Pipe Insulation Laminate Resists Wrinkling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pipe insulation products suffer from susceptibility to handling damage and environmental degradation, such as wrinkling and dimpling, which affects their appearance and performance, especially in high heat and humidity environments.

Innovation Solution

A pipe insulation product featuring a tubular core with a bonded laminate that includes a metallized polymeric film sheet layer, a scrim, and a porous media sheet layer, providing a fluid vapor barrier and reinforcement, which is flexible and resistant to handling damage and environmental exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional laminate is used in pipe insulation, then the product provides basic insulation and sealing, but the laminate is susceptible to handling damage and environmental degradation such as wrinkling and dimpling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to handling damage and environmental degradationVSAvoidwrinkling and dimpling from heat and humidity exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a multi-layer composite laminate structure consisting of: (1) an inner layer of metallized polymeric film providing vapor barrier and handling damage resistance, (2) a middle layer of scrim providing tensile strength and dimensional stability, and (3) an outer layer of porous media sheet providing environmental resistance. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties that collectively resist handling damage, wrinkling, and dimpling while maintaining reliability in harsh environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different material properties to different layers of the laminate to address specific problems: the inner metallized layer provides local quality for vapor barrier and handling resistance, the middle scrim layer provides local quality for structural stability, and the outer porous layer provides local quality for environmental resistance. This localized optimization of material properties throughout the laminate thickness resolves the contradiction between durability and environmental resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the laminate is made more durable to resist handling damage, then reliability improves, but the complexity of the laminate structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of laminateVSAvoidcomplexity of laminate structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a three-layer composite laminate where each layer has a specific function: metallized polymeric film for vapor barrier and handling resistance, scrim for structural stability, and porous media for environmental resistance. This composite approach achieves high reliability through functional specialization of layers rather than using a single complex material, thereby managing structural complexity through clear functional division.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The laminate is segmented into three distinct functional layers, each addressing specific requirements: the inner metallized layer for vapor barrier and handling damage resistance, the middle scrim layer for tensile strength and dimensional stability, and the outer porous layer for environmental resistance. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently for its specific function, achieving overall durability without requiring a single overly complex material system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The solution significantly reduces fluid vapor penetration, enhances resistance to wrinkling and dimpling, and maintains a smooth appearance even in harsh conditions, improving both functionality and aesthetics of the insulation product.

Implementation Method 1

The laminate may include a metallized polymeric film sheet layer that forms an inner layer of the laminate... The metallized polymeric film sheet layer may provide a fluid vapor barrier to minimize fluid vapor transmission through the laminate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapor barrier: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

To reduce heat transfer during fluid transportation, pipe insulation products are commonly installed on the pipes of a piping system to retard the flow of heat to and from the pipes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS9915391B2Systems and methods for insulating a pipe

Publication Date: 2018.03.13 JOHNS MANVILLE CORP

AI summary

A pipe insulation product including a core of insulating material and a laminate. The core includes a cylindrical outer surface; a cylindrical inner surface; and a wall extending between the cylindrical outer surface and the cylindrical inner surface. The laminate includes a metallized polymeric film sheet layer forming an inner layer, a scrim, a porous media sheet layer, and a polymeric film sheet layer forming an outer exposed layer bonded together via an adhesive. The laminate is coextensive with and bonded to the cylindrical outer surface of the core and the laminate and core are flexible so that the core and laminate can be opened, placed about a pipe, and closed without degrading the laminate.