MXPA96004276A - Insulating apparatus and method for attaching an insulating isolating to a sopo - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for making an insulating apparatus, comprising: providing an insulating pad comprising a plurality of metal foil layers, at least two of said layers being separated from one another by separation means to provide gas spaces between said layers. layers, placing a part of said insulating pad in support means, said part of said insulating pad being between two opposite faces of the support means, and resisting welding the two opposite faces of said support means between each other through said means. plurality of layers of metal foil, so that said plurality of layers are compressed around the area of the weld

Description

INSULATION APPARATUS AND METHOD TO JOIN TJ A PAD ISOLATE TO A SUPPORT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a heat insulating apparatus comprising a heat insulating pad attached to a frame or a support "which can be used as a heat reflecting screen and as a heat sink to dissipate heat in a desired place. More particularly, it relates to a heat insulating pad made of thin metal sheets attached to a frame or support by resistance welding methods. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various pads, panels and structural elements have been proposed for isolation purposes. In particular, insulating panels have been proposed for use as thermal and acoustic insulation in the construction and automotive fields. These panels are used on the outside of motor vehicles to isolate the vehicle floor from the heat released by the exhaust system, drive train, etc. Certain characteristics for an insulating apparatus are desirable, in particular in the field of motor vehicles. The device must be comfortable so that it can adapt to the contours of the parts of the vehicle to be isolated. Sound insulation is often necessary. Due to the strict requirements of a long life of the product, a high resistance to corrosion is required today, in particular if the product subjected to corrosion comes into direct contact with moisture and with substances that favor corrosion, such as dust. brakes, road salt, etc. A support member is desirable to provide structural strength to the insulator and provide a suitable means for attaching the apparatus to the vehicle. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,011,743 ("Sheridan et al.") Publishes a pad that includes thermal insulation in heat sink areas, so that the pad can be used as a heat reflecting screen and as a heat sink. Heat to dissipate heat in a desired location. The pad includes a plurality of metal sheet layers that form a stack in which the layers are disposed one above the other in the vertical direction, the pin including at least one heat sink area in which the layers are closest to one another in vertical direction that the insulation of the pile adjacent to the heat sink area. The heat sink area conducts a greater amount of heat between opposite surfaces of the pad than the heat insulating area. Sheridan et al. Publish a heat area comprising a compressed area of the stack, shown as the outer periphery of the heat insulating pad "which extends around the insulating area. The layers in the heat sink area are fixed to each other by means such as staples in the heat sink area. Additional means for fixing the layers together include mutually coupling the layers with one another by drilling at least one opening through the layers, or providing a mechanical bonding of the individual layers to one another, for example by ultrasonic welding which causes the removal of the aluminum oxide layer on the aluminum and the bonding of the individual layers with one another. There are several insulating devices with support members. For example, U.S. Patent No. 2,180,373 ("Sibey et al.") Publishes a "heat insulating panel" that includes a metal basket, an interior heat reflective coating that covers the inner walls of the basket, and a plurality of thin strips of heat reflective material, such as thin aluminum sheet, which have been wrinkled by hand or any simple means to form a large number of irregular surfaces that provide a point contact between the layers. The aluminum foil strips published by Sibley and others can be attached at each end of the strips to the inner lining of the basket with adhesive, and a lid can be provided on the basket to encapsulate the liner and the layers of aluminum foil. The metallic sheet layers are placed in the basket, and then a sheet metal lid is attached to the basket, not to the metal sheet, by separate metal connectors that keep the basket away from the sheet metal cover, thus protecting the metal sheets against compression. U.S. Patent No. 1,934,174 ("Dyckerhoff") discloses a heat insulating body that includes a plurality of sheet metal sheets that have been stamped, curved or wrinkled to form projections that hold the sheets in point contact when mounted in a pile. Dyckerhoff reports that the sheet can be wrinkled or deformed by hand or machine, and then applied to the surface of the member to be isolated, being unnecessary to block these sheets with one another to maintain the irregular shape necessary to provide air spaces between the sheets. veneers Dyckerhoff reports that a protective envelope can be provided to protect the insulation against external pressures, but if the insulation is used to fill air spaces created by usual structural members, such as walls or ceilings, a special envelope is not necessary, whereas In the case of making tube covers, it is advisable to use an outer shell that can be made of a metal heavier than the blade. Dyckerhoff publishes the use of pins or nails to join the protective shell to the metal sheet. U.S. Patent No. 2,926,761 ("Herbert") publishes a heat insulating panel having a pad made of incombustible material of low thermal conductivity having a series of small holes made therethrough every five centimeters. The pad is preferably made of quartz glass woven fabric, but may be made