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Gore Vent Technology Keeps Lights Shining at Shanghai World Expo


 

GORE Protective Vents at Shanghai World Expo

Popular Attractions at the Shanghai World Expo Feature Gore’s Vent Technology

Putzbrunn, Germany (June 28, 2010)--The Shanghai World Expo kicked-off last month in China. The expo showcases elaborate pavilions and exhibits from nearly 200 participating countries. Gore worked with two of China’s top outdoor lighting manufacturers to provide venting solutions for the World Expo. Although not visible to spectators, GORE® Protective Vents can be found inside lighting structures at the expo, where they provide critical protection from water, dirt, dust and other particles. The vents also allow gases to flow in and out of the lights, thus maintaining pressure equalization.

Ensuring Maximum Performance

Gore worked with two of China’s top outdoor lighting manufacturers to provide venting solutions for the World Expo. More specifically, Gore’s vents help ensure the maximum performance of thousands of LED lights at the Swiss national pavilion, as well as flood lights at the expo’s five “theme” pavilions, which explore different aspects of urban development. With thousands of visitors flocking to these attractions daily, it’s essential that the lights perform as needed. On the first day of the expo alone, 9,000 people toured the Swiss national pavilion, an eye-catching structure covered in tiny red solar cells. The cells include LED lights and other components that enable them to emit flashes of light when triggered by natural energy sources, like the sun. Each cell operates independently, creating an unpredictable light show for spectators. At night, flood lights illuminate the five “theme” pavilions in an array of vibrant colors, complementing the unique architectural design of each structure.

The Science Behind the Solution

The lights at the Swiss pavilion and the theme pavilions need to shine brightly throughout the 6-month expo. GORE® Protective Vents make this possible. The microporous ePTFE (expanded polytetraflouroethylene) membrane inside the vents allows for the free passage of gases and vapors. They keep pressure from building up inside the lights, in response to temperature changes and other factors. This reduces the likelihood that the lights will fog-up, or condensate. More importantly, it prevents the gasket seals on each light from breaking and letting in water and other contaminants, which could cause the lights to malfunction. “That significantly enhances the life of the sensitive electronics inside the enclosure”, explains product specialist John Zhao, Shanghai. “The expo is a great venue for us to demonstrate the value our vents bring to the outdoor lighting industry,” he says.

Ideal Choice for Outdoor Lighting

Gore associates from various functions worked closely together to deliver a quick and reliable solution to one of the customers, who needed help mounting Gore’s vents in its light enclosures. John Zhao says “We provide the technological solutions that customers really need. Beyond that, we offer superior technical support and extensive knowledge about the industry and the applications.” In fact, these capabilities have made GORE® Protective Vents the ideal choice for other notable outdoor lighting projects in Asia Pacific, including flood lights and ground-recessed lights at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and China’s first road lighted by solar-powered street lights. Visit gore.com/protectivevents for more information

About W. L. Gore & Associates

W. L. Gore & Associates Inc. was founded in 1958 in Newark, Delaware /USA and now employs over 9,000 people in more than 40 plants and sales locations around the world producing US$ 2.5 billion in fiscal year sales. The company’s main focus is on the development, manufacture and engineering of products and technologies based on ePTFE and other fluoroplastics. They are used in functional wear, medical, electronic and industrial applications. Gore is best known for its GORE-TEX® membranes used in a great variety of applications.

Contact

Uta Holzmann
Tel: 49.89.4612.2282
uholzman@wlgore.com