US3799056A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal insulation blocks, particularly for space vehicles
Assignee: Bronzavia SA
•
Filing: 1972-09-18
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1992-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A thermal insulation block for use in particular between a heat shield and the body of a space vehicle comprises an envelope of which the wall adjacent the body is of insulating material. A number of spaced parallel screens are contained within the envelope and serve to reflect infra-red radiation. The spaces between the screens and between the walls of the envelope and the screens are filled with a refractory fibrous material.
Inventors
- 👤 P Colignon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:56
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L59/00; F16L59/08; B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/22; B64G1/52; B64G1/58; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/92; Y10S60/00; Y10S60/909
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A thermal insulation block for protecting the outer surface of a high-velocity body of the spacecraft typE, said block comprising an envelope which includes a wall of insulating material constructed to be placed against said outer surface of said high-velocity body, a plurality of screens which reflect infra-red radiation positioned within the envelope parallel to said wall and refractory insulating fibres filling the spaces between the screens and between the envelope and the screens.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A thermal insulation block for protecting the outer surface of a high-velocity body of the spacecraft typE, said block comprising an envelope which includes a wall of insulating material constructed to be placed against said outer surface of said high-velocity body, a plurality of screens which reflect infra-red radiation positioned within the envelope parallel to said wall and refractory insulating fibres filling the spaces between the screens and between the envelope and the screens.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A thermal insulation block according to claim 1, wherein the walls of the envelope, except for the wall of insulating material, consist of a sheet of refractory metal having a thickness of the order of 0.05 mm, this sheet being ribbed in order to increase its mechanical rigidity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A thermal insulation block according to claim 2, wherein at the junction zone of the metal sheet and the wall of insulating material the said sheet is inserted between two thicknesses of the insulating material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A thermal insulation block according to claim 1, wherein the envelope is pierced with holes so as to allow equalisation of the pressures between the outside and the inside of the envelope.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A thermal insulation block according to claim 1, wherein the envelope has a projecting edge along at least one side of the block arranged to overlap a neighbouring block when a number of blocks are placed side by side.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A thermal insulation block according to claim 1, wherein at least the reflecting screen farthest from the wall of insulating material consists of a refractory support which has been given a coating of a precious metal, such as gold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A thermal insulation block according to claim 6, wherein the refractory support is a sheet of mica.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A thermal insulation block according to claim 1, wherein at least the screen nearest to the wall of insulating material consists of a sheet of polished aluminum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A thermal insulation block according to claim 1, wherein the fibres forming the filling between the screens are selected from the group consisting of silica (quartz), alumina and zirconia fibres, the filling having a low density of the order of 12 kg/m3, and being easily permeable by infra-red rays.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
91 words
A body capable of travelling at very high velocities, said body having a heat shield spaced from its surface and connected thereto with the space between the shield and said surface containing at least one thermal insulation block, said block comprising an envelope which includes a wall of foamed synthetic plastics material positioned in engagement with said surface, a plurality of screens which reflect infrared radiation disposed within the envelope parallel to said wall and refractory insulating fibres filling the spaces between the screens and between the envelope and the screens.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
91 words
A body capable of travelling at very high velocities, said body having a heat shield spaced from its surface and connected thereto with the space between the shield and said surface containing at least one thermal insulation block, said block comprising an envelope which includes a wall of foamed synthetic plastics material positioned in engagement with said surface, a plurality of screens which reflect infrared radiation disposed within the envelope parallel to said wall and refractory insulating fibres filling the spaces between the screens and between the envelope and the screens.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |