초록 ▼

A multilayer insulation with an array of posts is provided. In particular, the posts are comprised of multiple post or support elements that are interconnected to radiation shields or sheets comprising the layers of the integrated multi-layer insulation (IMLI) structure. The support elements maintai

A multilayer insulation with an array of posts is provided. In particular, the posts are comprised of multiple post or support elements that are interconnected to radiation shields or sheets comprising the layers of the integrated multi-layer insulation (IMLI) structure. The support elements maintain spacing between adjacent sheets, thus maintaining a volume between the sheets. The support elements can each feature a plurality of support arms. The support elements can each additionally include a support beam that defines a minimum spacing between sheets when the IMLI structure is under a compressive load. Neighboring support elements can be interconnected to one another by beams.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A multilayer thermal insulation support element, comprising: a first support surface corresponding with a first plane and defined by a top structure;a second support surface corresponding with a second plane and defined by a base structure, wherein the first support surface is separated from the

1. A multilayer thermal insulation support element, comprising: a first support surface corresponding with a first plane and defined by a top structure;a second support surface corresponding with a second plane and defined by a base structure, wherein the first support surface is separated from the second support surface by at least a first distance and wherein the first and second planes are parallel to one another;a plurality of support arms interconnecting the first support surface to the second support surface, wherein each support arm in the plurality of support arms has a length that is greater than the first distance, the plurality of support arms extend radially from the top structure and define a substantially conical section;wherein the plurality of support arms separate the first support surface from the second support surface by the first distance in a first load condition, wherein the plurality of support arms deflect to separate the first support surface from the second support surface by a second distance in a second load condition, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance; anda support member operably coupled with the first support surface, the support member extending toward the second plane defined by the second support surface, the support member having a length of about the second distance. 2. The support element of claim 1, wherein the plurality of support arms are flexible, and wherein the plurality of support arms are flexed in the second load condition and further wherein the support member engages a surface at the plane in the second load condition. 3. The support element of claim 1, wherein three support arms are included in the plurality of support arms, and wherein the support arms form a tripod. 4. A multilayer thermal insulation support element, comprising: a first support surface corresponding with a first plane and defined by a top structure;a second support surface corresponding with a second plane and defined by a base structure, wherein the first support surface is separated from the second support surface by at least a first distance and wherein the first and second planes are parallel to one another, the base structure is a ring;a plurality of support arms interconnecting the first support surface to the second support surface, wherein each support arm in the plurality of support arms has a length that is greater than the first distance, the plurality of support arms extend radially from the top structure and define a substantially conical section;wherein the plurality of support arms separate the first support surface from the second support surface by the first distance in a first load condition, wherein the plurality of support arms deflect to separate the first support surface from the second support surface by a second distance in a second load condition, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance; anda support member operably coupled with the first support surface, the support member extending toward the second plane defined by the second support surface, the support member having a length of about the second distance. 5. A multilayer thermal insulation support element, comprising: a first support surface corresponding with a first plane and defined by a top structure, the top structure includes a plurality of support surface elements;a second support surface corresponding with a second plane and defined by a base structure, wherein the first support surface is separated from the second support surface by at least a first distance and wherein the first and second planes are parallel to one another;a plurality of support arms interconnecting the first support surface to the second support surface, wherein each support arm in the plurality of support arms has a length that is greater than the first distance, the plurality of support arms extend radially from the top structure and define a substantially conical section;wherein the plurality of support arms separate the first support surface from the second support surface by the first distance in a first load condition, wherein the plurality of support arms deflect to separate the first support surface from the second support surface by a second distance in a second load condition, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance; anda support member operably coupled with the first support surface, the support member extending toward the second plane defined by the second support surface, the support member having a length of about the second. 6. The support element of claim 5 wherein the plurality of support surface elements comprise a plurality of support surface beams extending radially from the first support surface at an acute angle relative to the plurality of support arms, the support surface beams configured to engage an insulating layer. 7. A multilayer thermal insulation support element, comprising: a first support surface;a second support surface, wherein the first support surface is separated from the second support surface by at least a first distance;a plurality of support arms interconnecting the first support surface to the second support surface, wherein each support arm in the plurality of support arms has a length that is greater than the first distance;wherein the plurality of support arms separate the first support surface from the second support surface by the first distance in a first load condition, wherein the plurality of support arms deflect to separate the first support surface from the second support surface by a second distance in a second load condition, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance; anda support member comprising a support beam operably coupled with the first support surface, the support member extending toward a plane defined by the second support surface, the support member having a length of about the second distance and less than the first distance. 