HEAT INSULATING STORAGE, VOYAGE DATA RECORDING UNIT AND VOYAGE DATA RECORDING APPARATUS

Abstract

This disclosure provides a heat insulating storage, which includes a first heat insulating member arranged outside an accommodating space and having a heat contraction property and a second heat insulating member for protecting the first heat insulating member from a heat and having a heat expansion property.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-194693, which was filed on Aug. 31, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a heat insulating storage.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, heat insulating storages (storages) for protecting contents having low heat resistance, such as paper sheets, films, and electronic instruments, from heat, such as a fire, are known. JP08-214932A discloses such a kind of storage.

JP08-214932A discloses a fire-resistant storage constituted with a primary storage made of a wall member impregnated with nonflammable liquid, and a secondary storage made of a heat insulating member. Further, in the configuration of JP08-214932A, between the primary storage and the secondary storage, a member having a heat insulating property and moisture resistance is arranged. By this configuration, the fire-resistant storage has the fire resistance, the heat insulating property, and the moisture resistance, and can effectively protect the contents from heat.

In JP08-214932A, particular examples of the material used for the primary storage include a configuration in which a water absorbable fire resistant plate such as a calcium silicate plate is sandwiched between steel plates. Further, particular examples of the material for the secondary storage include a paulownia particle board, fluorine resin, and silicon resin. Furthermore, particular examples of the material arranged between the primary and secondary storages include fiberglass, cork, and silicon resin.

However, with the member disclosed in JP08-214932A, the wall member needs to be thick in order to sufficiently protect the contents under a severe temperature condition. In this case, an internal capacity becomes smaller with respect to external dimensions of the fire-resistant storage.

Mean while, as a kind of such a heat insulating member, a heat insulating member having a porous (microporous) structure is known. This porous heat insulating member is known that its heat insulating performance is high but in a high temperature state (around 1,000° C. depending on the kind of the member and its surrounding condition), it contracts. When such a contraction occurs, a gap is generated at, for example, a joint part of the porous heat insulating member and, thereby, the heat insulating performance degrades. Therefore, a function that can be implemented in the high temperature state and has an increased internal capacity with respect to the outline dimension of the fire-resistant storage cannot be provided only by simply using this porous heat insulating member for the configuration of the member disclosed in JP08-214932A.

SUMMARY

The present invention is made in view of the above situations and provides a heat insulating storage that can endure a high temperature and has a configuration in which an internal capacity thereof with respect to an outline dimension is large.

According to an aspect of the invention, a heat insulating storage with a configuration below is provided. That is, the heat insulating storage includes a first heat insulating member arranged outside an accommodating space and having a heat contraction property, and a second heat insulating member for protecting the first heat insulating member from a heat and having a heat expansion property.

Thereby, the second heat insulating member expands before or after the heat is conducted to the first heat insulating member to cause the contraction, and therefore, a gap that is generated by the contraction of the first heat insulating member can be filled. Thus, a degradation of a heat insulating performance of the first heat insulating member in the high temperature state can be prevented. Moreover, the heat insulating performance can be maintained without increasing a thickness of the first heat insulating member and, therefore, the heat insulating storage with a compact structure can be achieved.

The heat insulating storage may further include an accommodating container formed with the accommodating space therein.

Thereby, accommodated contents can mechanically be protected by the accommodating container. Moreover, by using an accommodating container adaptive to a characteristic of the accommodated contents, the contents can be protected even from other than the heat. For example, if the accommodated contents are weak in water, by using a container having moisture resistance and water resistance, the accommodated contents can be protected also from water.

A temperature of the second heat insulating member when it starts to expand may be below or substantially the same as a temperature of the first heat insulating member when it starts to contract.

Thereby, the second heat insulating member expands prior to, or at substantially the same time as, the beginning of the contraction of the first heat insulating member. Thus, the gap generated due to the contraction of the first heat insulating member does not become large and the heat insulating performance can be maintained.

The second heat insulating member may have a heat resistant property in addition to the heat insulating property.

Thereby, even if a fire occurs, the second heat insulating member expands without burning. Thus, the degradation of the heat insulating performance of the first heat insulating member can be prevented.

