Composite Pole Shield for Fire and Insect Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pole structures, such as highway luminaire supports and utility poles, are vulnerable to damage from insects, pests, moisture, and wild fires, leading to potential service interruptions and high replacement costs.

Innovation Solution

A pole shield made from a sheet of composite material with a reinforcement impregnated polyurethane resin composition, providing fire-resistant properties and protection against environmental damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wood is treated with petrochemical to protect from insects and rot, then protection against insect damage and moisture is improved, but fire resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against insect damage and moistureVSAvoidfire susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple protective layers: a fire-resistant intumescent coating applied to the wood pole, and a polyurethane resin wrap providing additional protection. This composite approach allows the pole to simultaneously achieve fire resistance from the intumescent layer and insect/moisture protection from the polyurethane wrap, resolving the contradiction between insect protection and fire resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If pole structures are made from traditional materials (wood, steel, concrete), then structural support is provided, but vulnerability to environmental damage and fire increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidenvironmental damage and fire vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials consisting of a polyurethane resin composition impregnated with glass fiber reinforcement. This composite structure provides both structural support (maintaining the strength of traditional poles) and enhanced environmental/fire resistance. The glass fiber reinforcement maintains mechanical strength while the polyurethane matrix provides fire and environmental protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameters by using a polyurethane resin with specific fire-resistant properties and incorporating glass fiber reinforcement. This changes the pole's material composition from traditional homogeneous materials to a composite with superior fire resistance and environmental durability while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If pole structures are protected with traditional treatments, then protection is provided, but replacement cost and time increase when damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from damageVSAvoidreplacement time and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies fire-resistant intumescent coating and polyurethane resin wrap as preventive protective measures before damage occurs. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when fire or environmental damage threats arise, the pole is already protected, preventing the need for costly and time-consuming replacements. The protective layers act as a buffer against potential damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Reliability

If electrical insulating material is added to steel poles, then protection from ground fault is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from ground faultVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the polyurethane resin wrap multi-functional by providing simultaneous protection against fire, insect damage, moisture, and electrical conduction. This single composite structure serves multiple protective functions, including electrical insulation for ground fault protection, eliminating the need for separate insulating materials and reducing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 pole shield effectively protects pole structures from fire, insect damage, and environmental degradation, reducing the risk of service interruptions and lowering replacement costs by extending the lifespan of pole structures.

Implementation Method 1

a polyurethane resin composition comprising a combination of a polyol component and a polyisocyanate component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS12290708B2Pole shield

Publication Date: 2025.05.06 RS TECH INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a pole shield for extending around a pole structure. The pole shield comprises one or more than one sheet of composite material forming a hollow structure having an open first end and an opposed open second end. The sheet or sheets of composite material comprise from about 50% to about 80% by weight of a reinforcement impregnated with about 20% to about 50% of a polyurethane resin composition comprising a combination of a polyol component and a polyisocyanate component. Two or more pole shields may be stacked one on top of the other to form a pole shield structure which extends the height of protection of the pole structure. The pole shield can be used for protecting a pole structure from damage, such as from fire, rain, wind, sand, ice, pests, moisture or electrical. The pole shield may also be used to provide structural support to a pole structure.