Bimetallic Fire-Protection Collar for Adaptable Pipe Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire-protection collars have a large number of components, lack flexibility in adapting to different openings and pipe cross-sections, and are not cost-effective.

Innovation Solution

A fire-protection collar with a tubular or ring-like lining made of intumescent material, a bimetallic sheath, and an adhesive-free connection, allowing for easy adaptation to various openings and pipe sizes, and featuring a robust design with minimal components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional fire-protection collars use multiple individual components and adhesive connections, then they can provide fire protection, but they become complex to manufacture, difficult to adapt to different openings, and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAdaptability to different openings and pipe cross-sectionsVSAvoidNumber of individual elements or components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple traditional components (metallic sheath, intumescent lining, fastening elements) into a single integrated fire-protection collar. The collar consists of a bimetallic structure with a first metal layer and a second metal layer bonded together, where the second layer forms recesses that directly accommodate fastening elements, eliminating the need for separate adhesive applications and multiple assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fire-protection collar is designed as a universal solution that can be adapted to various opening sizes and pipe cross-sections. The bimetallic construction with integrated fastening recesses allows the same basic collar design to serve multiple functions: providing fire protection, mechanical fastening, and adaptation to different geometries, thereby reducing the need for multiple specialized components.

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

2Reliability

If fire-protection collars use traditional multi-component configurations, then they can provide fire protection, but they increase production costs and reduce manufacturing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveFire protection effectivenessVSAvoidProduction straightforwardness and cost-effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the fire-protection function and fastening function into a single bimetallic collar structure. The intumescent material is integrated within the bimetallic layers, and fastening recesses are formed directly in the structure, allowing one-step manufacturing that reduces production costs and improves ease of manufacture while maintaining fire protection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fire-protection collar utilizes a bimetallic composite structure with a first metal layer and a second metal layer bonded together. This composite construction provides both structural integrity and fire-protection properties, while the integrated design reduces the number of manufacturing steps and lowers production costs compared to traditional multi-component assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If fire-protection collars use traditional configurations with holders and adhesive, then they can be fastened to walls, but they reduce robustness and allow easy detachment

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveFastening capabilityVSAvoidRobustness and resistance to detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the fastening function directly into the collar structure by forming recesses in the second metal layer that accommodate fastening elements. This integration creates a unified structure where the collar and fastening mechanism become one robust assembly, preventing easy detachment while maintaining reliable wall fastening capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bimetallic composite structure with integrated fastening recesses creates a robust, unified construction. The bonding between the first and second metal layers, combined with the embedded fastening elements, produces a strong assembly that resists detachment while maintaining reliable attachment to walls, ceilings, or floors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 enables straightforward production, cost-effective implementation, and flexible adaptation to different openings and pipe cross-sections, providing effective fire and smoke prevention with improved robustness and insulation.

Implementation Method 1

at least one lining (12) which is made of or comprises an intumescent material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntumescent material expansion: Intumescent Materials

Implementation Method 2

under the action of an elevated temperature, in particular in the event of a fire, intumescent material of the fire-protection-collar band (10) expands and closes the through-passage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

The foil which forms the sheath, is advantageously bimetallic. In particular the use of two metals of different coefficients of linear expansion is advantageous here

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDifferential thermal expansion: Bi-Metallic Strip

Data Source

PatentEP3600572B1Fire-protection collar
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 ETEX AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
  • EP3600572B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3600572B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3600572B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The present invention relates to a fire-protection-collar element (10) for forming a fire-protection collar (35) for closing through-passages in walls (38), ceilings and/or floors in the event of a fire. The present invention also relates to a method for forming a fire-protection collar (35) for closing through-passages in walls (38), ceilings and/or floors in the event of a fire.