The first heat insulating member may include a plurality of first heat insulating sub members.

That is, in a case where the first heat insulating sub members are stacked on top of another, when the first heat insulating member including the plurality of first heat insulating sub members contracts in the high temperature state, a gap is generated at a part joining the first heat insulating sub members and, thereby, the heat insulating performance significantly degrades. However, according to the aspects of the present invention, the gap can be filled by the second heat insulating member and the degradation of the heat insulating performance can be prevented. Moreover, because the first heat insulating member includes the plurality of first heat insulating sub members, a shape of the first heat insulating member can easily be changed by, for example, adjusting the number of the first heat insulating sub members. Thereby, the first heat insulating member can flexibly correspond to a change of designs of the heat insulating storage.

One or more of the first heat insulating sub members may be arranged to be adjacent on the outside to the rest of the one or more first heat insulating sub members.

Thereby, even in the case where the first heat insulating sub member arranged on the outside contracts and the gap is generated, by the first heat insulating sub member on the other side, an influence of the gap can be reduced. Therefore, the degradation of the heat insulating performance of the first heat insulating member in the high temperature state can effectively be prevented.

The second heat insulating member may be arranged outside the first heat insulating member.

Thereby, the accommodated contents can effectively be protected from the heat from outside.

A hollow space may be formed in the first heat insulating sub member and at least a part of the hollow space serves as the accommodating space.

Thereby, when a heat is conducted to the one or more first heat insulating sub members on the outside and the contraction thereof is caused, the one or more first heat insulating sub members on the inner side is constricted. Therefore, because a stress is caused in the one or more first heat insulating sub members on the inner side, the gap is difficult to be generated even if the inner side is in the high temperature state. Therefore, the degradation of the heat insulating performance of the first heat insulating member in the high temperature state can effectively be prevented so that the accommodated contents can further surely be protected from the heat.

In the first heat insulating member, the first heat insulating sub members may be stacked on top of another, and one or more parts joining the adjacently stacked first heat insulating sub members on the outside do not overlap with one or more parts joining the adjacently stacked first heat insulating sub members on the inner side.

Thus, in the high temperature state, end parts (i.e., joint parts) of the first heat insulating sub members contract, and the heat insulating performance degrades. In this regard, according to the above configuration, the parts of the inner heat insulating sub member and outer heat insulating sub member where the heat insulating performance degrades do not overlap with each other. Therefore, the degradation of the heat insulating performance of the entire heat insulating storage can effectively be prevented.

According to another aspect of the invention, a voyage data (i.e., navigation data) recording unit with a configuration below is provided. That is, the voyage data recording unit includes the heat insulating storage of any of the other aspects and a storing device for storing voyage data, the storing device being accommodated within the accommodating space.

That is, the storing device is commonly configured so as to be weak in heat, therefore, the storing device needs to robustly be protected from the heat such as the fire. Moreover, because an arranging space in the ship is limited, the voyage data recording unit is desired to have a compact structure. Therefore, by applying the aspects of the present invention to the voyage data recording unit, the effects that achieve the compact structure while maintaining the heat insulating performance can further effectively be provided.

According to another aspect of the invention, a voyage data recording apparatus with a configuration below is provided. That is, the voyage data recording apparatus includes the voyage data recording unit of the other aspect and a voyage data collecting unit for receiving voyage data from a ship instrument and transmitting the voyage data to the voyage data recording unit.

Thereby, the voyage data recording apparatus that can robustly protect the voyage data can be provided.

According to another aspect of the invention, a heat insulating storage with a configuration below is provided. That is, the heat insulating storage includes a first heat insulating member having a heat contraction property and a second heat insulating member arranged at a position that is outside an accommodating space and on an inner side of the first heat insulating member, and having a heat expansion property.

Thereby, the second heat insulating member expands before or after the heat is conducted to the first heat insulating member to cause the contraction, and therefore, the gap generated by the contraction of the first heat insulating member can be filled. Thus, the degradation of the heat insulating performance of the first heat insulating member in the high temperature state can be prevented. Therefore, a circumference of the heat insulating storage can effectively be protected from a heat generated inside the heat insulating storage.

