Modular Tubular Exhaust System for Stack Length Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current exhaust systems for commercial and industrial purposes are inefficient due to variations in stack length requirements, leading to increased costs in material fabrication, shipping, and installation, and are prone to performance degradation from exposure to elements.

Innovation Solution

A modular tubular exhaust system comprising interconnected tubular bodies with mating ends and fasteners, allowing for adjustable vertical configurations and easy assembly, which reduces transportation and installation costs while preventing elemental exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If long sections of piping are constructed to satisfy varying stack length requirements, then environmental regulations and safety standards are met, but material costs, shipping costs, and installation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestack length variationVSAvoidfabrication cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust stack is divided into multiple modular tubular sections that can be connected in series. Each section has standardized dimensions with mating ends featuring tabs and fasteners, allowing flexible assembly to achieve various total lengths while using standardized components, thereby reducing fabrication costs compared to custom-building each unique length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular sections are designed with universal mating interfaces (tabs and fasteners) that allow the same component design to be used across all stack lengths. This universal design enables standardized manufacturing processes and inventory management, reducing overall system cost despite varying installation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If long sections of piping are constructed to satisfy varying stack length requirements, then environmental regulations and safety standards are met, but shipping and handling costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestack length variationVSAvoidpiping length

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of shipping one long custom-length pipe, the system ships multiple standardized modular sections that are assembled on-site. Each module has optimized dimensions for efficient packaging and transportation, avoiding the need for specialized long-haul shipping equipment and reducing handling complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If long sections of piping are constructed to satisfy varying stack length requirements, then environmental regulations and safety standards are met, but installation time and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestack length variationVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The modular design with pre-configured mating interfaces (tabs and fasteners) enables rapid assembly through simple connection operations rather than complex welding or threading procedures. This segmentation allows installers to quickly assemble different stack lengths using the same connection process, significantly reducing installation time compared to custom fabrication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Object-affected harmful factors

If exhaust caps are attached to prevent water exposure, then protection from elements is achieved, but horsepower and performance of the motor or generator degrade

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater exposureVSAvoidhorsepower

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of capping the horizontal exhaust opening (which would block gas flow and reduce power), the system extends the exhaust stack vertically into the third dimension. This vertical extension allows exhaust gases to escape at higher elevation where they are less likely to be contaminated by rain, providing protection from water exposure while maintaining unobstructed exhaust flow and preserving engine horsepower.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11913642B2Apparatus, methods, and systems for providing a modular tubular exhaust

Publication Date: 2024.02.27 E2 IP HOLDING LLC

AI summary

The modular tubular exhaust system includes a first tubular body, a second tubular body and at least one third tubular body connecting to form, a fully assembled configuration, a vertically arranged exhaust pipe. The first, the second, and the third tubular bodies each have a tubular body first end and a tubular body second end where the first ends and second ends are configured to mate with each other to form the vertically arranged exhaust pipe. The system further includes tabs that extend radially outward on opposing sides of the tubular bodies to allow a plurality of fasteners to attach tubular bodies together when arranged in the vertical configuration. The assembled configuration may vary within the spirit and scope of the disclosure, for example, in some embodiments, the system may only have a first and a second tubular section or a first, second, and a plurality of third tubular sections.