Adjustable Firestop Tube Seal for Wall Penetrations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire protection devices for sealing penetrations in walls, such as cable ducts, are difficult to install, result in material waste, and do not provide an attractive finish, while being vulnerable to dust and humidity.

Innovation Solution

A fire protection device comprising an elongated tube with a moveable sealing portion and intumescent sealing material, which is easy to install and provides structural support to tubular objects, ensuring a tight seal against air and smoke, and features a threaded connection for precise positioning and easy handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If modelling compounds or cable discs are used for sealing penetrations, then the material is highly flexible and relatively easy to install, but the finish is not attractive and the material is vulnerable to dust and humidity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidvulnerability to dust and humidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fire protection device combines a metal tube with a sealing portion comprising sealing material, creating a composite structure that integrates the flexibility and ease of installation of traditional materials with the durability and aesthetic finish of metal components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing portion is designed as a flexible component that can be moved along the tube to achieve proper positioning, maintaining the adaptability of traditional sealing materials while being protected by the rigid metal tube structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Shape

If firestop sealants or foams are used for sealing penetrations, then a satisfactory finish can be achieved, but special tooling is required and the application requires a lot of time and results in significant material waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic finishVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing portion with sealing material is pre-formed and attached to the tube before installation, eliminating the need for on-site application tools and reducing installation time while maintaining aesthetic finish

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device is divided into separate components (tube and sealing portion) that can be independently manufactured and assembled, allowing for efficient production and quick installation without requiring special tooling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the sealing portion is fixed directly to the wall opening, then a tight seal can be achieved, but the device lacks ease of installation and adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetight sealVSAvoidease of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing portion is designed to be movable along the tube, allowing dynamic adjustment during installation to achieve proper positioning and a tight seal against the wall opening, while maintaining ease of installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the tubular object lacks additional support, then the installation is simpler, but the tubular object may bend and compromise the sealing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The tube serves multiple functions: it provides structural support to prevent bending of the tubular object, acts as a mounting surface for the sealing portion, and contributes to the overall fire protection function, thereby maintaining installation simplicity while ensuring structural stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device offers enhanced ease of installation, reduced material waste, improved aesthetic finish, and effective sealing against heat and smoke, with the intumescent material expanding to provide a reliable seal during high temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

the intumescent material expanding to provide a reliable seal during high temperatures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntumescent expansion: Intumescent Materials

Data Source

PatentEP3647644B1Fire protection device
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 HILTI AG
  • EP3647644B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3647644B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3647644B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A fire protection device (16) for sealing a penetration in a wall (10) is provided, comprising an elongated tube (18) being configured to be fixed on a tubular object (12) penetrating the wall (10) and a sealing portion (20) fixed to the tube (18), the sealing portion (20) comprising a central opening (28) in alignment with the tube (18) and a sealing material (30), wherein the sealing portion (20) is moveable with respect to the tube (18) along a defined section of the tube (18). Furthermore, a tubular object (12) comprising such a fire protection device (16) is provided.