An apparatus for detecting and locating a leak in a membrane of a low slope roof includes a common detection assembly with a first and a second separate conductor mounted for movement independently across the roof and a common return conductor connected to the support deck. The first conductor is used in a first DETECT mode for detecting changes in capacitance at the membrane caused by presence of moisture. The second conductor is used in a second LOCATE mode to detect changes in conductance through the membrane caused by presence of moisture. The first conductor is a plate or other surface such as a brush which detects changes in capacitance between a first conductor defined by the plate and a second conductor defined by the support deck caused by presence of moisture between the first and second conductors;
G01M 3/16 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means
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.
G01M 3/16 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means
E04D 13/00 - Special arrangements or devices in connection with roof coveringsRoof drainage
E04D 11/02 - Built-up roofs, i.e. consisting of two or more layers bonded together in situ, at least one of the layers being of watertight composition
G01K 1/024 - Means for indicating or recording specially adapted for thermometers for remote indication
H04Q 9/00 - Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
H04L 12/403 - Bus networks with centralised control, e.g. polling
G01N 27/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
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 movable scanning device carried by a worker has a power supply antenna for supplying power by an electromagnetic wave to the sensor and the worker moves the scanning device to selected ones of the zones. At each selected zone the power supply antenna activates the sensor in the zone and the sensor to emits signals related to the moisture underneath the membrane as detected by the sensor device which are detected and recorded at the mobile scanning device.
G01M 3/16 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means
E04D 11/02 - Built-up roofs, i.e. consisting of two or more layers bonded together in situ, at least one of the layers being of watertight composition
E04D 13/00 - Special arrangements or devices in connection with roof coveringsRoof drainage
G01K 1/024 - Means for indicating or recording specially adapted for thermometers for remote indication
G01N 27/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
H04Q 9/00 - Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
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.
G01M 3/16 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means
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 movable scanning device carried by a worker has a power supply antenna for supplying power by an electromagnetic wave to the sensor and the worker moves the scanning device to selected ones of the zones. At each selected zone the power supply antenna activates the sensor in the zone and the sensor to emits signals related to the moisture underneath the membrane as detected by the sensor device which are detected and recorded at the mobile scanning device.
G01M 3/04 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
G01M 3/16 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means
6.
Scanning platform for locating breaches in roofing and waterproofing membranes with conductive surface
A leak in an electrically conductive membrane attached on top of a horizontal roof deck is located by a manually operable carriage which is swept over the upper surface of the membrane on the roof deck. A measuring and switching circuit generates a voltage having a positive attached to the roof deck and a negative attached to conductive brushes on the carriage. The brushes are arranged to form an outer peripheral contact with an inner contact inside the outer contact. There is provided a diode switched into the sensing circuit from the inner conductive brushes so as to reduce the voltage across the deck and the inner brushes relative to the outer brushes. Thus the presence of a leak is detected by the outer set of conductive brushes at distance from the leak and by the inner conductive brush when directly over the leakage site.
G01R 31/00 - Arrangements for testing electric propertiesArrangements for locating electric faultsArrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
G01M 3/16 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means
E04D 5/02 - Roof covering by making use of flexible material, e.g. supplied in roll form of materials impregnated with sealing substances, e.g. roofing felt
E04D 13/00 - Special arrangements or devices in connection with roof coveringsRoof drainage
Leaks in a roof membrane are detected in plurality of separate zones arranged in rows and columns. By applying to the roof in a location underneath the membrane and on top of the deck in each zone at least one length of a moisture detection sensor comprising a substrate carrying two parallel conductors on one surface of the substrate detecting changes in resistance between the conductors so as to detect moisture permeating into the respective zone. The moisture detecting sensors are separate in each zone so as to detect changes in resistance in the respective zone independent of any changes in resistance in other zones so that the system can detect within the rows and columns any zone where changes in resistance occur. In order to detect across the zone, the sensor is applied in a two dimensional pattern for example by two lengths at right angles.
G01M 3/16 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means
E04D 13/00 - Special arrangements or devices in connection with roof coveringsRoof drainage
G01D 5/165 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying resistance by relative movement of a point of contact and a resistive track
Leaks in a roof membrane are detected by applying a grid of electrically conductive shielding elements on the upper surface separating the membrane into a plurality of zones and generating a potential difference between the elements and a conductive component such as the roof deck or a layer at the deck. In each zone a respective one of a plurality of sensor conductors is mounted separate from the shielding elements and an electrical potential difference is applied between the sensor and the conductive component such that, in the presence of a leak located within the zone, current flows between the sensor conductor and the conductive component through moisture at the leak for detection of the current or resistance indicative of a leak.
