Asset protection method and apparatus

• US 20070267545A1
• Filed: 06/21/2007
• Published: 11/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James Orr
• Original Assignee: James Orr
• Inventors: Orr, James
• Application Number:
  US11/821,196
• Publication Number:
  US 20070267545A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/133
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/005 Protective coverings for aircraft not in use

Abstract

An asset protection apparatus comprising at least one module is disclosed. A module comprises at least one interior layer contacting an asset surface; at least one thermal layer affixed to said at least one interior layer, wherein said at least one thermal layer includes heat adding and heat removal means capable of removing or adding heat to said asset surface or a substance adjacent said at least one thermal layer; and at least one exterior layer affixed to said at least one thermal layer, wherein said at least one exterior layer is constructed of a material or plurality of materials that alone or in combination are resistant to degradation from exposure to outdoor elements, wherein said apparatus is cooperatively secured to said asset surface.

Claims

1. An asset protection apparatus comprising:

a. at least one module, wherein said at least one module comprises;

i. at least one interior layer contacting an asset surface;

ii. at least one thermal layer affixed to said at least one interior layer, wherein said at least one thermal layer includes heat adding and heat removal means capable of removing or adding heat to at least a portion of said asset surface or at least a portion of a substance adjacent said at least one thermal layer; and

iii. at least one exterior layer affixed to said at least one thermal layer, wherein said at least one exterior layer is constructed of a material or plurality of materials that alone or in combination are resistant to degradation from exposure to outdoor elements, wherein said apparatus is cooperatively secured to said asset surface.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of modules.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein corresponding layers of adjacent modules are in communication.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one exterior layer prevents radiation intrusion to said asset surface, and wherein said at least one exterior layer is constructed of a material or materials that alone or in combination provide resistance to water, environmental pollutants, industrial pollutants, UV rays, electromagnetic waves, and abrasion, and wherein said exterior layer is constructed of a material that is flexible.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said plurality of modules cover the majority of the exposed asset surface.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said plurality of modules are adapted to cover the exposed asset surface or an air, land, or water vehicle.

7. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said plurality of modules are fashioned to securely engage the asset surface of a specific asset.

8. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said plurality of modules are cooperatively secured to said asset surface using straps.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus is fashioned as a blanket.

21. The apparatus according to claims 1 or 10 further comprising a monitoring means for detecting a plurality of variables in or around said asset protection apparatus, wherein said monitoring means is accessible from a location adjacent said asset protection apparatus or from a remote location, and wherein said monitoring means is capable of providing an alarm or notification upon a change in any one of said plurality of variables.

23. The apparatus according to claims 1 or 10 wherein said asset protection apparatus further comprises a monitor for the ambient air temperature and a control loop that will engage said thermal layer to either add or remove heat from either said asset surface or said adjacent substances, wherein said control loop may be engaged manually or automatically, and wherein said control loop may be manipulated either locally or remotely.

24. The apparatus according to claims 1 or 10 wherein each of said layers is removable from adjacent layers.

25. The apparatus according to claims 1 or 10 wherein each of said layers is permanently affixed to adjacent layers.

10. An asset protection apparatus comprising:

a. at least one module, wherein the at least one module comprises;

i. at least one interior layer contacting an asset surface;

ii. at least one inflatable layer affixed to the at least one interior layer, wherein the at least one inflatable layer contains a plurality of inflatable cells mechanically and fluidly connected to one another, and wherein each cell is capable of inflation and expansion and deflation;

iii. at least one thermal layer affixed to the at least one inflatable layer, wherein the at least one thermal layer includes heat adding and heat removal means capable of removing or adding heat to at least a portion of the asset surface or at least a portion of a substance adjacent the at least one thermal layer;

iv. at least one exterior layer affixed to the at least one thermal layer, wherein said at least one exterior layer is constructed of a material or plurality of materials that alone or in combination are resistant to degradation from exposure to outdoor elements, wherein said apparatus is cooperatively secured to said asset surface; and

v. a means to secure the apparatus to the surface.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a plurality of modules.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein corresponding layers of adjacent modules are in communication.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said at least one exterior layer prevents radiation intrusion to said asset surface, and wherein said at least one exterior layer is constructed of a material or materials that alone or in combination provide resistance to water, environmental pollutants, industrial pollutants, UV rays, electromagnetic waves, and abrasion, and wherein said exterior layer is constructed of a material that is flexible.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said plurality of modules cover the majority of the exposed asset surface.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said plurality of modules are adapted to cover the exposed asset surface or an air, land, or water vehicle.

16. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said plurality of modules are fashioned to securely engage the asset surface of a specific asset.

17. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said plurality of modules are cooperatively secured to said asset surface using straps.

18. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said apparatus is fashioned as a blanket.

19. The apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a pressure monitoring means to detect pressure fluctuations within said inflatable layer.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said pressure monitoring means is also capable of manipulating the pressure within said inflatable layer.

22. The apparatus according to claims 2 or 11 wherein said thermal layers of said plurality of modules are capable of adding or removing heat from said asset protection apparatus or said asset surface as a whole, or capable of adding or removing heat from a specific module of said plurality of modules.

26. An asset protection apparatus comprising:

a. at least one module, wherein said at least one module comprises;

i. at least one interior layer contacting an asset surface;

ii. at least one inflatable layer affixed to said at least one interior layer, wherein said at least one inflatable layer contains a plurality of inflatable cells mechanically and fluidly connected to one another, and wherein each said inflatable cell is capable of inflation and deflation resulting in expansion and contraction, respectively; and

iii. at least one exterior layer affixed to the at least one thermal layer, wherein said at least one exterior layer is constructed of a material or plurality of materials that alone or in combination are resistant to degradation from exposure to outdoor elements, wherein said apparatus is secured to said asset surface, and wherein said exterior layer is constructed of a material that is flexible and abrasion resistant; and

iv. a means to secure the apparatus to the surface.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26 further comprising a plurality of modules.

28. The apparatus according to claim 27 wherein corresponding layers of adjacent modules are in communication.

29. The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said at least one exterior layer prevents radiation intrusion to said asset surface, and wherein said at least one exterior layer is constructed of a material or materials that alone or in combination provide resistance to water, environmental pollutants, industrial pollutants, UV rays, electromagnetic waves, and abrasion, and wherein said exterior layer is constructed of a material that is flexible.

30. The apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said plurality of modules cover the majority of the exposed asset surface.

31. The apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said plurality of modules are adapted to cover the exposed asset surface or an air, land, or water vehicle.

32. The apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said plurality of modules are fashioned to securely engage the asset surface of a specific asset.

33. The apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said plurality of modules are cooperatively secured to said asset surface using straps.

34. The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said apparatus is fashioned as a blanket.

35. The apparatus according to claim 26 further comprising a pressure monitoring means to detect pressure fluctuations within said inflatable layer.

36. The apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said pressure monitoring means is also capable of manipulating the pressure within said inflatable layer.

37. The apparatus according to claim 26 further comprising a monitoring means for detecting a plurality of variables in or around said asset protection apparatus, wherein said monitoring means is accessible from a location adjacent said asset protection apparatus or from a remote location, and wherein said monitoring means is capable of providing an alarm or notification upon a change in one of any said plurality of variables.

38. A method of protecting and asset comprising:

a. placing an asset protection apparatus upon said asset, wherein said asset protection apparatus comprises;

i. at least one module, wherein said at least one module comprises;

1. at least one interior layer contacting an asset surface;

2. at least one thermal layer affixed to said at least one interior layer, wherein said at least one thermal layer includes heat adding and heat removal means capable of removing or adding heat to said asset surface or a substance adjacent said at least one thermal layer; and

3. at least one exterior layer affixed to said at least one thermal layer, wherein said at least one exterior layer is constructed of a material or plurality of materials that alone or in combination are resistant to degradation from exposure to outdoor elements, wherein said apparatus is cooperatively secured to said asset surface.