Composite Housing Panels for Corrosion-Resistant Sealed Chambers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing housing structures for industrial plants exposed to aggressive and abrasive media, such as solvents and solid particles, face issues with corrosion, leaks, and high maintenance due to chemical and mechanical stresses, leading to short lifespan and complex assembly.

Innovation Solution

The use of corrosion-resistant polypropylene sandwich panels with glass fiber reinforced cover layers and a honeycomb structure, assembled into a composite housing with a cassette-like frame connected via adhesive and fasteners, providing a liquid- and pressure-tight seal, and using a 2-component epoxy resin adhesive for enhanced durability and chemical resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If steel frame structures with cladding sheets are used for housing, then structural strength and stability are improved, but corrosion resistance against chemical and abrasive attacks deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidcorrosion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining polypropylene sandwich panels with glass fiber reinforced cover layers and honeycomb structure cores. This composite construction provides both structural strength and chemical/corrosion resistance, eliminating the corrosion problem of steel structures while maintaining mechanical integrity in aggressive environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameters from traditional steel to polypropylene-based composite panels. This parameter change transforms the chemical properties to be resistant against solvents and pickling residues, while the honeycomb structure maintains mechanical strength through optimized geometric parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If large-dimensional cladding sheets are used for housing walls, then coverage area is improved, but assembly complexity and handling difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the housing walls into multiple standardized polypropylene sandwich panels of manageable dimensions. Each panel is framed with cassette-like frames that can be assembled in a modular fashion, reducing handling difficulty while achieving large coverage areas through systematic arrangement of multiple units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates universal, interchangeable panels that can be used in various positions and configurations. The standardized framed panels serve multiple functions: structural wall elements, corrosion barriers, and replaceable maintenance units, simplifying assembly through repetition of the same modular component.

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

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional welded frame structures are used, then structural stability is improved, but maintenance effort and replacement frequency increase due to corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmaintenance effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables easy discarding of corroded panels and recovery/replacement with new identical panels. The modular framed panel design allows individual panels to be removed and replaced without affecting the entire structure, significantly reducing maintenance effort compared to traditional welded steel structures that require extensive repair work.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs relatively inexpensive polypropylene sandwich panels that can be easily replaced when corroded or damaged. Rather than investing in long-lasting but maintenance-intensive steel structures, the system uses affordable, corrosion-resistant panels with extended service life that can be quickly swapped out, reducing overall maintenance costs and effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Strength

If heavy cladding sheets are used for housing walls, then structural strength is improved, but weight and handling difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidwall weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses polypropylene sandwich panels with honeycomb structure cores that provide high strength-to-weight ratio. The composite construction with air-filled honeycomb cells delivers structural rigidity and strength comparable to heavier materials while significantly reducing weight, making handling and assembly much easier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs thin-walled polypropylene sandwich panels that achieve structural strength through intelligent geometry (honeycomb core structure) rather than material thickness. These thin-walled panels are much lighter than traditional heavy cladding sheets while maintaining adequate structural performance through the engineered core structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 results in a housing that is highly corrosion-resistant, reduces maintenance efforts, extends service life, saves materials and costs, and simplifies assembly with interchangeable panels, while maintaining large-format coverage and adaptability to different dimensions.

Implementation Method 1

connected to the inside of the housing along its long and cross sides by fabric. and frictional connection is connected in a liquid-tight and pressure-tight manner with an adhesive and a fastener

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

frictional connection is connected in a liquid-tight and pressure-tight manner with an adhesive and a fastener

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

abutting frames or frames and struts form joints which are sealed in a liquid-tight and pressure-tight manner by material or positive connection and frictional connection with an adhesive or sealing agent and on the inside of the housing with a sealing layer are sealed liquid-tight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2919918B1Housing or chamber for receiving filters, heat exchangers, humidifiers, evaporators, air-conditioners, ventilators, fans, and suction devices, and a lightweight wall for repairing such a housing
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 BERLINER WARTUNGS & KUNDENDIENST
  • EP2919918B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2919918B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2919918B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a housing or a chamber for receiving filters, heat exchangers, humidifiers, evaporators, air-conditioners, ventilators, fans, and suction devices, comprising a cuboid frame which is assembled from vertical and horizontal braces and the lateral surfaces of which are covered by walls. The walls are made of polypropylene sandwich panels (19) with glass fiber-reinforced covering layers (20a, 20b) and a core (21) with a honeycomb structure, and each panel (19) is provided with a frame (23) along the panel periphery, said frame being connected to the panel (19) on the housing-interior side along the longitudinal and transverse side (LS, QS) of the panel in a liquid- and pressure-tight manner by means of a bonding and force-fitting connection. Joints between abutting frames (23) or frames (23) and braces (15a-15g, 16a-16j, 17a-17j) are sealed in a liquid- and pressure-tight manner by means of a bonding or form-fitting and force-fitting connection using an adhesive or a sealant (KM2) and are sealed in a liquid-tight manner on the housing-interior side using a sealing layer (VS).