Fastener Patch Sealing for Air and Water Barrier Breaches
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exterior building enclosures face challenges with air and water penetration through fasteners, as the perforations around fasteners breach the Air and Water Barrier (AWB), requiring cumbersome and error-prone installation of additional barrier elements like tape or liquid adhesive.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a cylindrical roll of discrete adhesive patches with a conformable air-tight and water-tight film layer and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, featuring a placement indicator for precise alignment and self-sealing capabilities, is used to seal over fastener heads, along with a dispenser system for convenient application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tape or liquid adhesive is used to seal fastener perimeters, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but installation complexity and error probability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into discrete circular patches, each individually applied to seal around a single fastener head. This segmentation allows for simple, independent application of each patch without requiring complex continuous sealing processes, thereby maintaining high sealing effectiveness while reducing installation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A release liner serves as an intermediary carrier that holds multiple circular patches in a rolled configuration. This intermediary allows the patches to be easily stored, transported, and applied one at a time, simplifying the installation process while ensuring consistent sealing performance
2Reliability
If tape or liquid adhesive is used to seal fasteners, then barrier protection is improved, but installation time and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circular patches are pre-formed with adhesive layers and release liners prepared in advance during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site application of liquid adhesives or cutting of tapes, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining reliable barrier protection
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses disposable single-use circular patches that are applied and discarded after one use. This approach eliminates the need for complex reusable sealing tools or materials, reducing both installation time and labor requirements while ensuring consistent barrier protection with each new patch
3Ease of operation
If discrete adhesive patches are used to seal fasteners, then ease of installation is improved, but coverage consistency may vary
Solution Approach 1:
Visual indicators (such as colored rings or markings) are incorporated on the circular patches to indicate proper positioning and coverage areas. These visual cues guide installers to align patches correctly over fastener heads, ensuring consistent coverage while maintaining the simplicity of discrete patch application
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layer thickness and viscosity are optimized to provide adequate bonding strength while allowing easy positioning during installation. The release liner friction characteristics are also tuned to allow smooth application without requiring excessive force, ensuring both ease of installation and consistent patch placement
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 seals fastener breaches, preventing air and water penetration while offering ease of installation and durability, reducing the risk of installation errors and degradation.
Implementation Method 1
a second fastener patch layer may be a pressure-sensitive and hydrophobic adhesive layer disposed between the film layer and the release liner
Implementation Method 2
a second fastener patch layer may be a pressure-sensitive and hydrophobic adhesive layer
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes systems and techniques for sealing over fasteners coupled to exterior building enclosures, including discrete adhesive patches, as well as various dispenser systems thereof. In some examples, a system includes a system for sealing over fastener heads coupled to one or more building enclosure layers, the system comprising an elongated release liner wrapped into a cylindrical roll. In some examples, the system includes a plurality of circular fastener patches distributed longitudinally along the release liner, each fastener patch comprising. According to some embodiments, the plurality of circular fastener patches includes a conformable air-tight and water-tight film layer. The plurality of circular fastener patches may include a pressure-sensitive and hydrophobic adhesive layer disposed between the film layer and the release liner.