Foam Envelope With Semipermeable Membrane for Gap Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for sealing large volumes or gaps in buildings are inefficient in terms of installation time and raw material waste, particularly when dealing with small cavities such as those between a window and a wall.
Innovation Solution
A tube-like envelope with a semipermeable inner layer and nonwoven outer layer, equipped with inlet ports and optional flow restrictors, is used to contain and direct the expansion of a foamable composition, allowing it to fill gaps effectively and reduce waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional foam sealing systems are used to fill large volumes or gaps, then the sealing and insulating properties are enhanced, but the installation time increases and raw material waste occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The envelope is divided into multiple compartments that separately store foam components (polyol and polyisocyanate), allowing them to be kept separate until installation. This segmentation enables precise control over foam generation timing and location, reducing installation time while maintaining effective sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The envelope is pre-configured with compartments, flow restrictors, and mixing channels before installation. The foam components are pre-segregated and ready for immediate mixing upon activation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site mixing equipment and reduces installation time while ensuring consistent sealing performance.
2Reliability
If traditional foam sealing systems are used to fill large volumes or gaps, then the sealing and insulating properties are enhanced, but foam raw material waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating foam components into different compartments within the envelope, the system enables precise control over the foam generation process. The flow restrictors and mixing channels are designed to deliver exact amounts of foam needed for the cavity, preventing over-application and material waste while ensuring complete sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls foam expansion parameters through regulated mixing of polyol and polyisocyanate components. Flow restrictors control the rate of foam generation, and the enclosed environment prevents premature expansion. This parameter control ensures optimal foam quantity and distribution, minimizing raw material waste while maintaining effective sealing.
3Reliability
If foamable composition is delivered in bulk by external device, then the sealing can be achieved, but the system complexity increases and installation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The envelope integrates multiple functions into a single component: it stores foam components, provides mixing mechanisms, controls flow rates, and defines the application geometry. This merging eliminates the need for separate external delivery devices, mixing equipment, and application tools, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The envelope serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a container for foam components, a mixing chamber, a flow control device, and a positioning tool for cavity insertion. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall system while ensuring reliable sealing performance.
4Productivity
If multiple compartments are provided to separate foam components, then the foam can be generated on demand, but the envelope structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The envelope is divided into multiple compartments to separate foam components, enabling on-demand foam generation. However, the compartments are integrated into a single envelope structure with shared walls and unified flow channels, minimizing the increase in overall structural complexity while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam components are nested within the envelope structure, with compartments arranged to maximize space utilization. The mixing channels and flow restrictors are integrated into the envelope walls, creating a compact design that achieves on-demand foam generation without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
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 system reduces installation time and foam material waste while providing an airtight and water-impermeable seal in gaps between building interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
the inner layer being a semipermeable membrane that is permeable to vapors but impermeable to liquids
Implementation Method 2
a foamable composition, or to a foamable system that is contained within an enclosed envelope such as a tube that can be placed within the volume to be sealed
Data Source
AI summary
An article comprises a tube having peripheral areas, including an upper section, a lower section, an inner section, and an outer section, the tube further comprising a tube wall having an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer being a semipermeable membrane that is permeable to vapors but impermeable to liquids and the outer layer being a nonwoven fabric, and the tube further comprising at least one inlet port integrated into the tube wall to permit the flow of an activated or activatable foamable composition into the tube interior, wherein the tube further has a plurality of holes that penetrate through the inner and outer layers of the tube to allow expanding foam to both fill the interior of the tube and exit the tube and fill a space exterior to the tube.