Flexible Insulating Cover Layer for Heat Bridge Elimination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wired mats for thermal insulation of technical installations suffer from heat bridges formed by elements extending through the insulation, leading to heat loss from the insulated surface to the outer side.

Innovation Solution

A flexible insulating product is designed with a core layer and a cover layer, where the cover layer is secured to the core layer without elements extending through it, using a low-thermal-conductivity material like aerogel and an inorganic adhesive to prevent heat bridges, and a facing layer connected to the core layer without penetrating the cover layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If elements (metal threads) extend through the facing and core layer to secure the structure, then the mechanical strength and coherence of the insulating product is improved, but heat bridges are formed that increase heat loss from the insulated installation to the outer side

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoherence of insulating productVSAvoidheat loss

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating product is segmented into distinct layers: a facing layer, a core layer of insulating material, and a cover layer. The metal threads are segmented in length to extend only from the facing through the core layer but stop before penetrating the cover layer, thus dividing the structural support function from the thermal insulation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover layer acts as an intermediary barrier between the metal threads (which form heat bridges) and the hot surface of the insulated installation. This intermediary layer prevents direct thermal contact while still allowing the metal threads to provide structural coherence to the overall product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible insulating product is used to adapt to non-planar surfaces, then the adaptability and ease of installation is improved, but the presence of continuous elements through the product increases heat bridge formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to surface shapeVSAvoidheat loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous path for heat transfer is segmented by the cover layer, which interrupts the thermal conductivity path formed by the metal threads. This allows the product to maintain flexibility for adapting to various surface shapes while eliminating the continuous heat bridge that would otherwise extend through the entire product thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different layers of the insulating product are assigned different functional qualities: the facing and core layer provide structural support and primary insulation, while the cover layer provides localized thermal protection at the outer surface where heat bridges would otherwise directly contact the environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Substantially reduces heat loss by eliminating direct contact between heat bridges and the insulated surface, enhancing thermal insulation performance.

Implementation Method 1

By securing a flexible insulating cover layer to the core layer opposite the facing it is ensured - when the insulating product is installed - that the elements extending through the facing and the core layer but not through the insulating cover layer do not contact the hot surface of the insulated installation, whereby the heat loss through these heat bridges is substantially reduced.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2350517B1Flexible composite insulating product

Publication Date: 2017.03.15 ROCKWOOL INT AS

AI summary

An flexible heat insulation product (1) comprising a flexible heat insulating core layer (4) with a first side (3) and a second side (9), and a flexible facing (2) that is connected to the first side (3) of the insulating core layer (4) by a plurality of elements (7) that extends from the facing (2) to the second side (9) of the insulating core layer (4). The insulation product (1) further comprises a flexible heat insulating cover layer (8) that is secured to the second side (9) of the insulating core layer (4). A method for producing such a product is also disclosed.