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A pressure equalization apparatus for decreasing or eliminating the pressure differential between the internal pressure within a sealed system and the external ambient air pressure while concurrently sustaining a dry atmosphere inside the enclosure. The apparatus includes a variable volume chamber c

A pressure equalization apparatus for decreasing or eliminating the pressure differential between the internal pressure within a sealed system and the external ambient air pressure while concurrently sustaining a dry atmosphere inside the enclosure. The apparatus includes a variable volume chamber coupled in fluid communication with the sealed system and adapted to change its volume as in relation to the pressurization of the sealed system. Gas flowing between the sealed system and the variable volume chamber, as the pressurization changes, is exposed to an adsorbent operative for dehumidifying the exchanged gas.

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1. An apparatus having closed pressure equalization comprising:a waveguide-fed antenna including a waveguide occupied by a gas;a variable volume chamber having a flow path in fluid communication with said waveguide, said variable volume chamber operable for changing its volume in response to a flow

1. An apparatus having closed pressure equalization comprising:a waveguide-fed antenna including a waveguide occupied by a gas;a variable volume chamber having a flow path in fluid communication with said waveguide, said variable volume chamber operable for changing its volume in response to a flow of the gas therein induced by pressure fluctuations inside said waveguide; andan adsorbent disposed in said flow path and operative to dehumidify the gas flowing in said flow path between said waveguide and said variable volume chamber. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said antenna and said variable volume chamber are mounted on a tower, said variable volume chamber being configured to be positioned proximate to said antenna. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said variable volume chamber is an expansible structure selected from the group consisting of a bladder, a diaphragm, a piston, and a bellows. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adsorbent is a material selected from the group consisting of activated alumina-based adsorbents, anhydrous calcium sulfate, silica gels, zeolites, and non-zeolite molecular sieves. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flow path includes a conduit coupling said variable volume chamber in fluid communication with the waveguide. 6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a protective cover surrounding said variable volume chamber. 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said protective cover is vented to atmospheric pressure. 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said antenna is mounted on a tower, and said variable volume chamber configured to be positioned substantially at ground level, said variable volume chamber coupled in fluid communication with said waveguide by a conduit. 9. A method of equalizing the pressure in side a sealed system occupied by a gas susceptible to pressure changes, comprising:coupling an inlet of a housing enclosing an adsorbent in fluid communication with the sealed system and an outlet of the housing in fluid communication with a variable volume chamber, the housing defining a portion of a flow path between the system and the chamber;exchanging gas between the sealed system and the variable volume chamber as the pressure inside the sealed system changes;allowing the volume of the variable volume chamber to change in response to the exchange of gas to maintain the pressure of the gas in the variable volume chamber and the sealed system substantially constant;dehumidifying the gas exchanged between the sealed system and the variable volume chamber by flow in the portion of the flow path through the adsorbent;locating the sealed system atop a support structure extending upwardly from ground level; andlocating the variable volume chamber substantially at around level. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein allowing the volume to change further comprises expanding and contracting a resilient bladder to change the volume of the variable volume chamber in response to the exchange of gas. 11. The method of claim 9 wherein allowing the volume to change further comprises distending a resilient diaphragm to change the volume of the variable volume chamber in response to the exchange of gas. 12. The method of claim 9 wherein allowing the volume to change further comprises lengthening and shortening a bellows to change the volume of the variable volume chamber in response to the exchange of gas. 13. The method of claim 9 wherein allowing the volume to change further comprises moving a floating piston within a confining sleeve to change the volume of the variable volume chamber in response to the exchange of gas. 14. The method of claim 9 wherein exchanging gas between the sealed system and the variable volume chamber includes placing the sealed system in an ambient environment susceptible to temperature variations. 15. A method of retrofitting a pressure equalization apparatus to a sealed system occupied with gas, comprising:providing a variable volume chamber operable for changi ng its volume in response to a flow of gas therein, a housing defining a flow path into the variable volume chamber, and an adsorbent disposed in the housing, the adsorbent being operative to dehumidify gas flowing in the flow path;providing an opening into the sealed space, the sealed system being selected from the group consisting of a waveguide and a waveguide feed; andmounting the variable volume chamber in fluid communication with the opening of the sealed space so that gas can be exchanged through the housing between the variable volume chamber and the space. 16. The retrofitting method of claim 15 wherein mounting the variable volume chamber further comprises introducing a fluid coupling into the opening for coupling the variable volume chamber in fluid communication the sealed space. 17. A closed pressure equalization apparatus, said apparatus comprising:a waveguide occupied by a gas;a variable volume chamber coupled in fluid communication with said waveguide, said variable volume chamber operable for changing its volume in response to a flow of the gas therein induced by pressure fluctuations inside said waveguide; andan adsorbent disposed in a flow path between said waveguide and said variable volume chamber and operative to dehumidify the gas flowing in said flow path. 