Vent sealing device and system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Roofing vents are vulnerable to damage from rodents and insects, leading to leaks and unauthorized access, as traditional flashing materials like lead are often targeted and compromised, and existing solutions fail to provide a reliable seal or prevent debris entry.
Innovation Solution
A vent sealing device comprising an outer tubular member with a funnel-shaped cap and inner tube, along with a screen, that directs rainwater into the vent pipe without contacting damaged flashing, while preventing debris and pest entry, and a flexible sleeve for new construction roofs, offering a secure and watertight solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional lead flashing is used to seal around vents, then water-tight sealing is achieved, but rodents and insects damage the flashing leading to leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional lead flashing with a disposable plastic vent seal that is cost-effective and resistant to rodent damage. The seal is designed to be installed once and remain effective without requiring maintenance or replacement due to pest damage, addressing the reliability issue caused by traditional flashing being vulnerable to rodents and insects.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent seal employs composite construction combining rigid plastic components for structural integrity with flexible sealing elements. This composite approach creates a seal that is both durable against physical damage from pests and effective at preventing water infiltration, resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and pest resistance.
2Productivity
If the vent pipe top is left open for ventilation function, then air flow is maintained, but small animals and insects freely enter the building
Solution Approach 1:
The vent seal applies local quality by incorporating a screen or mesh component in specific areas where pest entry is a concern, while maintaining open ventilation pathways. This localized application of screening material allows air to pass through while blocking insects and small animals, preserving ventilation productivity without compromising protection against harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal incorporates porous or perforated components that allow air passage while physically blocking pests. The porous structure provides sufficient open area for ventilation airflow while the pore size is small enough to prevent entry of insects and small animals, simultaneously achieving both ventilation function and pest exclusion.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing flashing is covered rather than replaced, then installation complexity is reduced, but water may still contact damaged flashing
Solution Approach 1:
The vent seal is designed with multi-functionality to simultaneously cover existing flashing, redirect water away from damaged areas, and provide a new water-tight seal. The device integrates multiple functions including flashing coverage, water diversion through its geometry, and sealing at the vent interface, achieving both installation simplicity and reliable water protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent seal acts as an intermediary component between the existing damaged flashing and the vent pipe. It mediates the water flow path, intercepting rainwater before it can contact the damaged flashing underneath, while still allowing the existing flashing to remain in place. This intermediary function protects against water intrusion without requiring removal of the original flashing.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a screen is added to prevent debris entry, then debris exclusion is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The screen component is merged with the vent seal body as an integrated feature rather than a separate attachment. The screen is incorporated into the seal's structure during manufacturing, combining the debris exclusion function with the primary sealing function in a single unified device, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving effective debris prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
A vent sealing device includes first and second elongated tubular members having a funnel shaped cap along the upper surface for directing rain water into a vent pipe. A screen is positioned along the top of the device. A vent sealing system includes the vent sealing device and a roof attachment having an elongated base structure and a flexible sleeve protruding outward therefrom.