Micro-perforated Foil Sleeve for Heat Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing textile sleeves with imperforate foil layers for heat protection are prone to cracking and tearing when flexed, limiting their usability and durability.

Innovation Solution

A micro-perforated outer foil layer with holes between 50-300 µm in diameter and a density of 300-340 holes per square inch is bonded to the tubular textile sleeve, allowing flexibility without compromising thermal protection or durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If an imperforate foil layer is applied to the outer surface of the textile sleeve, then thermal protection against radiant heat is improved, but flexibility and resistance to cracking are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal protectionVSAvoidresistance to cracking
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The foil layer is provided with micro-perforations having a density of 300-340 holes per square inch, creating a porous structure that allows the foil to flex and deform without cracking while maintaining its thermal reflective function. The micro-perforations relieve stress concentration that would otherwise lead to crack propagation in solid foil layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The foil layer parameters are optimized with specific micro-perforation characteristics: hole diameter of 50-300 μm and density of 300-340 holes per square inch. These parameter changes enable the foil to maintain flexibility and resist cracking while preserving sufficient thermal protection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the foil layer is made more flexible to prevent cracking, then durability is improved, but thermal protection may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidthermal protection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The micro-perforation parameters (300-340 holes per square inch, 50-300 μm diameter) are optimized to balance flexibility and thermal protection. This parameter optimization ensures that the foil remains sufficiently intact to reflect radiant heat while being flexible enough to prevent cracking during flexing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 micro-perforated foil layer enhances the sleeve's ability to be flexed and routed without tearing or cracking, while maintaining thermal protection and increasing durability and life expectancy compared to non-perforated foil layers.

Implementation Method 1

the micro-perforated outer foil layer provides the same or substantially the same thermal protection to the elongate members contained within the cavity of the sleeve as compared to an imperforate foil layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3137663B1Micro-perforated reflective textile sleeve and method of construction thereof
Publication Date: 2023.04.19 FEDERAL MOGUL POWERTRAIN INC
  • EP3137663B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3137663B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3137663B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A tubular sleeve for providing protection to elongate members contained within the sleeve against external radiant heat and method of construction thereof is provided. The sleeve includes an inner tubular textile wall forming a cavity sized for receipt of the elongate members and an outer foil layer bonded to an outer surface of the textile wall. The outer foil layer lias micro-sized perforated holes that enhance the ability of the sleeve to be flexed and routed over meandering paths without causing the outer foil layer to tear or crack.