Thermally enhanced foam insulation
OwnerDavid P. Colvin, Yvonne G. Bryantinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thermal barrier in the form of a base material with a plurality of microcapsules containing a phase change material forms an insulative pad, such as a shoe insole. The microcapsules are surroundingly encapsulated and embedded within the base material. In addition, substantially all of the microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules containing a phase change material. The microcapsules may be anisotropically distributed to further reduce thermal conductivity of heat through the thermal barrier.
Claims18
A thermal control material having thermal energy storage and insulative properties for use as a thermal barrier when placed between a heat source and a heat sink, and comprising:
- a foam base material forming an insulative pad, and
- a plurality of microcapsules integral with and dispersed throughout said insulative pad and wherein said microcapsules are individually surroundingly encapsulated an embedded within said base material, and further wherein substantially all of said microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules containing base material, said microcapsules containing a phase change material.
A container characterized by its ability to insulate the contents placed therein from an external environment comprising:
- first and second walls in substantially co-planar spaced relation;
- a foam base material forming an insulative pad positioned between said first and second walls;
- a plurality of microcapsules integral with and dispersed throughout said base material, and wherein said microcapsules are individually surroundingly encapsulated and embedded within said base material, and further wherein substantially all of said microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules comprising base material, said microcapsules containing a phase change material;
- whereby the container exhibits enhanced thermal stability and thermal insulation properties.
A thermal wrap having thermal energy storage and insulative properties for use as a thermal barrier between a heat source and a heat sink, and comprising:
- a flexible, resilient foam base material forming an insulative pad;
- a plurality of microcapsules integral with and dispersed throughout said insulative pad and wherein said microcapsules are individually surroundingly encapsulated and embedded within said base material, and further wherein substantially all of said microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules containing base material, said microcapsules containing a phase change material;
- whereby the thermal wrap assists in maintaining a thermal barrier between the heat source and the heat sink.
A method of stabilizing the temperature of an item comprising the steps of:
- (a) thermally charging a foam of the type having a base material and a plurality of microcapsules containing a phase change material distributed within the base material in a manner so that the microcapsules are surroundingly encapsulated and embedded within the base material and further wherein substantially all of the microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules comprising base material, to a temperature where the phase change material melts;
- (b) surrounding the item with the thermally charged foam whereby the foam forms a barrier between the item and the external environment and extended thermal protection is provided thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.