Geopolymer Cable Coating for Local Fire Resistance Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fire-resistant cables can lose their protective layer integrity due to mechanical stress, friction, or damage, reducing their fire resistance capabilities, and existing solutions often rely on flammable materials that can ignite easily.

Innovation Solution

Applying a fibrous material impregnated with a geopolymer composition to the damaged areas of the cable to create a protective geopolymer coating that enhances fire resistance, either by forming a ring or patch around the cable, thereby restoring or improving the cable's fire-resistant properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protective layer is applied to provide fire resistance, then fire resistance capability is improved, but the protective layer can be damaged locally during transport and installation, reducing fire resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire resistance capabilityVSAvoidintegrity of protective layer

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a geopolymer-based protective coating to the cable surface before damage occurs, creating a pre-established fire-resistant barrier that can withstand subsequent mechanical stresses during transport and installation. This preliminary protective measure ensures fire resistance capability is maintained even when the cable undergoes handling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The geopolymer coating acts as a cushioning layer that absorbs and distributes mechanical stresses before they can reach the underlying cable structure. This beforehand cushioning effect protects against local damage during handling while maintaining the integrity of the fire-resistant protective layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If conventional protective coatings are used, then fire resistance is improved, but these coatings rely on flammable materials that can ignite easily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidflammability of protective material

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the chemical composition parameters of the protective coating by using geopolymer materials with inherent non-flammable properties. This parameter change transforms the protective layer from a flammable conventional coating to a fire-resistant geopolymer-based coating that cannot ignite, thereby eliminating the harmful flammability factor while maintaining fire resistance capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs composite geopolymer materials that combine fire-resistant inorganic components with binding agents to create a protective coating that is inherently non-flammable. This composite material approach replaces conventional organic-based protective coatings with a geopolymer composite that provides superior fire resistance without the risk of ignition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If the protective layer is damaged, then the cable can still be used, but fire resistance properties are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusability of damaged cableVSAvoidfire resistance performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the geopolymer protective coating specifically to local areas of the cable where fire resistance is needed, rather than requiring the entire cable to be re-coated. This local quality approach allows damaged sections to be selectively reinforced with fire-resistant material, maintaining overall cable usability while restoring fire resistance performance at critical locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 method effectively restores or enhances the fire-resistant properties of damaged cables, outperforming initial undamaged cables in flame propagation and fire resistance tests, ensuring improved performance even after damage.

Implementation Method 1

a fibrous material impregnated with a polymer composition is deposited on only a portion of the outer surface of said cable, thereby obtaining locally on said cable a protective geopolymer coating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeposition: Deposition (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4261852A1Material for local reinforcement or restoration of fire resistance of electrical cables

Publication Date: 2023.10.18 NEXANS SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for improving the fire resistance performance of a cable, comprising at least one step (e1) in which a fibrous material impregnated with a geopolymer composition is deposited on only a portion of the outer surface of said cable, thereby obtaining a fire-resistant composite coating on that portion of the surface. The invention also relates to kits for implementing the method, as well as the improved cables obtained as a result of the method.