System and method for on-demand insulation
View Patent ↗An on-demand thermal insulator system has a a body that is configured to transition between a collapsed form non-deployed state and a deployed state. The body while in the non-deployed state allows a transfer of thermal energy through a defined boundary. The body while in the deployed state in resisting the transfer of thermal energy resists transfer through the defined boundary. In particular configurations, the body has a layer disposed between two material that receives fluid when transitioning from the non-deployed state to the deployed state.
1 . An on-demand thermal insulator system comprising:
a body configured to transition between a non-deployed state and a deployed state, the body configured to resist the transfer of thermal energy when in the deployed state and, when in the non-deployed state, is retracted to a first position from which the body is configured to traverse a guided path to a second, deployed position, wherein:
the body while in the deployed state is positioned against a defined boundary having transparent material through which light is configured to pass;
the body while in the deployed state resists the transfer of thermal energy through the defined boundary; and
the body while in the non-deployed state allows a transfer of thermal energy through the defined boundary; and
a track comprising a channel configured to receive wheels coupled to the body to actively guide the body's movement during deployment and retraction between the non-deployed state and the deployed state.
2 . The on-demand thermal insulator system of claim 1 , wherein the defined boundary is a wall.
3 . The on-demand thermal insulator system of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises:
a layer disposed between two materials, the layer configured to receive a fluid when transitioning from the non-deployed state to the deployed state.
4 . The on-demand thermal insulator system of claim 3 , wherein
the fluid is pressurized into the layer, and
the pressurization of the fluid into the layer is at least part of a force used to transition the body from the non-deployed state to the deployed state.
5 . The on-demand thermal insulator system of claim 4 , wherein another force other than the pressurization of the fluid is also used to transition the body from the non-deployed state to the deployed state.
6 . The on-demand thermal insulator system of claim 3 , wherein the body further comprises
a second layer disposed between the two materials, the second layer configured to receive a fluid when transitioning from the non-deployed state to the deployed state.
7 . The on-demand thermal insulator system of claim 2 , wherein the body is wound in a non-deployed state.
8 . The on-demand thermal insulator system of claim 7 , wherein the body is wound on a biased reel that at least biases toward the non-deployed state or the deployed state.
9 . The on-demand thermal insulator system of claim 2 , wherein the body is folded in a non-deployed state.
10 . The on-demand thermal insulator system of claim 2 , wherein the transparent material is glass.
11 . The on-demand thermal insulator system of claim 10 , wherein
the body substantially covers the glass in the deployed state, and
the body substantially allows the passage of light through the glass in a non-deployed state.
12 . The on-demand thermal insulator system of claim 11 , wherein the glass surface is a window.
13 . The on-demand thermal insulator system of claim 11 , wherein the glass surface is a wall or ceiling of a greenhouse.
14 . The on-demand thermal insulator system of claim 2 , wherein the body is configured for placement into walls of a collapsible tent.
15 . The on-demand thermal insulator system of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises:
a plurality of layered collapsible tubes, the layered collapsible tubes configured to receive a fluid when transitioning from the non-deployed state to the deployed state.
16 . The on-demand thermal insulator system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second body that is configured to transition between a non-deployed state and a deployed state, the second body configured to resist the transfer of thermal energy when in the deployed state and collapse to a reduced form when in the non-deployed state, the second body positioned next to the first body, and
a third body that is configured to transition between a non-deployed state and a deployed state, the third body configured to resist the transfer of thermal energy when in the deployed state and collapse to a reduced form when in the non-deployed state, the third body positioned at an intersection of the first body and the second body to prevent a leak of thermal energy at the intersection when the first body and second body are deployed.
17 . The on-demand thermal insulator system of claim 2 , further comprising:
a sensor configured to measure a temperature, and
a pump in communication with the sensor, the pump configured to adjust a thickness of the layer based on the temperature.
18 . The on-demand thermal insulator system of claim 2 , further comprising:
a solar panel configured to receive energy from the sun,
a battery configured to store energy transferred from the solar panel,
a motor configured to provide at least a portion of a force required to transfer the body between the deployed state and the non-deployed state, and
a pump configured to provide fluid to the layer, wherein the motor and the pump receive at least a portion of their energy from sun as stored in the battery.
19 . The on-demand thermal insulator system of claim 2 , further comprising:
a solar panel configured to receive energy from the sun,
a battery configured to store energy transferred from the solar panel,
a motor configured to provide at least a portion of the force required to transfer the body between the deployed state and the non-deployed state, wherein the motor receives at least a portion of its energy from sun as stored in the battery, and
a pump configured to provide fluid to the layer, wherein at least a portion of fluid provided to the layer is stored as pressurized fluid based on energy received from the sun.