Non-Metallic Mesh Mineral Wool Mat for Flexible Pipe Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mineral wool insulating mats with metallic meshes pose risks of injury, thermal bridges, and high weight, and lack flexibility for handling and installation around complex structures.
Innovation Solution
A non-metallic mesh with stable polygonal openings, secured by stitching threads, provides improved handling and flexibility, reducing the risk of injury and thermal bridges while maintaining structural integrity and ease of installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a galvanized steel mesh is used in the mineral wool insulating mat, then the structural integrity and handling strength are improved, but the risk of injury, thermal bridges, and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the metallic mesh component from the insulating mat structure and replaces it with a non-metallic alternative (glass fiber mesh or organic polymer mesh). This extraction of the harmful metallic element eliminates thermal bridges and injury risks while preserving the mesh's structural function through the use of alternative materials that provide equivalent mechanical support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the mesh from metallic (galvanized steel) to non-metallic (glass fiber or organic polymer). This parameter change fundamentally alters the thermal and safety properties of the insulating mat, eliminating thermal conductivity issues and injury hazards while maintaining the mesh's structural integrity function through material substitution.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a non-metallic mesh is used in the mineral wool insulating mat, then the risk of injury and thermal bridges are reduced, but the mesh stability under tensile force deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the physical parameters of the non-metallic mesh, specifically the linear density (tex) and mesh opening size, to achieve the required tensile strength and stability. By carefully selecting these parameters, the mesh provides sufficient structural stability to resist handling forces and maintain integrity while remaining non-metallic and safe to handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction where the non-metallic mesh is integrated with the mineral wool blanket and secured by stitching threads. This composite structure distributes tensile forces across multiple components (mesh, stitching threads, and mineral wool), enhancing overall stability while maintaining the non-metallic safety advantages.
3Weight of moving object
If a non-metallic mesh is used in the mineral wool insulating mat, then the weight of the insulating element is reduced, but the structural strength may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects non-metallic mesh materials with optimized linear density parameters that provide sufficient structural strength while minimizing weight. The mesh is designed with appropriate thread thickness and mesh opening dimensions to achieve the required strength-to-weight ratio, ensuring the insulating element remains lightweight yet structurally sound.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure where the non-metallic mesh works in conjunction with the mineral wool blanket and stitching threads to provide structural strength. This composite approach distributes mechanical loads across multiple components, achieving adequate structural performance without relying solely on the mesh, thereby maintaining low weight.
4Ease of operation
If the mesh is made flexible for easy handling and wrapping around pipes, then the ease of operation is improved, but the mesh stability under tensile force deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the mesh parameters including mesh opening size, thread linear density, and stitching pattern to achieve a balance between flexibility and stability. The mesh is designed to be flexible enough for easy handling and wrapping around pipes of various diameters while maintaining sufficient tensile strength through appropriate material selection and construction parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the mesh and stitching system to exhibit dynamic characteristics that allow flexibility during handling and wrapping operations, while the stitching threads and mesh construction provide tensile reinforcement that activates under load to maintain stability during installation and service.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mineral wool insulating element comprises a flexible mineral wool blanket comprising mineral fibres and a first non-metallic mesh arranged at a first major surface of the mineral wool blanket. The mineral wool blanket is held together by a plurality of blanket threads which pass through the mineral wool blanket and which secure the non-metallic mesh to the mineral wool blanket. The non-metallic mesh comprises a plurality of continuous mesh forming threads and a plurality of continuous stitching threads which together form a plurality of polygonal mesh openings; each vertex of each polygonal mesh opening is formed by a crossing point formed between at least one of the continuous mesh forming threads and at least one of the continuous stitching threads.