A temperature of the second heat insulating member when it starts to expand may be below or substantially the same as a temperature of the first heat insulating member when it starts to contract.

Thereby, the second heat insulating member expands prior to, or at substantially the same time as, the beginning of the contraction of the first heat insulating member. Thus, the gap generated due to the contraction of the first heat insulating member does not become large and the heat insulating performance can be maintained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which the like reference numeral indicate like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a voyage data recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a data recording unit;

FIG. 3 is an front cross-sectional view showing a configuration of inside the data recording unit;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a porous heat insulating member;

FIGS. 5A to 5D are views schematically explaining how the porous heat insulating member contracts due to a temperature increase;

FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view showing inside an outer capsule after the temperature increase;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view in which a boundary part of an outer heat insulating member and a sheet-type heat insulating member is enlarged;

FIG. 8 is a chart comparing a case where the heat is insulated only by the porous heat insulating member and a case where the heat is insulated by the porous heat insulating member and the sheet-type heat insulating member;

FIG. 9 is a front cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a container for heat insulation according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 10A to 10C are enlarged cross-sectional views showing geometries of a joined part of sub members of the inner or outer heat insulating member.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Next, embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the appended drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a voyage data recording apparatus 10 of this embodiment.

The voyage data recording apparatus 10 can record data relating to an operation of a ship that is equipped with the apparatus 10 (hereinafter, referred to as “the ship concerned” or may be simply referred to as “the ship”) and various kinds of matters that occur in the ship. If a marine accident occurs, the recorded data is analyzed to be used for determining the cause and preventing a reoccurrence of the accident.

As shown in FIG. 1, the voyage data recording apparatus 10 includes a data collecting unit 11 (voyage data collecting unit) and a data recording unit 12 (heat insulating storage or voyage data recording unit).

The data collecting unit 11 is electrically connected with ship instrument 13 and is inputted with various data relating to voyage (voyage data) from the ship instrument 13. Particular examples of the ship instrument 13 include a GPS device for measuring a position of the ship and date and time, a speed sensor for measuring a speed of the ship, various compasses for measuring a bow azimuth direction, a vane anemometer for detecting a direction and speed of wind on the sea where the ship travels, a depth finder for measuring a water depth, a microphone for receiving sounds from a bridge, and a radar device for acquiring a radar image indicating situations around the ship.

The data collecting unit 11 mainly includes an input-output module 21 for loading the voyage data, a signal processing module 22 for processing the loaded voyage data. This collected voyage data is transmitted from the input-output module 21 to a data converting device 36 of the data recording unit 12.

The data converting device 36 converts the received voyage data into a data format suitable for storage and transmission, and outputs the converted data to a memory board 64 (storing device). This memory board 64 includes a memory as a storage element and a circuit board on which the memory is mounted.

The memory can store a predetermined time length (e.g., 13 hours) worth of the voyage data, and data older than the predetermined time length is overwritten with the latest data as needed. When it is determined that, for example, a marine accident has occurred, the overwriting of the data is stopped and the memory continues to hold the voyage data immediately before the marine accident. Note that, this memory is protected so as to withstand a fire and water (submersion) caused by a marine accident, therefore the voyage data can be collected and analyzed even after the accident.

Next, a configuration of the data recording unit 12 is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the data recording unit 12. FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view showing a configuration of inside the data recording unit 12. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a porous heat insulating member 51.

As shown in FIG. 2, the data recording unit 12 is constituted with a base 34, a beacon 32, and an outer capsule 30.

The base 34 is to fix the outer capsule 30 to the ship and is connected to a lower part of the outer capsule 30. The base 34 is formed in a rectangular shape and attaching holes 35 are formed in four corner parts thereof. By using suitable attachment hardwares for the attaching holes 35, the outer capsule 30 can be fixed to the ship.

The beacon 32 is attached to a side surface part of the outer capsule 30 and can emit acoustic waves. When the data recording unit 12 is missing after the marine accident, it can be found by following the acoustic waves.

