Layered Firestop Sealing Element With Directed Intumescent Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire protection elements suffer from 'negative intumescence' due to random orientation of physically acting blowing agents, leading to inefficient sealing and increased material loss, especially in larger openings, which complicates installation and increases ecological and economic costs.
Innovation Solution
A fire protection element with a layered structure comprising a fire-resistant layer and a functional layer, where the blowing agent particles are aligned parallel to each other, and a semi-rigid material in the functional layer directs expansion towards the opening, reducing lateral displacement and enhancing sealing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a physically acting blowing agent is randomly distributed on surfaces or within the substrate material, then the blowing agent can be easily applied, but the expansion occurs uniformly in all three spatial directions causing lateral expulsion of material from the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The blowing agent particles are pre-oriented in a specific direction before the fire protection element is installed. This preliminary orientation ensures that when expansion occurs during a fire, the material expands primarily in the desired direction (towards the opening to be sealed) rather than uniformly in all directions, thereby preventing lateral expulsion and improving sealing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the blowing agent from random/isotropic to aligned/anisotropic. This parameter change fundamentally alters the expansion behavior of the intumescent material, directing it towards the opening rather than allowing lateral expulsion, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of application and orientation control
2Stability of the object's composition
If the blowing agent expands uniformly in all three spatial directions, then the expansion is isotropic, but a large portion of the expanded material is forced laterally out of the opening reducing sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the expansion behavior by aligning the blowing agent particles in a specific direction. This creates anisotropic expansion where the material expands more in the direction perpendicular to the particle alignment (towards the opening) rather than uniformly in all directions. This asymmetric expansion prevents lateral expulsion and improves sealing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the expansion parameter from isotropic (uniform in all directions) to anisotropic (directional). By controlling the orientation of the blowing agent particles, the expansion behavior is modified to favor directional growth towards the opening, thereby improving sealing performance while maintaining controlled expansion characteristics
3Reliability
If the expanded material is forced laterally out of the opening, then the opening may be sealed, but the extruded portion is unprotected and exposed to mechanical stresses and fire
Solution Approach 1:
By creating asymmetric, directional expansion through aligned blowing agent particles, the patent ensures that expansion occurs primarily towards the opening rather than laterally outward. This prevents the formation of unprotected extruded material that would be exposed to mechanical stresses and fire, while still achieving effective sealing of the opening
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-orienting the blowing agent particles to prevent the harmful effect of lateral expulsion before it occurs. The directional alignment of particles counteracts the tendency for material to be forced outward laterally, thereby preventing exposure to mechanical stresses and fire while maintaining sealing functionality
4Reliability
If the lateral expulsion of material reduces the compression rate of the pipe, then the pipe may remain sealed, but the closure time is increased preventing rapid response in case of fire
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the expansion parameter from isotropic to anisotropic by aligning blowing agent particles in a specific direction. This directional expansion increases the compression rate on the pipe by directing more expansion force towards the opening, thereby reducing closure time and enabling rapid response in case of fire while maintaining reliable pipe sealing
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 solution ensures effective sealing of openings by minimizing material loss and reducing the amount of blowing agent required, improving sealing performance while maintaining structural integrity and reducing thermal conductivity.
Implementation Method 1
These additives expand or intumescent at elevated temperatures, such as in the event of a fire, and, in combination with the carrier material and any other additives, form an insulating layer
Implementation Method 2
the functional layer (3) comprises at least one semi-rigid material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4a
AI summary
The invention relates to a fire proofing element comprising a layered body for sealing passages in construction elements, such as building components, through which lines are guided. The invention further relates a process for manufacturing the disclosed fire proofing element as well as to the use of the fire proofing element for sealing passages and/or joints in construction elements against fires and fumes.