Rigid multilayer material for thermal insulation
AssigneeAlcatel
InventorsMichel Maignan, Thierry Youssefi, Bertrand Brevart
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a rigid multilayer material for thermal insulation, in particular in a vacuum, the material comprising at least one insulating plate of honeycomb material sandwiched between two aluminum- or gold-coated skins of low emissivity. In order to optimize thermal insulation, the diameter of the cells is at least twice their height. The multilayer material may have as many layers as needed. The cells of adjacent layers may be offset in order to further minimize paths for heat conduction through the structure. Holes may be pierced in the side walls of the cells in order to allow them to empty out when the material is put into a vacuum. The invention also provides a method of making such a material.
Claims17
A multilayer material, comprising:
- at least one rigid plate of insulating honeycomb material sandwiched between two aluminum- or gold-coated skins of low emissivity, wherein said honeycomb material comprises a plurality of cells, each of said cells having a width measured in the plane of said plate that is at least twice a height of said cell measured perpendicular to said plate;
- said multilayer material being configured for thermal insulation in a vacuum in space;
- and
- wherein side walls of said cells are pierced in order to allow said material to empty out when placed in the vacuum.
A method of manufacturing a rigid multilayer material,
- said rigid multilayer material including at least one plate of insulating honeycomb material sandwiched between two aluminum- or gold-coated skins of low emissivity, wherein said honeycomb material comprises a plurality of cells, each of said cells having a width measured in the plane of said plate that is at least twice a height of said cell measured perpendicular to said plate,
- wherein adhesive is deposited on end edges of walls of said cells, the method comprising:
- placing a film of adhesive on a surface of said honeycomb plate;
- heating said film to burst the cells;
- thereby causing the adhesive to shrink onto the end edges of said cells;
- and
- pressing one of said skins together with said honeycomb plate.
A rigid multilayer material for thermal insulation in a vacuum, the material comprising at least one plate of insulating honeycomb material sandwiched between two aluminum- or gold-coated skins of low emissivity, wherein said honeycomb material comprises a plurality of cells, wherein said aluminum- or gold-coated skins are made of glass-epoxy.
A multilayer material, comprising:
- at least one rigid plate of insulating honeycomb material sandwiched between two aluminum- or gold-coated skins of low emissivity, wherein said honeycomb material comprises a plurality of cells, each of said cells having a width measured in the plane of said plate that is at least twice a height of said cell measured perpendicular to said plate;
- said multilayer material being configured for thermal insulation in a vacuum in space;
- and
- wherein said aluminum- or gold-coated skins are made of glass-epoxy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.