Removable Collar Weather Barrier for Building Penetrations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weatherproofing solutions for building penetrations, such as electrical boxes and utility pipes, fail to provide a reliable and adaptable seal against various protrusions through building walls, leading to potential water intrusion and weather damage.

Innovation Solution

A weather barrier comprising a flexible sheet with a utility receiving chamber and a movable structural collar that friction-fits within the chamber, allowing for a customizable and resilient seal around utilities, integrated with a planar building engaging section, and optionally featuring removable ends for access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed weather barrier is used for building penetrations, then installation is simple, but adaptability to different utility shapes and sizes is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different utility shapes and sizesVSAvoidcomplexity of weather barrier structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The weather barrier is divided into separate components: a collar member that fits around the utility and a weather barrier member that seals against the building wall. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the collar adapts to different utility shapes while the barrier provides the weather seal, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The collar member is designed with flexible materials and movable elements that allow it to dynamically adjust to different utility shapes and sizes. The collar can expand, contract, and flex to accommodate various protrusions, providing adaptability without requiring a completely different barrier structure for each utility type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a tight seal is provided around utilities, then water resistance is improved, but access to utilities becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidaccess to utilities

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The collar member is designed to be removable from the utility, allowing it to be taken out when utility access is needed. During normal operation, the collar provides a tight seal for water resistance, but when maintenance is required, the collar can be removed to expose the utility, thus resolving the contradiction between seal integrity and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The collar member acts as an intermediary between the utility and the weather barrier. It provides the sealing function while being independently removable, allowing access to the utility without compromising the overall weather barrier system. The collar mediates between the need for a tight seal and the need for utility accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a removable collar is used for utility access, then ease of maintenance is improved, but sealing reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of maintenanceVSAvoidsealing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The collar member is pre-installed around the utility before the weather barrier is applied. This preliminary action ensures that the collar is properly positioned and fitted to the utility, creating a reliable sealing interface. The pre-installation allows for adjustment and optimization of the seal before final assembly, maintaining sealing reliability while enabling future removal for maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively seals building penetrations against weather conditions, ensuring water resistance and adaptability to different utility shapes and sizes, while allowing for easy access and integration with finishing materials.

Implementation Method 1

a structural collar that is sized and shaped to be friction fit within the sidewall of the utility receiving chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

at least the utility receiving chamber may be resilient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

the inner circumference of the structural collar may comprise a seal surface that, in use, sealingly engages the outer circumference of the utility

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS10787804B2Weather barrier for a building penetration with a removable collar

Publication Date: 2020.09.29 COSCARELLA GABE

AI summary

A weather barrier for a building penetration having opening in a wall of the building and a utility extending through the opening is provided. The weather barrier is made up of a sheet of flexible, weatherproof material, having a utility receiving chamber surrounded by a planar, building engaging section. The utility receiving chamber has a sidewall that extends perpendicularly to a plane defined by the building engaging section. A structural collar is sized and shaped to be friction fit within the sidewall of the utility receiving chamber, and is movable along the sidewall upon application of a sliding force. The structural collar has an inner circumference that receives an outer circumference of the utility.