Flexible Plate Seal for Pipe Penetrations in Building Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions fail to effectively seal pipe penetrations in building components, allowing water to penetrate and accumulate, leading to damage and mold growth, as existing seals are inadequate and do not allow for efficient drainage of water that has entered the building structure.
Innovation Solution
A thin, flexible metal or plastic plate with a narrow edging is drilled to match the pipe's cross-section and cladding element, sealed with an adhesive or welded, ensuring it moves with the pipe and remains connected, allowing water to drain through a vapor-permeable joint to the outside without damaging the building structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flat seal is applied at the component surface to prevent water penetration, then water protection is improved, but the seal becomes broken at pipe penetration points allowing water to accumulate and damage the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into multiple functional segments: a flat seal for general water protection, and a specialized penetration seal with drainage capability at the pipe penetration point. This segmentation allows each part to address specific water management needs without compromising the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
A penetration seal element acts as an intermediary between the flat seal and the pipe penetration point. It bridges the gap created by the pipe opening while maintaining the sealing function and providing a drainage path, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of sealing and drainage.
2Strength
If the component surface is sealed to prevent water ingress, then structural protection is improved, but water that penetrates through pipe openings cannot drain and causes damage
Solution Approach 1:
The penetration seal converts the harmful effect of water penetration into a beneficial drainage function. Instead of completely blocking water (which would cause accumulation), the seal is designed to actively channel water away through a drainage opening, transforming the potential harm into a protective drainage mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system applies different properties at different locations: the flat seal provides water blocking at the component surface, while the penetration seal at the pipe penetration point provides both sealing and drainage functionality. This local differentiation of sealing properties addresses the specific water management needs at each location.
3Reliability
If a rigid seal is used to block water at pipe penetrations, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the seal cannot accommodate pipe movement and fails over time
Solution Approach 1:
The penetration seal incorporates dynamic characteristics by allowing relative movement between the seal and the pipe. The seal is designed to flex and adapt to pipe movements while maintaining the sealing function, transitioning from a static rigid connection to a dynamic adaptive system that preserves both sealing and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The penetration seal utilizes a flexible membrane structure that can deform and adapt to pipe movements. This thin, flexible element maintains the sealing function while accommodating dimensional changes and movements of the pipe, preventing seal failure over time.
4Reliability
If the penetration seal is made diffusion-tight to block water, then water blocking is improved, but water cannot drain from the component substance and damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The penetration seal applies different permeability properties at different locations: the main body of the seal is diffusion-tight to block water penetration, while a specific drainage opening provides a controlled path for water to escape. This local differentiation of permeability properties simultaneously achieves water blocking and drainage functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The penetration seal is segmented into a water-blocking portion and a drainage portion. The diffusion-tight material blocks water from penetrating the component substance, while the separate drainage opening provides a dedicated pathway for water to drain away, dividing the water management functions into distinct structural elements.
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 provides a secure, flexible seal that prevents water from penetrating deeper into the building structure while allowing accumulated water to drain efficiently, maintaining the structural integrity and visual appeal of the surface.
Implementation Method 1
sealed with an adhesive or welded
Implementation Method 2
allowing water to drain through a vapor-permeable joint to the outside
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
1. Title The invention seals pipe penetrations of water installations through the surfaces of room-forming building components against water ingress from the room, concealed behind their cladding. Simultaneously, any water that inevitably penetrates is drained to the outside without damage or deposits. 2. Abstract 2.1 Technical Problem of the Invention Pipes of a domestic or drinking water installation can advantageously be installed in room-forming building components such as walls, ceilings, and floors of utility or living spaces. It is unavoidable that, due to the high water exposure expected, particularly in wet rooms, small amounts of water penetrate through the penetration of the pipe installation through the building component cladding, damaging the various externally accessible fittings of the installation, even reaching and penetrating the building component structure. 2.2. Solution to the Problem: The surface seal (3), disrupted by the opening (7), and the resulting open structure of the cladding (4) are sealed at specific points by a rigid or malleable plate (9) placed in front of the surface seal (3) with a tight connection (15) to the pipe (8) without subjecting it to any different stress. Overstressing from continuous loads is thus avoided. Any water inevitably penetrating from the room cannot flow deeper through the opening (7) or along the pipe (8), is permanently retained, and is prevented by edge flanges (10, 11) from further penetrating the cladding (4) and the component (1) laterally. Instead, it is drained to the outside at the lower edge flange (10) via an open joint or a permeable joint seal (12), where it can drain away without dissolving any substances from the hydraulically bound layers.The penetration (16) of the pipe (8) no longer needs to be additionally sealed at the cladding (4), but can simply be closed with a permanently elastic sealant or a rosette (19) for a visually appealing result. The loose resting of the element (5) on the plate (9) or its support, e.g., by permanently elastic joint seals (18), allows for inspection of the area. 2.2 Scope of Application With the inventive construction consisting of an angled plate (9) with tight connections (15) to the pipe (8), and with the drainage of small amounts of water from the room that inevitably reaches the plate (9) but does not penetrate further, all penetrations of installation pipes through cladding (4) of room-forming components (1) can be reliably and controllably sealed against damaging water penetration, even in highly stressed wet rooms, within the scope of the overlapping tasks of the plumbing and tiling sectors.Drain any water that has inevitably entered via a short route.