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

• US 6,730,254 B1
• Filed: 09/03/2002
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• 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): Lee, Edmund H.
• Application Number:
  US10/233,992
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• Field of Search: 264/230, 264/255, 264/DIG.71
• US Class Current: 264/230
• 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 method of thermally insulating a substrate to provide protection against thermal and radiative conduction of energy, comprising the steps of:

a) heat shrinking an inner layer of foam material onto a substrate; and

b) heat shrinking an outer layer of heat shrinkable metalized reflective composite material onto said inner layer.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said inner layer of material comprises a radiation cross-linked and foamed heat shrinkable tubing.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein said foam is polymeric foam.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said outer layer of heat shrinkable metalized reflective composite material further comprises an inner metallic layer and an outer non-metallic layer.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein said inner metallic layer comprises aluminum.

6. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein said outer non-metallic layer comprises polyester and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

7. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein said outer layer of heat shrinkable metalized reflective composite material has a shrink ratio of approximately 2:

1 and shrinks at approximately 90°

C.