Fire-Rated Ventilation Duct with Integrated Insulation and Casing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire-rated ventilation duct systems face challenges such as increased installation costs, potential for improper installation leading to reduced fire protection, and limitations in fire rating due to physical damage susceptibility and complex installation requirements.
Innovation Solution
A fire-rated ventilation duct system comprising a metallic inner liner and an outer casing with a built-in insulation layer, featuring spacer sections that define a cavity for the insulation, allowing for a sealed and thermally insulated duct section with enhanced structural integrity and ease of installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shaft type construction with multiple layers of gypsum board is used to enclose the duct, then fire resistance rating is improved, but installation complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the duct, insulation, and fire-resistant cladding into a single integrated assembly. The cladding is directly attached to the duct exterior with the insulation layer positioned between them, eliminating the need for separate shaft-type construction with multiple gypsum board layers and metal framing members.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct system is divided into modular sections, each with pre-attached cladding and insulation. This segmentation allows for simplified installation through modular assembly rather than constructing complex enclosed shafts on-site.
2Reliability
If wrap type fire-rated duct systems with ceramic insulation and foil scrim outer layer are used, then fire resistance rating is improved, but susceptibility to physical damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite cladding system consisting of an outer metal casing (more resistant to physical damage) combined with fire-resistant insulation material. This composite structure provides both fire resistance and physical durability, overcoming the limitations of foil scrim alone.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If outer sheet metal casing is added to protect foil scrim layer, then physical damage resistance is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective metal casing is integrated directly into the duct assembly design rather than being added as a separate protective layer. The cladding is positioned to extend beyond the insulation edges and is directly attached to the duct, merging protection and structure into a single system.
4Reliability
If multiple layers of insulation wrap with overlaps and seals are used, then fire resistance rating is improved, but installation time and labor cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The duct system is divided into modular sections with pre-attached insulation and cladding. Each module is manufactured as a complete unit, eliminating the need for on-site wrapping, overlapping, and sealing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation and cladding are pre-installed on the duct sections during manufacturing before delivery to the construction site. This preliminary action eliminates time-consuming on-site installation steps involving multiple wraps, overlaps, and sealing operations.
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 proposed system achieves improved fire resistance, reduced installation complexity, and cost-effectiveness by providing a sealed and thermally insulated duct section with enhanced structural integrity, while minimizing the risk of improper installation and physical damage.
Implementation Method 1
an insulation layer configured to provide a thermal insulation layer between the inner liner and the outer casing
Data Source
AI summary
A fire-rated ventilation duct system and improvements therein. According to an embodiment, the fire-rated ventilation duct section comprises, an inner liner configured as conduit for air movement, the inner liner comprising a metallic material and having a first end and a second end, and the first end including a first connection section, and the second end including a second connection section; an outer casing configured for encasing the inner liner, the outer casing comprising a metallic material having a fire-rating, the outer casing having a first end and a second end, and the first end including a first duct connection section configured for joining one end of a second fire-rated ventilation duct, and the second end including a second duct connection section configured for joining one end of a third fire-rated ventilation duct; an insulation layer configured to provide a thermal insulation layer between the inner liner and the outer casing, and the first connection section of the inner liner further comprising a first liner spacer and the second connection section of the inner liner further comprising a second liner spacer, the first and the second liner spacers being configured to define a cavity for receiving and positioning said insulation layer between an outer surface of the inner liner and an inner surface of the outer casing; the first duct connection section of the outer casing being configured to attach to at least a portion of the first connection section of the inner liner, and the second duct connection section of the outer casing being configured to attach to at least a portion of the second connection section of the inner liner to form a sealed duct section.