Back to results
US 8,757,629 B2Granted
Thermal seal and methods therefor
AssigneeThermal Structures, Inc.
InventorVaughn V. Barnes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thermal bulb seal has a bulb portion and a tab portion that is configured to allow welding or other attachment of the bulb seal to the end surface of an insulating structure. Most preferably, the tab portion comprises an angled portion so allow welding of the bulb seal to another insulating structure.
Claims15
A method of forming a thermal insulation structure, comprising:
- providing a thermal insulating structure having an upper surface and a lower surface, and an end surface connecting the upper and lower surfaces, and wherein the end surface is a flat surface;
- welding a bulb seal strip to the end surface to thereby permanently couple the bulb seal strip to the end surface;
- wherein the bulb seal strip is formed from a tab portion extending from a bulb portion, wherein the tab portion and the bulb portion comprise a thermally resistant material, and wherein the bulb portion is filled with an insulating material;
- wherein the bulb seal strip is distinct from the thermal insulating structure, wherein the tab portion comprises a metal and is configured as a strip along one side of which the tab portion is coupled to the bulb portion, and wherein the bulb portion comprises an insulating material;
- wherein bulb seal strip is electrically welded to the end surface via a first part of the tab portion such that at least part of the bulb portion sealingly abuts with the end surface;
- and
- wherein a second part of the tab portion extends away from the end surface.
4 more elements
A thermal insulation device, comprising:
- a thermal insulating structure having an upper surface and a lower surface, and an end surface connecting the upper and lower surfaces, and wherein the end surface is a flat surface;
- a bulb seal strip welded to the end surface of the thermal insulating structure to thereby permanently couple the bulb seal strip to the end surface;
- wherein the bulb seal strip is formed from a tab portion extending from a bulb portion, wherein the tab portion and the bulb portion comprise a thermally resistant material, and wherein the bulb portion is filled with an insulating material;
- wherein the bulb seal strip is distinct from the thermal insulating structure, wherein the tab portion comprises a metal and is configured as a strip along one side of which the tab portion is coupled to the bulb portion, and wherein the bulb portion comprises an insulating material;
- wherein bulb seal strip is welded to the end surface via a first part of the tab portion such that at least part of the bulb portion sealingly abuts with the end surface;
- and
- wherein a second part of the tab portion extends away from the end surface.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.