of other non-combustible materials of low thermal conductivity. The pad is placed between two stainless steel plates which preferably have a thickness of 0.254 to 0.762 mm. The plates are pressed together in each hole by the electrodes of a welding machine by points and welded together by points. Alternatively, the sheets can be sewn together or fixed by small staples or rivets in each hole. It is generally known in the art to bond heat insulating pads made of thin metal foils to support means using rivets, staples or adhesives. These methods have various limitations of cost, manufacturing and efficiency. The use of rivets or staples impairs the structural soundness of the insulating pad and of the support means, the use of adhesives is expensive, sometimes toxic, and has limited effectiveness under some operating conditions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an insulating pad of stacked metal foil layers attached to support means that is safe and economical. Another object is to provide suitable means for supporting and installing the insulating pad, in particular, an object of the present invention is to provide "an insulating pad attached to support means by resistance welding. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the insulating apparatus comprises an insulating pad comprising a plurality of metal foil layers, at least two of said layers being separated from one another by means of separation to provide gas spaces, such as air, between said layers, for example by means of a plurality of embossings on at least one of said layers, and support means for supporting at least a part of the insulating pad and attached to the insulating pad by resistance welding, so that the plurality of metal foil layers are compressed around the welding area. In an embodiment of the invention, the support means comprise a channel member having opposing tabs, such as a U-shaped member, a C-shaped member, a V-shaped member or a multi-channel member such as a shaped member. E or of S. In another embodiment of the invention, the support means comprises a first member of resistance weldable material and a second member of resistance weldable material. Such members may be a bowl, frame or other suitable means. In another embodiment of the invention, at least a part of the insulating apparatus is flexible for better forming ability and ease of installation. In another embodiment of the invention, the support means comprises a first member of resistance weldable material, a second member of resistance weldable material and a bowl or frame interleaved between the first member and the second member. In another embodiment of the invention, the insulating apparatus comprises an insulating pad comprising a plurality of metal foil layers, at least two of said layers being separated from each other by separation means to provide gas spaces between said layers, first means of support and second support means, the first support means and the second support means being welded by resistance to each other through the plurality of metal sheet layers, so that the plurality of metal sheet layers are compressed around the area of welding. According to the invention, the second support means may be a frame, cup or other suitable means. According to another embodiment of the invention, the second support means comprise a second member of resistance weldable material and a bowl or frame interposed between the first member and the second member. Similarly, in this embodiment, the cup or frame may be aluminum, copper, magnesium, titanium, brass or the like. In one of its aspects of method, the present invention provides a method for making a heat insulating apparatus having an insulating pad and support means attached thereto by resistance welding. The method comprises providing an insulating pad comprising a plurality of layers of metal foil, at least two of said layers being separated from each other by means of separation to provide gas spaces between said layers, placing a portion of said insulating pad in a means of support, the part of the insulating pad being between two opposite faces of the support means, and resisting welding the two opposite faces of the support means together through the plurality of layers of metal foil, so that the plurality of layers are compressed around the area of the weld. In another of its aspects of method, the present invention comprises providing an insulating pad having a first side and a second side, the insulating pad comprising a plurality of layers of metal foil, at least two of said layers being separated from each other by means of separation to provide gas spaces between said layers, placing first support means on at least a part of the first side of the insulating pad, placing second support means on at least a part of the second side of the insulating pad, and welding by The first support means and the second support means resist each other through said plurality of metal foil layers, so that said plurality of layers are compressed around the area of the weld. According to the method of the invention, resistance welding may comprise spot welding, seam welding or the like. Also according to the method of the invention, the resistance weldable material can be placed automatically. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the insulating apparatus, consisting of fragmentary sections illustrating different means of attaching a support to an insulating pad according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a cross section of the insulating apparatus shown in Figure 1 and taken along the line 2-2, according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cross section of the insulating apparatus shown in Figure 1 and taken along the line 3-3, according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a cross section of the insulating apparatus shown in Figure 1 and taken along line 4-4, according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a cross section of the insulating apparatus shown in Figure 1 and taken along the line 5-5, according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention, in which a part of the insulating pad and the support are flexible. Figure 7 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the invention, in which "a multi-channel member is used as a support. Figure 8 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the invention, in which two insulating pads * are joined to a multi-channel member. Figure 9 is a perspective view of an automatic feeding system for supplying weldable material for resistance to the area to be welded. