Vacuum insulation panel and method for manufacturing
First Claim
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1. A method for manufacturing a vacuum panel comprising the steps of:
- a) forming a jacket of metal defining an interior space and an opening communicating with the interior space;
b) filling the interior space with a glass wool insulating media of a density sufficient to oppose the atmospheric force on the jacket after evacuation of the interior space;
c) locating a brazing material adjacent the opening;
d) preheating the panel at atmospheric pressure to reduce the air density in said interior space, expel moisture and increase the velocity of the gas molecules in the interior space thereby to facilitate their evacuation;
e) promptly, after step d), placing the panel in a vacuum chamber to evacuate the interior space; and
f) melting the brazing material in the vacuum chamber to seal the opening while maintaining the vacuum.
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Abstract
A vacuum panel includes a jacket having a bottom that is formed into a "pan" shape. A top is welded to the flanges of the bottom to create a hermetic seal therebetween. A dense glass fiber mat fills the jacket. A getter is strategically located in the panel to absorb residual gases in the panel and maintain the vacuum life. To create the vacuum in the panel, the panel is heated to a specified temperature and time, and evacuated through an opening. The opening is sealed with a braze seal that is melted over the opening.
78 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for manufacturing a vacuum panel comprising the steps of:
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a) forming a jacket of metal defining an interior space and an opening communicating with the interior space; b) filling the interior space with a glass wool insulating media of a density sufficient to oppose the atmospheric force on the jacket after evacuation of the interior space; c) locating a brazing material adjacent the opening; d) preheating the panel at atmospheric pressure to reduce the air density in said interior space, expel moisture and increase the velocity of the gas molecules in the interior space thereby to facilitate their evacuation; e) promptly, after step d), placing the panel in a vacuum chamber to evacuate the interior space; and f) melting the brazing material in the vacuum chamber to seal the opening while maintaining the vacuum. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for manufacturing a vacuum panel comprising the steps of:
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(a) forming a thin-walled jacket of metal to minimize heat transfer defining an interior space and an opening communicating with the interior space; (b) filling the interior space with an insulating media having a compressive strength sufficient to oppose atmospheric pressure on the jacket after evacuation of the interior space; (c) locating a getter comprising a molecular sieve in combination with palladium oxide in said interior space; (d) preheating the panel at atmospheric pressure to reduce the air density, expel moisture and increase the velocity of the gas molecules in the interior space, thereby to facilitate their evacuation. (e) promptly, after step d) evacuating the interior space and sealing the opening. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification