Segmented Covering Device for Heating Duct Safety and Length Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for connecting smoke evacuation ducts to heating appliances require dismantling of the connection duct for installation or replacement, and are not adaptable to different duct lengths or suitable for maintaining safety distances from combustible materials.

Innovation Solution

A covering device comprising a casing with adjustable overlapping elements and centering collars that can be fitted around the connecting duct without disassembly, ensuring a safe and secure connection while allowing for varying duct lengths and reduced safety distances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a two-element telescopic cover is used to reduce safety distance, then the safety distance is reduced to the diameter of the connecting duct, but the installation requires removing all or part of the connecting conduit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety distance from combustible materialsVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The covering device is divided into a lower cover element and an upper cover element that can be installed separately around the connecting conduit. This segmentation allows the cover to be installed without removing the connecting conduit, as each element can be fitted independently and then joined together with overlapping edges and assembly means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lower and upper cover elements are designed to nest together with an overlapping arrangement. The lower cover element has an upper part and the upper cover element has a lower part that overlap to form a continuous protective cover around the connecting conduit, creating a nested structure that maintains safety distance while preserving the original conduit installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a metal blank open longitudinally is used as external cladding, then the external diameter continuity is ensured, but the device is not suitable for covering existing connecting flue pipes or handling varying duct lengths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different duct lengths and existing pipesVSAvoidcladding device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cladding device is segmented into lower and upper cover elements that can accommodate varying duct lengths. Each element can be independently sized and shaped to fit specific portions of the connecting conduit, allowing adaptation to different duct lengths and existing pipe configurations without requiring a complete custom fabrication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover elements are designed with flexible assembly means including adjustable fastening mechanisms and overlapping joints that can accommodate variations in duct length and positioning. This dynamic design allows the same basic structure to adapt to different installation scenarios and duct configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4174372A1Lining device for a connection conduit and heating installation comprising such a lining device
Publication Date: 2023.05.03 POUJOULAT
  • EP4174372A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4174372A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4174372A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a casing device (5) for a connecting duct (4) disposed between a freestanding heating appliance (2) and the lower end (31) of an associated flue (3). The casing device (5) comprises a cover (51) adapted to be positioned vertically or substantially vertically around said connecting duct (4), and fastening and centering means (52, 53) for fixing and centering said cover (51) on said connecting duct (4), which cover (51) comprises a lower cover element (511) and an upper cover element (512).According to the invention, said lower envelope element (511) and said upper envelope element (512) each consist of a sheet metal blank shaped into a cylinder and open along its entire length to define a longitudinal opening delimited by two free longitudinal edges, which free longitudinal edges are provided with assembly means allowing their removable assembly.