Insulation Sleeve With Segmented Intumescent Strip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulating collars for pipes and ducts are costly to produce and difficult to apply while providing effective fire protection, as they require integrating intumescent materials throughout the insulating sleeve.
Innovation Solution
A separate intumescent strip is used, connected to the insulating strip at one or both ends, allowing for cost-effective production and easy application, with options for attachment on the inside or outside and protection from moisture using a tear-resistant cover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If intumescent material is integrated into the insulating sleeve over the entire surface, then fire protection is improved, but production cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating sleeve is segmented into two functional parts: a base insulating strip and a separate intumescent strip. The intumescent strip is connected to the insulating strip at discrete connection points rather than being integrated over the entire surface. This segmentation maintains fire protection functionality while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost, as the separate strip can be attached using simple methods such as adhesive bonding, stitching, or clipping at minimal connection points.
2Reliability
If intumescent material is integrated into the insulating sleeve, then fire protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intumescent material is extracted from the integrated structure and provided as a separate strip that can be independently manufactured and then attached to the insulating strip. This extraction eliminates the need for complex integration processes such as co-molding or multi-layer lamination, while still achieving the desired fire protection effect when the sleeve is installed on the pipe or duct.
3Reliability
If the separate strip is connected at multiple points, then the strip is prevented from being torn off or displaced, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of connecting the separate intumescent strip at every possible point along its length, the invention applies partial action by securing the strip at only a few strategic connection points (e.g., at the ends or at regular intervals). This partial connection is sufficient to prevent the strip from detaching during normal installation and service conditions, while avoiding the excessive cost and complexity of full-surface attachment. The connection points are positioned to provide adequate stability without requiring excessive fastening effort.
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 enables the production of a cost-effective insulating collar with improved fire protection, minimizing the use of expensive intumescent material and ensuring seamless application without overlapping, while eliminating the need for a sheet metal jacket.
Implementation Method 1
a layer of material that swells up when exposed to heat can be provided in a middle layer for improved fire protection
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The sleeve has insulating strips (20) made of impact sound-insulating and heat-insulating laminar material. The strips are wound around a pipe or the channel, and are locked with locking units (22, 24), where the sleeve has a material that inflates during impact of heat. The material is formed as a separate strip (26) that is attached with the insulating strips at only one side, where the separate strip is shorter than the insulating strips. The separate strip is surrounded by a protective cover made of foil.