Fire Protective Cladding with Endothermic Tape Cooling Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire protection methods for objects, especially those with metal-based outer claddings, fail to maintain integrity during hydrocarbon or jet fires due to erosion and expansion limitations, which can lead to premature failure of the protective barrier.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing an endothermic material in the form of a tape wound around the object, which undergoes phase-changing reactions to absorb heat and release water, maintaining the outer cladding's dimensions and providing a stable thermal barrier, thereby prolonging the time to failure without the need for expansion space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If intumescent paint is used for fire protection, then thermal barrier protection is improved, but the system requires expansion space which increases device complexity and may not be available in condensed installations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition materials that undergo endothermic decomposition reactions when exposed to fire, absorbing heat and releasing water vapor. This phase change mechanism provides thermal barrier protection without requiring the material to expand, thereby resolving the contradiction between fire protection reliability and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the protective mechanism from physical expansion (intumescent) to chemical phase transition (endothermic decomposition). This parameter change allows the fire protection system to function effectively in condensed installations where expansion space is limited, while maintaining thermal barrier performance.
2Strength
If metal-based outer cladding is used, then mechanical protection is improved, but erosion and melting at high temperatures reduce the duration of fire protection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite fire protection system consisting of multiple layers: the metal-based outer cladding provides mechanical protection, while the endothermic material layer provides thermal barrier protection. This composite structure allows each material to perform its optimal function, with the metal protecting against mechanical damage and the endothermic material protecting against thermal degradation, thereby extending the overall fire protection duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The endothermic material acts as a cushioning layer between the fire and the metal cladding. When exposed to fire, this layer undergoes endothermic reactions that absorb heat and cool the metal cladding from the inside, preventing premature erosion and melting, thus extending the service life of the protective system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If endothermic material is applied to already installed objects, then adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision of the protective layer may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the endothermic material in the form of a tape wrapped around the object, rather than as a continuous coating. This segmented application method allows for easier installation on existing objects while maintaining sufficient protection uniformity, as the tape can be wrapped tightly and overlapped to ensure consistent coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The tape form factor acts as an intermediary between the endothermic material and the object surface. This intermediary format facilitates easier application to irregularly shaped or already installed objects while maintaining the functional performance of the endothermic material, balancing adaptability with adequate protection uniformity.
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
This solution effectively delays the breach of the outer cladding by cooling it from underneath and maintaining its structural integrity during high-temperature exposures, ensuring prolonged protection against hydrocarbon and jet fires without altering the object's dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
A method utilizing an endothermic material in the form of a tape wound around the object, which undergoes phase-changing reactions to absorb heat and release water
Implementation Method 2
which undergoes phase-changing reactions to absorb heat
Implementation Method 3
maintaining the outer cladding's dimensions and providing a stable thermal barrier, thereby prolonging the time to failure without the need for expansion space
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of protecting an object (1) against fire. An endothermic material (2) is arranged around the object (1), and then an outer metal-containing cladding (5) is arranged so that it covers at least a part of the endothermic material (2). The endothermic material (2) is provided as a tape (3) which is applied by helically winding the tape (3) in an overlapping manner resulting in a stepped outer surface (6) facing towards the outer cladding (5). The outer cladding (5) comprises metal, in particular is made of metal. The stepped outer surface (6) results in air cavities (7) being formed underneath the outer cladding (5). When the object (1) is exposed to a fire, such small air cavities (7) will allow for a slight swelling of the endothermic material (2) that will, as a consequence of the fire, react and release water directly to the outer cladding (5) from underneath and thereby provide cooling thereof.