Flexible Bus Duct Firestop Seal for Heat Escape and Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firestop systems for bus ducts in marine construction fail to withstand vessel vibrations and effectively manage heat buildup, leading to sealant cracking and potential increased fire risk due to trapped heat.
Innovation Solution
A firestop system featuring a flexible boot seal made of thermal barrier materials like microporous insulation or high-temperature fiberglass, along with intumescent foam gaskets and a cover plate with weld tabs, designed to allow heat escape while maintaining fire resistance and securing the bus duct through vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sealant methods are used to firestop bus ducts, then fire resistance is provided, but the sealant cracks due to vessel vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible boot seal made of vibration-resistant material that can accommodate movement and vibration without cracking, replacing the traditional rigid sealant approach while maintaining fire resistance through the flexible construction and intumescent properties
2Reliability
If existing firestop products are used in metal bus ducts, then firestopping is achieved, but heat is trapped inside the bus duct
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a microporous firestop material that allows heat to escape through its porous structure, preventing heat buildup inside the metal bus duct while maintaining effective firestopping capability
Solution Approach 2:
The firestop system uses a composite construction combining the boot seal, microporous firestop material, and intumescent foam gasket, where the microporous material specifically addresses heat management while the other components provide structural support and sealing
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 system effectively prevents heat buildup and maintains fire resistance, ensuring the integrity of electrical circuits and reducing the risk of fire hazards in marine environments by accommodating vessel movements and heat exposure.
Implementation Method 1
the boot seal may be made of a thermal barrier wrap, such as microporous insulation material including at least alumina trihydrate
Implementation Method 2
allow for heat to escape during ambient conditions
Implementation Method 3
The intumescent foam gasket is installed around the bus duct and configured to expand when exposed to elevated temperatures
Implementation Method 4
The boot seal is made of flexible materials to allow for movement of the bus duct relative to the division due to vibration
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
A firestop system for fire stopping a bus duct that passes through an opening in a marine deck or a marine bulkhead includes a boot seal wrapped around the bus duct housing. The boot seal has a top end attached to the bus duct, and a bottom end attached to the division. The boot seal is made of flexible material to allow for movement of the bus duct relative to the division due to vibration. The boot seal may be made of a thermal barrier wrap or other high-temperature insulating mat materials to allow heat generated under normal condition to escape while providing firestopping and temperature resistance under fire exposure conditions. The firestop system may also have a gasket positioned between the bus duct and the boot seal to accommodate irregularities in the outside surface of the bus duct housing.