The outer capsule 30 is equipped with the main components of the data recording unit 12 inside thereof, and it is particularly for protecting the memory. The outer capsule 30 is formed substantially in a cylinder shape, and a round-shaped cable 31 for receiving the voyage data from the data collecting unit 11 is attached to the side surface of the capsule 30. The data recording unit 12 receives, via the round-shaped cable 31 connected with the outer capsule 30, the voyage data transmitted from the data collecting unit 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, the round-shaped cable 31 is connected with the data converting device 36. The data converting device 36 is arranged in an upper part of the inside the outer capsule 30. As above, because the data converting device 36 is arranged outside a heat insulating member (later described in detail) for protecting the memory from the heat, an increase in temperature near the memory due to an operation heat of the data converting device 36 can be prevented. Further, the data converted by the data converting device 36 is outputted to a central part of the outer capsule 30 through a transmission cable 40.

An inner capsule 44 (accommodating container), a holding capsule 45, a porous heat insulating member (first heat insulating member) 51, and sheet-type heat insulating members 52 (second heat insulating members) are arranged in the central part of the outer capsule 30 in this order from the inner side.

The inner capsule 44 is a container made of a thick metallic material and a lid part and a body part thereof are fixed together by bolts in this embodiment. A connector device 65 is arranged on an outer surface of the lid part and is electrically connected with the data converting device 36 by the transmission cable 40. Further, the connector device 65 is connected, through a cable not illustrated, with the memory board 64 arranged inside the inner capsule 44 (accommodating space). With this configuration, the voyage data can be stored in the memory of the memory board 64.

Further, the inner capsule 44 is configured as a waterproof container, thereby, water does not enter into the inner capsule 44 from between the lid part and the body part thereof or between the connector device 65 and the memory board 64. Therefore, even in a case where it is submerged into the water because of a marine accident, the memory board 64 can be protected from water.

The holding capsule 45 is arranged outside the inner capsule 44. A holding member made of a heat insulating member such as rubber is arranged between the inner capsule 44 and the holding capsule 45. This holding member supports the inner capsule 44 to the holding capsule 45 so that it floats and a heat in the holding capsule 45 is not conducted to the inner capsule 44. The porous heat insulating member 51 is arranged outside the holding capsule 45.

The porous heat insulating member 51 is a heat insulating member having a structure in which a plurality of very small holes (microholes) are formed. The porous heat insulating member 51, in spite of having a high heat insulating performance, contracts when reaching a certain temperature or above (contraction staring temperature). The percentage of contraction differs depending on a kind of the member and its surrounding condition, for example, in a case where the porous heat insulating member is left for 500 hours at a temperature of about 1,000° C., the percentage of contraction is approximately 10%. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the porous heat insulating member 51 is constructed as a heat insulating member having a two-layer structure including an inner heat insulating member 71 (first heat insulating sub member) arranged to be in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the holding capsule 45 and an outer heat insulating member 72 (first heat insulating sub member) arranged to be in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the inner heat insulating member 71.

Note that, the first heat insulating sub member indicates the heat insulating members constructing the porous heat insulating member 51, and in addition to the inner heat insulating member 71 and the outer heat insulating member 72, each member constructing the inner heat insulating member 71 and each member constructing the outer heat insulating member 72 may be referred to as the first heat insulating sub member.

As shown in FIG. 4, the inner heat insulating member 71 is constructed with annular members (ring-shaped members) vertically aligned, a circular plate member arranged on an inner side of the uppermost annular member, and a circular plate member arranged on the inner side of the lowermost annular member.

The outer heat insulating member 72 is constructed with annular members (ring-shaped members) vertically aligned, a circular plate member arranged on an inner side of the uppermost annular member, and a circular plate member arranged on the inner side of the lowermost the annular member. As above, the inner heat insulating member 71 and the outer heat insulating member 72 are formed in a hollow cylinder shape and the inner capsule 44 and the holding capsule 45 are arranged within this hollow space (on the inner side of the inner heat insulating member 71).

The porous heat insulating member 51 is configured as above, and the sheet-type heat insulating members 52 are arranged outside the outer heat insulating member 72.

The sheet-type heat insulating member 52 is a sheet-type heat resistant heat insulating member arranged to cover an external surface of the outer heat insulating member 72. In this embodiment, a single rectangular sheet-type heat insulating heat insulating member 52 covers the side surface of the outer heat insulating member 72 and two circular sheet-type heat insulating members 52 cover the upper part and the lower part of the outer heat insulating member 72, respectively.

