IMPACT-RESISTANT SURFACE-MOUNTED ROOF SENSORS

• US 20140230574A1
• Filed: 09/19/2012
• Published: 08/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Inventors: Ayon, Arturo A., Hallam, Cory, Ginn, Dylan
• Granted Patent: US 9,714,875 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/862.625
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/00 Special arrangements or devices in connection with roof coverings; Protection against birds; Roof drainage ; Sky-lights ventilation tiles E04D1/30; ventilation slabs E04D3/40; internal channels E04F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/16 using properties of piezoelectric devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/26 Auxiliary measures taken, or devices used, in connection with the measurement of force, e.g. for preventing influence of transverse components of force, for preventing overload
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0041 by determining deflection or stress

Abstract

Various systems and techniques may be used to enhance the sensing loads on a roof surface. In some implementations, an impact-resistant surface-mounted roof sensor system may include a sensor, a protective cover, and a load transfer mechanism. The sensor may be adapted to sense a load incident thereon, and the protective cover may be configured to span at least the width of the sensor and adapted to withstand impacts from dense media and an direct incident load. The load transfer mechanism may be adapted to mechanically transfer a load applied on the protective cover to the sensor.

Claims

1. An impact-resistant surface-mounted roof sensor system, comprising:

a sensor adapted to sense a load incident thereon, the sensor having a width;

a protective cover configured to span at least the width of the sensor and adapted to withstand impacts from dense media and an direct incident load; and

a load transfer mechanism adapted to mechanically transfer a load applied on the protective cover to the sensor.

2. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a piezo-electric device.

3. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein:

the protective cover comprises a shield; and

the load transfer mechanism comprises a resilient member.

4. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein:

the protective cover comprises a flexible membrane; and

the load transfer mechanism comprises an incompressible fluid.

5. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the protective cover comprises a number of apertures to block larger media but allow smaller media to pass.

6. The sensor system of claim 5, wherein the protective cover is configured to prevent bridging by a surrounding media.

7. The sensor system of claim 1, further comprising a computer system co-located with the sensor to determine the load on the protective cover.

8. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the protective cover is configured to prevent bridging by surrounding media.

9. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the protective cover is adapted to protect from impacts of at least 90 kN/mm³.

10. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein dense objects comprise hail.

11. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system is adapted to mount to a top surface of a roof.