DE29522350U1 - insulating material - Google Patents

Description

EUROPEANPATENTATTORNEYS PATENT-UNJ) JECJTTSA^w£.L*lfe 1 · * .·

MANITZ, FINSTERWALD A-PARTN ¹ E*

MANITZ. FtNSTERWALD 4 PARTNER ■ P.O. BOX 22 16 U ■ 80506 MUNICH

E. Missel GmbH
Hortensienweg 2 and 27 PO Box 50 07 64

703 3 7 Stuttgart

GERMAN PATENT ATTORNEYS

DR. GERHART MANITZ · dipl.-phys.

MANFRED FINSTERWALD ■ Dipl.-Ing., Dipl.-Wirtsch.-Ing.

DR. HELIANE HEYN · dipl.-chem.

DR. MARTIN FINSTERWALD ■ oipl.-ing.

STEPHAN THUL · dipl.-phys.

RALF ALBRECHT ■ dipl.-ing.

WERNER GRÄMKOW · dipl.-ing. (-19831

BRITISH CHARTERED PATENT ATTORNEY

JAMES G. MORGAN ■ b. se. iphys.), d.m.s.

LAWYERS

MARION CHRISTIANE SCHMIDT

REPRESENTATIVES BEFORE THE EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE MANDATAIRES AGREES PRES L'OFFICE EUROPEEN DES BREVETS

80506 MUNICH

PO BOX 22 16 11 ■ ROBERT-KOCH-STRASSE

TELEPHONE (089) 22 42 11 · TELEPHONE (089) 29 75

DATE

Munich, August 16, 1995 Mr/Si-M 4290

Insulating material

MANlTZ · FINSTERWALD ■ HEYN ■ M0RGA.IJ ₄ FIN&TÖIWALD.-JHUU-.SCWVUOT · 8&bgr;538 MUNICH»WKlBSiW«KOCM-STRASSE ♦ · ^&Tgr; .&Egr;*-&Egr;&KHgr; 5 29 672 PATMF ■ TAX no. DE 130 001 124

HALF AL£RECH5Y.7O372 STUJtCarI &phgr;*&rgr; CANViSiJaTT) -SEELBEBGsSiUkSs! 23525 ■ &tgr;£&iacgr;&Egr;&&Ngr;*<J711| 56 72 61 HYPOBANK MUNICH · 6 880 119 98Jl ■ $_2J70O 200 O^ · POStGfIOAMJ MUI)JSHENi^70 62-8C& · BL2j7io &idiagr;6&thgr; 8oi VeJeIN^ANK MUNICH · 578 351 · Bank code 700 202 70

« · · ·- ■■■■*■■ ·· ·

Description

The invention relates to an insulating material for pipelines, fittings, sanitary objects, machine encapsulations, domestic appliances and systems, noise sources in mechanical workshops and the like with at least two layers arranged one above the other, wherein at least one layer is designed to insulate against structure-borne noise.

Such insulating materials are used to coat, for example, sewage pipes, branches, bends, transition pieces and the like used in sewage systems, cisterns, solenoid valves, water supply lines, etc. In this way, the absorption and/or reflection of the noises generated in the coated element by the insulating material can, to a certain extent, reduce the noises that can be heard from the outside and are therefore disturbing.■-...■

An insulating material of the type specified, which is suitable for insulating pipes, is known, for example, from European patent application EP-A-0 505 759. This insulating material has a mechanically stable outer layer and a sound-insulating inner layer, with both layers being combined to form a tubular composite.

An object of the present invention is to provide an insulating material with which the best possible sound absorption and/or sound insulation can be achieved, which is improved compared to the known prior art.

According to the invention, this is achieved by at least

a further layer is designed to insulate against airborne sound.

The invention is therefore based on the knowledge that, in addition to the noises predominantly caused by structure-borne noise in building services, for example, a certain, albeit much smaller, proportion of noise is also caused by pure, direct airborne noise. The proportion of airborne noise is generally not reduced or only insufficiently reduced by layers that reduce structure-borne noise.

For this reason, the invention proposes to provide at least one airborne sound-insulating layer in addition to a structure-borne sound-insulating layer. In this way, the insulating material according to the invention achieves a significantly improved sound-insulating effect compared to the prior art, since both the disturbing noises transmitted via structure-borne sound and airborne sound are largely reduced by the insulating material according to the invention.