The sheet-type heat insulating member 52 is made of organic members, such as thermoplastic resin, rubber, and epoxy resin, and an inorganic filler containing layered inorganic substances such as neutralized black lead. With this composition, the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 has heat resistance and heat insulating performance, and expands at a predetermined temperature (expansion starting temperature) or above. The percentage of expansion differs depending on a kind of the member and its surrounding condition, for example, it may be several times to dozens of times (three to fifty times) the case with a temperature below the predetermined temperature. Further, the percentage of expansion and a direction of the expansion can suitably be adjusted by, for example, a combination of the members and an arrangement of the layered inorganic substances and, in this embodiment, the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 expands in its thickness direction.

Note that, as long as the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 has the heat insulating property and the property to expand in the high temperature state, the configuration thereof is not limited to the above and suitable substances may be used.

Next, behaviors that are seen in the porous heat insulating member 51 and the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 when the data recording unit 12 of this embodiment is heated are described with reference to the FIGS. 5 to 8. FIGS. 5A to 5D are views schematically explaining how the porous heat insulating member 51 contracts due to a temperature increase. FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view showing inside the outer capsule 30 after the temperature increase. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view in which a boundary area of the outer heat insulating member 72 and the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 is enlarged. FIG. 8 is a chart comparing the heat insulating performance between a case where the heat is insulated only by the porous heat insulating member 51 and a case where the heat is insulated by the porous heat insulating member 51 and the sheet-type heat insulating member 52.

First, the behavior that is seen in the porous heat insulating member 51 when the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 is not used and only the porous heat insulating member 51 is heated is explained. FIGS. 5A and 5B show a cross-sectional view and a perspective view of the porous heat insulating member 51 before being heated, respectively.

Then, if a fire occurs, when the porous heat insulating member 51 is heated and the outer heat insulating member 72 reaches the contraction starting temperature or above, the porous heat insulating member 51 deforms to have shapes as shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D. Note that, the FIGS. 5C and 5D show a cross-sectional view and a perspective view of the porous heat insulating member 51 after being heated, respectively.

When the fire occurs, because the fire and the heat are conducted from the outside, the outer circumferential part of the outer heat insulating member 72 is heated the most in the porous heat insulating member 51, as shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D. Therefore, the outer circumferential part of the outer heat insulating member 72 contracts the most. Note that, although a contraction amount of the side surface of the outer heat insulating member 72 is uniform in FIGS. 5A to 5D, actually, a difference may be caused in the contraction level depending on a position of the side surface due to, for example, how the heat conducts at the time of the fire.

When the contraction is caused in the porous heat insulating member 51 as above, a gap is generated in a part (joint) joining the adjacent sub members. Further, this gap becomes an entry route for the heat and thereby, at this gap, the function as the heat insulating member cannot substantially be provided. Therefore, when the outer heat insulating member 72 and the inner heat insulating member 71 of which the heat insulating property is decreased fail to insulate the heat from the outside (e.g., the outside of the porous heat insulating member 51), a temperature inside the inner capsule 44 reaches a maximum resistible temperature of the memory or above, and causes a breakage of the memory.

Note that, although, depending on a heating time length and a heating temperature, the gap may be generated in the inner heat insulating member 71, in this embodiment, the gap is difficult to be generated in the inner heat insulating member 71 for a following reason. That is, within the sub members of the outer heat insulating member 72, the annularly formed member (hereinafter, referred to as the outer annular member) is reduced in its inner diameter when the contraction is caused. Therefore, the contracted outer annular member tightly constricts the inner heat insulating member 71. Thus, the sub member of the inner heat insulating member 71 is difficult to contract and the gap is difficult to be generated.

Note that, if a porous heat insulating member having a single-layer structure (structure in which the inner heat insulating member 71 is not arranged) is applied in this embodiment, a heat from the outside directly conducts inside the porous heat insulating member from the gap and, thereby, a temperature of the inner capsule 44 immediately increases and the memory becomes easy to break. In this regard, the porous heat insulating member 51 of this embodiment has the two-layer structure, therefore, even in the case where the outer heat insulating member 72 is contracted, the heat from the outside is insulated by the inner heat insulating member 71 and is not directly conducted inside the porous heat insulating member 51 from the gap in the outer heat insulating member 72. Therefore, the porous heat insulating member 51 of this embodiment has higher heat insulating performance compared to the heat insulating member having the single-layer structure with the same thickness as the total thickness of the inner heat insulating member 71 and the outer heat insulating member 72.

