The proposal is to develop vacuum insulation panels with high-strength polymer spacer posts.
Vacuum provides the best possible insulation in the universe. For example, vacuum window glass panels can achieve R40+, according to the CMHC housing technology exhibition at the Canada Museum of Science and Technology in Ottawa, ON, Canada.
A hermetically-sealed steel frame will be vacuum-emptied. In order to provide sufficient structural strength within the steel outer/inner frame, an integrated plastic posts will be sandwiched between the 2 walls of the steel casing.
The lattice grid with high-strength polymer spacer posts will be injection moulded. A preliminary version of the lattice pattern is being designed, incorporating innovative uniformly-distributed hollow post technology.
Vacuum insulation panels are inherently environmentally friendly during factory processes, i.e., no toxic waste will be generated (e.g., polyurethane insulation foams), no ozone-depleting chemical blowing agents will be used, etc.
The proposed vacuum insulation panels are suitable both for the entire case and for the doors of the refrigerator. The panels are ultra-thin either to decrease the overall size of the refrigerator or to increase the usable space within the refrigerator, further contributing to the "green" benefit.
There may be a concern regarding integrity and long-term reliability of the weld to hold vacuum throughout the life-cycle of the refrigerator (15 to 20 years), but the vacuum technology is an established technology. The structural integrity will be thoroughly tested for deflection and ship test requirements during the evaluation phase of the project.
Careful choice of plastic material for the high-strength polymer spacer posts is essential. Also, a residual gas getter material will be explored. There is prior art, but the patent (U.S. Patent 4 938 667) has expired, permitting freedom of use without infringement on the prior art.
The cost of the vacuum insulation panels should be comparable to or lower than the conventional polyurethane insulation foams.
Proposed Plan and Deliverables:
Phase 1 - Testing/Prototyping
proof-of-concept demonstration of a vacuum insulation panel
prototype development of a vacuum insulation panel
Phase 2 - Concept Review
TBD
Phase 3 - Commercialisation
TBD
Deliverables
a proof-of-concept vacuum insulation panel
Proposed Budget
Phase 1 (a total of $100 000 USD)
$50 000 USD for labour
$30 000 USD for sub-contract
$20 000 USD for patenting
Phase 2
TBD
Visuals/Diagrams/Models/Photos
Proposal Team Experience
Simon Sunatori, P.Eng./ing., M.Eng., is a Canadian engineer, inventor and entrepreneur. He obtained a Master of Engineering (Engineering Physics) degree from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1983, and is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), a Member of the Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), a Life Member of the World Future Society (WFS), a Lifetime Fellow of the North American Academy of Arts and Sciences (NAAAS), among others.
HyperInfo Canada has conducted Research and Development projects, especially in the field of Electromagnetic Technology. The company owns more than 60 patents in many fields, i.e., electronics, magnetics, optics, dynamics, software, hardware, energy, safety, environment, medical, consumer products, sporting goods, fashion, food, etc. The company has commercialised the "HyperFeeder" (a squirrel-proof bird feeder with concentric perching rings and a transparent globe), the "MagneScribe" (an auto-retractable ballpoint pen with an ergonomic cushion) and the "Magic Spicer" (a self-sealing auto-aligning magnetically-hanging spice dispenser with a continuously-variable hole-size selector).
Here is a partial list of Simon Sunatori's Canadian patent applications.
Method for Producing a Coreless Frozen Pizza (2 650 085)
Drip-free Interconnect with Unisex Magnetic Connector (2 626 157)
Backpressure Regulator using Magnetic Repulsion (2 624 740)
