Pressure compensator for meter housing

A pressure compensator apparatus for a housing compartment configured for a motorized vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing wall that has an opening between an interior zone that is inside of the compartment and an exterior zone that is outside of the compartment, the housing wall including an annulus that defines a portion of the opening, and being configured to be supported on the vehicle;
• and
• a seal engaging the annulus and seated in the opening to seal the opening, the seal including a flexible diaphragm having a normally closed slit therethrough, the diaphragm having a perimeter portion and an internal portion, the perimeter portion surrounding the internal portion, the slit being within the internal portion;
• wherein the seal is configured so that the diaphragm is compressed in a first direction that urges the slit closed when the seal is engaged with the annulus;
• wherein the diaphragm is arranged so that a pressure difference between the interior zone and the exterior zone urges the diaphragm to flex in a direction for opening the slit, thereby to provide a pathway for air movement between the interior and exterior zones,
• wherein the seal has a first end and an opposing second end, wherein when the seal is sealing the opening and the slit is closed, the first end is substantially parallel to a first plane and substantially faces the interior zone, the second end is substantially parallel to a second plane and substantially faces the exterior zone, and the diaphragm is substantially parallel to a third plane that is intermediate of the first and second planes.