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to Figure 1, there is provided an insulating apparatus 1 comprising an insulating pad 3 and support means 13, which can be used as a heat reflecting screen and as a heat sink to dissipate heat in one place wanted. An insulating apparatus 1 according to the present invention is particularly useful for providing "hot spot" insulation, pad 3, which is larger than a heat source, can be used to shield an area in proximity to the heat source for irradiation heat again to the heat source and to conduct the heat entering the pad 3 to a desired location, such as along the outer periphery of the pad. Thus, and only by way of example, if a heat source is at a temperature of 250 ° C, it is possible to reduce the temperature on one side of the pad 3 oriented away from the heat source at a lower temperature, for example of approximately 50 ° C. On the other hand, heat entering the pad can be conducted to a heat sink area 7 of the pad. For example, if the heat sink area 7 is located on the outer periphery of the pad 3, it is possible to draw heat out of the central area of the pad 3. According to the invention, the heat sink area 7 conducts the heat from the surface of the pad 3 facing the heat source to the opposite surface, with a lower temperature between them than in the area of the pad 3 facing the heat source. By way of example only and without being limited by theory, the center of the pad 3 could comprise an insulating area of heat 11 with a temperature differential of 200 ° C between the surface facing the heat source and an opposite surface. of the pad 3, while the heat sink area 7 of the pad 3 could have a temperature differential of about 25 ° C between the surface of the pad facing the heat source and an opposite surface thereof. The insulating pad 3 is of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,011,743 and 5,111,577 to Sheridan et al., Which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Pad 3 includes heat sink and heat insulator areas, conducting the heat sink area 7 a greater amount of heat between opposing surfaces of the pad 3 than the heat insulating area 11. The pad 3 includes a plurality of layers 5 of metal sheet "forming a stack, the layers being arranged one on top of the other. in vertical direction, the stack including at least one heat sink area 7 in which the layers are closer to each other in vertical direction than the insulating area 11 of the stack adjacent to the heat sink area 7, including at least one of the layers one plurality of embossments 9 therein separating a layer from an adjacent layer in the insulating area 11. in particular, the heat sink area 7 could comprise a compressed outer periphery of the stack extending horizontally in a transverse direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, completely around the insulating area 11. The pad may include a single insulating area (as shown in Fig. 1) or a plurality of insulating areas. The heat sink area 7 may partially surround the insulating area 11 or may completely surround the insulating area 11. As shown in Figs. 2-6, the pad 3 according to the invention includes a plurality of layers 5 of metal foil. The metallic foil layers 5 are flexible. The metal sheet can be made of aluminum, copper, brass, magnesium, titanium or any other suitable metal or alloy. The metal foil used preferably has a high coefficient of thermal conductivity, for example in the range of 0.10 to 0.05 (Wa ios / mm2) (° C / mm). The thickness of each layer can be any thickness, preferably between 2.54 x 10"4 and 1.78 x 10" 2 cm, more preferably 5.08 x 10 ~ 3 and 7.62 x 10"3 cm, and most preferably preferably 5.08 x 10 ~ 3 cm It is contemplated that each layer may be of different thickness or that the thickness of each layer may be the same, it is also contemplated "that the sheet used may be steel, stainless steel," iron or the like, as long as the sheet to be used has a higher coefficient of thermal conductivity than the materials between which it is to be welded.The layers are preferably made of aluminum sheet, because the reflectivity of aluminum is of the order of 95% and Its emissivity is of the order of approximately 10%, however, the emissivity of the sheets can be dramatically increased by coating the sheets with a black surface coating.The reflectivity of the sheets descends, of course, in proportion to the emissivity. 1 of the invention can be e design for a particular use as an objective. That is, the layers 5 of the pad 3 can be made brighter in areas "that should remain cool and may become darker in areas where it is desired to radiate heat from the pad 3. As shown in Figures 2 -6, the layers 5 are arranged in another envelope in the vertical direction. The insulating pad 3 includes at least one heat sink area 7, in which the layers 5 are closer to each other in the vertical direction "than the layers 5 in the insulating area 11 adjacent to the heat sink area 7. At least one of the layers in the insulating area 11 include a plurality of embossments 9 therein, separating at least one layer from an adjacent layer. It is contemplated that the layers 5 in the heat sink area 7 may be in contact with each other or not be in direct contact with each other, but the layers 5 in the heat sink area 7 should provide better heat conduction in the direction vertical than in the insulating area 11. It is contemplated that the insulating pad 3 may include two layers, only one of which includes embossed