Expansion Joint Sealing System with Electromagnetic Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expansion joint sealing systems in buildings lack comprehensive fire and water resistance, often compromising one property for the other, and fail to effectively shield against electromagnetic pulses, electromagnetic interference, and electronic surveillance, particularly in dynamic and movement-prone structures.
Innovation Solution
A fire and water-resistant expansion joint sealing system comprising a foam or core body infused with a fire retardant and shielding material, designed to accommodate movement while providing both fire and water resistance, and incorporating a layer for electromagnetic shielding, which can be installed in a pre-compressed state to ensure a resilient seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If expansion joint sealing systems use traditional materials to accommodate movement, then flexibility and movement accommodation are improved, but fire resistance and water resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of a resilient core body (foam or elastomeric material) combined with fire-retardant coatings or infusions. This composite structure allows the sealing system to maintain flexibility for movement accommodation while the fire-retardant components provide the necessary fire resistance, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
2Reliability
If expansion joint sealing systems prioritize water resistance, then water tightness is improved, but fire resistance and movement accommodation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure where a resilient core body provides movement accommodation capability, while integrated fire-retardant and water-resistant coatings or infusions provide the necessary protection. This allows the system to achieve water resistance without sacrificing movement accommodation, as the resilient core maintains its flexibility while the protective layers provide water tightness.
3Reliability
If expansion joint sealing systems add fire retardant materials, then fire resistance is improved, but electromagnetic shielding capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple protective functions into a single integrated sealing system. The fire-retardant materials and electromagnetic shielding materials are combined in the same structure, with the shielding layer positioned within or adjacent to the fire-retardant coating. This merging allows the system to provide both fire resistance and electromagnetic pulse shielding simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between these two protective requirements.
4Reliability
If expansion joint sealing systems use monolithic blocks for fire resistance, then fire containment is improved, but movement accommodation and water resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fire-resistant sealing system into a resilient core body and separate fire-retardant coatings or infusions. This segmentation allows the core body to remain flexible and accommodate movement, while the fire-retardant layers provide fire containment. The segmented structure resolves the contradiction between fire containment and movement accommodation by assigning different functions to different components.
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 system effectively maintains fire and water resistance while accommodating thermal and seismic movements, and provides shielding against electromagnetic interference and surveillance, meeting stringent standards like UL 2079 and TEMPEST, with a simplified installation process that avoids invasive anchoring.
Implementation Method 1
a fire retardant material is introduced in or infused into the body
Implementation Method 2
properties to shield against penetration of naturally occurring and/or man-made electromagnetic pulses (EMPs), electromagnetic interference (EMI), radio frequency interference (RFI)
Data Source
AI summary
An expansion joint sealing system includes a core body having an EMP, EMI, RFI, electronic surveillance and/or EMR shielding/barrier material introduced in the core body as at least one of a component or layer, disposed on the core body as a coating or wrapping, or disposed beneath the core body. The core body with the shielding/barrier material is configured to expand and contract when compressed between substrates forming an expansion joint to accommodate movement of the substrates and maintain a seal of the expansion joint.