Nested Smoke Vent Lids for Low-Weight Thermal Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional smoke vents for buildings are heavy and costly due to excessive insulation needs, which complicates installation and increases heat loss, hindering efficient smoke removal during fires.
Innovation Solution
The smoke vent design features interconnected inner and outer lid sections with an articulated or gas spring operable opening system, utilizing airspace as insulation to reduce material needs and weight, while maintaining effective heat insulation through strategic material choices and gas filling options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional smoke vents are designed with thick insulation layers to reduce heat loss, then heat insulation performance is improved, but weight and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure with an inner lid section and an outer lid section, where the inner section is positioned within the outer section. This nesting creates an airspace between the two sections that serves as thermal insulation, eliminating the need for thick insulation layers. The inner lid section (108) is nested within the outer lid section (106), and the airspace between them provides the insulating effect, significantly reducing weight while maintaining thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate airspace between the inner and outer lid sections as a mediator for thermal insulation. This airspace acts as a thermal barrier without adding significant weight, serving as an intermediary layer that reduces heat transfer between the interior and exterior environments. The articulated arm sections (224, 228) also serve as intermediaries to connect and coordinate the movement of the nested lid sections.
2Loss of energy
If conventional smoke vents use thick insulation materials, then heat insulation is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The nested configuration of inner and outer lid sections creates insulation through spatial arrangement rather than material thickness. This geometric solution simplifies the manufacturing process compared to installing and insulating thick material layers, while the modular nested design allows for easier assembly and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The smoke vent is segmented into distinct functional components: the inner lid section, outer lid section, articulated arm sections, and opening system. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled separately, reducing overall device complexity and enabling easier maintenance and replacement of individual parts.
3Reliability
If smoke vent height is increased to prevent snow obstruction, then operational reliability is improved, but heat loss and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The nested structure provides efficient thermal insulation that reduces heat loss even at increased heights. The airspace between the nested lid sections maintains thermal performance regardless of the overall vent height, allowing the vent to be positioned higher on the roof for snow clearance while minimizing the insulating material requirements.
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 design significantly reduces insulation requirements, decreases manufacturing costs, and enhances insulating ability, resulting in a lighter, more cost-effective smoke vent that efficiently clears smoke during emergencies.
Implementation Method 1
the airspace between the inner lid section(s) and the outer lid section(s) acts as insulation
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 2e~3a
AI summary
This invention relates to fire protection and particularly the invention relates to a smoke vent for clearing the smoke from a building. In the smoke vent according to the invention reduction of required amount of heat insulating material has been obtained by using at least two successive lid sections, between which a remaining airspace and/or space containing other gas serves as heat insulation.