Nested Secondary Sealing System for Storm-Resistant Building Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storm-resistant technologies for residential and commercial structures are not cost-effective for mass consumption and do not provide a secondary sealing system to maintain structural integrity and prevent water infiltration when primary sealing systems, such as shingles and siding, are compromised during windstorms.
Innovation Solution
A comprehensive structural enhancement system comprising anchoring, wall reinforcement, rafter/joist tie-down, wind-beam, diaphragm reinforcement, roof decking, venting, window/door protective seal, and safe room subsystems that work together to enhance structural integrity and provide a secondary watertight seal against storm winds and rain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If structural strengthening components are added to withstand storm winds, then structural integrity is improved, but cost and complexity increase making it not suitable for mass consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested sealing system where an inner seal is placed within the cavity formed by outer siding panels. The inner seal consists of a channel member with a membrane that fits inside the cavity, creating a secondary barrier. This nested arrangement allows multiple sealing functions to be integrated within the existing siding structure without requiring completely separate systems, thereby improving storm resistance while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system is divided into distinct segments: outer siding panels forming a cavity, an inner seal with channel members and membranes, and adjustable fastening mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easier installation and maintenance, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining structural integrity.
2Reliability
If a secondary sealing system is added to prevent water infiltration when primary sealing fails, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a secondary inner seal system that is pre-installed within the cavity of the outer siding panels before storms occur. This inner seal includes channel members with flexible membranes that can deform to seal gaps. By having this backup sealing system already in place, the structure is protected against water infiltration even if the outer siding is compromised, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex active mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner seal utilizes flexible membranes and thin film materials that can conform to irregularities and seal gaps dynamically. These flexible components can deform under pressure to maintain sealing effectiveness, providing a reliable secondary barrier against water infiltration while keeping the system结构简单 and easy to install.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable fastening mechanisms are used to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable fastening mechanisms that allow the siding panels and inner seal to move dynamically in response to thermal expansion and contraction. The fasteners can be adjusted during installation and maintenance to accommodate changes in dimensions, and the flexible membranes can deform elastically. This dynamic approach provides adaptability to temperature variations without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances, as the system is designed to accommodate reasonable variations.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for constructing a residential or commercial structure and/or retrofitting an existing structure provides a series of construction components employed that cooperate with standard construction materials to enhance the building structural integrity when subjected to destructive wind forces such as those commonly associated with hurricanes and tornados. The resultant strength of the structure is increased beyond what the standard construction materials were capable of on their own. The enhanced components further cooperate with standard construction materials to provide a secondary water sealing ability such that the typical veneer coverings of siding and/or shingles, which are typically required to provide a primary sealing system from water influent to the structure, are relegated to the role of cosmetics for the structure. The primary sealing ability of the shingles and/or the siding can be compromised in response to storm winds, yet the structure will remain watertight via the secondary sealing system.