GORE Protective Vents Equalize Pressure In PureWave Constellation Base Stations

PureWave Constellation base stations are engineered with a sleek design so they can easily blend into any environment and simplify the urban permitting process. Yet their rugged construction is sufficiently durable that they can be installed on walls, street lights or utility poles without the need of an additional shelter. PureWave designed the Constellation to withstand extreme temperature and weather conditions anywhere in the world. It also meets the IEC standard for full immersion (IP67) required by military and oil/gas applications. For maximum durability and protection, PureWave uses a cast aluminium housing with a closed cell gasket and 11 perimeter screws to provide a solid seal. Although this design provides excellent protection, heat builds up during operation of the electronics and can cause internal pressure differentials of as much as ± 3 psi. So, PureWave integrated a GORE Protective Vent into the PureWave Constellation enclosure to equalize pressure.

The constant airflow enabled by GORE Protective Vents equalizes the housing’s internal pressure, thereby eliminating vacuum and preventing premature failure of the seals. At the same time, the vents provide a durable barrier against water, dust, dirt and other contaminants, with ratings that meet ingress protection up to IP67. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, GORE Protective Vents are engineered with a screw-in, snap-fit, or press-fit construction so they can be easily integrated into any housing design. According to Brett Catterall, Director of Operations at PureWave, they selected an adhesive vent because it was easy to install on the flexible aluminum housing.

Catterall described their experience with Gore’s venting products, saying, “We expect our products to perform reliably for at least ten years, regardless of where they are installed. Therefore, we have integrated GORE Protective Vents in many of our product lines, and we have not had any leakage issues in thousands of installations worldwide. This level of consistently reliable performance is why we continue to select Gore when developing all of our products.”