Moldable Glass Wool Insulation for Gap-Free Pipe Bends
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe insulation methods struggle to effectively wrap around complex piping systems with multiple bends and angles, leading to gaps and inefficiencies in thermal and acoustic insulation, which increases energy loss and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an uncured insulation substrate made of insulative materials like fiberglass and a binding element, which is wrapped around the pipe system and cured in place at ambient conditions, allowing it to conform to complex geometries without additional processing, using a jacket and securing elements like tape or zip ties for support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional cured insulation is used to wrap around pipe bends and angles, then the insulation maintains structural stability, but it cannot conform to complex geometries and creates gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning the insulation material from a cured rigid state to an uncured moldable state during installation. The uncured substrate can be wrapped around complex pipe geometries including bends and angles, then cured in place to achieve both conformability and structural stability. This state transformation resolves the contradiction between adaptability and stability.
2Loss of energy
If pipe insulation is custom-shaped to fit complex geometries, then thermal insulation efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-service by enabling the insulation substrate to be molded directly into complex shapes on-site through wrapping around the pipe geometry and curing in place. This eliminates the need for pre-manufacturing custom-shaped insulation components, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving optimal thermal insulation fit and minimizing energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The uncured substrate is prepared in advance in a simple, moldable form that can be easily wrapped around the pipe. The shaping action is performed preliminarily during installation by wrapping the substrate around the complex geometry before curing, rather than requiring complex pre-manufacturing processes.
3Reliability
If multiple securing elements are used to attach insulation to pipe system, then insulation stability improves, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the insulation substrate with the pipe system through direct adhesion using adhesive applied to the substrate surface. This integration eliminates the need for separate securing elements like clips, ties, or mechanical fasteners, thereby maintaining attachment stability while significantly reducing installation complexity and the number of components required.
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 provides a custom fit that reduces thermal leakage, increases contact area, and decreases void spaces, thereby saving energy costs and simplifying manufacturing by eliminating the need for additional curing steps.
Implementation Method 1
setting the uncured insulation substrate to cure the uncured insulation substrate to a cured insulation substrate
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A
Figure 3B
AI summary
A method of thermally insulating a piping system comprises providing uncured insulation substrate (120) to a pipe (110) and curing the uncured insulation substrate (120). Preferably, a jacket (130) is coupled to the uncured substrate (120) so as to cover and protect it when attached to the pipe (110). The jacket (130) and the uncured substrate (120) may be mounted to a pipe using cable ties, adhesive, wire ties or tape. A method of manufacturing involves depositing uncured binder onto a layer of glass fibre and then coupling to an jacket (130). The jacket (130) and insulation substrate (120) may further have a release liner, and be provided as strips or a roll. Advantageously, the insulation substrate (120) is malleable in the uncured state, so that it can be shaped to the bend or shape of the pipe (110), and may be curable with UV or at ambient temperature.