GORE^® Protective Vents for Solar Energy Systems

Pressure differentials are created when a sealed enclosure is exposed to rapid, extreme or recurring changes in ambient conditions. Extreme changes in temperature (a sudden thunderstorm on a hot, sunny day), altitude changes (in transit), or the constant heating and cooling cycle of an internal heat source – any of these can cause a pressure differential within a sealed enclosure. A rapid decrease in temperature, for example, can create a vacuum inside the enclosure. If this pressure differential is not dissipated, the vacuum places continual stress on the housing seals. Over time, this can cause seals to fail, allowing moisture and other contaminants such as dust, dirt and other particulates to be drawn inside.

In addition to failed seals, moisture can get inside enclosures by diffusion – the process by which vapor moves by natural molecular motion through the walls of a polymer enclosure. When water vapor enters a sealed enclosure and has no way to escape, it will condense to a liquid state. If this condensation remains inside the sealed enclosure, it can compromise lens function and corrode sensitive electronics and battery contacts.

GORE Protective Vents rapidly equalize pressure differentials within sealed enclosures, effectively preventing the internal vacuums or pressure build-ups that stress housing seals. In non-vented housings, pressure differentials as low as 70 mbar (1 psi) can cause seals to leak after repeated temperature cycles. GORE Vents reliably protect against premature seal failure, to preserve the integrity of the enclosure.

GORE Protective Vents reliably block ingress of a wide range of contaminants, from rain and insects to dirt, dust, sand and other particulates. Yet GORE Vents allow air molecules to pass through, preventing the formation of vacuums that could pull external contaminants in. With vents from Gore, components perform reliably, with lower maintenance or warranty costs.

GORE Protective Vents enable water vapor molecules to diffuse through the microporous membrane, and pass freely out of the enclosure. By reducing the amount of internal moisture, internal surfaces such as lenses are protected from condensation, and electronics are protected from premature failure due to corrosion.

During normal operation and recharging cycles, batteries can generate heat and emit hydrogen or other gases. This can create a hazardous, or even explosive, situation. GORE Protective Vents effectively dissipate hazardous gas molecules. By continuously equalizing pressures inside and outside the battery compartment, they reduce explosion hazards, while maintaining an effective barrier to liquids and particulates.

Screw-In vents provide durable protection against water, salts and corrosive liquids, even after immersion. The threaded shaft and durable O-ring provide increased mechanical stability, and these hydrolytically-stable vents are UV- and temperature-resistant, for added durability and longer product life. Designed for easy installation in any application, these rugged vents come in five different styles:

Snap-In Vents deliver robust venting performance and consistent, long-lasting protection in very harsh environments. Engineered specifically for high-throughput production applications, these vents can be quickly installed with semi- or fully- automated equipment. Most products in this series are individually laser-marked, for full product traceability. Four performance options are available to accommodate different housing sizes and provide varying speeds of pressure equalization:

Low-profile adhesive vents provide the flexible integration options for almost any application. They can be installed quickly and easily on the interior or exterior of an enclosure, using manual or automated processes. While these vents can easily be customized for the demands and geometry of a specific application, our standard product portfolio offers a wide variety of sizes, designs and constructions.

Existing customers using parts not listed here, please contact us.

Weldable membrane vents are engineered for low-profile solar energy system applications that demand fast, secure integration via heat or ultrasonic welding. Readily dispensable from the roll, they are ideal for high-throughput production in fully- or semi-automated processes. Constructed of durable, 100% ePTFE membrane, these vents are rated UL 94-V0 for flammability, and UL 746C for UV resistance.