Thermal insulation utilizing a low profile snap fastener
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorMark W. Shorey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thermal insulating blanket for insulating a surface from extreme external temperatures. The blanket includes ceramic fiber batting that insulates the surface from the external temperatures, a frame for supporting the ceramic fiber batting and preventing the ceramic fiber batting from sagging, and a ceramic fabric cover enclosing the ceramic fiber batting and the frame. The ceramic fabric cover defines a first side of the blanket facing externally, and a second side opposite the first side and facing the surface. The blanket also includes a low profile fastener for coupling the blanket to the surface. The fastener is coupled and decoupled from the surface by applying pressure to the first side of the blanket proximate the fastener.
Claims19
A thermally insulated spacecraft comprising:
- a skin external to the spacecraft;
- a plurality of studs affixed to said skin;
- an insulating blanket for positioning over at least a portion of said skin, said blanket including:
- a frame member forming a shape having a plurality of corners;
- ceramic fiber batting supported by said frame;
- ceramic fabric cover sewn over said ceramic fiber batting;
- a mounting flange positioned in each of said plurality of corners of said frame member;
- and
- a snap fastener seated in each mounting flange for coupling said insulating blanket to said plurality of studs, said snap fastener having:
- a base intersecting said mounting flange, said base including a barrel having a length perpendicular to said frame member wherein said barrel has at least two orifices in a plane orthogonal to a radial axis of said barrel;
- a plurality of balls, each sized to fit a respective one of said at least two orifices;
- a fastener for holding a first end of the base onto said mounting flange;
- a cap positioned adjacent a second end of said base;
- a spring positioned between said cap and said second end, opposite of said first end, of said base;
- and
- a collar press fit into a lower portion of the cap to limit the movement of said cap from said base.
A thermal insulating blanket for insulating a surface from extreme external temperatures, said blanket comprising:
- ceramic fiber batting that insulates the surface from the external temperatures;
- a frame for supporting said ceramic fiber batting and preventing said ceramic fiber batting from sagging;
- a ceramic fabric cover enclosing said ceramic fiber batting and said frame, said ceramic fabric cover defining a first side of said blanket facing externally, and a second side opposite said first side and facing said surface;
- and
- a low profile fastener for coupling said blanket to said surface, said fastener coupled and decoupled from said surface by applying pressure to the first side of said blanket proximate said fastener.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.