Pipe Insulation Closure With Reusable Self-Gripping Interlock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for closing gaps in insulation materials covering pipes are expensive, require precise alignment, have limited durability, and are prone to failure due to environmental factors, leading to reduced thermal insulation and increased media leakage.

Innovation Solution

An insulation device with a main body and attachment components featuring self-gripping engagement elements that allow for easy, reusable closure of gaps, using thermally activatable materials for attachment without adhesives, ensuring robustness and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If sealing tape is pre-attached to insulation material, then ease of operation is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation material is equipped with self-sealing capability through integrated sealing flaps that automatically close the gap when sections are joined, eliminating the need for separate sealing tape application and reducing installation complexity while maintaining cost-effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing function is merged into the insulation material structure itself by integrating sealing flaps as part of the material, rather than treating sealing as a separate step requiring additional components like pre-attached tape

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If adhesive is used to close the gap, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to environmental factors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of closureVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The chemical bonding mechanism of adhesives is replaced with a mechanical interlocking system using sealing flaps that physically engage with grooves and protrusions, providing a reliable connection that is not susceptible to adhesive degradation from environmental factors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing flap is designed with a curved outer surface that conforms to the cylindrical shape of the pipe, ensuring consistent contact and reliable mechanical engagement along the entire sealing interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If clamps are used to close the gap, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength of closureVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation material is divided into multiple sections with integrated sealing flaps at the interfaces, allowing each section to be independently installed while maintaining a simple overall structure without requiring complex external clamping mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing flap is designed as a flexible component that can be easily manipulated during installation and provides sufficient mechanical strength when closed, eliminating the need for rigid clamps while maintaining simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of manufacture

If gap is left open in insulation material, then ease of manufacture is improved, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidthermal insulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing flaps are pre-formed as integral parts of the insulation material sections during manufacturing, allowing the material to be easily installed with gaps while ensuring that thermal insulation performance is maintained through the built-in sealing capability that closes gaps upon installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4617548A1Insulation device, method of thermally insulating at least one pipe, and method of manufacturing an insulation device

Publication Date: 2025.09.17 ARMACELL ENTERPRISE GMBH & CO KG

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AI summary

The present invention relates to an insulation device (10) configured to thermally insulate a pipe (11), including a main body (12) made of a thermally insulating foam material and configured to be placed over the pipe (11). The main body (12) has a gap (14) between two adjacent sections of the main body (12). The insulation device (10) includes an attachment device (22) including a first attachment component (24) attached to a first section (16) and a second attachment component (26) attached to a second section (18). The first attachment component (24) includes a plurality of first engagement elements (30) and the second attachment component (26) includes a plurality of second engagement elements (32) configured to releasably interlock with the first engagement elements (30) to releasably secure the first attachment component (24) to the second attachment component (26). The first engagement elements (30) are distributed on the first attachment component (24) and the second engagement elements (32) are distributed on the second attachment component (26). The present invention further relates to a method of thermally insulating a pipe (11) by a insulation device (10) and a method of manufacturing an insulation device (10).