prints 9. However, in a preferred embodiment, at least two of the mutually adjacent layers includes a pattern of these embossments 9. The layers 5 are offset relative to one another, so that at least some of the embossing patterns 9 are not aligned in the vertical direction. With this arrangement, the layers 5 can be provided with point contact to minimize the transfer of heat between them in the vertical direction. Embossing patterns 9 may be provided in uniform or non-uniform patterns on the sheets. further, the embossings 9 can be provided by extending on only one surface of the sheets, or the embossed patterns can be provided by extending on both surfaces of the sheets. It is also contemplated that the insulating pad 3 may be formed by layers of thin sheets with separation means therebetween distinct from embossing to create gas spaces, such as air, between the layers 5. The separation means may be for example a mesh screen, crushed sheet, metallic filaments, random metal fibers or similar. In one embodiment, at least the layers may include heat radiating means thereon. The heat radiating means may comprise a black surface on at least part of the hands on one side of one of the layers. For example, the heat sink area 7 may be coated with the black surface, or various parts of the insulating pad 3 may include the black surface. The black surface allows the pad 3 to radiate 95% of the heat, while if the aluminum sheet remains bright, only 10% of the heat is radiated. Accordingly, the black coating may be provided in areas from which it is desired to remove heat by radiation from the insulating apparatus 1. As an example, if one side of the pad 3 is oriented towards a heat source, it would be desirable to leave said surface shiny to again reflect heat towards the heat source, and if the heat-sensitive component were located on the opposite side of the pad 3, it would be desirable to leave said surface glossy also to prevent heat radiation towards the component. On the other hand, if the outer edges of the pad 3 are located in an area where air flows freely, it would be desirable to compress the pad 3 in said areas to provide heat sink areas 7 and provide the black coating thereon to promote heat dissipation from pad 3 in said areas. If a surface of the pad 3 is facing the heat source and the opposite side of the pad 3 is facing an open area where a heat-sensitive component is not located, it may be desirable to black the entire area of pillow 3 oriented away from the heat source. In addition one or more of the inner layers of the pad 3 may be coated with the heat radiating means according to any desired pattern on one or both sides thereof. The coating thus cooperates with the heat sink area 7 to direct heat to a desired area on the pad 3. Typically, a coating may be provided on the lower layers of the pad 3 facing the heat source and extend to the area 7 heat sink to remove heat by conduction from the heat source. The pad 3 may also include at least one felt layer. The felt can be made of a heat-resistant material, such as flame retardant polyester ("FRPE"), refractory paper, fiberglass non-woven fabric, ceramic non-woven fabric or other suitable material. The felt typically has a thickness of about 2.54 x 10"3 cm or less and is of fabric material The felt may be provided within one to two layers on top of the pad 3, but does not extend into the sink area 7. The various advantages of the invention are best illustrated by reviewing, briefly, the standard resistance welding techniques that can be applied: Spot welding 29 is a resistance welding technique that can be applied, in practice, for example, two sheets of resistance weldable material, such as steel, iron or the like, to be spot welded are placed between electrodes, and then an electric current is passed between the sheets, due to the contact resistance at the interface between the plates (the adjustment interface), there is a thermal gradient through the thickness of the sheets, and the weldable material at the interface reaches its melting temperature. At an appropriate time the circulation of current ends, and the material solidifies into a nugget. The situation and the size of the nugget depend on the situation and size of the electrodes, the intensity of the current used and the time during which the current is applied. The slope of the thermal gradient across the thickness of the sheet is a function, among other things, of the contact resistance at the adjustment interface, of the electrical resistance of the weldable material and of the contact resistance between the electrode-sheet interface. The greater the resistance of the adjustment interface with respect to the other resistances in the current circuit, the higher the thermal gradient. The geometry, heat extraction, temperature and thermal conductivity of the electrodes are other factors that control the slope of the thermal gradient. Seam welding 31 is another welding technique that can be applied to the present invention. Seam welding is identical to spot welding, with the exception that the electrodes are in the form of wheels, and the spot welds overlap to provide continuous welding. It is contemplated "that other resistance welding techniques may be applied to the present invention, such as projection welding. See U.S. Patent No. 3,113,202 issued to Nolen et al. According to a preferred embodiment, the layers 5 can be in contact with each other in the heat sink area 7, and the support means 13 can be joined by resistance welding methods to support the insulating pad 3. The support means 13 can include an open frame 15, a bowl 17, a strip 23, a staple 25 or any combination thereof. It is contemplated that the support means 13 may have tabs, loops, extensions or the like to facilitate its attachment to the device to be isolated or to other devices. The support means 13 receives the layers 5 as shown in Figures 2-6. Resistance welding methods for attaching the support means 13 to the insulating pad 3 include spot welding 29, seam welding 31 or the like.

