Apple patents vent that opens and closes to protect sensors
Apple has filed a patent for a barometric vent system in electronic devices that can physically open or close. It uses two flexible membranes with different air-permeability zones and an actuator that reacts to sensor signals to control airflow into the device's internal cavity.
In the filing’s own words
An internal cavity of an electronic device can be in fluid communication with an external environment. The device can include a sensor and a barometric vent. The vent can include a first membrane including a first and second portion having a first and second permeability with the second permeability being higher than the first, and a second membrane including a third portion having a third permeability higher than the first and a fourth portion aligned with the second portion, the fourth portion having a fourth permeability less than the second. The device can include an actuator electrically coupled to the sensor and configured to selectively actuate the vent between an open and closed position based on a trigger from the sensor. The barometric vent can include an open position with the first and second membranes separated, and a closed position with contact between the first and second membranes.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An electronic device, comprising: a housing defining an internal cavity and a port, the internal cavity in fluid communication with an external environment through the port; an environmental sensor in the internal cavity; and a barometric vent disposed at the port between the environmental sensor and the housing, the barometric vent comprising: a first membrane comprising: a first portion having a first permeability; and a second portion having a second permeability higher than the first permeability; a second membrane comprising: a third portion having a third permeability higher than the first permeability; and a fourth portion aligned with the second portion, the fourth portion having a fourth permeability less than the second permeability; and an actuator electrically coupled to the sensor and configured to selectively actuate the barometric vent between an open position and a closed position in response to a signal from the environmental sensor; wherein: the open position includes the first membrane separated from the second membrane; and the closed position includes the fourth portion in contact with the first membrane.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- VARIABLE FLOW BAROMETRIC VENT SYSTEM
- Publication number
- US20260282249A1
- Application number
- 19078161
- Filed
- Mar 12, 2025
- Published
- Sep 17, 2026
- Inventors
- 4
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.