8. The support element of claim 7, wherein the support beam extends from a top structure, wherein the support beam is centered between the plurality of support arms. 9. A multilayer thermal insulation structure, comprising: a plurality of sheets;a plurality of support elements, the plurality of support elements including a first support element, the first support element including: a first support surface, wherein a first sheet included in the plurality of sheets is in contact with the first support surface;a second support surface, wherein a second sheet included in the plurality of sheets is in contact with the second support surface;a plurality of support arms interconnecting the first support surface and the second support surface;the first support surface is separated from the second support surface by at least a first distance, each support arm in the plurality of support arms has a length that is greater than the first distance, the plurality support arms separating the first support surface from the second support surface by the first distance in a first load condition, the plurality of support arms deflecting to separate the first support surface from the second support surface by a second distance less than the first distance in a second load condition; andthe first support element includes a central support member extending toward the second support surface, the central support member having a length of about the second distance. 10. The structure of claim 9, wherein a second support element included in the plurality of support elements has a first support surface in contact with the second sheet and a second support surface in contact with a third sheet included in the plurality of sheets. 11. The structure of claim 10, wherein the second support surface of the first support element that is in contact with a first side of the second sheet, and wherein the first support surface of the second support element is in contact with a second side of the second sheet adjacent the second support surface of the first support element. 12. The structure of claim 9, wherein a second support element included in the plurality of support elements has a first support surface in contact with the first sheet and a second support surface in contact with the second sheet. 13. The structure of claim 9, wherein at least some of the support elements in the plurality of support elements include a support beam. 14. The structure of claim 11, wherein the first and second support elements each include the central support member extending from the first support surface of the respective support element, wherein in a first state the central support member of the first support element is not in contact with the second sheet, and wherein in a second state the central support member of the first support element is in contact with the second sheet and aligned with the central support member of the second support element. 15. The multilayer thermal insulation structure of claim 14 wherein: the first support surface is separated from the second support surface by at least a first distance;the plurality of support arms interconnecting the first support surface and the second support surface of each of the first and second support elements comprise at least three support arms, each of the at least three support arms having a length greater than the first distance; andthe first sheet defining a hermetic layer and the second sheet defining a metalized polymer sheet, the second state defining a vacuum state with a compressive force on the first and second support elements such that the first support element flexes such that the central support element of the first support element interacts with the central support element of the second support element to form a contiguous in-line support structure supporting the hermetic layer under the compressive force. 16. The structure of claim 9, wherein the first support surface of the first support element defines a first plane, and wherein the support arms extend from a first support structure providing the first support surface such that an obtuse angle is formed between any two of the support arms included in the plurality of support arms. 17. The structure of claim 9, wherein the plurality of sheets and the plurality of support elements are metalized such that at least a portion of the structure is electrically conductive. 18. The multilayer thermal insulation structure of claim 9 wherein: the plurality of support arms are flexible and bend in the second load condition, the degree of bending determined in part by the length of the central support member; andthe plurality of support arms are fixedly attached to the second support surface, the second support surface being substantially rigid such that the plurality of support arms bend between the first support surface and second support surface in the second load condition. 19. A multilayer thermal insulation support element, comprising: a first support surface;a second support surface, wherein the first support surface is separated from the second support surface by at least a first distance;a plurality of support arms interconnecting the first support surface to the second support surface, wherein each support arm in the plurality of support arms has a length that is greater than the first distance;wherein the plurality of support arms separate the first support surface from the second support surface by the first distance in a first load condition, wherein the plurality of support arms deflect to separate the first support surface from the second support surface by a second distance in a second load condition, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance; anda support member operably coupled with the first support surface, the support member extending toward a plane defined by the second support surface, the support member having a length of about the second distance, wherein the support member defines a Y-shaped cross-section. 20. A multilayer thermal insulation support element, comprising: a first support surface;a second support surface, wherein the first support surface is separated from the second support surface by at least a first distance;a plurality of support arms interconnecting the first support surface to the second support surface, wherein each support arm in the plurality of support arms has a length that is greater than the first distance;wherein the plurality of support arms separate the first support surface from the second support surface by the first distance in a first load condition, wherein the plurality of support arms deflect to separate the first support surface from the second support surface by a second distance in a second load condition, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance; anda support member operably coupled with the first support surface, the support member extending toward a plane defined by the second support surface, the support member having a length of about the second distance;wherein at least one of the first support surface, the second support surface or the plurality of support arms are a metalized micromolded polymer. 21. A multilayer thermal insulation support element, comprising: a first support surface;a second support surface, wherein the first support surface is separated from the second support surface by at least a first distance;a plurality of support arms interconnecting the first support surface to the second support surface, wherein each support arm in the plurality of support arms has a length that is greater than the first distance;wherein the plurality of support arms separate the first support surface from the second support surface by the first distance in a first load condition, wherein the plurality of support arms deflect to separate the first support surface from the second support surface by a second distance in a second load condition, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance; and a support member operably coupled with the first support surface, the support member extending toward a plane defined by the second support surface, the support member having a length of about the second distance; wherein a cross-sectional area of one of the plurality of support arms is about 0.00008 square inches and a length of the one support arms is about 0.175 inches.