RFID-based moisture-sensing and leak-detection for roofing structures and methods of use
AssigneeBuildTech Solutions LLC
InventorsGeorge S. Baggs, Aaron W. Golding, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The inventive disclosures pertain to an improved roofing-protection system that features enhanced leak-detection and analytical capabilities. The improved system features RFID-enabled moisture-sensing elements contained in a moisture-sensing membrane, and can measure impedance changes across the moisture-sensing membrane. In some variations, the system is designed to detect and measure moisture leakage and roof loading by way of biplanar capacitance measurements. RFID tags for moisture sensors are read by drones or robots and wirelessly transmitted to the Cloud/Internet for remote data analytics.
Claims29
An improved moisture-sensing membrane for use with roofing systems, comprising:
- a base membrane comprised of a high-temperature-rated polymer with a conductive-metalized coating disposed on top of said base membrane, wherein:
- said conductive-metalized coating has a surface resistivity of less than or equal to 5 ohms/square, and
- the bottom surface of said base membrane is considered the “proximal surface” of the improved moisture-sensing membrane;
- one or more moisture-sensing areas located and distributed above said base membrane, wherein:
- each moisture-sensing area is comprised of a coupling of conductive-metalized coating and a layer of high-temperature-rated polymer,
- each moisture-sensing area has at least one moisture-sensing element attached to the proximal surface of said moisture-sensing area, wherein said at least one moisture-sensing element is co-located with a self-powered, passive RFID tag;
- said conductive-metalized coating has a surface resistivity of less than or equal to 5 ohms/square, and
- each of said moisture-sensing area's layer of high-temperature-rated polymer is disposed nearest said base membrane, as compared to said moisture-sensing area's conductive-metalized coating;
- a wicking layer disposed between said base membrane and said one or more moisture-sensing areas, wherein:
- said wicking layer is substantially comprised of high-temperature hydrophilic porous membrane material, and
- said wicking layer is in communication with both said base membrane and said one or more sensing areas;
- and
- a covering membrane disposed on said one or more moisture-sensing areas, wherein:
- said covering membrane is substantially comprised of high-temperature polymer or fluoropolymer materials,
- the surface of said covering membrane that is not in contact with said one of more moisture-sensing areas is considered the “distal surface” of said improved moisture-sensing membrane, and
- said covering membrane has a plurality of openings to allow moisture that is present on the distal surface of the improved moisture-sensing membrane to enter said wicking layer in order to facilitate moisture detection;
- wherein said improved moisture-sensing membrane is adapted to be installed in a roofing system with the distal surface of said improved moisture-sensing membrane in close proximity to or in direct contact with a roofing system's single-ply membrane in order to detect leaks in said roof's single-ply membrane.
An improved moisture-sensing roofing membrane adapted to be installed on a hard roofing substrate, comprising:
- a moisture-impervious barrier membrane base membrane, having a proximal surface adapted for being in contact with said hard roofing substrate, wherein the opposite surface is considered the “distal surface;”
- a plurality of moisture-sensing elements attached to the proximal surface of said moisture-impervious barrier membrane, wherein each of said plurality of moisture-sensing elements is associated with a co-located, self-powered, passive RFID tag that is installed in said improved moisture-sensing roofing membrane;
- and
- a moisture-wicking-fabric layer covering said plurality of moisture-sensing elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.