System and method for management of a roof

• US 8,915,022 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2012
• Issued: 12/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Klink, Frank W., Edwards, John S.
• Primary Examiner(s): WENDELL, MARK R
• Application Number:
  US14/123,891
• Publication Number:
  US 20140102013A1
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 52/1, 521/98, 521/99, 523/021, 523/023
• US Class Current: 52/1
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/17 Ventilation of roof coverings not otherwise provided for ventilation of rooms or spaces F24F
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 7/02 Roof ventilation ventilation of roof coverings E04D
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 7/025 with forced air circulation by means of a built-in ventilator

Abstract

A system for management of a roof having first and second decks covering an unconditioned space in a building and a peak, the system having a first channel extending from proximate a lower end of the first deck towards the peak and a second channel extending from proximate a lower end of the second deck towards the peak. The system further includes a router positioned proximate the peak, the router enabling air flowing to the peak from the first channel to be selectively routed to one of a plurality of directions.

Claims

1. A system for management of a roof having first and second decks covering an unconditioned space in a building and a peak, said system comprising:

a first channel extending from proximate a lower end of the first deck towards the peak and a second channel extending from proximate a lower end of the second deck towards the peak;

a router positioned proximate the peak, said router enabling air flowing to the peak from said first channel to be selectively routed to a plurality of directions, and

a selectively openable and closeable vent proximate a lower end of the first deck, such that said vent, when opened, enables air to enter into or exit out of said first channel;

wherein the plurality of directions include out of a peak vent included at the peak and

into the atmosphere, and to said second channel.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of directions further include one or more directions selected from the group consisting of:

back to said first channel,

into the unconditioned space,

into an heat recovery unit,

into an air make-up unit, and

any combinations thereof.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the system comprises a heat recovery unit, and said heat recovery unit comprises a dryer.

4. A roofing article for use in the system of claim 1, said roofing article comprising a body and a roofing article channel defined therein, such that when said roofing article is arranged on said first deck, said roofing article channel forms at least a portion of said first channel.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a covering presented on said first and second decks, said first channel being defined within said covering presented on the first deck and said second channel being defined within said covering presented on the second deck.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a covering presented on said first and second decks, said first channel being defined intermediate said first deck and said covering presented on the first deck and said second channel being defined intermediate said second deck and said covering presented on the second deck.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said first channel and said second channel are positioned above the first deck and second deck, respectively.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said first channel and said second channel are positioned below the first deck and second deck, respectively.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a selectively openable and closeable vent proximate a lower end of the second deck, such that said vent, when opened, enables air to enter into or exit out of said second channel.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising an air movement component to effect movement of air in at least one of said first and second channels.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said air movement component is configured to push and pull air.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more sensors presented with at least one of said first deck or said second deck.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said one or more sensors comprise a sensor selected from the group consisting of:

a temperature sensor, a moisture sensor, a heat flow sensor, an impact sensor, a fire sensor, and a carbon monoxide sensor, or combinations thereof.

14. A method for releasing thermal loads using the system of claim 1, wherein said air flowing to the peak from said first channel is selectively routed out of the peak vent into the atmosphere.

15. A method for collecting thermal loads using the system of claim 1, wherein said air flowing to the peak from said first channel is selectively routed into the unconditioned space.

16. A method for using thermal loads from the first deck to heat the second deck using the system of claim 1, wherein said air flowing to the peak from said first channel is selectively routed to said second channel.