Method and system for ensuring leak-free roof installation
OwnerClark Gunnessinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is a first system and method for detecting correct installation of a roofing envelope and a second system and method for detecting leaks during the installation of a roofing envelope. The first and second systems and methods may operate independently or in combination.
Claims21
A system for detecting correct installation of a roofing envelope for application to a structure that includes an insulation layer on top of the structure and at least one conductive element integral with the structure, said system comprising:
- a conductive mesh layer disposed on top of the insulation;
- a roofing membrane disposed on top of said conductive mesh layer;
- a power supply comprising a live side and reference side;
- at least one voltmeter attached to said reference side of said power supply;
- a first wire attached to said conductive mesh layer and said live side of said power supply;
- and
- a second wire attached to the at least one conductive element and said at least one voltmeter, such that said at least one voltmeter reads a current flowing through said second wire.
A method for detecting correct installation of a roofing envelope installed on a structure that includes an insulation layer on top of the structure and at least one conductive element integral with the structure, said method comprising the steps of:
- applying a conductive mesh layer on top of the insulation layer;
- applying a roofing membrane on top of the conductive mesh layer;
- installing at least one voltmeter attached to a reference side of a power supply;
- attaching a first wire to the conductive mesh layer and to a live side of the power supply;
- attaching a second wire to the at least one conductive element and to the at least one voltmeter, such that the at least one voltmeter reads a current flowing through the second wire;
- powering the conductive mesh throughout the installation;
- and
- monitoring the at least one voltmeter for increases in voltage.
A method for detecting leaks during installation of a roofing envelope installed on a structure that includes an insulation layer on top of the structure and at least one conductive element integral with the structure, said method comprising the steps of:
- applying a conductive mesh layer on top of the insulation layer;
- applying a roofing membrane on top of the conductive mesh layer;
- installing a voltmeter attached to a reference side of a power supply;
- attaching a first wire to the conductive mesh layer and to a live side of the power supply;
- attaching a third wire to the electrode and the voltmeter, such that the voltmeter reads a current flowing through the third wire;
- powering the conductive mesh throughout the installation;
- monitoring the voltmeter for increases in voltage;
- reading an increased voltage on the voltmeter;
- and
- fixing the leak in the roofing membrane, as indicated by a voltage decrease.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.