Metal foil thermal insulation casing

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal insulation housing (10) comprising: two side walls (12, 14) and a plurality of metal sheets (24, 26), each having two opposing edges (28, 30) substantially parallel to each other, the two opposing edges of each metal sheet being respectively connected to said two opposing side walls (12, 14) so ​​that said sheets are held parallel to each other and spaced apart, thus defining successive air gaps (82). Said two opposing side walls (12, 14) each comprise at least one row (74, 76) of teeth, the teeth of said row being regularly spaced from each other, defining gaps for engaging said edges (28, 30). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Thermal insulation housing with metal foil

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal insulation housing comprising a plurality of parallel metal sheets.

[0002] One envisaged field of application is in particular, but not exclusively, that of industrial installations, for example in the nuclear or chemical industry.

[0003] It is known to produce thermal insulation housings containing a plurality of metal sheets held parallel to each other and equidistant from each other. In this way, a succession of relatively airtight air gaps is created inside the housing, which helps to prevent the transmission of thermal energy, particularly by convection.

[0004] Moreover, the chosen metal sheets are made of stainless steel, and they have a bright surface which also helps to reduce the transmission of thermal energy by radiation.

[0005] These reflective metal sheets usually have a thickness of less than 1 / 10 of a millimeter, for example 5 / 100 of a millimeter, and they are kept spaced apart from each other by a distance of about 10 millimeters.

[0006] To do this, they are welded onto the inner walls of the housing, which is also made of stainless steel.

[0007] Also, they generally have bosses uniformly distributed over their entire surface so that they can be kept apart from each other by contact in areas far from the walls.

[0008] Such insulating boxes offer numerous advantages compared to boxes filled with fibrous insulation such as wool. Indeed, fibrous insulation tends to age rapidly when subjected to high temperatures, and furthermore, the binders it contains, particularly formaldehyde, can be released to the outside.

[0009] On the other hand, manufacturing these housings incorporating metal sheets is much more time-consuming. The sheets must be welded one by one along their edges to the walls of the housing.

[0010] Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to solve is to produce metallic thermal insulation housings, not only with greater productivity in order to reduce the cost, but also with good reproducibility.

[0011] To this end, and according to a first object, a thermal insulation box is proposed comprising: on the one hand, two lateral walls, each having two substantially parallel opposite edges, said two lateral walls being held in a fixed position facing each other, while the two opposite edges of one of said two lateral walls are respectively parallel to the two opposite edges of the other of said two lateral walls; and on the other hand, a plurality of metal sheets, each having two substantially parallel opposite edges, the two opposite edges of each of the metal sheets being respectively connected to said two facing lateral walls substantially parallel to said two edges, so that said sheets are held parallel to each other and at a distance from each other, delimiting successive air gaps.

[0012] Said two opposing lateral walls each comprise at least one row of teeth extending substantially perpendicularly to said two opposite edges, the teeth of said row being regularly spaced from each other, defining gaps to receive said edges in contact.

[0013] Thus, a feature of the invention lies in the implementation of rows of teeth, separated from each other by gaps, in the side walls of the housing so as to allow the metal sheets to be installed quickly without the need to weld their edges. The edges of the metal sheets are in fact engaged and held in place by the gaps.

[0014] Furthermore, the rows of teeth are pre-installed on a support which can be welded into the side walls. In this way, it is easy to produce teeth of the same dimensions, spaced from each other by the same distance to obtain gaps of identical width and themselves spaced from each other by the same distance.

[0015] In addition, several supports of this type can be installed in the side walls depending on the dimensions of the metal sheets, but also in the other walls of the case, as will be explained later in the description.

[0016] Furthermore, the side walls are held opposite each other, but they are not necessarily parallel to each other. Consequently, the metal sheets can then conform to cylindrical shapes.

[0017] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the teeth in said row of teeth has lateral claws projecting respectively into said gaps. In this way, when the edges of the metal sheets are inserted into the gaps, the claws can become embedded in the edges so as to better hold the edges in the gaps.

[0018] Advantageously, said two opposing lateral walls each comprise at least one double row of teeth respectively facing each other. Such a double row For example, it is obtained from a U-shaped metal profile, having a base and two parallel flanges, by making slots perpendicular to the profile and simultaneously in both flanges to create gaps. The double slots are then created at equidistant intervals to obtain the same tooth width.

[0019] The split profile can then be placed against the walls and welded to them as will be explained later in the description.

