DEVICE FOR REDUCING THE PRESENCE OF MOISTURE WITHIN AN ENCLOSURE CONTAINING A HEAT SOURCE

摘要

A venting device (50) that reduces the moisture of an enclosure containing aheat source and prevents the entrance of water or other liquids andcontamination from entering the enclosure. The moisture reducing device (50)comprises a drying agent or desiccant (42) which is adjacent to said heatsource (such as an automotive headlamp bulb or thermally cycling device), anair-impermeable, water-vapor permeable layer (40), a vent (52) that allowsbulk flow of air during thermal cycling of the heat source and a internaldiffusion tube or channel (65) that limits the entrance of moisture vapor fromthe external atmosphere to the drying agent or desiccant (42). The air-impermeable, water-vapor permeable layer (40) allows for continuous diffusionof water vapor, reducing the moisture in the enclosure when the heat source isde-energized. The location of the device to the heat source regenerates thedrying agent in the device when the heat source is energized. The device maybe in a variety of shapes for ease of placing the device adjacent to the heatsource.