Thomas E Potter

US Patent:

58134549, Sep 29, 1998

Filed:

Sep 10, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/716822

Inventors:

Thomas F. Potter - Denver CO

Assignee:

Varitec Thermal, L.L.C. - Denver CO

International Classification:

F28F 2700

US Classification:

165276

Abstract:

A compact vacuum insulation panel comprising a chamber enclosed by two sheets of metal, glass-like spaces disposed in the chamber between the sidewalls, and a high-grade vacuum in the chamber includes apparatus and methods for enabling and disabling, or turning "on" and "off" the thermal insulating capability of the panel. One type of enabling and disabling apparatus and method includes a metal hydride for releasing hydrogen gas into the chamber in response to heat, and a hydrogen grate between the metal hydride and the chamber for selectively preventing and allowing return of the hydrogen gas to the metal hydride. Another type of enabling and disabling apparatus and method includes a variable emissivity coating on the sheets of metal in which the emissivity is controllably variable by heat or electricity. Still another type of enabling and disabling apparatus and method includes metal-to-metal contact devices that can be actuated to establish or break metal-to-metal heat paths or thermal short circuits between the metal sidewalls.

US Patent:

54776767, Dec 26, 1995

Filed:

Jan 27, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/188394

Inventors:

David K. Benson - Golden CO
Thomas F. Potter - Denver CO

Assignee:

Midwest Research Institute - Kansas City MO

International Classification:

F01N 320

US Classification:

60274

Abstract:

A catalytic converter is surrounded by variable conductance insulation for maintaining the operating temperature of the catalytic converter at an optimum level, for inhibiting heat loss when raising catalytic converter temperature to light-off temperature, for storing excess heat to maintain or accelerate reaching light-off temperature, and for conducting excess heat away from the catalytic converter after reaching light-off temperature. The variable conductance insulation includes vacuum gas control and metal-to-metal thermal shunt mechanisms. Radial and axial shielding inhibits radiation and convection heat loss. Thermal storage media includes phase change material, and heat exchanger chambers and fluids carry heat to and from the catalytic converter.

US Patent:

53181085, Jun 7, 1994

Filed:

Oct 14, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/960885

Inventors:

David K. Benson - Golden CO
Thomas F. Potter - Denver CO

Assignee:

Midwest Research Institute - Kansas City MO

International Classification:

F28F 1300

US Classification:

165 96

Abstract:

Disclosed is a dynamic vacuum insulation comprising sidewalls enclosing an evacuated chamber and gas control means for releasing hydrogen gas into a chamber to increase gas molecule conduction of heat across the chamber and retrieving hydrogen gas from the chamber. The gas control means includes a metal hydride that absorbs and retains hydrogen gas at cooler temperatures and releases hydrogen gas at hotter temperatures; a hydride heating means for selectively heating the metal hydride to temperatures high enough to release hydrogen gas from the metal hydride; and gate means positioned between the metal hydride and the chamber for selectively allowing hydrogen to flow or not to flow between said metal hydride and said chamber.

US Patent:

51578930, Oct 27, 1992

Filed:

Jun 12, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/535782

Inventors:

David K. Benson - Golden CO
Thomas F. Potter - Denver CO

Assignee:

Midwest Research Institute - Kansas City MO

International Classification:

E04C 232

US Classification:

52792

Abstract:

Improved compact insulation panel is provided which is comprised of two adjacent metal sheets spaced close together with a plurality of spherical, or other discretely shaped, glass or ceramic beads optimally positioned between the sheets to provide support and maintain the spacing between the metal sheets when the gases therebetween are evacuated to form a vacuum. These spherical glass beads provide the maximum support while minimizing thermal conductance. In its preferred embodiment; these two metal sheets are textured with ribs or concave protrusions in conjunction with the glass beads to maximize the structural integrity of the panels while increasing the spacing between beads, thereby reducing the number of beads and the number of thermal conduction paths. Glass or porcelain-enameled liners in combination with the glass spacers and metal sidewalls effectively decrease thermal conductivity, and variious laminates, including wood, porcelain-enameled metal, and others effectively increase the strength and insulation capabilities of the panels. Also, a metal web is provided to hold the spacers in place, and strategic grooves are shown to accommodate expansion and contraction or shaping of the panels.

