Process for self-repair of insulation material

• US 7,285,306 B1
• Filed: 10/08/2003
• Issued: 10/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration
• Inventors: Parrish, Clyde F.
• Primary Examiner(s): FLETCHER III, WILLIAM P
• Application Number:
  US10/684,064
• Time in Patent Office: 1,476 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 427/140
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 5/005 Repairing damaged coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/185 Sheaths comprising internal cavities or channels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2989 Microcapsule with solid core [includes liposome]

Abstract

A self-healing system for an insulation material initiates a self-repair process by rupturing a plurality of microcapsules disposed on the insulation material. When the plurality of microcapsules are ruptured reactants within the plurality of microcapsules react to form a replacement polymer in a break of the insulation material. This self-healing system has the ability to repair multiple breaks in a length of insulation material without exhausting the repair properties of the material.

Claims

1. A self-repair process for repairing an insulation material, comprising:

a) providing a wire conductor surrounded with the insulation material, wherein the insulation material has a first side facing the wire conductor and a second side facing outward;

b) applying a plurality of microcapsules to the second side of the insulation material or dispersing said plurality of microcapsules within said insulation material, said plurality of microcapsules including a first reactant and a second reactant;

c) rupturing said plurality of microcapsules such that said first reactant and said second reactant react to form a replacement polymer that repairs the insulation material.

2. The self-repair process of claim 1, whereby said first reactant or said second reactant is selected from the group consisting of a monomer, a catalyst, a reactant that reacts to form a condensation polymer, a fusible polymer and a chemical heater.

3. The self-repair process of claim 2, whereby said first reactant and said second reactant are a reactant that react to form a condensation polymer.

4. The self-repair process of claim 3, whereby said first reactant is a dianhydride and said second reactant is a diamine.

5. The self-repair process of claim 2, whereby said first reactant is a fusible polymer and said second reactant is a chemical heater.

6. The self-repair process of claim 5, whereby said fusible polymer is a polyfluorocarbon.

7. The self-repair process of claim 1, whereby said first reactant and said second reactant are disposed within a single microcapsule.

8. The self-repair process of claim 7, whereby said first reactant and said second reactant are separated by a polymer shell.

9. The self-repairing process of claim 8, whereby said single microcapsule comprises a reactant core including said first reactant and a reactant shell including said second reactant, said reactant shell surrounding said reactant core.

10. The self-repairing process of claim 1, whereby each of said plurality of microcapsules has a size of 5-500 μ

m.

11. The self-repairing process of claim 1, whereby said replacement polymer is formed in a break in said insulation material.

12. The self-repair process of claim 1, wherein said insulation material contains a polyimide.

13. The self-repair process of claim 12, wherein said replacement polymer is a polyimide replacement polymer.

14. The self-repair process of claim 1, wherein said replacement polymer is a polyimide replacement polymer.