[0020] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, each of said metal sheet edges has a fold defining a crease edge and a flat edge opposite said crease edge. By means of such an embodiment, the metal sheet edges are trapped between the teeth. To achieve this, the width of the fold is less than the depth of the gaps. Thus, when the edge is engaged between two adjacent teeth, the flat edge engages in the claws and prevents the edge from retracting. It is then trapped in the gap, as will be explained in more detail later in the description.

[0021] This gives a method of joining the edge of the metal sheet and the wall without requiring any welding.

[0022] Preferably, the metal sheets of said plurality of metal sheets have uniformly distributed bosses. Metal sheets with two different boss distribution patterns are also provided. The patterns are then alternated so that the bosses of two adjacent sheets do not coincide.

[0023] Furthermore, said two lateral walls are advantageously connected to each other by an anterior wall and an opposing posterior wall, parallel to said metal sheets. The anterior and posterior walls, in particular, allow the lateral walls to be held opposite each other. It will be noted that the anterior and posterior walls can take on a cylindrical shape, like the metal sheets extending between them.

[0024] Furthermore, said two side walls are preferably connected to each other by an upper wall and an opposing lower wall, perpendicular to said metal sheets. The upper and lower walls can also be connected to the front and rear walls so as to form a completely enclosed housing in which the metal sheets extend parallel to each other. In this way, the air gaps between the metal sheets are relatively airtight with respect to each other and to the outside. This ensures good thermal insulation of the wall covered by such a housing.

[0025] According to another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, one of said two side walls has a rear edge provided with a keying finger, while said rear wall has a keying orifice suitable to receive said alignment finger. In this way, during the manufacture of the housing, the operator is guided in the adjustment of the rear wall and the two side walls.

[0026] Preferably, said upper wall comprises a first rear edge having a first marker, while said rear wall comprises a first upper edge having a corresponding first marker for connecting said first rear edge and said first upper edge. The two markers are then aligned with each other to also facilitate the assembly of the housing.

[0027] Furthermore, said upper wall comprises a first lateral edge having a first tab, while one of said lateral walls has a second upper edge having a corresponding upper notch, for connecting said first lateral edge and said second upper edge together. The tab has a width that coincides perfectly with the width of the notch, so that the operator is again guided in assembling the different walls.

[0028] According to a second object, a thermal protection assembly is proposed comprising a plurality of insulation housings as described above. Thus, the housings of said plurality of housings are juxtaposed and attached to the structure to be insulated.

[0029] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given by way of example but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0030] [Fig.1] is a schematic exploded perspective view of a housing according to the invention;

[0031] [Fig.2] is a schematic detail view of a first element of the object of the [Fig.l];

[0032] [Fig.3A] is a schematic detail view of a second element of the object of [Fig.1];

[0033] [Fig.3B] is a schematic detail view of the object of [Fig.2] combined with the object of [Fig.3A];

[0034] [Fig.4] is a partial schematic top view of a first assembly of elements of the object of the [Fig.1];

[0035] [Fig.5] is a schematic exploded perspective view of another set of elements represented on the [Fig.1];

[0036] [Fig.6] is a schematic perspective view of detail of the cooperation of two elements represented on the [Fig.5];

[0037] [Fig.7] is a schematic perspective view of detail of another element re presented on [Fig.5];

[0038] [Fig.8] is a partial schematic perspective view of two other elements re presented in [Fig. 5] cooperating with each other; and,

[0039] [Fig.9] is a partial schematic perspective view of two more elements represented in [Fig.5] capable of cooperating with each other.

[0040] Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a thermal insulation housing 10 according to the invention. It comprises two side walls 12, 14, a front wall 16 opposite a rear wall 18, and a lower wall 20 opposite an upper wall 22. One 12 of the two side walls 12, 14 has a front longitudinal edge 13 and an opposite rear longitudinal edge 15, while the other side wall 14 has another front longitudinal edge 17 and another opposite rear longitudinal edge 19.

[0041] The six walls are intended to form a closed case inside which a plurality of metal sheets 24, 26 will be installed, regularly spaced from each other.

[0042] The walls 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 are made of stainless steel. They also advantageously have a thickness of between 0.4 mm and 0.8 mm, for example 0.6 mm.

[0043] As for the metal sheets 24, 26, they are also made of stainless steel. They preferably have a thickness between 50 µm and 100 µm. Moreover, they have a surface finish that gives them a high gloss. Furthermore, the metal sheets 24, 26 have cylindrical symmetry. In other words, the metal sheets 24, 26 are not flat and are defined by a generating curve based on a circular direction curve. As will be explained below, the curvature of the metal sheets 24, 26 is relatively small and depends on the radius of the installations to be thermally insulated.

