Joint Seal System & Method

Abstract

A joint seal system and method may include a seal and a band. The seal may be positioned between abutting flanges of two adjacent duct sections. A band may be positioned over the two flanges and the flange interface. The joint seal system and method may be configured to mitigate and/or eliminate leakage of pressure, flue gases, condensate, and/or any other fluid, gas, and/or vapor between abutting flanges of duct sections at a flange interface.

1 . A method of connecting a first and a second chimney section, said method comprising:
 a. constructing a first section comprising:
 i. a body, wherein said body includes first and second portions that oppose one another and are substantially linear in shape, and wherein said body includes third and fourth portions that oppose one another and are curved such that said body has an obround cross-sectional shape; 
 ii. a first flange integrally formed with a first end of said body, wherein said first flange is continuous around the periphery of said first end of said body through said first, second, third, and fourth portions, and wherein said first flange is substantially perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis of said body; 
 iii. a second flange integrally formed with a second end of said body, wherein said second flange is continuous around the periphery of said second end of said body through said first, second, third, and fourth portions, and wherein said second flange is substantially perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis of said body; 
   b. constructing a second section comprising:
 i. a body, wherein said body includes first and second portions that oppose one another and are substantially linear in shape, wherein said body includes third and fourth portions that oppose one another and are curved such that said body has an obround cross-sectional shape, and wherein the dimensions of said second section body are substantially the same as those of said first section body; 
 ii. a first flange integrally formed with a first end of said body, wherein said first flange is continuous around the periphery of said first end of said body through said first, second, third, and fourth portions, and wherein said first flange is substantially perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis of said body; 
   c. positioning said first flange of said second section to abut said first flange of said first section to form a flange interface;   d. placing a V-band over said flange interface, wherein said V-band comprises:
 i. a first angled portion; 
 ii. a second angled portion; and 
 iii. a V-band apex, wherein said V-band apex connects said first angled portion to said second angled portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said V-band further comprises:
 a. a first flat portion, wherein said first flat portion is affixed to said first angled portion, and wherein said first flat portion fits substantially flush to the exterior of said first section body; 
 b. a second flat portion, wherein said second flat portion is affixed to said second angled portion, and wherein said second flat portion fits substantially flush to the exterior of said second section body; and 
 c. a V-band clamp. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2  further comprising the step of placing a sealant between said along said flange interface. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3  wherein said first section further comprises;
 a. an outer shell comprising:
 i. a body, wherein the cross-sectional shape of said outer shell body is substantially the same as that of said inner shell body, and wherein the periphery of said outer shell body is greater than that of said inner shell body; 
 ii. an outer shell channel, wherein said outer shell channel is integrally formed with said body; and 
 
 b. a plurality of spacer clips, wherein each spacer clip extends from said first section body to said outer shell; and 
 c. an insulating material, wherein said insulating material is positioned between said first section body and said outer shell. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2  further comprising the step of placing a seal between first flange of said second section to abut said first flange of said first section. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein an angle between said first angled portion and said second angled portion of said V-band is between 60 and 90 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein said first flat portion and said second flat portion are further defined extending from a distal end of said first angled portion and said second angled portion, respectively by an amount between 0.25 and 0.75 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein said V-band clamp is further defined as comprising an anchor engaged with a first end of said V-band and a connector engaged with a second end of said V-band, wherein said anchor and said connector cooperate to allow a user to adjust the peripheral size of said V-band. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein said first and second sections are further defined as having a cross-sectional shape that is obround. 
     
     
         10 . An intermediate section comprising:
 a. a first end formed with a fixed flange thereon;   b. a second end formed as a free end, wherein a cross-sectional shape and peripheral dimension of said free end is substantially the same as that of said second end without said fixed flange; and,   c. a slip collar positioned over a portion of an exterior of said intermediate section between said first and section ends, wherein said slip collar may move along a length of said intermediate section, wherein said slip collar is formed with a slip collar flange thereon, wherein said slip collar is formed with an anchor and a connector, and wherein said anchor and said connector are configured to allow a user to selective secure a position of said slip collar with respect to said first and second ends of said intermediate section.   
     
