Ventilation Fire Damper Dual-Seal Structure for Tight Fire Blocking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire dampers in ventilation ducts face issues with maintaining a tight fire blockage and protecting wall surfaces from chipping, leading to potential leakage and inadequate fire containment.

Innovation Solution

A fire damper design featuring a frame with a cylindrical inner section and flange-shaped outer section, utilizing two fire insulating seals made of elastic, heat-resistant material to prevent fire spread and protect wall surfaces, along with a trigger mechanism for automatic closure in case of fire.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single fire insulating seal is used between the frame and wall structure, then the structure is simple, but fire containment reliability is insufficient and wall surfaces are prone to chipping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire containment reliabilityVSAvoidseal structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fire insulating seal is divided into two distinct seals: a first seal (50) between the counter cone and frame, and a second seal (51) between the frame and wall structure. This segmentation allows each seal to perform its specific function independently, improving overall fire containment reliability while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second fire insulating seal (51) is positioned beforehand between the frame and wall structure to prevent direct contact and rubbing between the frame and wall surface. This prior cushioning protects the wall surface from chipping and maintains a tight fire blockage throughout the operational life of the damper

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of manufacture

If the frame directly contacts the wall structure, then installation is simple, but wall surfaces chip and fire blockage becomes leaky

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidwall surface damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The second fire insulating seal (51) acts as an intermediary element between the frame and the wall structure. This intermediary prevents direct mechanical contact that causes chipping, while still maintaining a tight seal for fire containment. The seal absorbs the harmful rubbing action while preserving both the wall surface and fire blockage integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If rigid sealing materials are used, then fire blockage is tight, but installation and maintenance become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire blockage tightnessVSAvoidinstallation and maintenance ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fire insulating seals are made of flexible, elastic material that can deform during installation to fit various wall structures and conditions. This flexibility greatly simplifies installation and maintenance operations, while the material's properties ensure it maintains a tight fire blockage when properly installed. The flexible nature allows the seal to conform to surface irregularities and maintain sealing pressure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 design ensures effective fire containment, is inexpensive and easy to manufacture and maintain, and protects wall surfaces from damage, providing a reliable and cost-effective solution for all wall structures.

Implementation Method 1

The fire damper utilises two fire insulating seals. The first fire insulating seal is located between the outer section of the counter cone of the valve and the outer section of the frame. The second fire insulating seal is located between the outer section of the frame and the outer surface surrounding the hole in the wall structure and the end of the ventilation duct.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

The use of elastic, heat-resistant fire insulating seals to seal leakages is a simple and cost-effective way to prevent fire from spreading via the fire damper to other spaces.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat resistance: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2398563B1Ventilation-duct fire damper and method
Publication Date: 2014.10.29 HALTON OY
  • EP2398563B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2398563B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The fire damper comprises a frame (10) which includes a cylindrical inner section (10a) and a flange-shaped outer section (10b) which has an inner surface and an outer surface. The fire damper further comprises a valve (20), which includes a closing cone (21) and a counter cone (22) as well as a flow duct (26) between them, and a trigger mechanism (60) with which the flow duct (26) is closed in the event of fire. The fire damper additionally comprises a first fire insulating seal (50) which is fastened within an outer section (22b) of the counter cone (22) and a second fire insulating seal (51) which is fastened on the inner surface of the outer section (10b) of the frame (10).