[0044] Also, it will be observed that the two lateral walls 12, 14 are rectangular and flat. And, they have the same width and a height advantageously between four and eight times said width.

[0045] On the other hand, the front walls 16 and rear walls 18 are rectangular, but cylindrical in shape, like the metal sheets 24, 26.

[0046] They have the same height as the lateral walls 12, 14, while the posterior wall 18 is substantially wider than the anterior wall 16. The width of the lower wall 20 and upper wall 22 is here substantially equal to their height.

[0047] As regards the lower wall 20 and upper wall 22, they are flat and in the form of annular segments. Their width is equal to that of the lateral walls 12, 14, and their two curved longitudinal edges have lengths equal to the width of the front wall 16 and rear wall 18 respectively, so as to be able to form a sealed closed housing.

[0048] Also, the metal sheets 24, 26 have a constant height close to the height of the side walls 12, 14, while their width is substantially progressive, from the front wall 16 to the rear 18.

[0049] Accordingly, the stacking of the cylindrical metal sheets 24, 26 is suitable for coming together housed in casing 10, itself cylindrical in shape.

[0050] One difficulty that the object of the invention makes it possible to overcome lies in the connection between the metal sheets 24, 26 and the walls of the housing 10.

[0051] Thus, the metal sheets 24, 26 each have two opposing lateral edges 28, 30, which will be engaged between the teeth of the rows of teeth. In addition, the metal sheets 24, 26 each have a lower edge 27 opposite an upper edge 29. These two edges 27, 29 are substantially parallel to each other.

[0052] Reference will now be made to [Fig.2] showing a section of U-shaped profile 32 allowing two rows 34, 36 of teeth 38, 40 to be made respectively opposite each other.

[0053] The U-shaped profile 32 has a base 42 and two facing flanges 44, 46. Thus, by making transverse slots along transverse planes Pt in the two facing flanges 44, 46 and equidistant from each other, the two rows 34, 36 of teeth 38, 40 are formed. The transverse slots are made here every 10 mm. They can be made every 8 mm, or every 6 mm, or even every 12 mm. These values ​​are in no way limiting. The teeth 38, 40 of the two rows 34, 36 are respectively separated from each other by gaps 48, 50 corresponding to the transverse slots.

[0054] The teeth 38, 40 thus have a free edge 52. In addition, the two opposite corners 54, 56 of each of the teeth 38, 40 are chamfered. In this way, the gaps 48, 50 are flared at the free end 52 of the teeth 38, 40.

[0055] As will be explained in more detail below, the lateral edges 58, 60 of each of the teeth 38, 40 have claws located in the upper part, towards the free end 52.

[0056] Fig. 3A partially shows one of the metal sheets 24, 26. One of its two edges 28, 30 is also shown. It has a fold 64 which defines a crease 66 and a fold edge 68. Also, the fold 64 has a straight edge opposite the fold edge 68.

[0057] Given the metallic nature of the sheets 24, 26, the fold 64 remains substantially inclined relative to the average plane of the sheet 24. And moreover, when the edge 28 is pinched, the fold 64 comes to lie flat against the rest of the sheet, then it returns to its inclined position when it is released.

[0058] Each of the edges 28, 30 of each of the metal sheets 24, 26 has a fold 64 as illustrated in [Fig.3A].

[0059] The advantage of this will be explained with reference to [Fig. 3B]. This figure shows a partial side view along arrow IIIB of the U-shaped profile 32 shown in [Fig. 2]. Also shown are the teeth 40 of one of the rows 36, regularly spaced apart, which mask those 38 of the other row 34. We also find the interstices 50, 48 regularly spaced apart as well, and lateral claws 72, extending laterally from the teeth 38, 40, into the interstices 48, 50.

[0060] Also, it will be observed that the lateral claws 72 extend into the gaps 48, 50 towards the bottom 42 of the U-shaped profile 32, forming anti-return hooks.

[0061] And we also find the edges 28 of three metal sheets 24, 26, 24, engaged respectively in three times two gaps 50, 48, so that the fold edge 68 is in contact with the bottom 42 of the profile 32, while the straight edge 70 of the fold 64 is engaged in the claws 72. It is understood that the chamfered corners 54, 56 and the resulting widening of the gaps 48, 50, make it easier to engage the edges 28 of the metal sheets 24, 26 across the gaps 50, 48.

