Dry powder mixes comprising phase change materials
AssigneeUniversity of Dayton
InventorIval O. Salyer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A free flowing, conformable powder-like mix of silica particles and a phase change material (PCM) is provided. The silica particles have a critical size of about 0.005 to about 0.025 microns and the PCM must be added to the silica in an amount of 75% or less PCM per combined weight of silica and PCM. The powder-like mix can be used in tableware items, medical wraps, tree wraps, garments, quilts and blankets, and particularly in applications for heat protection for heat sensitive items, such as aircraft flight recorders, and for preventing brake fade in automobiles, buses, trucks and aircraft.
Claims20
An enclosure for thermally protecting a heat sensitive item from high temperatures, said enclosure comprising:
- a housing including an inner cavity for containing said heat sensitive item;
- an outer casing enclosing at least a portion of said housing, said outer casing and said portion of said housing defining a chamber therebetween;
- and
- a mixture of phase change material and finely divided hydrophilic silica particles disposed within said chamber adjacent to said portion of said housing for providing significant thermal protection for said heat sensitive item, said phase change material comprising water and being present in an amount from about 50% to about 75% by weight of said mixture.
A method for thermally protecting a heat sensitive item from high temperatures comprising the steps of:
- providing a mixture of phase change material and finely divided hydrophilic silica particles, said phase change material comprising water and being present in an amount from about 50% to about 75% by weight of said mixture;
- locating said mixture adjacent to said heat sensitive item to protect said heat sensitive item from high temperatures.
A system for absorbing heat from a heat sensitive item comprising:
- a housing positioned adjacent to said item and including an inner chamber;
- and
- a mixture of a phase change material and finely divided hydrophilic silica particles disposed within said chamber for absorbing heat from said heat sensitive item, said phase change material comprising water and being present in an amount from about 50% to about 75% by weight of said mixture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.