Next, behaviors that are seen in the porous heat insulating member 51 and the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 when the porous heat insulating member 51 covered by the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 is heated is explained. When a fire occurs, the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 arranged on the outer side is first heated. The sheet-type heat insulating member 52, when being heated and reaching the expansion starting temperature or above, expands in its thickness direction. Moreover, the porous heat insulating member 51, when reaching the contraction starting temperature, starts to contract.

Note that, in this embodiment, the heat insulating performance and the thickness of the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 is determined so that the outer heat insulating member 72 reaches near the contraction starting temperature when the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 reaches near the expansion starting temperature.

Therefore, before or after the outer heat insulating member 72 contracts and generate the gap, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 expands to fill the gap. Thus, the part of the outer heat insulating member 72 where the heat insulating performance has degraded due to the gap can be compensated by the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 by filling the gap as above, therefore, the heat insulating performance can be maintained.

Note that, here, if the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 expands with a certain time length (a delay) after the outer heat insulating member 72 contracts and the gap is generated, the size of the gap may become large before the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 expands, and the heat insulating performance may degrade. Therefore, the expansion starting temperature of the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 and the contraction starting temperature of the outer heat insulating member 72 are preferred to be determined so that the expansion starting temperature of the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 is lower than or substantially the same as the contraction starting temperature of the outer heat insulating member 72. That is, by having the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 expand prior to, or at substantially the same time as, the beginning of the contraction of the outer heat insulating member 72, the gap generated due to the contraction of the outer heat insulating member 72 does not become large and therefore the heat insulating performance can be maintained.

FIG. 8 shows a chronological change of the temperature inside the inner capsule 44 when the heat is insulated only by the porous heat insulating member 51, and, as in this embodiment, a chronological change of the temperature inside the inner capsule 44 when the heat is insulated by both of the porous heat insulating member 51 and the sheet-type heat insulating member 52. As shown in FIG. 8, when the heat is insulated only by the porous heat insulating member 51, the heat insulating property cannot be secured due to the contraction of the porous heat insulating member 51 and, therefore, the temperature increase cannot be suppressed and the temperature inside the inner capsule 44 becomes high. In this regard, with the configuration of this embodiment, the heat insulating performance can be maintained by the expansion of the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 even if the porous heat insulating member 51 contracts, therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the temperature increase inside the inner capsule 44 can be suppressed.

As described above, the data recording unit 12 includes the porous heat insulating member 51 and the sheet-type heat insulating member 52. The porous heat insulating member 51 is arranged outside the accommodating space. The sheet-type heat insulating member 52 is arranged so as to protect the porous heat insulating member 51 from the heat.

Thereby, the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 expands before or after the heat conducts to the porous heat insulating member 51 to cause the contraction, and therefore, the gap generated by the contraction of the porous heat insulating member 51 can be filled. Thus, the degradation of the heat insulating performance of the porous heat insulating member 51 in the high temperature state can be prevented. Moreover, the heat insulating performance can be maintained without increasing the thickness of the porous heat insulating member 51 and, therefore, the data recording unit 12 with a compact structure can be achieved.

Further, the data recording unit 12 of this embodiment includes the inner capsule 44 formed with the accommodating space therein.

Thereby, the memory can be mechanically protected by the inner capsule 44. Moreover, because the inner capsule 44 has a waterproof structure, it can protect the memory even if it is submerged into the water.

Further, in the data recording unit 12 of this embodiment, the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 is arranged outside the porous heat insulating member 51.

Thereby, the memory can effectively be protected from a heat from outside the porous heat insulating member 51, such as a fire.

Further, in the data recording unit 12 of this embodiment, the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 has a heat resistant property in addition to a heat insulating property.