[0062] When the edges 28 are engaged in translation along the arrow F in the gaps 50, 48, the folds 64 tend to flatten in order to enter them. And they relax elastically to engage in the claws 72.

[0063] It is thus understood that the edges 28 are trapped in the gaps. For indeed, if, on the other hand, one attempts to remove the metal sheets 24, 26, 24, the raw edge 70 comes back, butting against the claws 72 and prevents this extraction.

[0064] Reference will again be made to [Fig.1], on which we find an upper U-profile 74 and a lower U-profile 76, which are totally analogous to the U-profile 32 as illustrated on [Fig.2]. They thus constitute two double rows of teeth.

[0065] Thus, the edges 28 of all the metal sheets 24, 26 are successively engaged in the gaps of the U-shaped profiles. Therefore, only the bottom 42 appears in [Fig. 1]. It will be observed that the metal sheets 24, 26 are identified and ordered, since their width varies considerably from the front wall 16 to the rear wall 18. Advantageously, the gaps 50, 48 are themselves identified and ordered to facilitate the engagement of the metal sheets 24, 26.

[0066] On the contrary, the other edges 30 of the metal sheets 24, 26 have upper and lower U-shaped profiles at the same level.

[0067] However, the U-profiles 74, 76 are shown in [Fig. 1] attached to the edges 28 of the metal sheets 24, 26, for explanatory purposes. Indeed, the U-profiles 74, 76 are first welded transversely by their bottom 42, inside the side walls 12, 14.

[0068] Next, advantageously, the two lateral walls 12, 14 are respectively connected edge to edge to the front wall 16.

[0069] And then, the two edges 28, 30 of each of the metal sheets 24, 26 are engaged respectively and successively from the anterior wall 16, in the interstices of the two double rows of teeth 74, 76, of one 12 and the other 14 of the lateral walls. [Fig. 4] thus illustrates, seen from above, the plurality of metal sheets 24, 26.

[0070] Also, it will be observed that the metal sheets 24, 26 have two different boss patterns, a first distribution of bosses 78 for the odd metal sheets 24, and a second distribution of bosses 80 offset from the first, for the odd metal sheets 26. In this way, all the bosses 78, 80 come to rest against the contiguous metal sheets outside the imprint of the bosses of the sheet on which they rest.

[0071] As a result, the metal sheets 24, 26 remain in a fixed position, separated from each other, delimiting a plurality of air gaps 82.

[0072] Also, it will be observed on [Fig.4] that the plurality of metal sheets 24, 26 is provided, substantially equidistant from the two opposite lateral walls 12, 14, with a type of U-shaped profile 84 mounted on the upper edges 28 of the metal sheets 24, 26 in order to connect these metal sheets together to the upper wall 22 of the housing 10.

[0073] The U-shaped profile 84 also has a double row of teeth and the same number of teeth resulting in the same number of gaps. However, the teeth here are without claws.

[0074] Just as for the side walls 12, 14, shown in [Fig.1], the U-profile 84 is pre-installed inside the upper wall 22. Consequently, the upper wall 22 equipped with the U-profile 84 is attached to the plurality of metal sheets 24, 26 so that each of the edges 29 of the metal sheets 24, 26 engage in a gap, while the upper wall 22 joins edge to edge the two side walls 12, 14 and the front wall 16.

[0075] Such a type of U-shaped profile 84 is similarly installed inside the lower wall 20, so as to be able to connect the lower edges 27 of the metal sheets 24, 26 to the lower wall 20. It also joins edge to edge the two side walls 12, 14 and the front wall 16.

[0076] The side walls 12, 14 and the lower wall 20 and upper wall 22 can be joined together respectively by a spot welding process. For this purpose, the edges of these walls are provided with suitable tabs. Similarly, the front wall 18 is also joined to the side walls 12, 14, lower wall 20 and upper wall 22 by welding.

[0077] In contrast, the rear wall 18 is removably connected to the side walls 12, 14, lower wall 20 and upper wall 22. This allows easy access to the inside of the housing 10.

[0078] We will now refer, firstly, to [Fig.5] on which we find the housing 10 in exploded perspective and only the side walls 12, 14, lower 20, upper 22, front 16 and rear 18, and then to [Fig.6], [Fig.7], [Fig.6], [Fig.6], to illustrate a keying system aimed at the rapid assembly of the housing 10.

[0079] Thus, the prior assembly of the two lateral walls 12, 14 and the front wall 16 does not present any difficulty, because the front wall 16 has a plane of transverse symmetry.