     
         11 . A method of accounting for a variable distance comprising the steps of:
 a. fixing a position of a first section, said first section comprising:
 i. a body, wherein said body includes first and second portions that oppose one another and are substantially linear in shape, and wherein said body includes third and fourth portions that oppose one another and are curved such that said body has an obround cross-sectional shape; 
 ii. a first flange integrally formed with a first end of said body, wherein said first flange is continuous around the periphery of said first end of said body through said first, second, third, and fourth portions, and wherein said first flange is substantially perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis of said body; 
 iii. a second flange integrally formed with a second end of said body, wherein said second flange is continuous around the periphery of said second end of said body through said first, second, third, and fourth portions, and wherein said second flange is substantially perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis of said body; 
   b. fixing a position of a second section, said second section comprising:
 i. a body, wherein said body includes first and second portions that oppose one another and are substantially linear in shape, wherein said body includes third and fourth portions that oppose one another and are curved such that said body has an obround cross-sectional shape, and wherein the dimensions of said second section body are substantially the same as those of said first section body; 
 ii. a first flange integrally formed with a first end of said body, wherein said first flange is continuous around the periphery of said first end of said body through said first, second, third, and fourth portions, and wherein said first flange is substantially perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis of said body; 
   c. positioning an intermediate section between said first fixed section and said second fixed section, said intermediate section comprising:
 i. a first end formed with a fixed flange thereon; 
 ii. a second end formed as a free end, wherein a cross-sectional shape and peripheral dimension of said free end is substantially the same as that of said second end without said fixed flange; and, 
 iii. a slip collar positioned over a portion of an exterior of said intermediate section between said first and section ends, wherein said slip collar may move along a length of said intermediate section, wherein said slip collar is formed with a slip collar flange thereon, wherein said slip collar is formed with an anchor and a connector, and wherein said anchor and said connector are configured to allow a user to selective secure a position of said slip collar with respect to said first and second ends of said intermediate section. 
   d. inserting said free end of said intermediate section into said first section such that said free end extends into said first section beyond said first flange of said first section;   e. positioning said fixed flange of said intermediate section adjacent said first flange of said second section;   f. positioning a seal between said fixed flange of said intermediate section and said first flange of said second section;   g. positioning a band around a flange interface formed between said fixed flange of said intermediate section adjacent said first flange of said second section;   h. tightening said band such that it engages said fixed flange of said intermediate section adjacent said first flange of said second section to secure the relative positions thereof;   i. moving said slip collar toward said first flange of said first section until said slip collar flange is adjacent said first flange of said first section;   j. positioning a seal between said slip collar flange of said intermediate section and said first flange of said first section;   k. positioning a second band around a flange interface formed between said slip collar flange of said intermediate section adjacent said first flange of said first section;   l. tightening said second band such that it engages said slip collar flange of said intermediate section adjacent said first flange of said first section to secure the relative positions thereof; and,   m. sealing a space between said slip collar and an exterior surface of said intermediate section.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein said band is further defined as comprising:
 a. a hinge; 
 b. a first open end; 
 c. a second open end; 
 d. a connector engaged with said first open end; 
 e. an anchor engaged with said second open end; 
 f. a vertex; 
 g. a first angled portion extending outward from said vertex; 
 h. a second angled portion extending outward from said vertex; 
 i. a first flat portion extending away from a distal end of said first angled portion in a direction away from said vertex; and, 
 j. a second flat portion extending away from a distal end of said second angled portion in a direction away from said vertex. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein said second band is further defined as comprising:
 a. a hinge; 
 b. a first open end; 
 c. a second open end; 
 d. a connector engaged with said first open end; 
 e. an anchor engaged with said second open end; 
 f. a vertex; 
 g. a first angled portion extending outward from said vertex; 
 h. a second angled portion extending outward from said vertex; 
 i. a first flat portion extending away from a distal end of said first angled portion in a direction away from said vertex; and, 
 j. a second flat portion extending away from a distal end of said second angled portion in a direction away from said vertex. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein said first section further comprises;
 a. an outer shell comprising:
 i. a body, wherein the cross-sectional shape of said outer shell body is substantially the same as that of said inner shell body, and wherein the periphery of said outer shell body is greater than that of said inner shell body; 
 ii. an outer shell channel, wherein said outer shell channel is integrally formed with said body; and 
 
 b. a plurality of spacer clips, wherein each spacer clip extends from said first section body to said outer shell; and 
 c. an insulating material, wherein said insulating material is positioned between said first section body and said outer shell.