Compressible Fire Bulkhead Profiles for Tight Opening Seals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire barrier installation methods face a conflict between ease of manufacturing and achieving a high sealing effect, as geometric adaptation of fire protection elements to openings can be cumbersome and difficult to install.

Innovation Solution

A method using elastically deformable fire protection profiles made of composite materials filled with inorganic fiber materials and intumescent materials, which can be compressed and easily inserted into openings, then decompress to ensure tight sealing against boundary surfaces, allowing for reliable fire protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fire protection elements are geometrically adapted to openings by cutting them to size, then the sealing effect is improved, but the ease of installation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectVSAvoidease of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fire protection element is designed with elastic deformability, allowing it to dynamically adapt its shape. The element can be compressed for easy insertion into openings of various geometries, then automatically expands to fill the opening completely, achieving tight sealing without requiring precise geometric adaptation or cutting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If fire protection elements are made rigid for structural stability, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The material properties of the fire protection element are designed to change based on conditions. The element exhibits elastic deformability under normal conditions, allowing easy compression and insertion. Under fire conditions, the material undergoes thermal transformation, expanding and hardening to provide structural stability and fire resistance, thus achieving both ease of manufacture and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method enables easy installation of fire barriers while maintaining a reliable fire protection seal, accommodating various geometries and ensuring effective smoke and flame containment through elastic deformability and intumescent expansion.

Implementation Method 1

The fire protection material of the fire protection profile preferably comprises an intumescent material. Such a material expands in volume under the influence of heat.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntumescent expansion: Intumescent Materials

Implementation Method 2

expands in volume under the influence of heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

The fire protection profile is therefore elastically deformable. This means that the fire protection material, in particular, must also be elastically deformable.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformability: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4200551B1Method for manufacturing a fire bulkhead
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 HILTI AG
  • EP4200551B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4200551B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4200551B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a firewall (26) in an aperture (28) of a structure. At least one fire protection profile (10a to 10j) is used, which comprises a hose which is made of a composite material and is filled with a fire protection material. The fire protection profile (10a to 10j) is designed in such a way that, in the event of a fire, it can bake to an adjacent fire protection profile. To produce the firewall (26), it is first transferred into a state in which it is compressed at least in some sections, or it is provided in such a state. The fire protection profile (10a to 10j) is then introduced into the aperture (28) while maintaining the state in which it is compressed at least in some sections. The fire protection profile (10a to 10j) is then released, so that it is decompressed at least partly and at least in some sections.