Circular Fire Damper Sealing with Intumescent Semi-Rings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire and smoke control dampers require auxiliary sealing materials and complex installation processes, which increase costs and installation time, and may not meet stringent fire resistance and airflow resistance standards.

Innovation Solution

A fire and smoke control damper design featuring a circular cross-section with an additional flange made of semi-rings and a flexible intumescent seal, installed using steel anchors and screws, which provides effective sealing without mortar or auxiliary materials, and includes a sleeve seal for the driving axle to ensure tightness during fires.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional fire dampers use mortar and auxiliary sealing materials, then fire resistance can be achieved, but installation time increases and installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling the sealing system on the damper body before installation. The sealing flange with integrated seals (primary seal, secondary seal, and auxiliary seal) is prepared in advance, eliminating the need for on-site application of mortar and auxiliary materials. This pre-preparation enables rapid installation within 10 minutes while maintaining fire resistance compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If traditional fire dampers use mortar and auxiliary sealing materials, then fire resistance can be achieved, but the number of components and installation steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple sealing functions into a single integrated sealing flange assembly. The primary seal, secondary seal, and auxiliary seal are all mounted on the sealing flange that attaches directly to the damper body, creating one unified component that performs all sealing functions. This integration dramatically reduces installation complexity compared to traditional methods requiring separate application of mortar and multiple auxiliary materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If intumescent seals are used without fire protective flange, then installation is simpler, but fire resistance and structural stability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidfire resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials by combining the fire protective flange made of fire-resistant material with intumescent seals. The flange provides structural stability and fire resistance, while the intumescent seals expand under heat to provide additional sealing. This composite approach achieves both fire resistance compliance and installation simplicity, as the entire assembly attaches in one operation without requiring mortar.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If conventional sealing methods are used, then fire compartments are sealed, but airflow resistance increases and noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidairflow resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by placing seals only at specific critical locations where fire compartments meet the damper body, rather than using extensive sealing materials across all surfaces. The primary seal, secondary seal, and auxiliary seal are strategically positioned at the junction between the sealing flange and the fire compartment. This targeted sealing approach maintains effective fire compartment sealing while minimizing interference with airflow, thereby reducing airflow resistance and noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 rapid installation (less than 10 minutes) with high fire resistance meeting EI 120 standards, lower airflow resistance, reduced noise, and alternative use of intumescent materials for higher fire insulation, replacing expensive boards, while maintaining compliance with EN 15650 and EN 12101-8 standards.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible intumescent seal is placed between the damper and flange

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntumescent: Intumescent Materials

Data Source

PatentEP4212215A1Seal for a fire or a smoke damper
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 GREMPCO
  • EP4212215A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4212215A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4212215A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The subject of invention is a sealing of fire damper (1) or smoke control damper (1A) of circular cross-section characterized in that it comprises an additional flange installed on the outer part of the body, which consists of four semi-rings (2) made of fire protective material fixed on the body of the damper (1) by means of a rim (3), the connection of semi-rings is covered by an additional fire protective element (18) installed in the bracket (19), while a flexible intumescent seal (11) is placed between the damper (1, 1A) and the flange, and in addition the rim (3) is equipped with bendable brackets (12) used to install the fire damper or ventilation body to the structural compartment (13). Another subject of invention is a fire damper (1) or smoke control damper (1A) comprising the body of circular cross-section equipped with a flange and with a compartment, characterized in that it comprises an additional flange installed on the outer part of the body, which consists of four semi-rings (2) made of fire protective material fixed on the body of the damper (1, 1A) by means of a rim (3), the connection of semi-rings (2) is covered by an additional fire protective element (18) installed in the bracket (19), between the damper (1, 1A) and the flange there is sealing according to invention.