Pressure Absorbing Expansion Spacers for Metal Building Noise Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulation systems for metal buildings face challenges such as exposure to inclement weather, increased installation time, and noise issues due to undulating metal sheeting panels under wind pressure, which affect productivity and thermal performance.
Innovation Solution
An insulation support system featuring edge-folded ceiling liner sheets in encapsulated packages with pressure absorbing expansion spacers that prevent pinch points and allow for interior installation, reducing weather exposure and noise, while enabling thicker insulation installation without compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If insulation is installed between metal roof panels and structural members to dampen noise, then noise reduction is improved, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates due to severe compression
Solution Approach 1:
The noise damping function is separated from the thermal insulation function. Acoustic dampening material is applied only to the structural members (purlins, girts, rafters) rather than compressing insulation between panels and members. This allows insulation to be installed uncompressed in the roof cavity, maintaining both noise reduction and thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic dampening function is extracted from the insulation layer and assigned to a separate material applied to structural members. This eliminates the need to compress insulation for noise damping, allowing insulation to maintain its thickness and thermal resistance properties.
2Productivity
If insulation is installed from the exterior during roof panel sheeting, then installation efficiency is improved, but exposure to inclement weather increases affecting productivity and quality
Solution Approach 1:
The installation sequence is inverted: roof panels are installed first to create an enclosed space, then insulation is installed from the interior after the building is enclosed. This eliminates weather exposure during insulation installation while maintaining installation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The roof enclosure is completed first as a preliminary action, creating a protected environment. Only after this preliminary enclosure is in place is the insulation installed from the interior, eliminating weather exposure during the insulation installation process.
3Productivity
If metal roof sheeting is installed without expansion spacers, then installation speed is improved, but wind pressure causes undulating movements and interior rumbling noise
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion spacer performs multiple functions automatically: it provides the required expansion gap, dampens wind-induced panel movements, and reduces rumbling noise. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate noise damping measures while maintaining installation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion spacer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing thermal expansion gaps, dampening wind pressure effects, and reducing noise. This multi-functionality maintains installation speed while eliminating the need for additional noise control components.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If compressed insulation is used between roof panels and structural members, then noise damping is improved, but thermal resistance performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The noise damping function is segmented from the thermal insulation function. Acoustic material is applied to structural members while insulation is installed separately in the roof cavity without compression, preserving both noise damping and thermal resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic dampening function is extracted from the insulation layer and assigned to separate material on structural members. This allows insulation to maintain its uncompressed thickness and thermal resistance while noise damping is achieved through the separate acoustic material application.
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 solution enhances installation efficiency, reduces material costs, and improves thermal performance by protecting insulation from weather and eliminating the need for compressed insulation layers, thereby reducing noise and increasing productivity.
Implementation Method 1
pressure absorbing expansion spacers for installation between the metal roof or wall sheeting and their respective underlying structural members to absorb undulating movements of the metal sheeting caused by fluctuating wind pressures
Implementation Method 2
pressure absorbing expansion spacers...allow for the installation of metal roof and wall sheeting
Data Source
AI summary
An insulation support system preferably includes an edge-folded ceiling liner sheet, an encapsulated package and a plurality of compressible thermal spacers. The edge-folded ceiling liner sheet includes opposed folded-up edges. The folded-up edges have sufficient length to clear pinch points along structural beams. The edge-folded ceiling liner sheet is fan-folded for retention in the encapsulated package. A pressure absorbing expansion spacer prevents roof or wall panel rumble noises and may be applied directly to roof or wall structural members, or may include a snap clip bonded to a pressure absorbing expansion spacer material. A bottom of the pressure absorbing expansion material is bonded to a top of the snap clip. The snap clip is attached to flanges of purlins or girts eliminating the need for stand-off roof panel clips, rigid thermal blocks and severe compression of an extra layer of blanket fiber glass insulation.