Aerogel Flexible Insulation Sheet for Pipe Thermal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulated pipes suffer from inefficiencies in thermal insulation and handling, particularly in maintaining the integrity and flexibility of components during manufacturing and use.
Innovation Solution
The use of a flexible insulation sheet impregnated with aerogel, combined with a plastic film helical winding and a foam layer, ensures tight fitting and secure assembly of the pipe components, enhancing insulation performance and ease of manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional insulation materials are used in insulated pipes, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the thermal insulation performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining aerogel (a high-performance insulation material) with a flexible matrix material to create an insulation sheet. This composite structure achieves superior thermal insulation performance while maintaining flexibility and structural integrity, directly resolving the contradiction between insulation effectiveness and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible insulation sheet made from aerogel impregnated in a flexible matrix material. This flexible film approach allows the insulation layer to conform to the pipe surface and be easily wrapped around the pipe, improving thermal insulation while simplifying the manufacturing process through flexible handling and installation.
2Loss of energy
If rigid insulation materials are used, then the insulation performance is high, but the handling and manufacturing flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible insulation sheet composed of aerogel impregnated in a flexible matrix material. This flexible film can be easily wrapped around pipes of various diameters and configurations, maintaining high thermal insulation performance while significantly improving handling flexibility and ease of installation compared to rigid insulation materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the insulation material by impregnating aerogel particles into a flexible matrix material. This parameter change transforms the rigid, brittle nature of pure aerogel into a flexible, conformable sheet that maintains the low thermal conductivity of aerogel while gaining the handling advantages of flexible materials.
3Ease of manufacture
If the insulation sheet is wrapped loosely around the pipe, then the manufacturing is easy, but the insulation effectiveness and structural integrity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the insulation sheet with the pipe surface by wrapping the flexible aerogel-based sheet around the pipe and securing it with adhesive or mechanical fastening. This combination ensures the insulation layer remains firmly attached during handling and installation, maintaining both ease of manufacture through flexible wrapping and reliability through secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible nature of the aerogel-based insulation sheet allows it to be easily wrapped around the pipe surface conforming to its shape, while the flexibility enables secure attachment without creating stress concentrations. This flexible film approach ensures both easy manufacturing and reliable insulation integrity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides high thermal insulation across a wide temperature range while maintaining structural integrity and ease of handling, making it suitable for various applications including district heating and cooling systems.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible insulation sheet comprising a matrix material impregnated with an aerogel
Implementation Method 2
the ends of the flexible insulation sheet are joined together by a plastic film wrapped around the flexible insulation sheet in the form of helical winding such that the plastic film compresses the sheet
Implementation Method 3
the ends of the foam mat or opened foam pipe have been joined together by welding, to enclose the assembly comprising the inner pipe, flexible insulation sheet and plastic film in foam
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to an insulated pipe. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing said insulated pipe. The invention also relates to a heating system comprising one or more of said insulated pipes in connection with a heat source, for instance a district heating system. The invention also relates to a cooling system comprising one or more of said insulated pipes in connection with a cooling source.