Patent ID: 8349438

Claim:
Adaptive insulation comprising: an insulative material formed of at least first and second structural components, wherein the first and second structural components are joined together and are comprised of first and second materials, respectively, that have different coefficients of thermal expansion such that the insulative material is configured to change shape in response to changes in temperature, wherein the insulative material is comprised of a plurality of fibers with some portion of each fiber formed of the first and second structural components, wherein each fiber is configured to curl so as to define a loop at a first temperature and to uncurl so as to straighten at a second temperature, wherein each of the plurality of fibers has a neutral temperature with the fiber configured to change shape as the temperature varies from the neutral temperature, wherein the plurality of fibers comprises first and second layers of fibers, wherein within the first layer, the plurality of fibers have a first neutral temperature and within the second layer, the plurality of fibers have a second neutral temperature, different than the first neutral temperature, and wherein the first and second layers of fibers are configured such that additional degrees of insulation are provided by the change in shape of the first and second layers of fibers; and a non-adaptive insulative material with the insulative material formed of at least the first and second structural components being integrated therewith.