Zoned roof monitoring system
AssigneeDetec Systems LLC
InventorsDavid Vokey, Andrew J. Preiksa, Mark K. Bridges, Bryan McGough
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A leak in the membrane of a generally horizontal roof support deck includes dividing the membrane into separate zones and locating a sensor to detect moisture underneath the membrane. A unique digital code address is assigned to sensor where inputs of the sensors are connected to a single power and signaling cable system using a daisy chain. The serial bus controller is to interrogate each of the sensor devices using the address to identify zones where moisture is detected. A transmitting antenna is provided at each sensor which is switched on when moisture is detected for detecting of the sensor from above the membrane by a utility locate device to confirm the location of the sensor.
Claims20
A method of detecting a leak in a roof, wherein the roof comprises a generally horizontal roof support deck with a water impermeable membrane applied on top of the roof assembly, the method comprising:
- dividing the membrane into a plurality of separate zones;
- in each zone applying at or adjacent the membrane a sensor device arranged to detect moisture underneath the membrane;
- the sensor device in each zone including remote measurement and signaling electronics;
- assigning a unique digital code address to each of the remote measurement and signaling electronics;
- connecting inputs of the remote measurement and signaling electronics of the sensor devices to a single power and signaling cable system using a daisy chain;
- terminating the signalling cable system in a serial bus controller;
- and using the serial bus controller to interrogate each of the sensor devices using the address to identify zones where moisture is detected.
A method of detecting a leak in a roof, wherein the roof comprises a generally horizontal roof support deck with a water impermeable membrane applied on top of the roof assembly, the method comprising:
- dividing the membrane into a plurality of separate zones;
- in each zone applying under the membrane a sensor device;
- wherein the sensor device includes sensors arranged to detect moisture underneath the membrane, humidity in a location surrounding the sensor device and temperature in a location surrounding the sensor device;
- the sensor device in each zone including remote measurement and signaling electronics.
A method of detecting a leak in a roof, wherein the roof comprises a generally horizontal roof support deck with a water impermeable membrane applied on top of the roof assembly, the method comprising:
- dividing the membrane into a plurality of separate zones;
- in each zone applying at or adjacent the membrane a sensor device arranged to detect moisture underneath the membrane;
- the sensor device in each zone including remote measurement and signaling electronics;
- wherein each sensor device includes an antenna for emitting a locate location signal and a switching device for activating the antenna;
- and wherein, on detection of moisture by a sensor device, the locate signal is switched on at the respective antenna of the sensor device and a technician locates from above the membrane the sensor device emitting the locate signal using a locate receiver.
A method of detecting a leak in a roof, wherein the roof comprises a generally horizontal roof support deck with a water impermeable membrane applied on top of the roof assembly, the method comprising:
- dividing the membrane into a plurality of separate zones;
- in each zone applying at or adjacent the membrane a sensor device arranged to detect moisture underneath the membrane;
- the sensor device in each zone including remote measurement and signaling electronics;
- assigning a unique digital code address to each of the remote measurement and signaling electronics;
- connecting inputs of the remote measurement and signaling electronics of the sensor devices to a single power and signaling cable system using a daisy chain;
- terminating the signalling cable system in a serial bus controller;
- wherein the serial bus controller includes built in loop verification testing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.