It has been found that the metal foils forming the layers 5 do not have a sufficient structural strength to join properly under the application of the intense heat associated with resistance welding. Without being bound by any theory, it is believed that the thin sheet evaporates at the point of contact of the welding electrodes after the application of a welding current. However, it has surprisingly been found that an insulating pad 3 formed of metal foils can be welded by resistance to the support means 13 by the methods of this invention. The preferred metal sheet used for each layer is aluminum with a thickness of approximately 5.08 x 10"3 C. However, the thickness of the layers can be adjusted to suit the insulation needs, for example, thicker sheets provide better lateral heat transfer It is also within the scope of the invention to provide layers that are thicker in parts thereof to provide better lateral heat transfer in acruel particular area of the insulating apparatus where better lateral heat transfer is desired According to the invention, a part of the insulating pad 3 formed by a plurality of layers 5 of metal foil, such as the heat sink area 7, is placed between two surfaces (faces) 26, 28 made of solderable material by resistance The two surfaces 26, 28 made of resistance weldable material are welded together through the plurality of metal sheet layers 5, so that the plur The metallic sheet layers 5 are compressed around the area of the weld. The resistance weldable materials used may be steel, iron or other suitable alloy. The resistance weldable material preferably has a high coefficient of electrical resistivity (p), for example in the range of 95 x 10"9 to 750 x 10 ~ 9 ohm m, and a coefficient of thermal conductivity lower than the sheet used. The number, size and type of welding, intensity of the current, size of the electrodes, etc., depends on several factors, including but not limited to: the thickness of the insulating pad, the thickness of the support means; the width of the support means, the width of the area of the insulating pad to be covered by the support means, the dimensions of the pad, the dimensions of the support means, the shape of the insulating apparatus, etc. The number, size and type of welding, intensity of current, type of electrodes, etc. in particular employees are chosen in relation to these factors, and making this selection "is fully within the practice of the technique. s of support 13 can be formed by staples 25, which are U-shaped channels, V, C, or the like, and bowl 17, as shown in Fig. 2. Staples 25 have flanges or opposite faces 26, 28 and they are made of a resistance weldable material. The bowl 17 is made of aluminum, copper, magnesium, titanium, brass or the like, it is also contemplated that the bowl 17 may be made of a resistance weldable material, such as steel, iron or the like. The bowl 17 helps protect the insulating pad 3 against damage or deformation, such as those caused by stones, sand and debris, such as those caused by stones, sand and debris that can be thrown up from a road surface by the tires of a vehicle. The insulating pad 3 is joined to the cup 17 by resistance welding the opposite faces 26, 28 of the staples 25 together through the cup 17 and the layers 5 of the metal sheet. The staples 25 can be spaced regularly or irregularly around the periphery of the pad 3, or used in combination with open frames 15. The staples 25 can be small enough to allow the insulating apparatus 1 to be easily shaped to adapt to various contours to which it is attached. in another embodiment, the support means 13 can be formed by a strip 23 and bowl 17, as shown in Fig. 3. The strip 23 and the bowl 17 are made of a resistance weldable material. The insulating pad 3 is attached to the cup 17 by resistance welding of a face 26 of the strip 23 to an opposite face 28 of the cup 17 through the metal sheet layers 5. The strips 23 may be used around the entire periphery of the pad 3, spaced around the periphery at specified locations for a specific use, or used in combination with open frames 15 or staples 25. It is contemplated "that the strip 23 may include a flexible part in which the strip 23 can be formed together with the insulating pad 3. The strip 23 provides structural strength to the insulating apparatus 1 and a variable number of ways of attaching the insulating apparatus to a vehicle or any structure to be insulated. it is contemplated that the cup 17 may be made of aluminum, copper, magnesium, titanium, brass and the like, and that a strip 23 be placed on each side of the pad 3. It is contemplated that the cup 17 may be made of a weldable material by resistance, such as steel, iron or the like. The insulating pad 3 is attached to the cup 17 by resistance welding of a face 26 of the strip 23 to an opposite face 