Thermal insulation

Lightweight, partially evacuated load-supporting thermal insulation panel comprising an outer gas-impermeable envelope and an inner gas-permeable envelope, said inner envelope being filled with a mixture comprising lightweight coarse gas-permeable or semi-permeable granules forming a load-supporting structural framework occupying at least 30% of the volume of the panel, lightweight fine gas-permeable or semi-permeable particles occypying void spaces between the granules, and low thermal conductivity gas filling void spaces formed within and between said granules and particles, said panel having a density of less than 10 lb/ft3, said coarse granules having a nominal diameter of greater than 2 mm, and said panel being capable of being bent and retaining a shape so obtained.

Lightweight, partially evacuated load-supporting thermal insulation panel comprising an outer gas-impermeable envelope, an intermediate gas-impermeable envelope and an inner gas-permeable envelope, said inner envelope being filled with a mixtrue comprising lightweight coarse gas-permeable or semi-permeable granules forming a load-supporting structural framework occupying at least 30% of the volume of the panel, lightweight fine gas-permeable or semi-permeable particles occupying void spaces between the granules, and low thermal conductivity gas filling void spaces formed within and between said granules and particles, said panel having a density of less than 10 lb/ft3, said coarse granules having a nominal diameter of greater than 2 mm, and said panel being capable of being bent and retaining a shape so obtained.