Rubber Boot Roof Flashing with Cooling Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rubber flashing boots cannot be used for heated chimney pipes due to high temperature issues and failure to meet wind loading test standards, preventing UL safety certification.
Innovation Solution
A flashing adapter kit with a sleeve and spacer members that create cooling passages and secure the chimney pipe to the roof, keeping the rubber boot at a safe temperature and bracing it against wind loads, allowing for UL certification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber flashing boot is used to seal around a heated chimney pipe, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the rubber boot reaches unacceptably high operating temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
A metal adapter assembly with cooling passages acts as an intermediary between the hot chimney pipe and the rubber flashing boot. The adapter receives heat from the pipe while its internal cooling passages allow air to flow through, preventing the rubber boot from reaching unsafe temperatures while maintaining the sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the thermal parameters of the system by introducing forced air cooling through the adapter assembly. This transforms the thermal state of the rubber boot from high-temperature exposure to safe operating temperatures, enabling the use of rubber materials in applications previously restricted to metal flashings.
2Ease of operation
If a rubber flashing boot is used to seal around a chimney pipe, then installation ease is improved, but the structure fails to meet wind loading test standards
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite structure combining the flexibility and ease of installation of rubber flashing with the strength and rigidity of a metal adapter assembly. The adapter provides structural reinforcement to resist wind loads while the rubber boot maintains the weather seal, achieving both installation ease and wind load resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The flashing system is segmented into distinct functional components: a metal adapter assembly for structural support and cooling, and a rubber boot for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function while working together to meet both installation and performance requirements.
3Temperature
If a metal adapter assembly with cooling passages is added to the flashing system, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metal adapter assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support to resist wind loads, creates cooling passages for temperature control, and serves as a mounting interface for the rubber boot. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating multiple components into one integrated assembly.
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
Enables the use of rubber boots for heated chimney pipes by maintaining safe temperatures and meeting wind load standards, ensuring UL certification and effective sealing.
Implementation Method 1
the spacer members longitudinally extend vertically along the outer surface of the chimney pipe, in a manner holding the sleeve member in a concentric relationship with the chimney pipe and defining vertically extending cooling passages between circumferentially adjacent pairs of spacer members
Data Source
AI summary
To flash a hot gas vent pipe, representatively a chimney pipe, extending upwardly through a roof opening, a tubular sleeve having vertically extending spacer members interiorly secured thereto, with upper ends projecting above the upper sleeve end, is concentrically placed around the chimney pipe and anchored to the roof. A rubber boot is then placed around the sleeve and secured to the roof. Finally, a storm collar is downwardly telescoped onto the chimney pipe and rests on the upper end of the sleeve spacer members. Vertical cooling passages are defined between adjacent spacer member pairs, and through their interiors, and have upper exit portions communicating with the storm collar interior.