28 of the second strip 23 through the metal sheet layers 5. In another embodiment, an upper sheet 21 may extend around the outer edges of the layers 5 in the heat sink area 7, the upper sheet 21 including a portion 21a "which is folded or otherwise secured below the inner part. of the layers 5, as shown in Fig. 4. A seal can be provided around the outer edges of the insulating pad 3, and the interior of the pad 3 can include such a xenon gas to provide a low transfer of heat between the layers 5. The insulating pad 3 having the heat sink area 7 hermetically sealed can be attached to a frame 15. The open frame 15 can be a U-shaped channel, V, C or the like, placed on top of the heat sink area 7 as shown in Figure 4. The open frame 15 has flanges or opposite faces 26, 28 and is made of resistance weldable material. The open frame 15 may extend around the entire periphery of the insulating pad 3 or around a portion of the pad 3, as shown in Fig. 1. It is contemplated "that the open frame 15 may include a flexible part 27 as shown in Figure 6, so that the frame 15 is conformable. The insulating pad 3 may include perforations 33, serrations, or the like to help facilitate the flexibility of the insulating apparatus 1. The insulating pad 3 is fixed to the frame 15 by resistance welding the opposite faces 26, 28 to each other through the 5 layers of metal sheet, it is contemplated that a cup may also be attached to the insulating pad sealed hermetically.

In another embodiment, the open frame 15 may be a multi-channel member such as an E-shaped member, as shown in Figure 7. If an E-shaped member is used, a plurality of layers of the pad 3 they are placed between a first set of opposite faces 26, 18 and a plurality of layers of the pad 3 are placed between a second set of opposite faces 34, 36. The pad 3 is fixed to the frame 15 by resistance welding of the first set of opposing faces 26, 18 to each other and to the second set of opposing faces 34, 16 to each other through the metallic foil layers. In another embodiment of the present invention, two insulating pads 3 and 3 'may be attached to the E-shaped member, as shown in Figure 8, or to an S-shaped member (not shown). A first pad 3 is placed between a first set of opposite faces 26, 28 and a second pad 3 'is placed between a second set of opposite faces 34, 36. The first pad 3 is fixed to the frame 15 by resistance welding of the first set of opposing faces 26, 28 to each other through the metallic foil layers. The second pad 3 'is fixed to the frame 15 by resistance welding of the second set of opposing faces 34, 36 to each other through the metal foil layers. in another embodiment, the cup 17 can extend over the outer edges of the layers 5 in the heat sink area 7, as shown in Figure 5. The cup 17 includes a part 17a that is folded, flanged around or fixed otherwise on top of the layers 5 in the heat sink area 7. The cup 17 is made of resistance weldable material. A face 26 of the part 17a is welded by resistance to the opposite layer 28 of the cup 17 through the metallic sheet layers 5. According to one aspect of the method of the present invention, the preceding insulating apparatus 1 can be made by the method of providing an insulating pad 3 of the type described above; placing the insulating pad 3 on support fingers 13, with a portion of the insulating pad 3, such as the heat sink area 7, between two opposite faces 26, 28 of the support means 13; and then resistively welding the two faces 26, 28 of the support means 13 together through the plurality of metal sheet layers 5, so that the plurality of metal sheet layers 5 are compressed around the area of the weld . It is contemplated that the support means 13 comprises a resistance weldable member such as an open frame 15, bowl 17, strip 23, staple 25 or any other combination thereof, also being contemplated - that the bowl 17 may be interleaved between the two opposite faces 26, 28 of the support means, it is also contemplated "that the open frame 15 may be a multi-channel member, such as an E- or S-shaped member. The resistance welding method comprises welding by points 29, welded by joint 31 or the like, the number, size, type of welding, intensity of the current, size of electrodes, etc. in particular they are chosen in relation to the factors discussed above, and making this selection is fully within the practice of the technique. According to another aspect of the method of the invention, the preceding insulating apparatus 1 can be made by the steps of providing an insulating pad 3 of the type described above; placing a first support member on at least a part of a first side of the insulating pad 3; placing a second support member opposite the first support member and on at least a portion of a second side of the insulating pad 3; and then resistively welding the