Patent ID: 7589459

Claim:
A thermal filter within a vehicle lamp assembly for reducing thermal radiation from reaching selected portions of the lamp assembly from an illumination light source disposed within the vehicle lamp, the thermal filter comprising: an inner envelope having an interior portion that is open ended for receiving and enclosing the illumination light source therein; an outer envelope of substantially identical shape and in spaced relation to the inner envelope, the inner envelope and the outer envelope being formed integral to one another at a first end, the first end adapted for being recessed within a removable socket and in contact with the removable socket, the inner and outer envelope defining a closed chamber therebetween, the closed chamber being disposed between the illumination light source and the selected portions of the lamp assembly; and a thermal radiation absorbing agent disposed within the closed chamber, the thermal radiation absorbing agent receiving radiation emitted from the illumination light source, the thermal radiation absorbing agent being transparent to short wave visible radiation and being substantially opaque to long wave infrared radiation, wherein long wave infrared radiation is absorbed by the absorbing agent within the closed chamber and is dissipated through the removable socket.