Thereby, even if the fire occurs, the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 expands without burning. Thus, the degradation of the heat insulating performance of the porous heat insulating member 51 can be prevented.

Further, in the data recording unit 12 of this embodiment, the porous heat insulating member 51 is constructed with the plurality of first heat insulating members.

Thereby, the gaps generated among the plurality of first heat insulating sub members can be filled by the sheet-type heat insulating member 52. Therefore, the degradation of the heat insulating performance of the first heat insulating sub members can be prevented. Moreover, because the porous heat insulating member 51 is constructed with the plurality of first heat insulating sub members, the shape of the porous heat insulating member 51 can easily be changed by adjusting the number of the first heat insulating sub members. Thus, the porous heat insulating member 51 can flexibly correspond to a change of shapes of the inner capsule 44 and the holding capsule 45.

Further, in the data recording unit 12 of this embodiment, the porous heat insulating member 51 has the two-layer structure constructed with the inner heat insulating member 71 and the outer heat insulating member 72.

Thereby, even in the case where the outer heat insulating member 72 contracts and the gap is generated, the inner heat insulating member 71 is arranged on the inner side of the gap. Therefore, the degradation of the heat insulating performance of the porous heat insulating member 51 in the high temperature state can be prevented.

Further, in the data recording unit 12 of this embodiment, the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 is arranged outside the porous heat insulating member 51. The first heat insulating sub member includes the annularly-shaped member, and the inner capsule 44 is arranged in the internal space of this annular member.

Thereby, when a heat conducts to the outer heat insulating member 72 and the contraction thereof is caused, the inner heat insulating member 71 is constricted by the sheet-style insulating member 52. Therefore, the gap is difficult to be generated even if the inner side of the outer capsule 30 is in the high temperature state. Therefore, the degradation of the heat insulating performance of the porous heat insulating member 51 in the high temperature state can be prevented.

Further, in the data recording unit 12 of this embodiment, the parts joining the sub members of the inner heat insulating member 71 are arranged so as not to overlap with the parts joining the sub members of the outer heat insulating member 72 which is adjacently arranged outside of the inner heat insulating member 71.

Thereby, the parts of the inner heat insulating member 71 and the outer heat insulating member 72 where the heat insulating performance degrade do not overlap with each other. Therefore, the degradation of the heat insulating performance of the entire data recording unit 12 can effectively be prevented.

The voyage data recording apparatus 10 includes the data recording unit 12 and the data collecting unit 11. The data collecting unit 11 receives the voyage data and transmits it to the data recording unit 12.

Thereby, the voyage data can robustly be protected.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIG. 9. Note that, the configuration same as or similar to the above embodiment may be applied with the same numeral and the description thereof may be omitted.

A heat insulating storage 12a is not configured as a heat insulating storage for protecting contents from a heat and is configured to prevent a heat caused by the contents (e.g., a heat due to an operation heat and abnormal ignition) from being conducted outside of the heat insulating storage 12a. This kind of heat insulating storage is used for, for example, a case of a fuel cell.

The heat insulating storage 12a includes an accommodating container 44a, a sheet-type heat insulating member 52, and a porous heat insulating member 51.

The accommodating container 44a is a container for accommodating the contents. Note that, the accommodating container 44a may be made of calcium silicate and gypsum.

The porous heat insulating member 51 and the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 have the similar properties as in the above embodiment, respectively, and are arranged in different positions. That is, in the above embodiment, the outer side of the porous heat insulating member 51 is covered by the sheet-type heat insulating member 52; however, in this embodiment the inner side of the porous heat insulating member 51 is covered by the sheet-type heat insulating member 52.

With this configuration, even if a high temperature heat or a fire is caused by the contents within the accommodating container 44a, by the similar function as the above embodiment, the heat can be prevented from being conducted outside.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described above; however, the above configurations may be modified as follows, for example.

The shapes of the inner capsule 44 and the accommodating container 44a are not limited to the above examples and may suitably be modified. Alternatively, the hollow space inside the porous heat insulating member 51 may be used as an accommodating space and the accommodating container such as the inner capsule 44 may be omitted in the configuration.

