Vertical Pipe Membrane Seal for Warm Air and Odor Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions fail to effectively prevent odor nuisance, aggressive duct gases, and unnecessary energy loss due to rising warm air from pipes and ducts, while also allowing for proper ventilation and pressure equalization, especially in building services and roof drains, where conventional valves either allow sewer gases to enter or fail to seal under negative pressure.
Innovation Solution
A vertically mounted device with a membrane featuring slits and bending lines acting as joints, allowing water flow and air suction, and capable of folding back into position, which opens slightly for low water flow and fully for high water flow, ensuring a tight seal and reducing energy loss by forming a warm air plug that prevents constant air flow and freezing, with optional reinforcement for increased strength and hydrophobic coating for winter suitability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a membrane with slits and bending lines is used, then the device allows water flow and air suction while maintaining sealing capability, but the device complexity increases due to the need for precise slit positioning and bending line joints
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is divided into multiple segments by slits and bending lines, allowing each segment to move independently. This segmentation enables the membrane to adapt its shape based on pressure conditions while maintaining overall sealing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one through the introduction of bending lines that act as joints. These joints allow the membrane segments to rotate and change position in response to pressure changes, enabling automatic opening and closing without external control.
2Reliability
If the membrane opens fully for high water flow, then the device allows proper pressure equalization, but energy loss increases due to warm air escape
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane dynamically adjusts its opening degree based on the magnitude of pressure difference. Under high water flow conditions, it opens fully to allow pressure equalization. Under normal conditions, it remains partially closed to minimize warm air escape and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane's position and opening degree change as a function of pressure parameters. The bending lines enable the membrane to respond to varying pressure conditions by changing its geometric configuration, optimizing both pressure equalization and energy conservation.
3Ease of operation
If the membrane is made flexible to allow bending, then the device enables automatic opening and closing, but the membrane strength decreases making it susceptible to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is segmented by slits and bending lines, which concentrate flexibility at specific locations while maintaining strength in the membrane material itself. This segmentation allows bending without compromising overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane combines flexible material properties with structural reinforcement through the slit and bending line design. The composite structure of membrane material, slits, and bending lines creates a system that is both flexible enough to move and strong enough to withstand operational stresses.
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 device efficiently reduces energy loss by minimizing warm air escape, prevents odor nuisance, and maintains functionality under varying pressure conditions without active control, ensuring effective sealing and noise reduction in buildings.
Implementation Method 1
allowing water flow and air suction
Implementation Method 2
capable of folding back into position
Implementation Method 3
The indoor climate heats the air column inside the tube through heat transmission and allows it to rise through convection and escape into the environment
Implementation Method 4
hydrophobic coating for winter suitability
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The structure to prevent the escape of warm air and gas from vertical pipes, hoses or channels through building walls and prevent the entry of particles, has an elastic surface material (11) with a number of flaps (19) operated by a drop in pressure between the outer and inner surfaces. At least one flap has a self-return characteristic through a slit (17) at one end and a bending hinge line at the other end. The elastic material is of rubber or plastics with reinforcement.