Drain Seal Expansion Ring Actuator Retrofit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retrofit roofing drain seals are difficult to install, often require specialty tools, and fail to provide a reliable seal across varying drain stem and conductor diameters, leading to flow restrictions and installation errors.
Innovation Solution
A malleable seal assembly with an expansion ring and actuator mechanism that creates a fluid-tight seal without mechanical attachment to the drain stem, allowing for easy installation and removal, adjustable to fit different sizes, and minimizing flow obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal is permanently attached to the drain stem, then the seal remains secured during removal, but adjustment of the drain stem length becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is divided into separable components: the seal body remains on the drain stem while the seal element can be independently removed from the drain conductor. This segmentation allows the seal to maintain security during removal operations while still permitting drain stem length adjustments by simply detaching the seal element.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly transitions from a static permanent attachment to a dynamic removable configuration. The seal element can be inserted, activated, and removed as needed, providing adaptability for different drain stem lengths while maintaining reliability when installed through the activation mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If the seal is forced into the drain conductor without mechanical activation, then installation is simpler, but adequate gap closure and sealing reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly performs self-service through its activation mechanism. The seal element is inserted in a relaxed state and then self-activates through the actuator mechanism, which automatically expands the seal to close gaps and create a reliable seal without requiring external mechanical activation or complex installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal element undergoes parameter changes during activation, transitioning from a relaxed compressed state to an expanded sealed state. The actuator mechanism changes the physical parameters of the seal element (expansion, compression) to achieve adequate gap closure and reliable sealing while maintaining installation simplicity.
3Reliability
If the seal is mechanically activated with specialty tools, then reliable seal activation is achieved, but installation becomes difficult and requires specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly eliminates the need for specialty tools by incorporating a self-activating mechanism. The actuator is designed to be operated with standard tools or even by hand, and the seal element automatically activates through the mechanical advantage provided by the actuator mechanism, achieving reliable seal activation without specialized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical activation systems requiring specialty tools with a simplified actuator mechanism that uses basic mechanical principles. The actuator translates simple rotational or linear motion into reliable seal activation through mechanical advantage, eliminating the need for specialized activation tools while maintaining activation reliability.
4Device complexity
If the seal functions internally to the drain stem, then the seal structure is compact, but the cross sectional area of the stem and drain conductor is reduced, thereby reducing drain flow
Solution Approach 1:
The seal element is positioned in a radial dimension rather than occupying axial space within the drain stem. The seal expands radially outward to contact the drain conductor wall, creating an effective seal without reducing the cross-sectional area of the drain stem or obstructing fluid flow through the drain conductor.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal element uses a flexible, thin-walled structure that can expand radially to form an effective seal. This thin-film approach creates a reliable seal between the drain stem and conductor without requiring substantial material volume, thereby maintaining drain flow capacity while achieving compact seal 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 solution enables mistake-free, versatile, and efficient sealing with reduced installation errors, maintaining secure attachment to the drain stem during removal and ensuring unimpeded fluid flow, while accommodating various drain configurations and sizes.
Implementation Method 1
A malleable seal assembly with an expansion ring and actuator mechanism that creates a fluid-tight seal
Implementation Method 2
The sealing element is compressed between the conductor inner surface and the pipe outer surface, thereby creating a fluid tight seal
Implementation Method 3
expansion ring and actuator mechanism that creates a fluid-tight seal
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing assembly for fluidly sealing a roof drain within a conductor pipe has a sealing element and an expansion ring. The sealing element defines an inner wall with a portion that transitions inward and may be disposed on a portion of the roof drain. The expansion ring is disposed within the inner wall. Reciprocation of the of the expansion ring along the inward transitioning portion of the inner wall causes the sealing element to expand outwardly to a sealed position with the sealing element outer wall abutting the conductor pipe inner wall in a fluid tight seal. Opposite reciprocation of the ring allows the sealing element to contract and release from the conductor pipe.