screen 50 is configured to protect
the gas-permeable member 46 from being damaged by contact with
particles, tools, or the like. In the illustrated construction, the
screen 50 is made from metal and is compressed between the
gas-permeable member 46 and the first reduced-diameter portion 38
of the aperture 30.
[0018] The venting member 10 may be manufactured in any of a number
of different ways. However, in the illustrated construction, the
aperture 30 and first reduced-diameter portion 38 are initially
formed in the fastener 14. The screen 50 is then inserted adjacent
the first-reduced diameter portion 38, and the gas-permeable member
46 is press-fit into the aperture 30 to compress the screen 50
against the first reduced-diameter portion 38. Further, the second
reduced-diameter portion 42 is formed by a crimping process to
secure the gas-permeable member 46 and the screen 50 in the
aperture 30.
[0019] FIGS. 2-3 illustrate respective vented assemblies 54, 56
with each vented assembly 54, 56 including the venting member 10
being coupled to the wall 18 of the enclosure. The threaded body
portion 22 of the fastener 14 threadably engages a threaded
aperture 58 through the wall 18. As shown in FIG. 2, a first
configuration of the venting member 10 includes a seal 62 in the
form of an O-ring 66 being preloaded against the wall 18 by the
head portion 26 of the fastener 14. The O-ring 66 provides a seal
such that leakage of gases and/or liquids through the threaded
aperture 58 in the wall 18 is substantially prevented by the O-ring
66. In other constructions of the vented assembly (not shown), the
seal 62 may take any of a number of different forms, including, but
not limited to, a rubber washer and a paper-based gasket.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows a second configuration of the venting member 10
including a thread-locking device 70 coupled to the threaded body
portion 22 of the fastener 14 and the threaded aperture 58 in the
wall 18. In the illustrated construction, the thread-locking device
70 is in the form of a conventional thread-locking adhesive 74
applied between the threaded body portion 22 of the fastener 14 and
the threaded aperture 58 in the wall 18. The thread-locking
adhesive 74 provides a seal such that leakage of gases and/or
liquids through the threaded aperture 58 in the wall 18 is
substantially prevented.
[0021] The enclosure may house components (not shown) for use in
any of a number of different applications. The venting member 10 of
the present invention is especially useful for venting a enclosure
housing electrical components. Such electrical components could be
damaged if they were to come into contact with liquids. Since the
venting member 10 allows the movement of gases between the interior
and exterior of the enclosure while blocking the corresponding
movement of liquids, the electrical components are protected from
the liquid, and do not require additional protective structure
(e.g., a potting compound). Some of the different applications
whereby the venting member 10 may be used may include, but are not
limited to, field electronics enclosures, outdoor lighting
enclosures, avionics enclosures subject to altitude-related
pressure changes, and marine applications subject to intermittent
water exposure.
* * * * *