PVDF Pipe Hanger for Fire-Safe Air Plenum Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipe hangers used in air vents and ducts are heavy, expensive, and difficult to install, and existing plastic materials do not meet fire and smoke safety standards, leading to the use of metal hangers that are cumbersome and costly.
Innovation Solution
A pipe hanger made from polyvinylidine fluoride (PVDF) that meets ASTM E-84 standards for flame spread and smoke development, allowing for complex shapes and configurations through injection molding, and optionally includes resilient materials for noise and vibration control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal or mineral materials are used for pipe hangers in air plenums, then fire safety and smoke generation requirements are met, but the hangers become heavy, expensive, and difficult to install
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional metal/mineral to PVDF plastic, which has fundamentally different fire performance characteristics. PVDF achieves a flame spread index of 10-20 and smoke development index of 50-100, meeting plenum requirements while being significantly lighter and easier to install than metal alternatives
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs PVDF, a fluoropolymer composite material, that combines the necessary structural properties for pipe support with superior fire and smoke performance. This composite material integrates both mechanical strength and fire safety properties in a single material system, eliminating the need for heavy metal construction
2Reliability
If metal or mineral materials are used for pipe hangers in air plenums, then fire safety requirements are met, but manufacturing complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material from metal to PVDF plastic, which can be easily cut, drilled, and fastened using standard woodworking tools rather than specialized metalworking equipment. This parameter change enables faster installation and reduces the skill level required for installers
Solution Approach 2:
The PVDF hangers are designed as easy-to-replace components that can be quickly installed and removed if needed. Their ease of fabrication allows for rapid deployment and replacement, improving overall installation productivity compared to permanent metal fixtures
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex shapes are formed in metal pipe hangers, then functional requirements are met, but manufacturing cost and technical difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material to PVDF plastic, which can be molded into complex three-dimensional shapes during manufacturing. This allows integration of multiple functional features (mounting brackets, pipe contacts, spacing elements) into a single molded part, eliminating the need for complex metal fabrication processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functional elements into a single integrated PVDF hanger component. The molded design integrates pipe support features, mounting brackets, and spacing elements into one piece, simplifying manufacturing and installation compared to assembled metal components
Data Source
AI summary
A support for pipes and conduits inside an air plenum. The support has a first end adapted to fasten to a support structure inside an air plenum of a building. The support has a second end adapted to fasten to at least one elongated member, and a connector connecting the first and second ends. At least a portion of the first and second ends and the connector are made of a plastic material with an ASTM E-84 rating of about 25/50 or better, and preferably made of PVDF.