AU2017201616B2 - Improvements to dampers and spacers for dampers - Google Patents
Improvements to dampers and spacers for dampers Download PDFInfo
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- AU2017201616B2 AU2017201616B2 AU2017201616A AU2017201616A AU2017201616B2 AU 2017201616 B2 AU2017201616 B2 AU 2017201616B2 AU 2017201616 A AU2017201616 A AU 2017201616A AU 2017201616 A AU2017201616 A AU 2017201616A AU 2017201616 B2 AU2017201616 B2 AU 2017201616B2
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- base portion
- spacer
- damper
- ramp
- web
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Abstract
Jail 3 vvc11 I ci. L ' ]
ABSTRACT
A spacer for a damper is described. The spacer comprises a base portion, a web portion
connected at a proximal end to the base portion and extending at an angle from the base
portion, and a ramp portion connected to a distal end of the web portion. The ramp portion
5 extends toward a plane of the base portion. A spacer comprising two parts and a damper for
an air circulation system provided with at least one spacer is also described. In use the spacer
may ease installation of the damper.
9
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100u 2 5
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Figure 1
Description
1/10
100u 2 5
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Figure 1
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The present invention relates to dampers for air circulation systems, and in particular to apparatus and
systems for locating and sealing a damper, for example a fire damper, within a wall cavity.
Air circulation systems run through regions of a building to which air is to be delivered. Such circulation
systems can in some instances be used to deliver conditioned air. Ducts or channels are employed to
run through the wall spaces between rooms in a building, and can also be used to channel air between
the floors of a building.
Often air circulation systems must also run through walls and floors which are designed to act as fire
barriers. These barriers are generally constructed from fire resistant materials which will retard the
progress of fire and prevent it from spreading to other regions or areas of a building.
To prevent the spread of smoke and/or fire over an entire structure, smoke dampers, fire dampers, and
combined fire/smoke dampers (all generically referred to as "dampers" herein) have been developed
for air circulation systems. These dampers provide components which are sited adjacent to, or within, a
fire barrier surface such as a wall, floor or ceiling. The damper acts as a stop, valve component or
closing element in conjunction with an air circulation channel. One example of such a damper is
described in the applicant's New Zealand Patent No.579684.
As well as preventing the spread of smoke and fire through the damper, it is important that smoke and
fire cannot easily spread through the wall or floor via the penetration or cavity into which the damper
has been mounted. Past mounting systems have included the use of a fire resistant mineral wool which
is packed into a clearance space between the damper and the wall cavity, and thereby inhibits the
movement of smoke and fire through the cavity. However, this system can be difficult to install
properly.
An additional requirement is that the space between the damper sleeve and the wall cavity be insulated
against heat transfer. In some cases the mineral wool referred to above acts as this insulation. Other
systems use a spacer between the damper and the cavity, such that the air gap created provides the
necessary thermal insulation. Such systems may also be difficult to install properly, particularly if the
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cavity created in the wall or floor is an irregular shape.
All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby
incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The
discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to
challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that,
although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an
admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New
Zealand or in any other country.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words
"comprise", "comprising", and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an
exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".
It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the
public with a useful choice.
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing
description which is given by way of example only.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a spacer for a damper, the spacer
comprising a base portion, a web portion connected at a proximal end to the base portion and
extending at an angle from the base portion, and a ramp portion connected to a distal end of the web .0 portion, the ramp portion extending toward a plane of the base portion.
Preferably the spacer is of unitary construction. More preferably the spacer is formed from a single
sheet of steel.
Preferably the base portion comprises an abutment portion for limiting an extent to which the base
portion can be inserted into a channel or aperture in use.
Preferably the base portion has a tapered portion at a distal end of the base portion to the connection
with the web portion.
Preferably a clearance between the plane of the base portion and the ramp portion is around 2mm.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a spacer for a damper, the
spacer comprising a first part and a second part, each of the first and second parts comprising a
Jail1 C3 a vvc113 Ici. Lau. uu/ ]
respective base portion, a web portion connected at a proximal end to the respective base portion and
extending at an angle from the base portion, and a ramp portion connected to a distal end of the
respective web portion, each ramp portion extending toward a plane of the respective base portion,
wherein the first and second parts are connected together along adjacent side edges of the base
portions.
