Variable thermal insulation

Abstract

A device for selectively controlling the passage of thermal energy through the device from a first space to a second space by selectively varying an overall thermal conductivity of the device comprises a structure having at least one component movable from a first position to a second position and an actuator mechanically coupled to the component for moving the component from the first position to the second position. When the at least one component is positioned in the first position the device exhibits a first thermal conductivity and when the at least one component is positioned in the second position the device exhibits a second thermal conductivity different from the first thermal conductivity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for selectively controlling the passage of thermal energy through the device from a first space to a second space by selectively varying an overall thermal conductivity of the device, the device comprising:
 a structure having at least one component movable from a first position to a second position; and   an actuator mechanically coupled to the component for moving the component from the first position to the second position,   wherein when the at least one component is positioned in the first position the device exhibits a first thermal conductivity and when the at least one component is positioned in the second position the device exhibits a second thermal conductivity different from the first thermal conductivity.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one component is moveable to a third position different from the first position and the second position by the actuator mechanically coupled thereto, and wherein when the at least one component is positioned in the third position the device exhibits a third thermal conductivity different from the first thermal conductivity and the second thermal conductivity. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the structure comprises a number of thermally conductive pathways adapted to be disposed between the first space and the second space, wherein each pathway of the number of thermally conductive pathways are selectively interruptible by movement of the at least one component such that the overall thermal conductivity of the device is selectively variable between the first thermal conductivity and the second thermal conductivity. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the structure comprises:
 a first plate member having a number of fins extending therefrom; and 
 a second plate member having a number of fins extending therefrom, 
 wherein at least one of the first plate member and the second plate member is selectively moveable among:
 a first position in which the number of fins of the first plate member contact the number of fins of the second plate member creating the number of thermally conductive pathways, and 
 a second position in which the number of fins of the first plate member and the number of fins of the second plate member are disposed a distance apart. 
 
 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the first plate member and the second plate member are disposed the same distance apart when disposed in either of the first position or the second position. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the first plate member and the second plate member are disposed a further distance apart when disposed in the second position than in the first position. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4  wherein at least one of the first plate member and the second plate member comprises an insulating material disposed between the fins thereof, the insulating material being formed from a different material than either of the plate members or the fins thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the structure comprises:
 a first plate member having a number of fins extending therefrom; and 
 a second plate member having a number of fins extending therefrom, 
 wherein the fins of at least one of the first plate member and the second plate member are selectively moveable among:
 a first position in which the number of fins of the first plate member contact the number of fins of the second plate member creating the number of thermally conductive pathways, and 
 a second position in which the number of fins of the first plate member and the number of fins of the second plate member are disposed a distance apart. 
 
 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the structure comprises:
 a first plate member having a number of fins extending therefrom; and 
 a second plate member having a number of fins extending therefrom, 
 wherein at least one of the first plate member and the second plate member is selectively moveable among:
 a first position in which the first plate member contacts the second plate member creating the number of thermally conductive pathways, and 
 a second position in which the first plate member and the second plate member are disposed a distance apart. 
 
 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the structure comprises a number of compartments formed therein, each of the compartments adapted to receive and house a volume of a gas or liquid therein, wherein the device is structured to exhibit the first thermal conductivity when the volume of gas or liquid is housed in the number of compartments and wherein the device is structured to exhibit the second thermal conductivity when the volume of gas or liquid is evacuated from the number of compartments. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the structure has a selectively variable thickness, wherein the device exhibits the first thermal conductivity when the structure has a first thickness and wherein the device exhibits the second thermal conductivity when the structure has a second thickness different than the first thickness. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the structure comprises a number of compartments formed therein, each of the compartments adapted to receive and house a volume of a gas or liquid therein, wherein the device is structured to have a first thickness when the volume of gas or liquid is housed in the number of compartments and wherein the device is structured have a second thickness when the volume of gas or liquid is evacuated from the number of compartments. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the structure further comprises a first plate member disposed on a first side of the structure and a second plate member disposed on an opposite second side of the structure generally parallel to the first plate member, and wherein the thickness of the device is the distance between the first plate member and the second plate member. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one component comprises a first plate member, wherein the structure further comprises a second plate member, and wherein the actuator is structured to selectively vary the distance between the first plate member and the second plate member.