Telescopic Protective Conduit for Building Panel Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing poke-through pathway devices in buildings lack effective solutions for minimizing the transmission of fire, heat, smoke, and sound, particularly in non-fire-rated applications, where high-cost intumescent materials are often required for fire-rated collars.
Innovation Solution
A protective conduit with a two-part outer housing assembly and a telescopic inner housing assembly, featuring duct sealing means with wedge-shaped sealing members made of elastomeric material, providing limited fire resistance and sound insulation at a lower cost, suitable for use in non-fire-rated walls, ceilings, and floors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If intumescent materials are used for fire-rated collars, then fire resistance is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different levels of fire protection to different locations along the conduit. The collar portion has enhanced fire resistance properties while the conduit body uses standard materials. This localized approach provides fire protection where most needed (at the penetration point) without requiring expensive materials throughout the entire conduit system.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire protection system is divided into separate functional components: the collar assembly with fire-resistant properties and the conduit body. This segmentation allows the expensive fire-resistant features to be concentrated in the collar portion that interfaces with the wall opening, while the conduit portion can use less expensive materials.
2Adaptability or versatility
If thicker walls are accommodated, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar assembly incorporates a telescopic mechanism that allows it to dynamically adjust its length to accommodate different wall thicknesses. The collar can extend or retract along the conduit axis, providing adaptability to various structural configurations without requiring multiple fixed-size components.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic collar features nested structural elements where one collar section fits within another, allowing compact storage when retracted and extended configuration when needed. This nesting approach provides the full range of motion and adaptability while maintaining a compact form factor when not in use.
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 conduit effectively inhibits the spread of fire, heat, and smoke while offering sound insulation, reducing installation and maintenance costs by up to 50% compared to fully-rated firestopping fixtures, and is easily adjustable for various structural thicknesses.
Implementation Method 1
providing limited fire resistance and sound insulation
Implementation Method 2
providing limited fire resistance and sound insulation
Implementation Method 3
provide frictional resistance to telescoping movement
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A poke-through pathway device positionable extending through an opening in building panel, such as a wall, ceiling or floor, which defines a duct through which penetrating members, such as cables or wiring may be placed to extend through a building panel wherein the pathway device provides a limited level of protection against fire, heat, smoke or sound being transmitted or traveling therethrough. The present invention provides a limited low level of fire resistance along with some resistance to the transmission of smoke, heat or sound through the duct in those applications where a fully fire-rated device is not required. The present invention includes a two-piece outer housing assembly and with a two-piece inner housing assembly that are telescopically movable with respect to one another for adjustable positioning thereof through building panels of various thicknesses. A two-piece elastomeric wedge seal is positionable on each side of the interior of inner housing.