Water Drainage Wrap Using Rotating Sleeve Apertures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drainage-promoting wraps for building structures face limitations in versatility and compatibility with various substrates, and struggle to maintain effective water drainage regardless of installation orientation.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that use a rotating sleeve with apertures to apply a fluid resin composition onto a substrate, forming spaced-apart spacer elements that promote water drainage, allowing for intricate designs and compatibility with a broader range of substrates, including breathable and non-breathable materials, and enabling longer roll lengths with smaller diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If filament extrusion is used to form spacer elements, then spacer elements can be formed on substrate, but the substrate material is limited to those compatible with the filament material for adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid resin composition is introduced as an intermediary material that is applied to the substrate and then cured to form spacer elements. This resin acts as a mediator that can bond to various substrate materials (breathable or non-breathable) and provide adhesion, thereby expanding substrate compatibility while simplifying the manufacturing process compared to direct filament extrusion adhesion requirements
2Length of moving object
If traditional wrap rolling is used, then wraps can be stored and transported, but roll buildup occurs limiting roll length and increasing diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The wrap surface is segmented with spaced-apart spacer elements arranged in specific patterns that create separation zones. This segmentation allows the wrap to be rolled more efficiently by preventing uniform compression and buildup, enabling longer roll lengths while maintaining smaller diameters through strategic placement of drainage-promoting features
3Reliability
If simple spacer patterns are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but water drainage effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the wrap surface are provided with differently configured spacer elements through the apertured sleeve, which can create various patterns (e.g., linear, cross-hatch, radial) in different zones. This local differentiation optimizes water drainage for specific installation orientations and flow directions, enhancing overall drainage reliability while the modular aperture design keeps manufacturing manageable
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 efficient water drainage promotion across various orientations and substrates, reducing roll buildup and enhancing the durability and flexibility of the wraps, while allowing for specialized resin formulations to aid in water flow.
Implementation Method 1
A fluid resin composition is fed into the sleeve and is fed out through the apertures in the sleeve as the sleeve rotates and the substrate moves through the nip, forming a plurality of spaced-apart spacer elements on a face of the substrate
Implementation Method 2
The spacer elements are then dried or cured
Implementation Method 3
The spacer elements are then dried or cured
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for making a water drainage-promoting wrap for applications such as housewrap and roofing underlayment. A substrate, which may be breathable or non-breathable, is conveyed through a nip between a rotating sleeve and a roll, the sleeve having a plurality of apertures therein. A fluid resin composition is fed into the sleeve and is fed out through the apertures in the sleeve as it rotates and as the substrate moves through the nip, forming spaced-apart spacer elements on a face of the substrate. The spacer elements are then dried or cured.