The structure-borne sound-insulating layer can be made of a soft material, in particular of closed-cell, low-density foam. Preferably, a layer of closed-cell polyethylene is used.

This structure-borne sound-insulating layer can also be designed in such a way that it also has heat-insulating properties. However, with the insulating material according to the invention it is also possible to provide a separate, heat-insulating layer which can also simultaneously offer protection against condensate in a certain temperature range.

The airborne sound-insulating layer additionally provided in accordance with the invention preferably consists of a high-density material, for which metal, in particular lead,

Steel, copper or brass and/or a silicate material such as sand can be used. For certain applications it may also be useful to use mixtures of various of the specified materials.

The airborne sound-insulating layer is preferably designed to be flexible, so that this layer, in combination with the other layers of the insulating material according to the invention, can be wound, laid or pulled over objects of different shapes to be insulated.

The dimensions of the airborne sound-insulating layer must be selected in accordance with the physical and acoustic requirements and laws. In the case of particularly loud noises transmitted via airborne sound, the airborne sound-insulating layer must consist of a particularly dense material or be made with a layer thickness such that a sufficient sound-insulating effect is achieved.

The structure-borne and airborne sound-reducing composite of different layers is preferably arranged at a distance of about 1 mm to 10 mm from the sound-emitting noise source in order to achieve optimal ratios of the absorbing and reflecting effects of the individual layers. In principle, the composite or structure of the layers can be arbitrary. Preferably, however, the soft, structure-borne sound-reducing layer is arranged on the inside, on the side facing the sound source, and the high-density layer, which serves to insulate the airborne sound, is applied over the structure-borne sound-reducing layer (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).

Particularly good structure-borne sound insulation properties can be achieved for

certain noise sources (e.g. plastic pipes) can be reached if the structure-borne sound-insulating layer has protrusions and depressions, particularly in the form of a groove-like knob and/or grid structure, at least on the side facing the sound-emitting surface. It is advantageous if the structure-borne sound-insulating layer - as already mentioned above - does not extend to the surface of the insulating material facing the object to be insulated, but rather a certain air gap remains between the insulating material and the sound-emitting surface.

If the insulating material according to the invention is designed in a tubular shape, from a processing point of view the protrusions and depressions in the form of grooves of the structure-borne sound-insulating layer should preferably extend axially.

One advantage of using a structure-borne sound-insulating layer with raised areas and recesses is that this layer can be produced economically as a flat layered material. The layered material can then be easily connected to other layers and formed into an insulating tube for insulating pipes, for example.

Furthermore, when using a grooved profile, it is advantageous that when a flat structure-borne sound-insulating layer is formed into a tubular structure, the cell size of the foam material is not changed, and in particular not reduced, at least in the areas between the grooves. This is important because the cell size of the foam material influences its damping properties. The cell size

II! * II &iacgr; ^J &idigr; · «

should therefore not be changed in an uncontrolled manner, for example by compressing the foam material in certain areas.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a fiber or foam layer is arranged on the side of the two structure-borne and airborne sound-insulating layers facing away from the sound side. When using a fiber layer, plastic fibers needled together can be used, for example. Particularly good insulation properties can be achieved if the fiber layer has a low density and a comparatively high air content. The thickness of the fiber or foam layer (padding layer) is usually a fraction of the total thickness of the composite and can be between 1 and 2 mm, for example.

If the airborne sound-reducing layer is made of a homogeneous metal, this layer also fulfills the function of a moisture and vapor barrier. If this layer is made of granulated material or, more generally, of non-metallic material, then in a further preferred embodiment of the invention, on the side of the two structure-borne or airborne sound-insulating layers facing away from the sound side, a further layer in the form of a vapor-tight or at least vapor-retardant film, preferably made of polyethylene, can be arranged, with a buffer layer suitable for absorbing condensate, in particular designed as a fiber layer, being arranged between this layer and an outer layer facing away from the sound side. The fiber layer can be designed in accordance with the features specified in the previous paragraph.

