Aerogel Laminated Composite for Cryogenic Thermal Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal insulation materials using resin foamed bodies require thick layers for effective insulation, making it difficult to reduce thickness while maintaining performance, especially in cryogenic applications where enhanced insulation is needed.
Innovation Solution
An aerogel laminated composite is developed, comprising a porous spacer layer, an aerogel layer with polysiloxane structure, and a support with heat reflective or absorbing functions, allowing for reduced thickness while maintaining high thermal insulation performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a resin foamed body is used for thermal insulation, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but the thickness of the insulation layer must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple layers with different functions: a porous spacer layer (glass fiber or plastic fiber), an aerogel layer (silica aerogel or polysiloxane aerogel), and a support layer (aluminum foil or resin film with heat ray reflective/absorbing function). This multi-layer composite structure achieves superior thermal insulation performance while reducing the overall thickness compared to conventional single-material foamed bodies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous materials at multiple levels: the porous spacer layer with controlled porosity to trap air and reduce convection, the aerogel layer with ultra-low density and high porosity (up to 99%) to minimize thermal conduction through the solid matrix, and the hierarchical pore structure that disrupts heat transfer pathways. This porous material strategy enables high insulation performance in a thin profile.
2Ease of operation
If the thickness of thermal insulation material is reduced, then handling properties and flexibility are improved, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible thin films as the support layer (resin film or metal foil) that provides mechanical strength and flexibility, allowing the insulation material to conform to complex shapes and be easily handled. The aerogel layer is processed into a flexible membrane form, and the porous spacer layer uses flexible plastic fibers or treated glass fibers. This flexible thin-film approach maintains handling ease while achieving thin-profile insulation.
3Loss of energy
If a porous spacer layer and aerogel layer are laminated, then thermal insulation performance is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal insulation function into distinct layers: the porous spacer layer handles convection and radiation control, the aerogel layer provides the primary insulation barrier with ultra-low thermal conductivity, and the support layer offers mechanical strength and heat reflection. This segmentation of functions into specialized layers achieves superior insulation performance while keeping each layer relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple insulation mechanisms into a single integrated laminated structure: conduction resistance from the aerogel's low density, convection suppression from the porous spacer's air-trapping structure, and radiation blocking from the reflective support layer. This merging of multiple heat transfer resistance mechanisms into one compact laminated composite achieves high performance without requiring separate components.
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 aerogel laminated composite achieves superior thermal insulation with reduced thickness, enhancing handling properties and flexibility, suitable for cryogenic and superconductive applications.
Implementation Method 1
an aerogel layer with polysiloxane structure
Implementation Method 2
The aerogel layer may be a layer containing an aerogel having a structure derived from polysiloxane
Implementation Method 3
a support having a heat ray reflective function or a heat ray absorbing function
Implementation Method 4
a support having a heat ray reflective function or a heat ray absorbing function
Implementation Method 5
a porous spacer layer
Implementation Method 6
a porous spacer layer
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an aerogel laminated composite having a structure in which a porous spacer layer, an aerogel layer and a support having a heat ray reflective function or a heat ray absorbing function are laminated in this order.