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said variable volume chamber is an expansible structure selected from the group consisting of a bladder, a diaphragm, a piston, and a bellows. 19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said adsorbent is a material selected from the group consisting of activated alumina-based adsorbents, anhydrous calcium sulfate, silica gels, zeolites, and non-zeolite molecular sieves. 20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said flow path includes a conduit coupling said variable volume chamber in fluid communication with said waveguide. 21. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a protective cover surrounding said variable volume chamber. 22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said protective cover is vented to atmospheric pressure. 23. A closed pressure equalization apparatus configured for use with a sealed system occupied by a gas, said apparatus comprising:a variable volume chamber configured to be coupled in fluid communication with the sealed system, said chamber including a sleeve and a floating piston disposed in a sliding and sealed relationship with said sleeve for defining a variable volume, said floating piston having one surface exposed to ambient air at atmospheric pressure and a second surface exposed to gas in the sealed system, and said floating piston being movable within said sleeve in response to a flow of gas therein induced by pressure fluctuations inside the sealed system; andan adsorbent disposed in a flow path between the sealed system and said chamber and operative to dehumidify the gas flowing in said flow path. 24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said adsorbent is a material selected from the group consisting of activated alumina-based adsorbents, anhydrous calcium sulfate, silica gels, zeolites, and non-zeolite molecular sieves. 25. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said flow path includes a conduit coupling said variable volume chamber in fluid communication with the sealed space. 26. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising a protective cover surrounding said variable volume chamber. 27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said protective cover is vented to atmospheric pressure. 28. A pressure equalization system comprising:a waveguide;a variable chamber having a variable volume and a flow path coupled in fluid communication with said waveguide, said variable chamber operable for varying its volume in response to a flow of gas into said chamber from said waveguide; anda container of material coupled with said variable chamber to treat gas flowing between said waveguide and said variable chamber. 29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said variable volume chamber is an expansible structure selecte d from the group consisting of a bladder, a diaphragm, a piston, and a bellows. 30. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said material is a selected from the group consisting of activated alumina-based adsorbents, anhydrous calcium sulfate, silica gels, zeolites, and non-zeolite molecular sieves. 31. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said flow path includes a conduit coupling said variable volume chamber in fluid communication with said waveguide. 32. The apparatus of claim 28 further comprising a protective cover surrounding said variable volume chamber. 33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said protective cover is vented to atmospheric pressure. 34. A pressure equalization system comprising:a waveguide feed for an antenna;a variable chamber coupled in fluid communication with the waveguide feed, said variable chamber operable for varying its volume in response to a flow of gas into the chamber from the waveguide feed; anda container of material coupled with the variable chamber to treat gas flowing between the waveguide feed and said variable chamber. 35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said variable volume chamber is an expansible structure selected from the group consisting of a bladder, a diaphragm, a piston, and a bellows. 36. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said adsorbent is a material selected from the group consisting of activated alumina-based adsorbents, anhydrous calcium sulfate, silica gels, zeolites, and non-zeolite molecular sieves. 37. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said flow path includes a conduit coupling said variable volume chamber in fluid communication with said waveguide feed. 38. The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising a protective cover surrounding said variable volume chamber. 39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said protective cover is vented to atmospheric pressure. 40. A method of equalizing the pressure inside a sealed system occupied by a gas susceptible to pressure changes, comprising:coupling the sealed system in fluid communication with a variable volume chamber, the sealed system being selected from the group consisting of a waveguide and a waveguide feed;exchanging gas between the sealed system and the variable volume chamber as the pressure inside the sealed system changes;allowing the volume of the variable volume chamber to change in response to the exchange of gas to maintain the pressure of the gas in the variable volume chamber and the sealed system substantially constant; anddehumidifying the gas exchanged between the sealed system and the variable volume chamber by flow in the portion of the flow path through the adsorbent. 41. The method of claim 40 wherein allowing the volume to change further comprises expanding and contracting a resilient bladder to change the volume of the variable volume chamber in response to the exchange of gas. 42. The method of claim 40 wherein allowing the volume to change further comprises distending a resilient diaphragm to change the volume of the variable volume chamber in response to the exchange of gas. 43. The method of claim 40 wherein allowing the volume to change further comprises lengthening and shortening a bellows to change the volume of the variable volume chamber in response to the exchange of gas. 44. The method of claim 40 wherein allowing the volume to change further comprises moving a floating piston within a confining sleeve to change the volume of the variable volume chamber in response to the exchange of gas. 45. The method of claim 40 wherein exchanging gas between the sealed system and the variable volume chamber includes placing the sealed system in an ambient environment susceptible to temperature variations.