Preferably the planes of the first and second base portions form an angle of substantially 90.
Preferably the spacer is of unitary construction. More preferably the spacer is formed from a single
sheet of steel.
Preferably at least one of the base portions comprises an abutment portion for limiting an extent to
which the respective base portion can be inserted into a channel or aperture in use.
Preferably, each base portion has a tapered portion at a distal end of the base portion to the
connection with the respective web portion.
Preferably a clearance between the plane of each base portion and the respective ramp portion is
around 2mm.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a damper for an air circulation
system comprising a frame and a flange extending from the frame, the flange provided with a resilient
material on at least one face thereof.
Preferably the resilient material is intumescent.
Preferably the resilient material comprises a felt, more preferably a sodium silicate type felt.
Preferably the frame comprises four sides, each side provided with a flange, each flange provided with a
resilient material on at least one face thereof.
Preferably the damper is a fire damper.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a damper for an air circulation
system provided with at least one spacer of the first or second aspects.
Preferably the damper is a damper of the third aspect.
Preferably the frame comprises four interconnected sides forming four corners, each side provided with
a flange, each flange provided with a resilient material on at least one face thereof, the damper further
comprising a spacer of the second aspect mounted to the frame at each corner.
Jail1C3 Xx vvc113 I ci. Lau uu/ .J]
Preferably each spacer is captured between the frame and at least one flange.
Preferably the resilient material is intumescent.
According to another aspect of the invention a spacer for a damper is substantially as herein described
with reference to Figures 1-4 or Figures 5-8.
According to another aspect of the invention a damper is substantially as herein described with
reference to Figure 9.
According to a further aspect of the present invention a damper provided with at least one spacer is
substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1-4 and Figures 9-12 or Figures 5-12.
The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or
indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of
two or more of said parts, elements or features.
Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is
given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 Is a perspective view of a spacer for a fire damper according to one embodiment of the
present invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the spacer of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a front elevation of the spacer of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a side elevation of the spacer of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a spacer for a fire damper according to a second embodiment of
the present invention;
Figure 6 is a plan view of the spacer of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a front elevation of the spacer of Figure 5;
Figure 8 is a side elevation of the spacer of Figure 5;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a fire damper of the present invention;
Figure 10 is a diagrammatic partial cross-section side view of a fire damper of the present
Jail1C3 IX vvc113 Ici. Lau '-u'J2
invention,provided with with a spacer of the present invention, being inserted into a
cavity in a wall.
Figure 11 is a diagrammatic partial cross-section of the fire damper and spacer of Figure 10
installed in the cavity.
Figure 12 is a diagrammatic partial cross-section of the fire damper and spacer of Figure 10 being
inserted into an insufficiently large cavity.
Referring first to Figures 1to 4, a spacer for a damper according to one aspect of the present invention
is generally referenced by arrow 100. The spacer 100 comprises a base portion 1 and a web portion 2
connected to the base portion 1 at one end 3 and to a ramp portion 4 at the opposite end 5.
As best seen in Figure 3, the base portion 1 is preferably substantially flat, and the web portion 2
extends at an angle A to the plane B of the base portion 1. The angle A is preferably between 20 and
60, more preferably around 45°. The length of the web portion 2 and the angle A are selected such
that the clearance between the end 5 of the web portion and the plane B of the base portion 1 is a
required distance G. In some embodiments the distance G may be determined by reference to local
regulations regarding a minimum allowable clearance between the walls of a damper and the cavity
into which the damper is mounted. In an embodiment the distance G is calculated as follows:
G Y2 (0.01L+10mm)
where L is equal to the length of the side of the damper frame which is adjacent to the side which the .0 base portion 1 is mounted on when the spacer is in use.
Still referring in particular to Figure 3, the ramp portion 4 extends at an angle to the web portion 2,
toward the plane B of the base portion 1. The ramp portion 4 forms an angle C of between 10 and 45,
more preferably around 45 to the plane B of the base portion.
The angle C and the length of the ramp portion 4 are selected such that there is a clearance space 6
between the ramp portion 4 and the plane B of the base portion 1. This clearance space 6 is preferably
small, for example around 2mm. As is explained further below, the clearance space 6 is selected to
limit a maximum deflection of the web portion 2 when the spacer is in use.
Referring next to Figures 1 and 2 in particular, the base portion 1 preferably has a tapered portion 7 at a
distal end of the base portion 1 to the connection with the web portion 2. In a preferred embodiment
Jail1C3 a vvc113 Ici. 'Lau uu/ .J]
the tapered portion 7 tapers to an apex 8. This tapered portion 7 may assist in mounting the spacer 100
to a damper, as is described further below.
The base portion 3 may also be provided with an abutment portion 9 which projects away from the
plane B of the base portion 1. The abutment portion 9 may limit the extent to which the base portion 1
can be inserted into a channel, aperture, or other similar formation in use.
As is best seen in Figure 2, the spacer 100 is preferably widest at the intersection of the base portion 1
and the web portion 2, and preferably tapers from this intersection towards the end of the ramp
portion 4.
In a preferred embodiment the spacer 100 is of unitary construction, and is preferably formed from a
single sheet of steel. In a preferred embodiment the steel is a minimum of 0.75mm thick (22 gauge).
Referring next to Figures 5-8, another embodiment of the spacer is shown, generally referenced by
arrow 101. The spacer 101 comprises a first part, generally referenced by arrow 10, and a second part,
generally referenced by arrow 11.
The first part comprises a base portion la, web portion 2a and ramp portion 3a. The relative
relationship between the base portion la, web portion 2a and ramp portion 3a is the same as that
between the base portion 1, web portion 2 and ramp portion 3 of the spacer 100 described above.
The second part 11 comprises a base portion 1b, web portion 2b and ramp portion 3b. The relative
relationship between the base portion 1b, web portion 2b and ramp portion 3b is also the same as that
between the base portion 1, web portion 2 and ramp portion 3 of the spacer 100 described above.
.0 The first and second parts 10, 11 are preferably mirror images, and are preferably connected together
along a side 12a, 12b of the base portions la, 1b. The angle between the planes of the base portions
la, lb is preferably substantially 90, so that the spacer 101 can be mounted to the corner of a damper
in use, as is described further below.
As with spacer 100, spacer 101 is preferably of unitary construction, and is preferably formed from a
single sheet of steel. In a preferred embodiment the steel is a minimum of 0.75mm thick (22 gauge).
Referring next to Figures 9-11, a damper of the present invention is generally referenced by arrow 102.
The damper 102 is shown with a spacer 100 and a spacer 101 installed.
The internal mechanism (not shown) of the damper 102 forms no part of the invention, and may
comprise any known damper mechanism, for example curtain-type, motorised etc, or any other
Jail1 C3 a vvc113 Ici. Lau. uu/ ]
suitable mechanism.
The damper 102 comprises a frame 20. At least one flange 21 extends from the frame 20. In a
preferred embodiment the frame is substantially square or rectangular, and a flange 21 extends from
each of the four sides 22, preferably substantially perpendicularly to the respective side 22.
A face 23 of each of the flanges 21 which is perpendicular to the adjacent side 22 is provided with a
resilient material 24. The resilient material is preferably a felt, more preferably a sodium silicate type
felt. As well as their ability to withstand elevated temperatures, sodium silicate felts have the
additional advantage of being intumescent. The resilient material is preferably between around 2mm
and 15mm thick, most preferably around 3mm thick. The resilient material may be attached to the
flange by any suitable means, but most preferably by the use of a suitable high temperature adhesive.
When the damper is installed in a cavity the resilient material is clamped against a wall. The resilient
material 24 provides a seal against the flow of air or smoke immediately upon proper installation. In
embodiments where the resilient material is also intumescent, the intumescent material expands when
heated (for example in the presence of fire) and the seal is improved.
