Active thermal insulation system including evacuated structures and a vacuum sustaining unit

Abstract

A thermal insulation system includes an evacuated structure including an internal space in which a vacuum is sustained by a vacuum pump operating when it is determined that a pressure within the internal space has risen to a predetermined level. In one embodiment, such a system is used within a dome structure extending over and around a heat receiving structure within a solar heating system.

1 . A thermally insulating system comprising:
 a thermally insulating structure including an internal space;   a vacuum sustaining unit including a first input tube connected to the internal space, a pressure sensor sensing a pressure within the internal space;   and a vacuum pump evacuating air from the internal space in response to a signal from the pressure sensor indicating that a pressure within the internal space has risen above a predetermined level.   
   
   
       2 . The thermally insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein
 the thermally insulating structure includes a floor structure and a dome-shaped structure, extending upward from the floor structure,   the dome-shaped structure includes an internal surface forming a central space extending from the internal surface to the floor structure, and an external surface,   the internal space extends within the dome-shaped structure, separate from the central space and between the internal and external surfaces, and   the dome-shaped structure transmits solar radiation from outside the dome-shaped structure to the central space within the dome-shaped structure.   
   
   
       3 . The thermally insulating system of  claim 2 , wherein the dome-shaped structure comprises:
 an inner transparent dome including the inner surface, a first lower surface and a lower flange extending outwardly around the first lower surface;   an outer transparent dome including the external surface, a second lower surface, upwardly disposed from the first lower surface, and an upper flange extending outwardly around the second lower surface;   a gasket extending between the lower flange and the upper flange to enclose a space extending between the inner and outer transparent domes to form the internal space; and   at least one bracket holding the inner and outer transparent domes in a spaced-apart relationship.   
   
   
       4 . The thermally insulating system of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the lower flange is formed as a separate piece within the inner transparent dome, and   the upper flange is formed as a separate piece within the outer transparent dome.   
   
   
       5 . The thermally insulating system of  claim 2 , wherein the dome-shaped structure comprises;
 a dome-shaped framework including a plurality of frame openings;   an inner transparent curved sheet and an outer transparent curved sheet held within each frame opening within the plurality of frame openings, wherein the inner and outer transparent curved sheets are held in a spaced-apart relationship to form a portion of the internal space; and   a plurality of openings connecting the portions of the internal space in adjacent frame openings to form the internal space.   
   
   
       6 . The thermally insulating system of  claim 5 , wherein
 the dome-shaped framework additionally comprises a removable frame section, removable from outside the dome-shaped structure,   the removable frame section extends around one of the frame openings, and   the removable frame section holds the inner and outer transparent curved sheets within the frame opening in the removable frame section.   
   
   
       7 . The thermally insulating system of  claim 5 , wherein
 the dome-shaped framework additionally comprises a door section mounted to be moved between an open position and a closed position, and a flexible tube extending between the door and an adjacent surface of the dome-shaped framework;   access from outside the dome-shaped structure to the central space within the dome-shaped structure is provided with the door section in the open position and prevented with the door section in the closed position   the door section extends around one of the frame openings,   the door section holds the inner and outer transparent curved sheets within the frame opening in the door section, and   the flexible hose connects the portion of the internal space between the inner and outer transparent curved sheets within the frame opening in the door section with the portion of the internal space within an adjacent frame opening.   
   
   
       8 . The thermally insulating system of  claim 5 , wherein the dome-shaped framework additionally includes an opening extending around a lens concentrating solar radiation within the central space. 
   
   
       9 . The thermally insulating system of  claim 5 , additionally comprising a Fresnel lens held above the dome-shaped structure to focus solar radiation on the dome shaped structure. 
   
   
       10 . The thermally insulating system of  claim 5 , wherein the dome-shaped structure and the dome-shaped framework are elongated. 
   
   
       11 . The thermally insulating structure of  claim 5 , wherein the inner and outer transparent curved sheets are curved around a circumference of the dome-shaped structure. 
   
   
       12 . The thermally insulating structure of  claim 5 , wherein the inner and outer transparent curved sheets are curved to extend inward and upward. 
   
   
       13 . The thermally insulating structure of  claim 5 , wherein a plurality of the transparent curved sheets are composed of a transparent ceramic. 
   
   
       14 . The thermally insulating system of  claim 2 , wherein the floor structure includes:
 a flat inner plate composed of a strong and resilient material;   a flat outer plate composed of a strong and resilient material;   a frame holding the flat inner and outer plates in a spaced-apart relationship and forming an inner space extending within the frame and between the flat inner and outer plates; and   a second input tube connecting the inner space within the floor structure with the vacuum sustaining unit.   
   
