Thermal insulation system for protecting fluid lines and method for making same

• US 6,632,496 B1
• Filed: 12/03/1999
• Issued: 10/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Interconnect Products, Inc. (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Interconnect Products, Inc. (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Foeger, Christopher C., Johnson, Michael R. C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pyon, Harold
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nordmeyer, Patricia L.
• Application Number:
  US09/456,024
• Time in Patent Office: 1,411 Days
• Field of Search: 428/36.9, 428/34.9, 428/36.91, 428/346, 428/361, 92/8
• US Class Current: 428/36.9
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 1/08 Tubular products
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/06 as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/045; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/046; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/12; next to a metal layer B32B15/08; next to a glass layer B32B17/10; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/045; next to a wood layer B32B21/08; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/08; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/08
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/18 characterised by features of a layer of foamed material
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 59/021 comprising a single piece or sleeve, e.g. split sleeve, two half sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 264/71 Processes of shaping by shrinking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1328 Shrinkable or shrunk [e.g., due to heat, solvent, volatile agent, restraint removal, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/139 Open-ended, self-supporting conduit, cylinder, or tube-type article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1393 Multilayer [continuous layer]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2813 Heat or solvent activated or sealable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2907 with coating or impregnation

Abstract

A thermal insulation system includes two separate components for providing protection against both thermal and radiative conduction of energy, is easily installed, capable of easily fitting multiple substrate diameters, space-saving and lightweight, and durable. The system comprises an inner layer of heat shrink foam and an outer layer of reflective material. In the preferred embodiment, the outer layer of reflective material is heat shrink metalized material which has been recovered using known techniques onto the inner layer of heat shrink insulative material. One application for this system is for the insulation of vehicle brake fluid lines.

Claims

1. A thermal insulation system for providing protection against thermal and radiative conduction of energy, comprising:

an inner layer of heat shrink foam; and

an outer layer of reflective material, comprising a heat shrink metalized composite material.

2. The thermal insulation system as recited in claim 1, and further comprising an elongate substrate onto which the inner layer of heat shrink foam is recovered.

3. The thermal insulation system as recited in claim 2, wherein the elongate substrate comprises a fluid conduit.

4. The thermal insulation system as recited in claim 3, wherein the fluid conduit comprises a brake line.

5. The thermal insulation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the inner layer of heat shrink foam comprises a radiation cross-linked and foamed heat shrinkable tubing.

6. The thermal insulation system as recited in claim 5, wherein the foam comprising said inner layer is polymeric foam.

7. The thermal insulation system as recited in claim 1, herein said outer layer of heat shrink metalized composite material further comprises an inner metallic layer and an outer non-metallic layer.

8. The thermal insulation system as recited in claim 7, wherein said inner metallic layer comprises aluminum.

9. The thermal insulation system as recited in claim 7, wherein said outer non-metallic layer comprises polyester and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

10. A thermal insulation system for providing protection against thermal and radiative conduction of energy, comprising:

a substrate;

an inner layer of heat shrink material recovered onto said substrate; and

an outer layer of reflective heat shrink material recovered onto said inner layer of material.

11. The thermal insulation system as recited in claim 10, wherein said substrate comprises a fluid conduit.

12. The thermal insulation system as recited in claim 11, wherein said fluid conduit comprises a brake line for conveying brake fluid.

13. The thermal insulation system as recited in claim 10, wherein said inner layer of material comprises foam.

14. The thermal insulation system as recited in claim 10, wherein said outer layer of reflective material comprises a metalized composite heat shrink material.

15. A thermal insulation system for providing protection against thermal and radiative conduction of energy, comprising:

an elongate substrate;

an inner layer of heat shrink foam, comprising a radiation cross-linked and foamed hear shrinkable tubing, recovered onto said substrate; and

an outer layer of reflective heat shrink metalized composite material recovered onto said inner layer of heat shrink foam.

16. The thermal insulation system as recited in claim 15, wherein said outer layer of heat shrink metalized composite material further comprises an inner metallic layer and an outer non-metallic layer.

17. The thermal insulation system as recited in claim 16, wherein said inner metallic layer comprises aluminum.

18. The thermal insulation system as recited in claim 16, wherein said outer non metallic layer comprises polyester and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).