Wall-Penetration Sealing Joint for Fireproof Watertight Ducts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing solutions for ducts passing through ship walls fail to meet stringent watertight and fire resistance requirements, often requiring costly and complex welding, or using polymeric materials that lose seal integrity during fire tests.
Innovation Solution
A sealing joint comprising a tubular body with a threaded portion and annular flange, equipped with carbon-graphite multilayer gaskets and austenitic stainless steel components, which provides a robust, easy-to-install, and cost-effective solution for maintaining watertight seals under normal and fire conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If polymeric sealing joints are used to avoid welding, then installation becomes easier and faster, but watertight seal capability after fire test deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing joint uses a composite structure combining a metal tubular body (austenitic stainless steel) with carbon-graphite multilayer gaskets. The metal body provides structural integrity and fire resistance, while the carbon-graphite gaskets provide sealing capability. This composite approach allows the joint to maintain watertight seal after fire tests without requiring welding for installation.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional polymeric sealing joints are used, then installation is simplified, but fire resistance capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The joint combines austenitic stainless steel tubular body with carbon-graphite gaskets. The metal body withstands extreme temperatures (fire conditions) while the carbon-graphite materials maintain sealing properties at high temperatures. This composite structure achieves both ease of installation and fire resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing elements are designed to maintain their sealing parameters (physical and chemical properties) under extreme temperature conditions. The carbon-graphite multilayer gaskets are specifically selected to retain their sealing capability after exposure to fire test temperatures, changing their physical state minimally while maintaining functional integrity.
3Reliability
If pipe couplings are welded directly to the wall, then watertight seal and fire resistance are ensured, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the welding process (thermal/mechanical system) with a mechanical assembly system using threaded connections and compression sealing. The tubular body is screwed into the wall opening and the carbon-graphite gaskets are compressed against the wall surface, achieving watertight seal without welding. This substitution eliminates the need for specialized welding equipment and qualified technicians, significantly reducing installation time and complexity.
4Temperature
If fireproof foams and resins are used for sealing, then fire resistance is improved, but cost and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing joint uses replaceable carbon-graphite multilayer gaskets that can be easily installed and removed. These gaskets are designed as disposable or easily replaceable sealing elements that provide fire resistance without requiring complex application processes like foams and resins. The simple mechanical installation process reduces both cost and complexity.
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 ensures reliable and safe sealing performance under high pressure and extreme heat, meeting regulatory standards for watertightness and fire resistance without the need for complex welding or expensive materials.
Implementation Method 1
the annular flange and the threaded ring each comprising a respective annular sealing element; the annular sealing elements being arranged on end faces of the annular flange and of the threaded ring
Implementation Method 2
the joint comprises: a tubular body which in turn comprises a threaded portion and an annular flange... made of austenitic stainless steel components, which provides a robust, easy-to-install, and cost-effective solution for maintaining watertight seals under normal and fire conditions
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A sealing joint (1) for passing through walls (P), which comprises: a tubular body (2) which comprises a threaded portion (3) and an annular flange (4), the tubular body (2) comprising two open mouths (21, 22), which are open onto a central channel (23), and being configured to be coupled to at least one duct (C; C1, C2); a threaded ring (5), which is configured to be engaged by screw coupling on the threaded portion (3); the annular flange (4) and the threaded ring (5) each comprising a respective annular sealing element (6, 7); the annular sealing elements (6, 7) being arranged on end faces of the annular flange (4) and of the threaded ring (5) which, in the condition in which the joint is assembled, are directed toward a wall (P) which is arranged between the annular flange (4) and the threaded ring (5) and is passed through by the duct (C; C1, C2).