Insulated ventilation duct having a rectangular cross-section

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilation ducts face challenges with tightness, strength, high insulating power, resistance to atmospheric conditions, and the ability to withstand high pressure, especially when used outdoors, due to limitations in design, materials, and insulating structures.

Innovation Solution

A pre-insulated ventilation duct with a longitudinal rectangular cross-section, comprising two parallel duct jackets with a polyurethane foam insulating partition, providing a dedicated insulating barrier and using galvanized steel for durability, along with a flange joint system for easy assembly and sealing, which eliminates internal stiffeners for reduced air drag and enhanced maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a fibre material is used for ventilation ducts, then flexibility and low weight are achieved, but tightness, strength, and pressure resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of ductVSAvoidpressure resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining fibre material with metal stiffening rings and plastic end pieces. The fibre material provides flexibility and low weight, while the metal rings provide structural strength and pressure resistance. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If internal stiffeners are used to increase pressure resistance, then strength improves, but air drag increases and maintenance complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure resistanceVSAvoidair drag
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the stiffening function from internal components and relocates it to external metal rings. This eliminates internal stiffeners that would create air drag and maintenance issues, while still providing the necessary structural support through the external ring structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Volume of moving object

If the duct cross-section is increased to meet ventilation requirements, then ventilation capacity improves, but the duct can no longer be self-supporting and requires more fixings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduct cross-sectionVSAvoidnumber of fixings and stiffeners
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite construction with metal end pieces and metal stiffening rings integrated into the fibre material. This composite structure provides the necessary strength and rigidity for larger cross-sections, enabling the duct to support itself and reducing the number of additional fixings required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Temperature

If the insulating layer thickness is increased to improve thermal insulation, then insulating power improves, but the duct cannot withstand high pressure and the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulating powerVSAvoidpressure resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining fibre material with metal stiffening rings and plastic end pieces. The fibre material provides flexibility and low weight, while the metal rings provide structural strength and pressure resistance. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

5Strength

If a hexagonal cross-section with intermediate elements is used, then pressure resistance improves, but the construction complexity increases and large cross-sections are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure resistanceVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the duct structure into fibre material sections connected by metal end pieces, with metal stiffening rings positioned at regular intervals. This segmentation provides structural support for pressure resistance while maintaining a simple rectangular cross-section that is easier to construct and install than complex hexagonal designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 achieves superior thermal insulation, high pressure resistance, and ease of maintenance while ensuring air tightness and corrosion resistance, allowing the ducts to be used outdoors with reduced weight and noise emission, and meets stringent air tightness and pressure standards.

Implementation Method 1

a space filled with polyurethane foam, having a rectangular cross-section is created between the outer jacket and the inner jacket, thus forming an insulating partition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4235049A1Insulated ventilation duct having a rectangular cross-section
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 KAZIMIERSKI WOJCIECH
  • EP4235049A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4235049A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4235049A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Subject matter of invention is construction of a pre-insulting ventilation built on basic structure of layer of polyurethane foam located parallel to each other in the form of jackets - casings which constitute an outer channel and an inner channel i.e. an outer casing known as jacket of the duct having a rectangular cross-section - the outer channel, and an inner casing known also as jacket, running concentrically in the outer jacket - constituting the inner channel. A space filled with polyurethane foam, having a rectangular cross-section is created between the outer jacket and the inner jacket, thus forming an insulating partition - insulating separation, barrier in the meaning as compartment, section or area that divides the layers of the duct. The space created by the inner jacket remains empty, thus forming the inner channel, which constitutes the lumen of the ventilation duct. Thus, the interior formed inside and within the boundaries of the inner jacket is not filled with any insulating material.