first support member and the second support member together through the plurality of metal sheet layers 5., so that "the plurality of metallic sheet layers 5 are compressed around the area of the weld. It is contemplated that the first support member is one of two opposite faces 26, 18 of the open frame 15 comprising a u-shaped channel, V, C or the like made of resistance weldable material, and that the second support member is the other side opposite. It is also contemplated that the first support member be one of two opposite faces of the staple 25 - comprising a U-shaped channel, V, C or the like made of resistance weldable material, and that the second support member be the another opposite face, it is also contemplated that the first support member is a first set of opposite faces 26, 18 of a multi-channel member and "that the second support member be a second set of opposite faces 34, 16. It is contemplated also that the first support member is a cup 17 or strip 23 of resistance weldable material and that the second support member is a cup 17 or strip 23 of resistance weldable material. The resistance welding method comprises spot welding 29, seam welding 31 or the like. In another of its aspects of the method, a feeding system can be used to supply the weldable material by resistance, such as a steel disc or button, to the area to be welded, referring to Figure 9, a system of feed 40, comprising a feeder 42 and a button carrier 46 (resistible resistance material) for supplying the material or buttons 44 on one side of the insulating pad 3 if the cup 17 or a holder on the other side is made of material weldable by resistance. The welding system 50 with upper electrode 48 and lower electrode 49 is synchronized with the feed system 40. The feeder 42 advances the button 44 on the button holder 46 to a point on one side of the insulating pad 3. When the button 44 is aligned between the electrodes, the electrodes are mutually tightened and the button 44 is spot welded to the bowl 17. The insulator apparatus 1 and the button holder 46 then advance to another predetermined point at which the electrodes weld by points again the button 44 to the bowl 17. A similar method can be implemented with a seam welding apparatus, in which a strip of resistance weldable material is fed between the seam welding electrodes, a support, strip, staple, etc. it can be placed between the button and the insulating pad, it is also contemplated that the welding system 50 can be moved, instead of the insulating pad 3 and the button holder 46. A double feeding system can also be used to supply the weldable material by resistance to both sides of the insulating pad, if the pad or support is not of resistance weldable material. An example of such an insulator according to the present invention can be illustrated as follows. An insulating pad comprises five layers of aluminum sheet, the upper and lower layers being 5.08 x 10"3 cm thick and the three intermediate layers being 1.78 x 10" 2 cm thick. The overall size of the pad is 30.40 cm wide by 50.9 cm long, and the pad is approximately 5 mm thick. The heat sink area can be 3-10 mm in width, for example 6 mm. Embossed prints are approximately 1 mm high. The insulating apparatus also includes a steel bowl having a thickness of approximately 5.05 x 10"2 cm.The bowl is useful for protecting the pad against stones, debris, etc. if the pad is mounted on the lower side of a pad. In the vehicle, the cup is attached to the insulating pad by resistance welding of a steel strip having a thickness of approximately 5.08 x 10"2 cm to the steel cup through the layers of aluminum foil in the area heat sink,. Although the invention has been described with reference to the preceding embodiments, changes and variations may be made therein that fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is provided that all such changes and modifications are included within the scope of the claims.

Claims (6)

1. CLAIMS 1.- Method for making an insulating device, comprising: providing an insulating pad comprising a plurality of metallic sheet layers, at least two of said layers being separated from each other by means of separation to provide gas spaces between said layers; placing a part of said insulating pad in support means, said part of said insulating pad being between two opposite faces of the support means; and resisting welding the two opposing faces of said support means together through said plurality of metal foil layers, so that said plurality of layers are compressed around the area of the weld.
2. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said separating means comprises a plurality of embossments on at least one of said layers.
3. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of welding by resistance comprises spot welding at least one point.
4. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of welding by resistance comprises welding by sewing.
5. 5. Method for making an insulating device, comprising: providing an insulating pad having a first side and a second side, said insulating pad comprising a plurality of layers of metal foil, at least two of said layers being separated from each other by means of spacing to provide gas spaces between said layers; placing first support means on at least a part of the first side of said insulating pad; placing second support means on at least a part of the second side of said insulating pad; and welding by resistance said first support means and said second support means to each other through said plurality of metal foil layers, so that said plurality of layers are compressed around the area of the weld.
6. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the separating means comprises a plurality of embossments on at least one of said layers. 1 . - The method according to claim 5, wherein said resistance welding comprises spot welding at least one point. 8. The method according to claim 5, wherein said resistance welding comprises welding by sewing. 9. - Insulating apparatus, comprising: an insulating pad comprising a plurality of layers of metal foil, at least two of said layers being separated from each other by means of separation to provide gaps between said layers; support means for supporting at least a portion of said insulating pad; said support means being welded by < resistance to each other through said plurality of metal foil layers, so that said plurality of layers are compressed around the area of the weld. 10. The insulating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said separating means comprises a plurality of embossments on at least one of said layers. 11. The insulating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said support means comprises a member "having opposing flanges. 12. The insulating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said member is a U-shaped member. 13. The insulating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said member is a member in the form of a C. 14. The insulating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said member is a V-shaped member. 15. The insulating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said member is a multi-channel member. 16. - The insulating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said support means comprises: a first member of resistance weldable material; and a second member of resistance weldable material. 17. The insulating apparatus according to claim 16, in «that said second member is a bowl. 18. The insulating apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said second member is a frame. 19. The insulating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said support means is a bowl. 20. The insulating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said support means is a frame. 21. The insulating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein at least a part of said insulating apparatus is flexible. 22. The insulating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said metal sheet is made of aluminum, copper, magnesium, titanium or brass, with a thickness not greater than approximately 5.08 x 10"3 cm. insulator according to claim 9, wherein said support means comprise: a first member of resistance weldable material; a second member of resistance weldable material; and a cup interleaved between said first member and said second member. 24. - The insulating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said supporting means comprise: a first member of resistance weldable material; a second member of resistance weldable material; and a frame interleaved between said first member and said second member. 25. An insulating device comprising: an insulating pad comprising a plurality of layers of metal sheet, at least two of said layers being separated from each other by means of separation to provide gas spaces between said layers; first support means for supporting at least a part of said insulating pad; second support means for supporting at least a portion of said insulating pad; and said first support means and second support means being welded by resistance to each other through said plurality of metal foil layers, so that said plurality of layers are compressed around the area of the weld. 26. The insulating apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said separating means comprises a plurality of embossments on at least one of said layers. 27. The insulating apparatus according to claim 25, wherein at least a part of said apparatus is flexible. 28. The insulating apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said first support means is a member of resistance weldable material; and said second support means is a member of resistance weldable material. 29. The insulating apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said second support means is a bowl. 30. The insulating apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said second support means is a frame. 31. The insulating apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said metal sheet is made of aluminum, copper, magnesium, titanium or brass, with a thickness not greater than approximately 5.08 x 10"3 cm. insulator according to claim 25, wherein said support means comprise: a first member of resistance weldable material, a second member of resistance weldable material, and a cup interposed between said first member and said second member. insulating apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said metal foil is made of aluminum, copper, magnesium, titanium or brass. The insulating apparatus according to claim 25, wherein: said first support means is a member of material weldable by resistance, and said second support means comprise: a second member of resistance weldable material, and a frame interleaved between said first member and said second member. Claim 34, wherein said frame is made of aluminum, copper, magnesium, titanium or brass. 36.- Method for making an insulating device, comprising: providing an insulating pad having a first side and a second side, said insulating pad comprising a plurality of metallic sheet layers, at least two of said layers being separated from each other by separation means for providing gas spaces between said layers, - providing a resistance weldable material feeding system for supplying weldable material by resistance to the first side of said insulating pad; providing a resistance welding system synchronized with said power system, - aligning the electrodes of said resistance welding system with said resistance weld material at a predetermined location; and resisting welding said resistance weldable material and said first support means together through said plurality of metal foil layers, so that said plurality of layers are compressed around the area of the weld.