In a preferred embodiment the damper 102 is provided with at least one spacer 100/101. In a
preferred embodiment each flange 21 is connected to the frame 20 in such a way as to create an
opening or channel 25 between the frame 20 and the flange 21. For example, the flange 21 may be
manufactured from a substantially 'Vshaped material such as angle iron, and may be bolted to the
frame 20, thereby creating a narrow channel between the adjacent sides of the flange 21 and the frame .0 20. In some embodiments the sides of the opening or channel 25 may be closed (that is, in contact with
each other) when the flange 21 is bolted to the frame 20, and may only be forced apart to form the
channel 25 when the spacer 100/101 is urged between the flange 21 and the frame 20.
The base portion or portions 1, la, lb of the spacer 100/101 is preferably inserted into and thereby
captured by the walls of the channel or aperture 25. The depth to which the base portion(s) 1, la, lb
are inserted is limited by the abutment portion(s) 9, 9a, 9b.
Referring next to Figure 10, a damper 102 which has been provided with a spacer 100 of the present
invention is shown being installed into a cavity D in a wall E. As can be seen, the ramp portion 4 makes
contact with an outer edge F of the cavity D first. The ramp portion 4 tends to centre the damper 102
within the cavity D, and assists in installation of the damper 102 by guiding the damper 102 into the
cavity D and preventing any part of the spacer from catching on the outer surface of the wall E.
Jail1C3 a vvc113 Ic . Lau uu/ .J]
As shown in Figure 11, the cavity D is preferably sized such that the web portion 2 must deflect slightly
for the damper 102 to be fully inserted into the cavity D. The deflection may be as a result of bending
of the connection between the web portion 2 and the base portion 1, bending of the web portion 2
itself, or both.
By sizing the cavity D such that some deflection of the web portion 2 is required, the damper 102 is held
securely within the cavity. However, as shown in Figure 12, if the cavity D is too small (for example, if
the cavity provides less clearance between the damper and the internal wall of the cavity than is
required by local regulations), then the deflection of the web portion 2 is preferably so great that there
is no clearance remaining between the end 26 of the ramp portion 4 and the frame 20 of the damper
102. In this case the web portion 2 cannot deflect any further, and the damper 102 cannot be inserted
into the aperture D without the use of excessive force. In this way the design of the spacer 100, 101
assists with installation of the damper 102, while also ensuring that the damper 102 cannot be inserted
into a cavity which provides insufficient clearance around the damper.
In preferred embodiments a damper 102 may be supplied with spacers 100 and/or spacers 101
installed. In this way no installation of spacers is required on-site. However, in other embodiments the
spacers may be installed onto the damper on-site.
The spacers 100/101 of the present invention may be used with any suitable damper, and the damper
102 of the present invention may be used with spacers of the prior art, although particular advantages
may be realised by use in the damper 102 in combination with one or more of the spacers 100, 101of .0 the present invention.
Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known
equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.
It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments
described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its
attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within
the present invention.
Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be
appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope
thereof.
Claims (10)
1. A spacer for a damper, the spacer comprising:
a first base portion and a second base portion;
a first web portion connected at a proximal end to the first base portion and extending
at an angle from the first base portion;
a second web portion connected at a proximal end to the second base portion and extending at
an angle from the second base portion;
a first ramp portion connected to a distal end of the first web portion, the first ramp
portion extending toward a plane of the first base portion, and
a second ramp portion connected to a distal end of the second web portion, the second ramp
portion extending toward a plane of the second base portion, wherein
adjacent side edges of the first base portion and the second base portion are connected
together.
2. A spacer according to claim 1wherein the planes of the first base portion and the second base portion form an angle of substantially 90.
3. A spacer according to claim 1 or 2 wherein both the first base portion and the second base
portion comprise an abutment portion for limiting an extent to which the respective base
portion can be inserted into a channel or aperture in use.
4. A spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein each base portion has a tapered portion
at a distal end of the base portion to the connection with the respective web portion.
5. A spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein a clearance between the plane of each base portion and the respective ramp portion is substantially 2mm.
6. A spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the spacer is of unitary construction.
7. A spacer according to claim 6 wherein the spacer is formed from a single sheet of steel.
8. A damper for an air circulation system comprising a frame, the frame comprising four
interconnected sides forming four corners, wherein each side is provided with a flange, each
flange provided with a resilient material on at least one face thereof, the damper further comprising a spacer according to any one of claims 1to 7 mounted to the frame at each corner.
9. A damper according to claim 8 wherein each spacer is captured between the frame and at least
one of the flanges.
10. A damper according to claim 9 wherein the resilient material is intumescent.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2020220066A AU2020220066B2 (en) | 2016-03-10 | 2020-08-18 | Improvements to dampers |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ71786216 | 2016-03-10 | ||
| NZ717862 | 2016-03-10 |
Related Child Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2020220066A Division AU2020220066B2 (en) | 2016-03-10 | 2020-08-18 | Improvements to dampers |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2017201616A1 AU2017201616A1 (en) | 2017-09-28 |
| AU2017201616B2 true AU2017201616B2 (en) | 2021-02-18 |
Family
ID=59923156
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2017201616A Active AU2017201616B2 (en) | 2016-03-10 | 2017-03-09 | Improvements to dampers and spacers for dampers |
| AU2020220066A Active AU2020220066B2 (en) | 2016-03-10 | 2020-08-18 | Improvements to dampers |
Family Applications After (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2020220066A Active AU2020220066B2 (en) | 2016-03-10 | 2020-08-18 | Improvements to dampers |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (2) | AU2017201616B2 (en) |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2320682A (en) * | 1996-10-14 | 1998-07-01 | Juergen F Eidmann | Fire resistant cartridge for a ventilation system |
| US20100024338A1 (en) * | 2008-07-30 | 2010-02-04 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Pass-through firestop apparatus and methods |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4424867A (en) * | 1981-03-31 | 1984-01-10 | Fiberglas Canada Inc. | Heat hardening sealant-gel for flexible couplings |
| GB9011353D0 (en) * | 1990-05-21 | 1990-07-11 | Motorised Air Products Limited | Smoke and fire damper |
| GB2273100B (en) * | 1992-11-18 | 1997-01-08 | Environmental Seals Ltd | Intumescent products |
| DE19701358B4 (en) * | 1997-01-16 | 2004-03-18 | Eidmann, Jürgen | Fire protection shut-off device for ventilation ducts |
| AU2003900592A0 (en) * | 2003-02-11 | 2003-02-27 | Truss Holdings Pty Ltd | Fire collar |
| US8029345B2 (en) * | 2006-09-29 | 2011-10-04 | Unico, Inc. | Fire stop outlet for small duct, high velocity air distribution systems |
| US8833478B2 (en) * | 2010-07-13 | 2014-09-16 | Panduit Corp. | Fire stop system |
| PL2570158T3 (en) * | 2011-09-19 | 2015-11-30 | Trox Gmbh Geb | Fire protection flap with a housing for a pivotable shut-off valve which can be pivoted around a pivoting axle |
-
2017
- 2017-03-09 AU AU2017201616A patent/AU2017201616B2/en active Active
-
2020
- 2020-08-18 AU AU2020220066A patent/AU2020220066B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2320682A (en) * | 1996-10-14 | 1998-07-01 | Juergen F Eidmann | Fire resistant cartridge for a ventilation system |
| US20100024338A1 (en) * | 2008-07-30 | 2010-02-04 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Pass-through firestop apparatus and methods |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2020220066B2 (en) | 2022-07-07 |
| AU2017201616A1 (en) | 2017-09-28 |
| AU2020220066A1 (en) | 2020-09-03 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC1 | Assignment before grant (sect. 113) |
Owner name: PRICE HOLYOAKE (NZ) LIMITED Free format text: FORMER APPLICANT(S): HOLYOAKE INDUSTRIES LIMITED |
|
| FGA | Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent) |