Aerogel blanket insulator and its functional composite
This invention relates to functional composites that consist of an insulator and other functional elements associated with it. Specifically, this invention is relevant to functional composites that consist of an aerogel insulator and a functional heating element to increase thermal efficiency while supplying heat to the targeted object and keeping it warm.
1 . An aerogel blanket insulator, comprising:
an aerogel blanket formed to include aerogel particles;
a sewing thread used to quilt the whole aerogel blanket; and
a cover layer covering a surface of the aerogel blanket,
wherein the aerogel blanket insulator includes the aerogel blanket made of insulation of an elastic member and the sewing thread is created to quilt only the aerogel blanket,
wherein the cover layer is formed by penetrating a synthetic resin through a partial thickness of the aerogel blanket, and
wherein the sewing thread is impregnated with the synthetic resin so as to seal gaps at a sewing portion where the sewing thread penetrates the cover layer of the aerogel blanket.
2 . The aerogel blanket insulator according to claim 1 , further comprising a separate enveloping layer that covers the cover layer, wherein the elastic member comprises cotton.
3 . The aerogel blanket insulator according to claim 1 , wherein the cover layer is formed by
applying liquid polyimide or synthetic resin to a surface of the aerogel blanket, or by combining non-woven fabric or thin fabric on a layer composed of the liquid polyimide or
resin.
4 . A functional composite with the aerogel blanket insulator of claim 1 , comprising:
an additional planar heating element layer on the cover layer on a single side of the aerogel blanket.
5 . The functional composite according to claim 4 , wherein the planar heating element layer includes a resistive conductive layer that generates heat when current flows, and the resistive conductive layer is formed to cover an entire surface of the aerogel blanket or formed in a pattern by attachment, printing, or coating according to a specific pattern.
6 . The functional composite according to claim 4 , wherein the planar heating element is composed of a metal thin film or formed by applying and drying a viscous liquid with conductive particles or fibers, and wherein a conductive sewing thread on a single side of the aerogel blanket forms a part of the planar heating element functioning as a conductive resistor, while a separate sewing thread is used on a top and a bottom of the aerogel blanket for quilting.
7 . The functional composite according to claim 4 , wherein the planar heating element is formed by distributing at least two electrical terminals in multiple locations, and wherein the planar heating element includes PTC heaters made at least in part from PTC materials.