Endotherm systems and methods utilizing carbohydrate in non-oxidizing environment

• US 9,546,312 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2008
• Issued: 01/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hayes And Associates
• Original Assignee: Hayes And Associates
• Inventors: Wold, Claude Hayes
• Primary Examiner(s): KHAN, AMINA S
• Application Number:
  US12/200,503
• Publication Number:
  US 20090059531A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,064 Days
• Field of Search: 252/70, 252/75, 165/10, 165/17, 165/902, 165/905
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 21/06 Organic materials
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 5/18 Non-reversible chemical reactions

Abstract

The increase of temperature in heat sensitive devices during heat generating conditions is prevented through the absorption of heat, by providing a carbohydrate endotherm in an amount sufficient to effect the required heat absorption. The carbohydrate endotherm operates in an environment substantially devoid of potential oxidizing reactants. A scavenger may be employed in combination with the carbohydrate endotherm to remove or neutralize potential oxidizing reactants. Alternatively (or in addition), a fluoro-inert material may be employed in combination with the carbohydrate endotherm to effect a desired non-oxidizing environment. The carbohydrate endotherm may be used to provide thermal control and/or thermal protection in a variety of applications and environments. The carbohydrate endotherm may also be employed in combination with previously disclosed endotherm materials to achieve synergistic benefits therewith.

Claims

1. A method for providing thermal protection to a heat sensitive device comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an amount of a carbohydrate endotherm sufficient to effect the required heat absorption, wherein the carbohydrate endotherm is selected from the group consisting of at least one of a sugar and a starch;

(b) providing an oxygen scavenger in proximity to the carbohydrate;

(c) positioning the carbohydrate endotherm and the oxygen scavenger in proximity to the heat sensitive device, the oxygen scavenger being effective to establish a substantially non-oxidizing environment in the vicinity of the carbohydrate endotherm; and

(d) allowing the carbohydrate endotherm to effect a desired level of heat absorption to provide thermal protection to the heat sensitive device at least in part based on irreversible decomposition.

2. A method for providing thermal protection to a heat sensitive device comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an amount of a carbohydrate endotherm sufficient to effect the required heat absorption, wherein the carbohydrate endotherm is selected from the group consisting of at least one of a sugar and a starch;

(b) positioning the carbohydrate endotherm in proximity to the heat sensitive device in a substantially non-oxidizing environment; and

(c) allowing the carbohydrate endotherm to effect a desired level of heat absorption to provide thermal protection to the heat sensitive device at least in part based on irreversible decomposition.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the substantially non-oxidizing environment is effected through the presence of an oxygen scavenger.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the non-oxidizing environment is effected by positioning the carbohydrate in a container or vessel that is substantially devoid of oxidizing reactants.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein oxidizing reactants are removed from the container or vessel by applying a vacuum.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the non-oxidizing environment is effected by positioning the carbohydrate in a fluoro-inert material.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the heat sensitive device includes electronics.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the heat sensitive device is a flight data recorder.

9. The method of claim 3 , wherein the carbohydrate endotherm is embedded at least in part in the oxygen scavenger.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein the oxygen scavenger is embedded at least in part in the carbohydrate endotherm.

11. The method according to claim 2, further comprising adding at least one additional endothermic material selected from the group consisting of an acid, a salt of an acid, a base material, a salt of a base material, and a hydrate salt with an organic compound.

12. The method according to claim 2, wherein the substantially non-oxidizing environment is provided by a scavenger, and wherein the scavenger also functions as an endotherm.