Concentric Vacuum Insulated Articles with Segmented Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum insulated structures face limitations due to breakage of vacuum seals and jacket walls under mechanical impacts, leading to loss of insulation, and increasing the vacuum chamber size is not feasible in many applications, necessitating improved vacuum insulated containers and fabrication methods.
Innovation Solution
The design includes concentric cylindrical walls with multiple insulating spaces and vents, where the geometry guides gas molecules towards exits, creating a deeper vacuum without the need for getter materials, and allows for improved insulation without increasing the overall volume of the vacuum chamber by using multiple vacuum spaces in series.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vacuum chamber size is increased to improve insulation capabilities, then the insulation performance is improved, but the volume of the structure increases which is not allowed in many applications
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum insulation system is divided into multiple separate vacuum chambers (first vacuum chamber between outer and middle walls, second vacuum chamber between middle and inner walls) instead of using a single large vacuum chamber. Each chamber can be evacuated to vacuum independently, and the total insulation effect is the sum of multiple smaller vacuum spaces, achieving high insulation without requiring a single large volume.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple vacuum chambers are nested within each other concentrically - the first vacuum chamber is formed between outer and middle walls, and the second vacuum chamber is formed between middle and inner walls. This nested arrangement allows multiple vacuum spaces to occupy overlapping radial space, maximizing insulation efficiency within a compact overall volume.
2Strength
If mechanical impact resistance is improved by strengthening the jacket wall, then the structural strength is improved, but the weight of the container increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container wall structure is segmented into multiple thin walls (outer wall, middle wall, inner wall) separated by vacuum spaces, rather than using a single thick wall. The vacuum spaces act as thermal and acoustic insulators, while the individual thin walls can be optimized for mechanical strength with minimal weight, as each wall only needs to withstand local pressure differential, not the full cumulative pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum spaces act as intermediary layers between the outer and inner walls, providing thermal and acoustic insulation without requiring the walls themselves to be thick or heavy. The vacuum barrier mediates the transmission of heat and sound while allowing the structural walls to remain thin and lightweight.
3Reliability
If mechanical impact resistance is improved by thickening the vacuum seal, then the seal reliability is improved, but the volume of the vacuum chamber decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum sealing function is segmented and distributed across multiple locations - seals are provided at both the outer perimeter and at the inner perimeter of each vacuum chamber. This distributed sealing approach enhances reliability by providing multiple independent sealing barriers, while each individual seal can be thin since it only needs to seal its local chamber, not the entire volume.
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
This solution enhances insulation capacity, provides redundancy in case of vacuum leaks, reduces weight and components, and maintains thermal and acoustic insulation, while achieving deeper vacuums without the need for getter materials, even in space-constrained devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first insulating space formed between the outer wall and the middle wall; and a second insulating space formed between the middle wall and the inner wall
Implementation Method 2
a first vent communicating with the first insulating space to provide an exit pathway for gas molecules from the first insulating space, the first vent being sealable for maintaining a first vacuum within the first insulating space
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides vacuum insulated articles having two—or more—insulated volumes at reduced pressure. An article may include a first vent communicating with a first insulating space, a second vent communicating with a second insulating space, a first circular insulation seal sealing the first insulating space at the first vent; and a second circular insulation seal sealing the second insulating space at the second vent. Also provided are methods of fabricating vacuum insulated articles.