Moldable Glass Wool Pipe Insulation for Complex Pipe Bends

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe insulation methods struggle to effectively wrap around complex piping systems with multiple bends and angles, leading to gaps and inefficiencies in thermal and acoustic insulation, which results in energy loss and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A method involving an uncured insulation substrate made of insulative materials like fiberglass with a binding element, which is wrapped around the pipe system and cured in place at ambient conditions, allowing it to conform to complex geometries without additional processing, using a jacket and securing elements like tape or zip ties for support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If traditional cured insulation is used to wrap around pipe bends and angles, then the insulation maintains structural stability, but it cannot conform to complex geometries resulting in gaps and void spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformability to complex geometriesVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the insulation material from cured (rigid) to uncured (moldable), allowing it to conform to complex pipe geometries. The material is applied in an uncured state that enables shaping, then cured in place to achieve both conformability and structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The insulation material is prepared in advance in an uncured, moldable state that allows it to be easily applied and shaped around complex pipe geometries before final curing. This preliminary preparation enables the material to adapt to the pipe shape before gaining its final structural properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Shape

If uncured insulation substrate is wrapped around complex piping systems, then it conforms to bends and angles, but additional securing elements are required to maintain position during curing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformability to complex geometriesVSAvoidnumber of securing elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The uncured insulation substrate possesses self-adhesive properties that allow it to secure itself to the pipe surface without requiring additional securing elements. The material's own characteristics enable it to maintain position during the curing process, eliminating the need for external fastening components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The insulation substrate is formulated as a homogeneous material with integrated adhesive properties throughout its composition. This uniformity allows the entire material to contribute to both conformability and self-securing functions, rather than requiring separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

3Reliability

If multiple securing elements like jackets and zip ties are used, then the insulation substrate is secured during curing, but the installation process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring during curingVSAvoidinstallation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for separate securing elements (jackets, zip ties, adhesives) by incorporating the securing function directly into the insulation substrate material itself. This removal of auxiliary components simplifies the installation process and increases productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The securing function is merged with the insulation substrate material by integrating self-adhesive properties into the material composition. This combination allows a single material to perform both insulation and securing functions, reducing the number of installation steps and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Loss of energy

If cured insulation is applied to pipe systems, then thermal insulation is provided, but gaps and void spaces reduce insulation effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal leakageVSAvoidcontact area with pipe surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the application state of the insulation material from pre-cured (rigid) to uncured (moldable), enabling it to conform completely to the pipe surface geometry. This parameter change allows the material to eliminate gaps and void spaces, improving thermal insulation effectiveness by maximizing contact area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach provides a custom fit that reduces thermal leakage, increases contact area, and decreases void spaces, thereby saving energy costs and simplifying manufacturing processes by eliminating the need for further processing steps.

Implementation Method 1

setting the uncured insulation substrate to cure the uncured insulation substrate to a cured insulation substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCuring:

Data Source

PatentUS20240344647A1Moldable glass wool to pipe insulation

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 JOHNS MANVILLE CORP

AI summary

A method of insulating a piping system. The method may comprise coupling an uncured insulation substrate to the piping system and setting the uncured insulation substrate to cure the uncured insulation substrate to a cured insulation substrate.