Multiply-insulated assemblies

A method, comprising:

• (a) providing a first container comprising a first wall enclosing an interior volume;
• a second wall enclosing the first wall and the second wall being spaced at a distance from the first wall to define an insulating space therebetween;
• and a vent communicating with the insulating space to provide an exit pathway for gas molecules from the space, the vent being sealable for maintaining a vacuum within the insulating space following evacuation of gas molecules through the vent, the distance between the first and second walls being variable in a portion of the insulating space adjacent the vent such that gas molecules within the insulating space are directed towards the vent by the variable-distance portion of the first and second walls during the evacuation of the insulating space,
• the interior volume of the first container being, at a proximal end of the first container, open to the environment exterior to the first container, and
• the vent of the first container opening in the direction of the proximal end of the first container, and
• (b) providing a second container, the second container comprising a first wall enclosing an interior volume;
• a second wall enclosing the first wall and the second wall being spaced at a distance from the first wall to define an insulating space therebetween;
• and a vent communicating with the insulating space to provide an exit pathway for gas molecules from the space, the vent being sealable for maintaining a vacuum within the insulating space following evacuation of gas molecules through the vent, the distance between the first and second walls being variable in a portion of the insulating space adjacent the vent such that gas molecules within the insulating space are directed towards the vent by the variable-distance portion of the first and second walls during the evacuation of the insulating space,
• the interior volume of the second container being, at a proximal end of the second container, open to the environment exterior to the second container,
• the vent of the second container opening in the direction of the proximal end of the second container,
• disposing the first container within the second container such that the proximal end of the second container is opposite the proximal end of the first container,
• disposing the first container within the second container such that the first and second containers define a spacing therebetween;
• disposing a spacing material between the first and second containers so as to maintain the spacing between the first and second containers;
• and
• disposing a conductor so as to place the interior of the first container into electronic communication with the environment exterior to the second container.

A module, comprising:

• a first container having an opening and comprising inner and outer walls and defining a sealed region between the inner and outer walls, the sealed region having a pressure of from about 10−5 to about 10−9 Torr,
• the first container having an opening;
• a second container having an opening and comprising inner and outer walls and defining a sealed region between the inner and outer walls, the sealed region having a pressure of from about 10−5 to about 10−9 Torr,
• the second container being disposed within the first container and the opening of the second container being disposed opposite the opening of the first container;
• the first and second containers defining a space therebetween and enclosing a storage volume within the second container,
• the space between the first and second containers being occupied by an insulator,
• the storage volume having disposed within a data recorder,
• the data recorder being enclosed in the storage volume within an amount of insulator, within an amount of a phase change material, or both.