The shape of the porous heat insulating member 51 is not limited to the hollow cylinder shape and may suitably be changed, for example, to be a hollow cuboid. Further, the porous heat insulating member 51 may have a single-layer structure or a multiple-layer structure such as a three-layer structure, instead of the two-layer structure. Alternatively, the number of layers of the porous heat insulating member 51 may be varied depending on position, for example, most parts of the porous heat insulating member 51 may be structured in a single-layer and the rest of the parts thereof may be structured in two-layers. As above, various kinds of shapes may be considered for the porous heat insulating member 51, and any of the shapes can provide effects according to the embodiments of the present invention.

Further, alternative to using the porous heat insulating member 51 that is constructed by the separate heat insulating members, a porous heat insulating member 51 that is integrally constructed may be used. In this case, the porous heat insulating member 51 contracts due to a temperature increase and a space is generated between the porous heat insulating member 51 and the sheet-type heat insulating member 52. Then the sheet-type heat insulating member 52 expands to fill the space, therefore, the degradation of heat insulating performance can be prevented.

In the inner heat insulating member 71 and the outer heat insulating member 72 of the above embodiments, joined parts of annular members that are stacked on top of another are formed in a linear shape (see FIGS. 3 and 10A); however, alternative to this configuration, either one of concave and convex parts may be formed at both end parts of the annular member so that the joined part of the stacked annular member may be non-linear (see FIGS. 10B and 10C). In this case, a length of the joined part becomes longer and, thereby, the degradation of the heat insulating performance due to the heat contraction can be suppressed.

In the above embodiments, the heat insulating member formed into a sheet is used as the second heat insulating member; however, a thick heat insulating member may be used as the second heat insulating member.

In the above embodiments, the example where the heat insulating member is applied to the data recording unit is described; however, it may be applied to, for example, a heat resistant vault and a case for accommodating a thermometer for a blast furnace.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the technique appreciates that various modifications and changes can be performed without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes,” “including,” “contains,” “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a,” “has . . . a,” “includes . . . a,” “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially,” “essentially,” “approximately,” “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the technique, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

Claims

1. A heat insulating storage, comprising:

a first heat insulating member arranged outside an accommodating space and having a heat contraction property; and

a second heat insulating member for protecting the first heat insulating member from a heat and having a heat expansion property.

2. The heat insulating storage of claim 1, further comprising an accommodating container formed with the accommodating space therein.

3. The heat insulating storage of any one of claim 1 or 2, wherein a temperature of the second heat insulating member when it starts to expand is below or substantially the same as a temperature of the first heat insulating member when it starts to contract.

4. The heat insulating storage of claim 1, wherein the second heat insulating member has a heat resistant property in addition to the heat insulating property.

5. The heat insulating storage of claim 1, wherein the first heat insulating member includes a plurality of first heat insulating sub members.

6. The heat insulating storage of claim 5, wherein one or more of the first heat insulating sub members are arranged to be adjacent on the outside to the rest of the one or more first heat insulating sub members.

7. The heat insulating storage of claim 6, wherein the second heat insulating member is arranged outside the first heat insulating member.

8. The heat insulating storage of claim 7, wherein a hollow space is formed in the first heat insulating sub member and at least a part of the hollow space serves as the accommodating space.

9. The heat insulating storage of claim 7 or 8, wherein in the first heat insulating member, the first heat insulating sub members are stacked on top of another, and one or more parts joining the adjacently stacked first heat insulating sub members on the outside do not overlap with one or more parts joining the adjacently stacked first heat insulating sub members on the inner side.

10. A voyage data recording unit, comprising:

the heat insulating storage of claim 1; and

a storing device for storing voyage data, the storing device being accommodated within the accommodating space.

11. A voyage data recording apparatus, comprising:

the voyage data recording unit of claim 10; and

a voyage data collecting unit for receiving voyage data from a ship instrument and transmitting the voyage data to the voyage data recording unit.

12. A heat insulating storage, comprising:

a first heat insulating member having a heat contraction property; and

a second heat insulating member arranged at a position that is outside an accommodating space and on an inner side of the first heat insulating member, and having a heat expansion property.

13. The heat insulating storage of claim 12, wherein a temperature of the second heat insulating member when it starts to expand is below or substantially the same as a temperature of the first heat insulating member when it starts to contract.