Foamed chiller insulative assemblies
AssigneeCarrier Corporation
InventorJames W. Otter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Provision is made for the thermal insulation of a non-planar portion of a body by fabricating a molded insulative piece which fits closely over the non-planar portion and may be secured thereto by way of an adhesive. A thermosetting foam which is adaptable to this use but is susceptible to damage by exposure to sunlight and to abrasive wear, is protected by an outer protective covering that may be integrally formed with a foam core section during the molding process.
Claims22
A method of forming an insulating panel to closely cover a non-planar portion of a structure to be thermally insulated, comprising the steps of:
- forming a male mold element with an outer surface having a shape that corresponds with that of the non-planar portion;
- forming a female mold element with an inner surface having a shape that corresponds with that of the non-planar portion;
- coupling the male element with the female element with an offset between the respective inner surfaces to provide a cavity therebetween;
- filling said cavity with a liquid foam material and allowing it to solidify to form a solid foam insulation element;
- and
- removing said insulation panel from said mold element and attaching it to said non-planar portion.
An insulating panel for close fit installation over a non-planar portion of a structure to be thermally insulated, comprising;
- a core element having an internal surface with a shape that corresponds to that of said non-planar portion and composed of a solid foam material which is generally susceptible to deterioration if exposed to sunlight or abrasive wear;
- and
- a protective cover placed in close fit relationship with an outer side of said core element to protect it from exposure to sunlight and abrasive wear.
An insulation structure covering a portion of a body to be thermally insulated, the body having a non-planar surface that joins a planar surface thereof comprising;
- an non-planar element having a first edge and having an internal surface with a shape that corresponds to said body non-planar surface, said internal surface being disposed in close fit relationship with said non-planar surface, and said first edge being disposed over a portion of the planar surface;
- a planar portion having a second edge and having a planar internal surface disposed in close fit relationship with said planar surface;
- and
- said second edge being disposed in abutting relationship with said first edge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.