Flexible Wall Receiver for Leak-Sealed Refrigerant Piping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for refrigerant piping installations in buildings face challenges such as air leakage, energy inefficiency, aesthetic issues, and difficulty in accommodating various piping diameters and angles, leading to increased energy consumption and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A wall-mounted receiver system made from durable materials like ASA, PVC, or ABS, with flexible portals and mechanical fasteners, designed to securely connect refrigerant piping of various diameters without adhesives or tape, allowing for easy installation and flexibility to accommodate different angles and patterns without cutting existing piping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If recess boxing method with urethane foam sealant is used, then refrigerant piping can be installed through exterior wall, but air leakage gaps form due to foam cracking and improper sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The wall receiver is divided into multiple functional segments: a rigid housing structure for mounting, a flexible portal for pipe insertion, and a separate gasket system for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the rigid housing provides structural support while the flexible portal and gasket handle sealing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall receiver employs composite material construction combining rigid materials (housing structure) with flexible materials (portal and gasket). This composite approach allows the rigid portion to maintain structural integrity while the flexible portions accommodate pipe movement and provide reliable sealing without cracking.
2Adaptability or versatility
If metal flashing with single inlet is used, then refrigerant piping can pass through wall, but difficult to accommodate piping from multiple angles and directions
Solution Approach 1:
The portal is designed with flexible, movable characteristics rather than fixed rigid structure. The flexible portal can dynamically adjust its shape and orientation to accommodate refrigerant piping entering from various angles and directions, providing adaptability without requiring multiple specialized flashings.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall receiver is designed as a universal component that can accommodate different piping configurations (single or multiple pipes, various diameters, multiple entry angles) through its flexible portal design, eliminating the need for multiple specialized flashing types for different installation scenarios.
3Reliability
If adhesive tape or foam sealer is used to seal metal flashing, then air leakage can be temporarily prevented, but sealing fails quickly due to pipe vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket and portal are constructed from flexible materials that can move with the piping vibrations rather than resisting them rigidly. This flexibility allows the sealing interface to maintain contact and seal integrity despite pipe movement, preventing the sealing failure that occurs with rigid adhesive tape or foam sealers.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible gasket acts as an intermediary element between the rigid wall receiver housing and the vibrating refrigerant piping. It absorbs and accommodates the vibration effects while maintaining the seal, protecting the overall system from the harmful effects of pipe movement.
4Adaptability or versatility
If roof flashing is installed during construction on rough wall, then wall penetration sealing can be achieved, but cannot be installed on existing walls or missed construction opportunities
Solution Approach 1:
The wall receiver is designed as a complete pre-assembled unit with all sealing components (gasket, portal, housing) already integrated. This preliminary preparation allows installers to simply mount the complete unit onto the wall without needing to perform multiple separate sealing operations during construction, enabling installation at any stage.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions (structural mounting, pipe reception, sealing) are merged into a single integrated wall receiver component. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate flashing pieces and sealants that must be installed at specific construction stages, allowing the complete assembly to be installed whenever needed.
5Productivity
If multiple refrigerant piping systems are ganged in central location, then space is utilized efficiently, but installation and sealing becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The wall receiver is designed with universal accommodation capability for multiple refrigerant piping systems of different diameters and configurations. The flexible portal and adjustable gasket system can seal around multiple pipes simultaneously, allowing efficient gang installation without requiring separate flashings for each pipe.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible portal and gasket system can dynamically adjust its configuration to accommodate varying numbers and sizes of pipes in the gang installation, providing adaptability that simplifies the installation process compared to rigid fixed-size flashings.
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 effectively seals air leaks, enhances energy efficiency, and simplifies installation by providing a flexible and secure connection for refrigerant piping, reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
each said inlet port being made of a flexible elastomeric material
Data Source
AI summary
This invention presents a wall mounted receiver to accommodate insulated or non-insulated pipes and at least one inlet or portal for at least one pipe conduit or wiring per portal and with a high degree of flexibility and unique mechanical connection security; this receiver is arranged to receive the piping from any directional angle with a unique flexible inlet capability; without limitation, this receiver is for use with refrigeration or air conditioning equipment and related connections, such as insulated pipes, non-insulated pipes, condensation piping, conduit and wiring. The receiver can also be mounted to different wall surface types without the assistance of a wall bracket; can also be fit into tight space service areas depending on refrigeration equipment requirements; can be installed in new construction applications; and can also upgrade existing installations without the need to cut the existing piping.