Protective Cover With Graphite Heat Transfer for External Heat

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal management systems are inefficient, bulky, and heavy, limiting their use in high-tech industries due to inadequate thermal conductivity and applicability to outdoor or high-exposure environments, and they primarily focus on dissipating heat from the device rather than protecting it from external heat generation.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a graphite-like or pyrolytic graphite-like material for thermal conduction and a thermal energy transfer fluid, combined with a support structure such as an aerogel, to efficiently transfer and dissipate thermal energy while protecting against physical damage, optionally with a thermoelectric generator to convert thermal energy into electrical energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional thermal management systems are used, then heat dissipation function is provided, but thermal conductivity is inadequate and system becomes bulky and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal conductivityVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials including graphite-like or pyrolytic graphite-like materials with high thermal conductivity combined with lightweight support structures such as aerogel. This composite approach achieves superior thermal management performance while maintaining minimal weight, directly resolving the contradiction between adequate thermal conductivity and system weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional heat sinks are used, then heat dissipation is achieved, but applicability is limited to controlled indoor environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental adaptabilityVSAvoidprotection against external heat

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by designing a protective cover that actively transfers heat away from the protected body toward the external environment, rather than merely dissipating heat from the device itself. This inversion enables the system to protect against external heat generation while maintaining reliability in harsh outdoor and aerospace environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If thermal energy transfer fluid is added to enhance heat transfer, then thermal management efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal management efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes a thermal energy transfer fluid (liquid or gas) to enhance heat transfer efficiency through convection mechanisms. The fluid circulates through the protective cover, absorbing and transporting thermal energy, thereby significantly improving thermal management productivity while the integrated design keeps the overall system complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 device provides efficient thermal management with minimal loss to protected components, reduces damage from thermal and physical stress, and can generate electrical energy, making it suitable for harsh environments like aerospace applications.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal energy conduction element for transferring thermal energy through at least part of the outer protective cover... The thermal conduction element comprises a graphite-like or pyrolytic graphite-like material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The thermal energy transfer device comprises a thermal energy transfer fluid (adapted to transfer thermal energy to and/or from the thermal energy conduction element)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

optionally with a thermoelectric generator to convert thermal energy into electrical energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSeebeck effect: Seebeck Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12441489B2Devices for protecting a body from damage

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 GRAPHENE COMPOSITES LTD

AI summary

A device for protecting a body from damage. The protective device comprises an outer protective cover, the outer protective cover comprising a thermal energy conduction element for transferring thermal energy through at least part of the outer protective cover and an inner assembly located adjacent the outer protective cover, the inner assembly comprising a thermal energy transfer device adapted to transfer thermal energy to and/or from the thermal energy conduction element. The thermal conduction element comprises a graphite-like or pyrolytic graphite-like material and the thermal energy transfer device comprises a thermal energy transfer fluid.