Adjustable Fire Protection Collar for Multi-Diameter Pipe Penetrations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire protection sleeves for combustible lines, such as plastic pipes, require separate sizes for varying diameters and are cumbersome to install, as they often need multiple layers of fire protection material and complex fastening systems.

Innovation Solution

A fire protection sleeve housing with a closure system featuring interlocking slots and deflectable tabs that allow for adjustable fitting around different line diameters, enabling easy adaptation and secure fastening without additional installation steps, using an intumescent material that expands to seal openings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate sizes of fire protection collars are provided for widely varying pipe diameters, then the fire protection coverage is improved, but the device complexity and inventory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protection coverageVSAvoidinventory requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is designed with a closure system featuring multiple slot configurations that allow a single housing size to accommodate various pipe diameters. The closure can be adjusted to different positions to match different line sizes, making one housing universally applicable across multiple diameter ranges rather than requiring separate sized housings for each pipe diameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The closure system incorporates adjustable and movable components including multiple slot arrangements that allow dynamic adaptation to different pipe diameters. The closure can be positioned at different locations around the housing circumference, enabling the same housing to dynamically adapt its effective size to match the specific pipe diameter being protected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple layers of fire protection material are used to accommodate varying pipe diameters, then the adaptability is improved, but the installation complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediameter adaptationVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is pre-configured with multiple slot arrangements and deflectable tabs during manufacturing, allowing for quick adjustment to different pipe diameters during installation. The closure system is designed beforehand with multiple possible positions, eliminating the need for complex on-site assembly or multiple wrapping operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The closure system is divided into multiple discrete slot positions and adjustable components that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows the installer to quickly select and adjust the appropriate closure position for the specific pipe diameter rather than requiring multiple complete housing assemblies or complex multi-layer wrapping procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If a fixed-size housing is used for different pipe diameters, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the adaptability to various line sizes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing productionVSAvoidline size accommodation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A single standardized housing design incorporates multiple closure slot configurations that enable it to accommodate various pipe diameters. Rather than manufacturing different sized housings for different pipes, the universal housing with adjustable closure system provides the same fire protection function across multiple diameter ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The closure system allows changing the effective parameters of the housing by adjusting the closure position to different slots around the housing circumference. This parameter adjustment enables the fixed-size housing to effectively adapt its dimensions to match different pipe diameters while maintaining consistent manufacturing specifications for the housing itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If complex fastening systems are used to secure fire protection material, then the security of attachment is improved, but the ease of installation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidinstallation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing includes deflectable tabs that automatically engage with corresponding features on the closure system to secure the fire protection material in place. The tabs are designed to flex during installation and then lock into position, providing secure attachment without requiring additional fasteners, tools, or complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening function is merged into the closure system itself rather than being a separate component. The closure simultaneously performs the function of securing the housing to the pipe and anchoring the fire protection material through integrated deflectable tabs, eliminating the need for separate fastening mechanisms and simplifying installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a flexible and secure fire protection solution that can be easily adapted to various pipe diameters, ensuring effective sealing of openings in walls and ceilings, preventing fire spread by using an expanding intumescent material within a sheet steel housing with adjustable fastening, thus simplifying installation and enhancing building safety.

Implementation Method 1

The fire protection sleeve comprises at least one strip of intumescent fire protection material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntumescent material expansion: Intumescent Materials

Data Source

PatentEP3477174B1Fire protection collar and housing therefor and wall or ceiling feedthrough having same
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 ROLF KUHN
  • EP3477174B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3477174B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3477174B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

To provide an easily mountable means of adapting to different diameters of pipes to be sealed, the invention, according to one aspect thereof, provides a fire protection collar (10) for sealing a wall or ceiling penetration for a pipe, comprising at least one strip (14) of intumescent fire protection material (12) and a housing (16) for fixing the fire protection material (12) to the pipe, wherein the housing (16) has a closure (22) for fixing a first and a second end region (26, 28) of the housing (16) wrapped around the pipe to one another, wherein the closure (22) has at least one lateral first slot (58) at the first end region (26) which extends in a direction transverse to the extension direction of the housing (16) and opens openly at a first longitudinal side (30) of the housing (16).and at the second end region (28) has several lateral second slots (60) spaced apart in the extension direction of the housing (16), which extend in a direction transverse to the extension direction of the housing (16) and open open at the second longitudinal side (32) of the housing (16), wherein the first and the second end regions (26, 28) are interlockable with their slots (58, 60).