The total thickness of the sound-proof or

The thickness of the layers arranged in the vapor-retardant layer is preferably selected such that, taking into account the temperature of the medium in the element to be insulated and the ambient conditions, the dew point temperature is shifted to a region outside the vapor-tight or vapor-retardant film.

This structure ensures that the dew point temperature is in an area outside the structure-borne and airborne sound-insulating layers and that any condensate that may form on the vapor-tight or vapor-retardant layer is absorbed by the padding layer, which preferably consists of synthetic fibers. Condensate that is stored in this padding layer in the meantime does not affect the insulating properties of the inner layers. - .

The surface of the insulating material according to the invention facing away from the object to be insulated can be formed by a tear-resistant material, in particular by a reinforcing mesh fabric. In the above-mentioned embodiment of the invention, in which a padding layer is arranged between a vapor-tight or vapor-retardant layer and an outer layer, the outer layer can consist of such a tear-resistant material.

An insulation material with an integrated or laminated tear-resistant material is resistant to damage, as any cracks that may occur in the outer layer are limited to small areas, thereby increasing the overall tear resistance. This is particularly beneficial when the insulation material is used on construction sites.

The individual layers of the insulating material according to the invention

preferably form a hose assembly that is suitable for insulating pipe elements. The hose assembly can be manufactured endlessly or in specific lengths.

Furthermore, however, it is also possible to design the insulating material according to the invention in such a way that the individual layers are joined together to form a composite molded piece adapted to the object to be insulated.

The composite molding can consist of at least two sections that can be attached to one another by means of a sewing, tacking, clamping, adhesive, riveting and/or the like. Such composite moldings can be designed in accordance with European patent application EP-A-0 540 935, whereby according to the invention an airborne sound-insulating layer is used in addition to the structure described therein.

In order to facilitate the attachment of the insulating material according to the invention to the element to be insulated, the hose assembly or the composite molded piece can be slit substantially in the longitudinal direction.

A corresponding slot is preferably closed by means of adhesive, Velcro and/or adhesive tapes, which can be attached to the hose assembly or the composite molding, in particular on both sides of the slot. The slot can be closed securely and permanently in particular if the surface of the insulating material according to the invention facing away from the sound side is made of a tear-resistant material, in particular of a reinforcing mesh fabric, 3a such a surface is better suited to receiving

■■■ - ■ \

of forces than a relatively sensitive insulation layer . .■■.■■':■

■ · * · &iacgr; »■

When using a tear-resistant surface, the slot can also be closed in an advantageous manner using staples or a seam. The staples or seam do not cause the insulation material to tear due to the tear-resistant surface.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawing; it shows:

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of an insulating material according to the invention forming a hose composite,

Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of an insulating material according to the invention forming a hose composite.

Fig. 3. the possible structure of an insulating material according to the invention. ■■ according to a third embodiment,

Fig. 4 shows the possible structure of an insulating material according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment,

Fig. 5 shows the possible structure of an insulating material according to the invention according to a fifth embodiment

Fig. 6 shows the possible structure of an insulating material according to the invention according to a sixth embodiment.

The hose assembly shown in Fig. 1 consists of five layers arranged one above the other, connected to one another and each having a tubular cross-section. ■..-■■■■

The innermost layer 1, whose thickness is more than half the total thickness of the hose assembly, is made of a

body sound-insulating material, for example closed-cell polyethylene.

An airborne sound-insulating layer 2 is arranged radially outside the layer 1. The airborne sound-insulating layer 2 consists of a high-density material, for example a metal such as lead, steel, copper or brass. This layer can also be made of a silicate material such as sand or plaster or contain mixtures of the above-mentioned materials.

Radially outside the airborne sound-insulating layer 2 there is a padding layer 3, which consists, for example, of needled plastic fibers or a plastic foam.

A thin, moisture-barrier polyethylene film 4 is arranged radially outside the padding layer 3 and is connected on its outside to a tear-resistant mesh fabric 5.

■m* The hose assembly shown in Fig. 2 corresponds essentially to the hose assembly according to Fig. 1, with one difference being that the inner structure-borne sound-insulating layer 1' according to Fig. 2 is provided on its inner side with a grooved profile which is formed by axially extending projections 6 and depressions 7.

Figures 3 to 6 show possible variants of the layer structure of an insulating material according to the invention.

