Intumescent Pipe Penetration Seal for Adaptable Fire Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe penetration seals lack integrated fire protection and are not adaptable to various mounting dimensions, requiring separate intumescent units and multiple seal types for different installations.
Innovation Solution
A seal formed of two elastic halves with a central opening, featuring intumescent material layers and screw-connected fittings that compress axially to expand radially, fitting snugly into sleeves while allowing for easy adaptation to different diameters and providing fire protection by expanding to block gas or fluid passage during a fire.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate intumescent units are used for fire protection, then fire protection function is achieved, but device complexity increases and installation adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fire protection function (intumescent material) directly into the seal structure itself. The intumescent material is integrated as a layer within the seal half, eliminating the need for separate fire protection units. This merging of functions reduces device complexity while maintaining fire protection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: sealing against fluid/dust/rodents and providing fire protection through the integrated intumescent material. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate units, improving adaptability while maintaining fire protection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple seal types are used for different mounting dimensions, then adaptability to various installations is achieved, but device complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seal incorporates an expandable structure that can dynamically adjust to different mounting dimensions. The seal can be compressed axially during installation and then expands radially to fit snugly into sleeves of various diameters. This dynamic adaptability allows a single seal type to replace multiple fixed-size seal variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal's physical parameters (shape, volume, density) can change in response to compression and expansion. By applying axial compression during installation, the seal's radial dimensions adjust to match the specific sleeve diameter, enabling universal adaptability across different mounting dimensions without requiring multiple seal types.
3Reliability
If seal is compressed axially to expand radially for snug fit, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but installation force requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seal structure incorporates localized features such as ribs, flanges, or structural reinforcements in specific areas to distribute and optimize the compression forces. This local quality enhancement allows the seal to achieve effective radial expansion and snug fit while reducing the overall installation force required, as the force is efficiently distributed through strategically placed 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 integrates fire protection directly into the seal, reducing the need for separate units and allowing a single seal to fit various dimensions, effectively preventing fire spread by expanding to seal the pipe or tube during a fire.
Implementation Method 1
A fire protection barrier (50) integrated in the seal (1) formed of an elastic material, comprising a housing (10; 20; 30; 40) and a layer of heat-expanding material (5) arranged between the two seal halves (1; 2)
Implementation Method 2
The seal is made of an elastic material and has fittings at both ends. The fittings are connected by means of screws going through the seal. By means of the screws and fittings the seal may be compressed in axial direction, at such an axial compression the seal will expand in radial direction.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention concerns a seal for, pipe penetration or the like formed of two halves. The seal is to be received in a sleeve or opening of a wall or the like and forms a central opening for a pipe or tube when the seal halves are brought together. Each seal half is formed of two base parts (Ia, Ib). Between the base parts (Ia, Ib) a layer of intumescent material (5) is placed. On the inside of the base parts (Ia, Ib) peelable layers (6) are arranged. The layers are peeled off to adapt the inner diameter of the seal to the pipe or tube received. In case of fire the intumescent material (5) will expand, which expansion will collapse and close off the pipe or tube received in the seal.