Adaptive membrane structure
AssigneeE. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
InventorsJoseph D. Trentacosta, Vivek Kapur
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a porous adaptive membrane structure that has movable membranes. The structure can be made to change its gas, liquid or particulate permeability in response to surrounding environmental conditions. The application of this invention is includes protective apparel that is comfortable to wear wherein the level of protection provided is based on conditions in the environment. Hence, the protective apparel is highly breathable and comfortable in a non-hazardous environment but impermeable or only semipermeable in a hazardous environment.
Claims20
An adaptive membrane structure comprising first and second membranes, and means to respond to an actuating stimulus that moves the first membrane into contact with the second membrane in a position in which the permeability of the structure to gas, vapor, liquid and/or particulates is decreased, wherein each membrane has an array of holes, and the holes of the first membrane are substantially out of registration, or are out of registration, with the holes of the second membrane, and wherein application of the actuating stimulus is effected by a a sensor, in response to a change in the concentration of an undesirable chemical, biological and/or particulate species, in the environment in which the structure is located.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.