[0080] The upper wall 22 has a keying tab 86, while one 14 of the two side walls 12, 14 has a keying notch 88 adapted to receive the keying tab 86. Thus, in detail in [Fig.8], the keying tab 86 of the upper wall 22 is seen engaging in the keying notch 88 of the side wall 14.

[0081] Therefore, the lower wall 20 can only be adjusted in the opposite direction.

[0082] In addition, the upper wall 22 has a first median notch 90, while the lower wall 20 has two second first notches 92, 94 symmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane of the posterior wall 18. The two second first notches 92, 94, formed in the edge of the lower wall 20, are illustrated more precisely in [Fig. 7]

[0083] Also, in order to orient the posterior wall 18, in its predetermined position, it has a first second median notch 96 in its upper edge, and two second lower notches 98, 100 in its lower edge.

[0084] Thus, the rear wall 18 is applied edge to edge, against the edges of the other walls 12, 14, 20 and 22, so that the first second median notch 96 coincides with the first first median notch 90, as illustrated in [Fig.6], while the two second lower notches 98, 100 coincide respectively with the two second first notches 92, 94.

[0085] Moreover, one of the lateral edges of the posterior wall 18 has a keying hole 102, while the free edge of the lateral wall 14 has a keying finger 104. The keying finger 104 and the keying hole 102 are illustrated in more detail in [Fig. 9]. The keying finger 104 is adapted to be engaged through the keying hole 102 when the posterior wall 18 is applied against the edge of the other walls.

[0086] Thus, thanks to these means of error-proofing, the assembly of the housing 10 can be carried out quickly without risk of error.

[0087] The invention also relates to a thermal protection assembly comprising a plurality of housings 10 as described above. The housings 10 are then juxtaposed around a cylindrical tank or a cylindrical reactor, for example in order to limit heat loss.

Claims

Claims

1. Thermal insulation box (10) comprising: - two side walls (12, 14) each having two opposite edges (13, 15; 17, 19) substantially parallel, said two side walls being held in a fixed position facing each other, while the two opposite edges (13, 15) of one (12) of said two side walls are respectively parallel to the two opposite edges (17, 19) of the other (14) of said two side walls; - a plurality of metal sheets (24, 26) each having two opposite edges (28, 30) substantially parallel to each other, the two opposite edges of each of the metal sheets being respectively connected to said two facing side walls (12, 14) substantially parallel to said two edges (13, 15; 17, 19), so that said sheets are held parallel to each other and at a distance from each other, delimiting successive air blades (82);characterized in that said two facing side walls (12, 14) each comprise at least one row (34, 36) of teeth (38, 40) extending substantially perpendicular to said two opposite edges (13, 15; 17, 19), the teeth of said row being regularly spaced from each other by defining gaps (48, 50) for receiving said edges (28, 30) in engagement.;

2. Thermal insulation box according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the teeth (38, 40) of said row (34, 36) of teeth has lateral claws (72) extending respectively projecting into said interstices (48, 50).

3. Thermal insulation box according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said two facing side walls (12, 14) each comprise at least one double row (34, 36) of teeth (38, 40) respectively facing each other.

4. Thermal insulation box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each of said edges (28, 30) of metal sheet has a fold (64) defining a folding edge (68) and a clean edge (70) opposite said folding edge.

5. Thermal insulation box according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the metal sheets (24, 26) of said plurality of metal sheets have bosses (78, 80) uni- formally distributed.

6. Thermal insulation box according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said two side walls (12, 14) are connected to each other by a front wall (16) and an opposite rear wall (18), parallel to said metal sheets (24, 26).

7. Thermal insulation box according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said two side walls (12, 14) are connected to each other by an upper wall (22) and an opposite lower wall (20), perpendicular to said metal sheets (24, 26).

8. Thermal insulation box according to claim 6 or 6 and 7, characterized in that one (14) of said two side walls has a rear edge provided with a keying finger (104), while said rear wall (18) has a keying orifice (102) capable of receiving said keying finger.

9. Thermal insulation box according to claim 6 and 7 or 7 and 8, characterized in that said upper wall (22) comprises a first rear edge having a first mark (90), while said rear wall (18) comprises a first upper edge having a corresponding first mark (96) for connecting together said first rear edge and said first upper edge.

10. Thermal insulation box according to claim 6 and 7 or 7 and 8 or 9, characterized in that said upper wall (22) comprises a first lateral edge having a first tab (86), while one of said lateral walls has a second upper edge having a corresponding upper notch (88), for connecting together said first lateral edge and said second upper edge.

11. A thermal protection assembly comprising a plurality of insulation housings (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images