Moisture detection and indicator system and method of use while maintaining roof membrane integrity
OwnerRobert B Ladick, Steven M Ladickinventors
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Abstract
A system, method and apparatus for detecting moisture leaks in roofs and for providing a visual alert regarding such leaks, and which does not require puncturing or compromise of the roof membrane, comprises a dual part moisture detection and indicator system which comprises a wicking sensor, a wicking portion, a non-electronic trigger portion below the membrane, which is enabled to receive a non-electronic signal from the wicking portion and a non-electronic indicator portion above the membrane which is enabled to receive a non-electronic signal from the trigger portion and to thereafter produce a notification of a leak.
Claims12
A device for use in detecting and indicating moisture leaks in a building membrane comprises:
- i) a wicking sensor;
- ii) a wicking portion joined to the wicking sensor;
- iii) a non-electronic trigger comprising at least one magnet positioned below the building membrane, said non-electronic trigger configured to receive a signal from the wicking portion in response to moisture detected from the wicking sensor;
- and
- iv) a non-electronic indicator comprising at least one magnet positioned above the building membrane and in alignment with the non-electronic trigger, wherein said non-electronic indicator is configured to receive a non-electronic magnetic field coupling from the non-electronic trigger and to thereafter for producing a notification of a leak, wherein the non-electronic magnetic field coupling is achieved by coupling of said at least one magnet of the non-electronic trigger and said at least one magnet of the non-electronic indicator, when there is a material change in at least one part of the wicking sensor.
A method of detecting and indicating moisture leaks which does not require puncturing or compromise of a building membrane, which method comprises:
- a) detecting moisture at a wicking sensor;
- b) wicking moisture from the wicking sensor to a wicking portion;
- c) effecting a material change in at least one part of the wicking portion as a consequence of the moisture, said material change triggering a magnetic field coupling between a magnet of the non-electronic trigger portion and a magnet of the non-electronic indicator portion;
- and
- d) creating a detectable signal within the non-electronic indicator portion in response to said triggering, said detectable signal being notice of moisture at the wicking sensor, wherein said trigger portion is placed below the building membrane and is in functional engagement with the wicking portion and the wicking sensor, and wherein said indicator portion is placed above the building membrane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.