Chamber observer suit visor protects the eyes and ears of the wearer while he is performing rescue operations during a fire. The visor is a simple curved sandwich of selected glass plates, gold coated polyester plastic film, and a dead air space, all mounted in an aluminum frame

Burgett, F. A.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

August 1968	 Brief 68-10277 
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AEC-NASA TECH BRIEF 
I TES
AEC-NASA Tech Briefs describe innovations resulting from the research and development program 
of the U.S. AEC or from AEC-NASA interagency efforts. They are issued to encourage commercial 
application. Tech Briefs are published by NASA and may be purchased, at 15 cents each, from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151.
-	 -- - 
Thermal Protective Visor for Entering High Temperature Areas 
A chamber observer suit visor has been designed 
to provide thermal protection for the eyes and the 
face area while the wearer is performing rescue 
operations during a fire. A review of prior art devices 
indicated relatively low temperature limitations on 
the exterior surfaces. 
In order to meet the general requirements of 
thermal protection, impact resistance, noncombusti-
bility, and reasonable visibility the following con-
figuration was designed. The overall shape of the 
visor assembly is a simple curved sandwich of 
selected glass plates, gold coated polyester plastic 
film, and a dead air space, all mounted in an alumi-
num frame. In viewing a cross section of the assembly, 
the layers are as follows: starting from the inside 
(1) 1/4-inch thick annealed glass plate, (2) a sheet of 
gold coated polyester film, (3) a dead air space, and 
(4) a thin plate of highly tempered glass. The primary 
functions of the respective layers are as follows: (I) 
1/4-inch thick "Pyrex"—the relatively thick glass 
provides resistance to the generation of small glass 
particles, in case the inner layer should be shattered, 
plus providing thermal lag time due to its mass, (2) 
gold coated polyester film—the gold coating on the 
outermost surface provides a highly reflective surface 
to radiant thermal energy (i.e., greater than 75% at 
0.8 microns and greater than 85% at 1.0 micron, (3) 
dead air space—precludes a direct thermal short 
between the gold coated polyester film and the outer 
glass and also increases the thermal lag time, and 
(4) highly tempered glass "Chemcor"—provides high 
impact resistance for the assembly and precludes the
undesirable combustion of the gold coated polyester 
plastic film during extended flame impingement. 
Notes: 
I. The use of the glass outer layer over the gold 
coated polyester film precludes the undesirable 
possible combustion of the gold coated polyester 
film during the expected periods of use. The 
assembly has been subjected to a 1640°F average 
temperature flame on the outside surface with a 
resulting inside surface temperature of approxi-
mately 210°F after a period of 10 minutes. This 
test was conducted in a normal laboratory environ-
ment. 
2. The gold coating on the polyester film performs 
essentially as a band-pass filter or the familiar 
one-way glass used in discreet surveillance applica-
tions. It effectively reflects radiant energy while 
reducing human vision by only a negligible 
amount. 
3. Inquiries concerning this invention may be di-
rected to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Manned Spacecraft Center 
Houston, Texas 77058 
Reference: B68-10277 
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for the commercial 
use of this invention may be made to NASA, Code 
GP, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Source: Frank A. Burgett 
(MSC-12085) 
Category 05 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the Atomic 
Energy Commission and/or the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration. Neither the United States Government nor any per-
son acting on behalf of the United States Government assumes any
liability resulting from the use of the information contained in this 
document, or warrants that the use of any information, apparatus, 
method, or process disclosed in this document may not infringe pri-
vately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19680000277 2020-03-12T06:08:48+00:00Z


Thermal protective visor for entering high temperature areas

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