Method and apparatus for moisture detection in exterior sheathing of residential and commercial buildings
First Claim
1. Apparatus for monitoring moisture content of an associated building, the apparatus comprising:
- a first moisture sensor adapted for placement in a first exterior wall of the associated building and to provide a first signal representative of a first moisture content in the first wall;
a second moisture sensor adapted for placement in a second exterior wall of the associated building and to provide a second signal representative of a second moisture content in the second wall; and
,a control unit operatively connected with said first and second moisture sensors, the control unit generating an alarm signal only when at least one of said first signal representative of the moisture content in the first wall and the second signal representative file moisture content in the second wall exceeds a non-zero threshold value.
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Abstract
An automated device monitors moisture content in exterior sheathing of a building for detecting moisture intrusion into the sheathing walls. A plurality of moisture sensors are embedded in selected exterior walls of the building behind the cladding and are adapted to provide signals representative of the moisture content in the walls at each of the selected locations. A control unit is operatively connected with each of the plurality of moisture sensors for generating an alarm signal when at least one of the signals representative of the moisture content in the plurality of walls is indicative of a moisture content in excess of a predetermined threshold value. Each moisture sensor is preferably in the form of a pair of spaced apart elongate conductive probe members having a substantial portion thereof from a lead end embedded into a substrate of the exterior building walls, and a connection end extending outwardly from the first wall for enabling electrical connection of each moisture sensor to the control unit. An audible or visual alarm is generated when moisture is detected. Electronic communication of alarm signals are further provided for moisture monitoring from a distance.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. Apparatus for monitoring moisture content of an associated building, the apparatus comprising:
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a first moisture sensor adapted for placement in a first exterior wall of the associated building and to provide a first signal representative of a first moisture content in the first wall; a second moisture sensor adapted for placement in a second exterior wall of the associated building and to provide a second signal representative of a second moisture content in the second wall; and
,a control unit operatively connected with said first and second moisture sensors, the control unit generating an alarm signal only when at least one of said first signal representative of the moisture content in the first wall and the second signal representative file moisture content in the second wall exceeds a non-zero threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for detecting moisture comprising:
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for a first initial period, establishing a plurality of datum moisture parameters by; disposing a set of electrode pairs in exterior sheathing walls of the building; detecting electrical parameter values between each of the electrode pairs; and
,storing the detected electrical parameter values as said plurality of datum moisture parameters; after said first initial period, periodically detecting the electrical parameter value between each of said set of electrode pairs; and
,generating an alarm signal when, for each of the electrode pairs, a difference between the detected electrical parameter value and the datum moisture parameter is indicative of moisture in said exterior sheathing walls of the building in excess of said datum moisture parameter. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for automated moisture monitoring in walls of an associated building, the apparatus comprising:
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a first moisture sensor disposed at a first wall of said associated building, the first moisture sensor being adapted to provide a first signal representative of a first moisture content of said first wall; and
,a control unit operatively connected with the first moisture sensor, the control unit generating an alarm signal in response to the first signal representative of the first moisture content of said first wall exceeding a predetermined non-zero threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 30)
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22. Apparatus for monitoring moisture content of an associated building, the apparatus comprising:
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a first moisture sensor located at a first wall in a first zone of the associated building, the first moisture sensor being adapted to provide a first signal representative of a first moisture content at said first zone; a second moisture sensor located at a second wall in a second zone of the associated building, the said moisture sensor being adapted to provide a second signal representative of a second moisture content; and
,a control unit in operative communication with said first and second moisture sensors at said first and second zones, the control unit generating an alarm signal when at least one of said first signal and the second signal exceeds a non-zero threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 31)
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27. A method for detecting moisture in a building comprising:
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for a first initial period, establishing a plurality of datum moisture parameters by; disposing a set of moisture sensors in the building; detecting electrical parameter values of said moisture sensors; and
,storing the detected electrical parameter values as said plurality of datum moisture parameters; after said first initial period, periodically detecting the electrical parameter value of each of said set of moisture sensors; and
,generating an alarm signal when, for each of the moisture sensors, a difference between the detected electrical parameter value and the datum moisture parameter is indicative of moisture in said building in excess of said datum moisture parameter. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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Specification