According to Fig. 3, the innermost layer or the layer that is to be arranged closest to the sound-emitting noise source is formed from a sliding film 13, in particular a HD-PE sliding film,

- 11 -

which is, for example, 10 to 20 μm thick.

This sliding film 13 is followed by an approximately 2 mm thick layer 12 of foam material, which is connected on the side facing away from the sliding film 13 to a lead foil 11 whose thickness is approximately 0.5 mm.

Furthermore, a foam layer 10 is provided, the thickness of which is approximately 2 mm and which is connected at one side to the aforementioned lead foil 11 and at its other side to a further lead foil 9, the lead foil 9 being designed corresponding to the lead foil 11.

The outermost layer of the insulating material according to Fig. 3, i.e. the layer furthest away from the noise source to be insulated, is designed as a foil, grid or fleece 8.

The four outermost layers, or those furthest away from the noise source to be insulated, are constructed in the same way in an insulating material according to Fig. 4 as in the insulating material described in Fig. 3.

The innermost layer, i.e. the layer closest to the noise source to be insulated, which adjoins the lead foil 11 in the case of an insulating material according to Fig. 4, is formed from a grooved foam material 14 which is in particular approximately 9 mm thick.

The innermost layer in an insulating material according to Fig. 5 is formed from a sliding film 13, which can be designed corresponding to the sliding film mentioned in connection with Fig. 3.

The sliding foil 13 is followed by a foam layer 16 approximately 4 to 6 mm thick, which is placed on the

The side facing away from the sliding film 13 is connected to a layer 15 made of a high-density material. This material can consist at least partially of metal, in particular lead, steel, copper or brass and/or a silicate material, in particular sand.

The outermost layer of the insulating material according to Fig. 5, which directly adjoins the layer 15 of high density material, is, as in the embodiments according to

-. 3, Fig. 3 and 4 from a foil, a grid or a

Fleece 8 formed. .

The latter also applies to the embodiment according to Fig. 6, in which the outermost layer 8 is followed by a foam layer 10, in particular approximately 2 mm thick, which is connected on its side facing away from the outermost layer 8 to a foil cushion 17 which has air inclusions 18 of any shape and is filled with sand, plaster, lead balls or the like in those areas in which no air inclusions 18 are present.

The innermost layer of an insulating material according to Fig. is formed from a foam layer 19, which is connected to the foil cushion 17- ■ ■

In the embodiments described above according to Figs. 3 to 6, the foam layers each serve primarily for structure-borne sound insulation and the layers containing lead or other high-density materials primarily for airborne sound insulation,

Depending on the design, layer 8 according to Figs. 3 to 6 can take over the functions of layers 3, 4, 5 according to Figs. 1 and 2.

· ■

·

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the figures. A large number of other embodiments with different layer structures can be realized, the shape of which can be adapted to the elements to be insulated and to the respective acoustic and/or thermal problems.

Claims (8)

1. Flexible insulation material for pipes, fittings, sanitary ware and the like, with at least four interconnected layers arranged from the outside to the inside as follows: - - a moisture-barrier plastic film ( 4 ); - - a fibre layer ( 3 ), in particular made of needled plastic fibres; - - an airborne sound-insulating metal foil ( 2 ); - - a structure-borne sound-insulating foam layer ( 1 ); wherein the plastic film comprises a reinforcing mesh fabric ( 5 ); and
wherein the individual layers form a composite which is slit substantially in the longitudinal direction, and Velcro fasteners are provided for closing the slit. 2. Insulating material according to claim 1, characterized in that the foam layer ( 1 ) has protrusions and depressions in the form of a groove, knob or similar structure. 3. Insulating material according to claim 1, characterized in that the foam layer ( 1 ) is followed by a sliding film ( 13 ). 4. Insulating material according to claim 1, characterized in that several metal foils ( 2 ) are provided. 5. Insulating material according to claim 1, characterized in that several fiber, metal and/or foam layers are provided. 6. Insulating material according to claim 1, characterized in that the slot is closed by means of staples or by means of a seam instead of with a Velcro fastener. 7. Insulating material according to claim 1, characterized in that the composite is tubular or formed as a molded part. 8. Insulating material according to claim 7, characterized in that the composite is designed as a one-piece or multi-piece molded part.