| 摘要 |
1,107,797. Heat retaining vessels. COMPAGNIE FRANCAISE THOMSON-HOUSTON HOTCHKISS BRANDT. 12 Nov., 1965 [13 Nov., 1964], No. 48256/65. Heading F4U. A heat insulating container for maintaining a fuel cell 12 or radio or other electrical equipment carried by a weather balloon at a constant temperature considerably above the temperature of the surrounding stratosphere for a considerable period of time comprises spaced sealed stainless steel shells 2, 4 having a heat reflective aluminium finish, the space between the shells being evacuated through line 40. The cell 12 or other equipment is sealed in a gas-filled plastic bag 14 and surrounded by water, which over the period of use slowly changes to ice to maintain the isothermal assembly at 0‹ C. Alternatively water-glycol or water-sodium sulphate mixtures may be used, or the heat of crystallization of calcium chloride hydrate utilized to maintain a constant temperature, or a small electric heater may be used. The inner shell 2 is supported against shock within the outer shell 4 by two coaxial helical spring steel elements 22, 24 formed as tubular ducts to interconnect the fuel cell unit 12 with external uninsulated hydrogen and oxygen reservoirs 82, 84. The cell or electrical equipment may then be electrically connected to a terminal 44 by coating the outside of one of the spring tubes 22 or 24 with copper, aluminium, gold, silver or graphite to act as an electrical conductor, or by helically coiling a conductor wire around the spring tube. One or more layers of a plastic aluminium coated radiation reflection screen 36 is interposed between the inner and outer spring coils 24, 22. In modifications for insulating radio or other electrical equipment in place of a fuel cell, so that fluid connecting ducts need not be provided, the inner shell 2 may be resiliently suspended from the outer shell 4 by three upper and lower equi-angularly spaced suspension devices 50, 52 (Fig. 2, not shown) comprising nylon cords 50 linked to tension springs 54, coated with electrically conductive material. Alternatively (Fig. 3, not shown) steel suspension wires 60, 62 coated with insulating ceramic beads 68 may be used as suspension means, separate electrical conductors 62, 64 being provided. Rigid non- heat conductive spacers between the shells may also be used. The reflection screen may be replaced by a pulverant or particular filling of a mixture of silica or alumina and aluminium particles. |
