Wave-Pattern Expansion Joint Seal for Water, Fire, and Vapor Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional expansion joint sealants fail to provide effective water and fire resistance while maintaining compressibility over time, often requiring impregnation with solid fillers or additional coatings, which can increase costs and limit movement capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A fire-resistant and water-resistant expansion joint seal system comprising foam members and interspersed intumescent members with a wave-like cross-section, which provides structural support and fire protection without the need for extensive impregnation or compression, allowing for greater movement and cycling capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional expansion joint sealants are used, then they provide basic sealing function, but they fail to provide effective water and fire resistance while maintaining compressibility over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater and fire resistanceVSAvoidcompressibility maintenance over time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines foam members with intumescent members to create a composite expansion joint seal system. The foam members provide compressibility and sealing, while the intumescent members provide fire resistance. This composite structure achieves both water/fire resistance and maintains compressibility over time without requiring extensive impregnation or additional coatings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The intumescent members undergo parameter change when exposed to fire - they expand (intumesce) to provide fire protection. This automatic parameter change allows the system to provide fire resistance only when needed, while maintaining compressibility and movement capabilities during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If impregnation with solid fillers or additional coatings is applied to improve water and fire resistance, then resistance improves, but costs increase and movement capabilities are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater and fire resistanceVSAvoidmovement and cycling capabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the sealing function from the fire protection function by using separate foam members and intumescent members. This allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the foam members maintain compressibility and movement capabilities while the intumescent members provide fire resistance without restricting motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The intumescent members are strategically positioned within the expansion joint seal system where fire protection is most needed. This localized approach provides fire resistance only in critical areas without requiring impregnation of the entire foam structure, thereby maintaining movement capabilities and reducing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If extensive impregnation or compression is used to achieve fire resistance, then fire protection improves, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intumescent members are pre-positioned within the expansion joint seal system during manufacturing, eliminating the need for complex field installation procedures. This preliminary action ensures fire protection is already in place before installation, reducing on-site complexity and ensuring consistent performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 system effectively seals against water and fire, maintains compressibility, and allows for vapor permeability, supporting high movement and cycling requirements while reducing installation complexity and costs.

Implementation Method 1

a fire-resistant and water-resistant expansion joint seal system comprising foam members and interspersed intumescent members

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIntumescence: Intumescent Materials

Implementation Method 2

allows for vapor permeability, supporting high movement and cycling requirements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapor permeability: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS10941563B2Vapor permeable water and fire-resistant expansion joint seal with internal wave pattern

Publication Date: 2021.03.09 SCHUL INT COMPANY

AI summary

The present disclosure relates generally to systems for providing a durable water-resistant and fire-resistant foam-based seal in the joint between adjacent panels. A fire-resistant and water-resistant expansion joint seal is provided which includes one or more foam members and a plurality of intumescent members within the foam member or members to provide a spring recovery force and fire resistance.