Moisture detection and location system

• US 6,995,676 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2002
• Issued: 02/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark Amacher
• Original Assignee: Mark Amacher
• Inventors: Amacher, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US10/156,741
• Publication Number:
  US 20030222783A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,351 Days
• Field of Search: 340/602, 340/604, 340/605, 340/618, 340/620, 340/627, 340/870.16, 340/870.06, 340/539.1, 340/539.22, 340/603, 73/405.R, 70/40
• US Class Current: 340/602
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/20 responsive to moisture

Abstract

A system is provided to monitor for moisture at separate locations interior to exterior structure cladding. The system includes a plurality of moisture sensors, at least one of which is disposed at each location to be monitored. Upon activation by the presence of moisture at its respective said location, the moisture sensor generates a signal. The system may also include a receiver in communication with the moisture sensors, to provide an identifier of the location of an activated moisture sensor. The moisture sensors and receiver may communicate via wiring, or wirelessly. The system so provided may be disposed within a single structure, or within a plurality of structures, with the receiver disposed within such a structure or remote to any such monitored structure.

Claims

1. A moisture detection and location system to monitor for the intrusion of moisture into the exterior cladding of a building at a plurality of separate locations, comprising:

a. a plurality of moisture sensors, said moisture sensors configured for installation proximate to components defining said exterior cladding of said building generally concealed from view;

b. each said moisture sensor including a pair of elongated electrically conductive leads, each said elongated electrically conductive leads defining an elongated length, said elongated lengths generally parallel to one another;

c. said elongated electrically conductive leads carried alone said lengths upon a pliable substrate, said pliable substrate defining a thickness adaptable for attachment between components defining said exterior cladding;

d. each said moisture sensor being activated upon the presence of moisture proximate to said leads along said lengths at its respective location and generating a corresponding signal upon activation thereof;

e. at least one receiver in communication with said plurality of moisture sensors to provide an identifier of the location of said respective activated moisture sensor.

2. The system as in claim 1, wherein said at least one receiver provides a visual identifier of the location of said respective activated moisture sensor.

3. The system as in claim 1, wherein said at least one receiver provides an audible identifier of the location of said respective activated moisture sensor.

4. The system as in claim 1, wherein said pliable substrate thickness is less than three sixteenths inch.

5. The system as in claim 1, wherein said pliable substrate thickness is less than one eighth inch.

6. The system as in claim 4, wherein said moisture sensors generate an audible signal upon activation by moisture.

7. The system as in claim 4, wherein said moisture sensors generate a visual signal upon activation by moisture.

8. The system as in claim 1, further comprising wire connections between each said moisture sensor and said at least one receiver.

9. The system as in claim 1, wherein said moisture sensors are in wireless communication with said at least one receiver.

10. The system as in claim 1, wherein said moisture sensors are carried at a plurality of different buildings.

11. A moisture detection and location system to monitor for the presence of moisture at a plurality of separate locations about a building envelope, comprising:

a. a plurality of moisture sensors, wherein said moisture sensors disposed at a plurality of locations within said building envelope interior to exterior building cladding;

b. each said moisture sensor including at least two elongated electrically conductive leads disposed relative to each other such that moisture proximate to said at least two elongated electrically conductive leads activates said moisture sensor by completing an electrical circuit;

c. at least one receiver in communication with said plurality of moisture sensors;

d. wherein upon moisture activating any of said moisture sensors, said respective moisture sensor generating a signal received by said at least one receiver, and said at least one receiver in turn generating an identifier of the location of the respective activated moisture sensor.

12. The system as in claim 11, wherein each said moisture sensor includes a pliable substrate carrying said leads, said pliable substrate conformable to structure upon which it is attachable at said locations.

13. The system as in claim 11, further comprising wire connections between each said moisture sensor and said at least one receiver.

14. The system as in claim 11, wherein said moisture sensors are in wireless communication with said at least one receiver.

15. The system as in claim 11, wherein said moisture sensors are carried at a plurality of different structures.

16. The system as in claim 15, further comprising:

a. at least one central signal collector, said at least one central signal collector in communication with said at least one receiver;

b. said at least one central signal collector being disposed remote to said at least one receiver;

c. wherein said central signal collector receives from said at least one receiver said identifier of the respective activated moisture sensor.

17. A structural system monitored for moisture, comprising:

a. a plurality of separate locations within an envelope of a structure to be monitored for moisture;

b. a moisture detection and location system to monitor for the presence of moisture at said separate locations, including

i. a plurality of moisture sensors, wherein said moisture sensors disposed at a plurality of locations to be monitored;

ii. each said moisture sensor being activated upon the presence of moisture at its respective said location and generating a corresponding moisture signal upon activation thereof;

iii. at least one receiver in communication with said plurality of moisture sensors to receive said moisture signal; and

iv. upon receipt of a said moisture signal, said at least one receiver providing an identifier of the location of the respective activated moisture sensor.

18. The system as in claim 17, comprising a single structure, said moisture sensors disposed at locations within said single structure.

19. The system as in claim 18, wherein said at least one receiver is disposed within said single structure.

20. The system as in claim 18, wherein said at least one receiver is disposed remote from said structure.

21. The system as in claim 17, further comprising:

a. a plurality of different structures;

b. said plurality of separate locations to be monitored for moisture disposed at said plurality of different structures;

c. said moisture sensors disposed in different ones of said structures.

22. The system as in claim 21, wherein said at least one receiver is disposed within one of said structures.

23. The system as in claim 21, wherein said receiver is disposed remote from said structures.

24. The system as in claim 17, wherein each said moisture sensor including at least two electrically conductive leads disposed relative to each other such that moisture proximate to said at least two electrically conductive leads completes an electrical circuit.

25. The system as in claim 24, wherein each said moisture sensor includes a pliable substrate carrying said leads, said pliable substrate conformable to structure upon which it is attachable at said locations.

26. The system as in claim 17, further comprising wire connections between each said moisture sensor and said at least one receiver.

27. The system as in claim 17, wherein said moisture sensors are in wireless communication with said at least one receiver.

28. The system as in claim 17, further comprising:

a. at least one central signal collector, said at least one central signal collector in communication with said at least one receiver;

b. said at least one central signal collector being disposed remote to said at least one receiver

c. wherein said central signal collector receives from said at least one receiver said identifier of the respective activated moisture sensor.

29. A moisture detection and location system to monitor for the intrusion of moisture into the exterior cladding of a building at a plurality of separate locations, comprising:

a. a plurality of moisture sensing means, said moisture sensing means configured for installation proximate to components defining said exterior cladding of said building;

b. each said moisture sensing means being activated upon the presence of moisture at its respective location and generating a corresponding signal upon activation thereof;

c. at least one receiver in communication with said plurality of moisture sensing means to provide an identifier of the location of said respective activated moisture sensor.

30. A method of monitoring for the intrusion of moisture into the exterior cladding of a building, comprising the steps:

a. installing a plurality of moisture sensors at selected locations within the exterior cladding of a building proximate to penetrations through the exterior cladding;

b. configuring each said moisture sensor to be activated upon the presence of moisture at its respective location and to generate a corresponding signal upon activation thereof;

c. providing at least one receiver in communication with said plurality of moisture sensors to provide an identifier of the location of said respective activated moisture sensor.