G01N 27/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
E04D 13/00 - Special arrangements or devices in connection with roof coveringsRoof drainage
G01M 3/16 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means
11.
Method of detecting a leak in a membrane of a roof
In a method of detecting a leak in a water impermeable membrane applied on a roof substrate, an electrical potential is created between a conductive detector on top of the membrane and the roof substrate causing current to flow between the roof substrate and the conductive detector through moisture in any leak in the membrane. The membrane is attached to the roof support substrate by an intervening layer therebetween which can be a primer or an adhesive layer which is caused to be electrically conductive by the addition an electrically conductive material. This allows the conductor on the roof substrate to which the potential difference is applied to be attached onto the roof substrate and covered by the layer underneath the membrane.
G01N 27/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
A leak in a membrane on top of a horizontal roof deck is located by applying conductive wires on the membrane underneath the aggregate in a grid pattern. A measuring and switching circuit generates voltage having a positive attached to the roof deck and a negative attached to the wires. The circuit has a relay for each wire which can be switched between a current sensor system and the negative potential. The sensor system is arranged to sense at each of the wires in turn the current flowing from the roof deck through any leak in the membrane to the wire. A microprocessor operates the relays in turn to connect all the other wires to the negative as a shield while each wire is sensed. From the output of the grid the changes in current in the x and y directions are analyzed to locate the leak in the membrane.
G01M 3/16 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means
C23F 13/02 - Inhibiting corrosion of metals by anodic or cathodic protection cathodicSelection of conditions, parameters or procedures for cathodic protection, e.g. of electrical conditions
E04D 13/00 - Special arrangements or devices in connection with roof coveringsRoof drainage
G01D 3/06 - Measuring arrangements with provision for the special purposes referred to in the subgroups of this group with provision for operation by a null method
A method of monitoring moisture in a building is carried out using moisture detectors, which provide an output resistance value ranging from a dry value in the absence of moisture and different wet values in the presence of moisture depending on the quantity of moisture. Rather than emit an alarm based solely on a moisture threshold, a risk assessment of potential damage is calculated for at least a part of the building using the wet values from the moisture detectors for the sensor zones using as input data the wet values and as a first additional factor a value which is indicative of a total area of the moisture as provided by the number of sensor zones that are responding with a wet value and as a second additional value the number of consecutive time periods that the sensor zone has reported wet value. The calculation can use computer modeling to calculate a risk factor for growth of mold or a risk factor for growth of timber decay fungi.
G01N 37/00 - Details not covered by any other group of this subclass
G01N 19/00 - Investigating materials by mechanical methods
G01N 27/12 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance of a solid body in dependence upon absorption of a fluidInvestigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance of a solid body in dependence upon reaction with a fluid
E04B 1/62 - Insulation or other protectionElements or use of specified material therefor
14.
FUEL STORAGE TANK MONITORING AND PHASE SEPARATION DETECTION SYSTEM
The present invention is a sensor system capable of detecting the phase separation at its earliest stages of formation as well as measuring the degree of phase separation (that is, the depth or volume of the separate ethanol/water layer which forms at the bottom of the tank). The invention can be used also to improve the accuracy of measuring contemporary capacitance-based level measurement systems which are currently in use for monitoring fuel storage tanks for inventory tracking purposes, leak detection, and water accumulation. Such accuracy and performance improvement may enable the use of capacitive water-level sensors with oxygenated fuels and even in the cases of phase separation in ethanol blends.
A method for assigning a grade to a liquid hydrocarbon fuel in relation to the potential for a water or water-based phase to form in said fuel is provided. The method comprises sensing the electrical resistance of the fuel; sensing the capacitance of the fuel; determining the amount of water or water-soluble compounds in said fuel wherein the step of determining the amount of water or water-soluble compounds includes the step of comparing the electrical resistance of the fuel to a plurality pre-determined values of electrical resistance corresponding to a plurality of concentrations of water or water-soluble compounds in the fuel; identifying which water-soluble compound or compounds are present in said fuel, sensing the temperature of said fuel, and calculating the potential for a water or water-soluble phase to form in said fuel during anticipated temperature conditions of transportation or storage.
G01N 27/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
G01N 27/06 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance of a liquid
G01N 27/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating capacitance