   
       15 . The thermally insulating system of  claim 2 , wherein the internal surface of the dome-shaped structure extends around and over a heat receiving portion of a solar heating system. 
   
   
       16 . The thermally insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein
 the thermally insulating structure comprises a plurality of thermally insulating panels,   each of the thermally insulating panels includes a flat inner plate composed of a strong and resilient material, a flat outer plate composed of a strong and resilient material, and a frame holding the flat inner and outer plates in a spaced-apart relationship and forming an inner space extending within the frame and between the flat inner and outer plates, and   the interior space within each of the thermally insulating panels is connected to the vacuum sustaining unit.   
   
   
       17 . The thermally insulating system of  claim 15 , wherein the interior space within each of the thermally insulating panels is connected to the vacuum sustaining unit by a common evacuation tube. 
   
   
       18 . The thermally insulating system of  claim 15 , wherein interior spaces within adjacent thermally insulating panels are connected by openings extending through adjacent portions of the frames within the adjacent thermally insulating panels. 
   
   
       19 . The thermally insulating system of  claim 15 , wherein the thermally insulating panels are aligned along an interior surface within a building. 
   
   
       20 . The thermally insulating system of  claim 15 , wherein the thermally insulating panels are disposed between elongated members within a structural element within a building. 
   
   
       21 . The thermally insulating system of  claim 15 , wherein
 the thermally insulating panels form a box structure, extending around a central space, and a first door structure,   the box structure includes a first access opening.   the door structure is movable between a closed position, extending within the first access opening, and an open position,   access into the central space is provided with the door structure in the open position and prevented with the door structure in the closed position, and   an insulating panel within the first door structure is connected to the vacuum sustaining unit by a path including a first flexible hose.   
   
   
       22 . The thermally insulating system of  claim 20 , wherein
 the box structure is disposed within a refrigerator, and   the first door structure is disposed within a pivotally mounted door of the refrigerator.   
   
   
       22 . The thermally insulating system of  claim 20 , wherein
 the box structure is disposed within a container,   the first access opening is disposed at an end of the container,   the thermally insulating panels additionally form a second door structure, movable between a closed position, extending within the first access opening, and an open position,   the first door structure is disposed within a first pivotally mounted door of the container,   the second door structure is disposed within a second pivotally mounted door of the container,   access into the central space is provided with each door structure in the open position and prevented with each door structure in the closed position. and   an insulating panel within the second door structure is connected to the vacuum sustaining unit by a path including a second flexible hose   
   
   
       23 . The thermally insulating system of  claim 20 , wherein
 the box structure is disposed within a railroad car,   the first access opening is disposed within a first side of the box structure,   the box structure additionally includes a second access opening, disposed within a second side of the box structure,   the thermally insulating panels additionally form a second door structure, movable between a closed position, extending within the second access opening, and an open position,   the first door structure is disposed within a first slidably mounted door of the railroad car,   the second door structure is disposed within a second slidably mounted door of the railroad car,   access into the central space is provided with either door structure in the open position and prevented with each door structure in the closed position. and   an insulating panel within the second door structure is connected to the vacuum sustaining unit by a path including a second flexible hose.   
   
   
       24 . Solar heating apparatus comprising:
 a heat receiving structure through which a fluid flows to be heated by solar radiation, and   a thermally insulating structure, including a floor structure and a dome-shaped structure, extending upward from the floor structure, wherein the dome-shaped structure includes an internal surface forming a central space holding the heat-receiving structure and extending from the internal surface to the floor structure, an external surface, and an evacuated internal space extending within the dome-shaped structure, separate from the central space and between the internal and external surfaces, and wherein the dome-shaped structure transmits solar radiation from outside the dome-shaped structure to the central space within the dome-shaped structure.   
   
   
       25 . The solar heating apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the floor structure includes:
 a flat inner plate composed of a strong and resilient material;   a flat outer plate composed of a strong and resilient material;   a frame holding the flat inner and outer plates in a spaced-apart relationship and forming an evacuated inner space extending within the frame and between the flat inner and outer plates;   
   
   
       26 . A thermal insulating unit, disposed with a container, comprising:
 a plurality of thermal insulating panels, wherein spaces within each of the thermal insulating panels are connected to one another and to an exterma;   connection for evacuation of air through the external connection.