Segmented Shutter Air Gaps Reduce Pressure Drop in Fire-Stop Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire barrier devices face challenges with refractory materials used for shutters, such as high machining constraints due to dust generation and increased thickness leading to pressure drops and storage volume issues, as well as the need for high vacuum resistance.
Innovation Solution
A fire barrier device with a shutter comprising multiple plates fixed in parallel, allowing air passage in the open position and providing thermal insulation in the closed position, eliminating the need for refractory materials and reducing thickness, thus minimizing pressure drops and storage volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If refractory materials are used for the shutter to achieve high temperature resistance, then thermal insulation is improved, but machining constraints and dust generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is divided into multiple plates (first plate, second plate, and intermediate plates) spaced apart from each other. This segmentation allows the use of thinner, more easily manufacturable materials while maintaining thermal insulation through the air gaps between plates, eliminating the need for thick refractory materials that are difficult to machine.
Solution Approach 2:
Air gaps are introduced as an intermediary medium between the plates. These air spaces provide thermal insulation without requiring the plates themselves to be made of thick refractory material, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining temperature resistance.
2Reliability
If shutter thickness is increased to achieve high vacuum resistance, then vacuum resistance is improved, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is segmented into multiple thin plates rather than a single thick plate. This segmentation maintains structural integrity for vacuum resistance while minimizing the overall thickness and surface area blocking the air passage, thereby reducing pressure drop when the shutter is in the open position.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing thickness in one dimension, the solution uses multiple plates spaced apart in the same dimension, creating air gaps that provide insulation without increasing the blocking surface area. This dimensional approach maintains low pressure drop while achieving vacuum resistance.
3Reliability
If shutter thickness is increased to achieve high vacuum resistance, then vacuum resistance is improved, but storage volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is divided into multiple thin plates with spacing between them, replacing a single thick plate. This segmentation achieves the required vacuum resistance through the combined structure of multiple plates and air gaps, while significantly reducing the overall volume of material required and the storage space needed at manufacturing facilities.
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 reduces pressure drops, electrical consumption, and storage volume while maintaining effective thermal insulation and mechanical strength, enhancing the overall performance of the fire barrier device.
Implementation Method 1
in the closed position, the air present between two adjacent plates contributes very significantly to the overall thermal insulation capacity of the shutter
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The firestop device (1) comprises, on the one hand, a tubular body (2) and, on the other hand, a shutter (10) movably mounted inside the body (2) between: - an open position, in which the shutter (10) allows the passage of air into the body (2); - and a closed position, in which the shutter (10) substantially closes a section of the body (2) so as to prevent the passage of air into the body (2). The shutter (10) comprises at least two plates (11) having a shape corresponding to that of the internal section of the body (2), the plates (11) being fixed parallel to each other, overlapping and spaced apart, so that a volume of air (12) is provided between two adjacent plates (11).