US Patent:

56434855, Jul 1, 1997

Filed:

Nov 21, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/343081

Inventors:

Thomas F. Potter - Denver CO
David K. Benson - Golden CO
Steven D. Burch - Golden CO

Assignee:

Midwest Research Institute - Kansas City MO

International Classification:

H05B 612
A47G 2304

US Classification:

219621

Abstract:

A cooking utensil with improved heat retention includes an inner pot received within an outer pot and separated in a closely spaced-apart relationship to form a volume or chamber therebetween. The chamber is evacuated and sealed with foil leaves at the upper edges of the inner and outer pot. The vacuum created between the inner and outer pot, along with the minimum of thermal contact between the inner and outer pot, and the reduced radiative heat transfer due to low emissivity coatings on the inner and outer pot, provide for a highly insulated cooking utensil. Any combination of a plurality of mechanisms for selectively disabling and re-enabling the insulating properties of the pot are provided within the chamber. These mechanisms may include: a hydrogen gas producing and reabsorbing device such as a metal hydride, a plurality of metal contacts which can be adjusted to bridge the gap between the inner and outer pot, and a plurality of bimetallic switches which can selectively bridge the gap between the inner and outer pot. In addition, phase change materials with superior heat retention characteristics may be provided within the cooking utensil.

US Patent:

55621546, Oct 8, 1996

Filed:

Feb 14, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/194932

Inventors:

David K. Benson - Golden CO
Thomas F. Potter - Denver CO

International Classification:

F28F 2700

US Classification:

165 96

Abstract:

A compact vacuum insulation panel comprising a chamber enclosed by two sheets of metal, glass-like spaces disposed in the chamber between the sidewalls, and a high-grade vacuum in the chamber includes apparatus and methods for enabling and disabling, or turning "on" and "off" the thermal insulating capability of the panel. One type of enabling and disabling apparatus and method includes a metal hydride for releasing hydrogen gas into the chamber in response to heat, and a hydrogen grate between the metal hydride and the chamber for selectively preventing and allowing return of the hydrogen gas to the metal hydride. Another type of enabling and disabling apparatus and method includes a variable emissivity coating on the sheets of metal in which the emissivity is controllably variable by heat or electricity. Still another type of enabling and disabling apparatus and method includes metal-to-metal contact devices that can be actuated to establish or break metal-to-metal heat paths or thermal short circuits between the metal sidewalls.

US Patent:

54330564, Jul 18, 1995

Filed:

Feb 14, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/194933

Inventors:

David K. Benson - Golden CO
Thomas F. Potter - Denver CO

Assignee:

Midwest Research Institute - Kansas City MO

International Classification:

E04C 234

US Classification:

527941

Abstract:

A compact vacuum insulation panel comprising a chamber enclosed by two sheets of metal, glass-like spaces disposed in the chamber between the sidewalls, and a high-grade vacuum in the chamber that includes apparatus and methods for enabling and disabling, or turning "on" and "off" the thermal insulating capability of the panel. One type of enabling and disabling apparatus and method includes a metal hydride for releasing hydrogen gas into the chamber in response to heat, and a hydrogen grate between the metal hydride and the chamber for selectively preventing and allowing return of the hydrogen gas to the metal hydride. Another type of enabling and disabling apparatus and method includes a variable emissivity coating on the sheets of metal in which the emissivity is controllably variable by heat or electricity. Still another type of enabling and disabling apparatus and method includes metal-to-metal contact devices that can be actuated to establish or break metal-to-metal heat paths or thermal short circuits between the metal sidewalls.

US Patent:

51076497, Apr 28, 1992

Filed:

Feb 1, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/473641

Inventors:

David K. Benson - Golden CO
Thomas F. Potter - Denver CO

Assignee:

Midwest Research Institute - Kansas City MO

International Classification:

E04C 234

US Classification:

523094

Abstract:

An ultra-thin compact vacuum insulation panel is comprised of two hard, but bendable metal wall sheets closely spaced apart from each other and welded around the edges to enclose a vacuum chamber. Glass or ceramic spacers hold the wall sheets apart. The spacers can be discrete spherical beads or monolithic sheets of glass or ceramic webs with nodules protruding therefrom to form essentially "point" or "line" contacts with the metal wall sheets. In the case of monolithic spacers that form "line" contacts, two such spacers with the line contacts running perpendicular to each other form effectively "point" contacts at the intersections. Corrugations accommodate bending and expansion, tubular insulated pipes and conduits, and preferred applications are also included.