US 11,674,632 B2
Processes for making a super-insulating core material for a vacuum insulated structure
Lakshya J. Deka, Mishawaka, IN (US); and Nicole M. Ernat, St. Joseph, MI (US)
Assigned to Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed on May 18, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/747,079.
Application 17/747,079 is a continuation of application No. 16/305,254, granted, now 11,365,843, previously published as PCT/US2017/021068, filed on Mar. 7, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2022/0275902 A1, Sep. 1, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F16L 59/02 (2006.01); F16L 59/065 (2006.01); F25D 23/06 (2006.01); C04B 14/06 (2006.01); C04B 24/34 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 59/028 (2013.01) [C04B 14/062 (2013.01); C04B 24/34 (2013.01); F16L 59/065 (2013.01); F25D 23/06 (2013.01); C04B 2235/528 (2013.01); F25D 2201/14 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for forming an insulating material for a vacuum insulated structure, the method comprising steps of:
disposing glass spheres within a rotating drum, wherein a plurality of interstitial spaces are defined between the glass spheres;
disposing at least one binder material within the rotating drum;
rotating the glass spheres and the at least one binder material within the rotating drum, wherein the at least one binder material is mixed with the glass spheres during a first mixing stage to partially occupy the plurality of interstitial spaces;
disposing a first insulating material within the rotating drum;
mixing the at least one binder material, the first insulating material and the glass spheres to define an insulating base;
disposing a second insulating material within the rotating drum; and
mixing the second insulating material with the insulating base to define a homogenous form of a super-insulating material, wherein the first and second insulating materials occupy substantially all of an interstitial volume defined by the plurality of interstitial spaces.
 
10. A method for forming an insulating material for a vacuum insulated structure, the method comprising steps of:
disposing glass spheres within a rotating drum, wherein a plurality of interstitial spaces are defined between the glass spheres;
disposing a binding material within the rotating drum;
mixing the glass spheres and the binding material during a first mixing stage to define an adhering base material, wherein the plurality of interstitial spaces between the glass spheres are partially occupied by the binding material;
disposing a first insulating material within the rotating drum;
mixing the adhering base material with the first insulating material to define an aggregate material;
crushing the aggregate material during a crushing stage to define an insulating base;
disposing a second insulating material within the rotating drum; and
mixing the second insulating material with the insulating base to define a homogenous form of a super-insulating material, wherein the first and second insulating materials occupy substantially all of an interstitial volume defined by the plurality of interstitial spaces.