Roofing system with sensors

Abstract

A rooting method and system in which sensors are placed on the roof substrate, and a water impermeable membrane is placed over the sensors. This can be accomplished by applying the sensors and membrane separately, or by applying a membrane which incorporates the sensors. The sensors may be selected so as to provide strain and temperature information. A system monitoring this information may provide an alert if a roof leak or excessive strain is detected.

1 . A roof covering system comprising:
 a waterproof membrane having integrally joined therewith a plurality of sensors for sensing roof conditions.   
     
     
         2 . The roof covering system of  claim 1  comprising:
 said plurality of sensors being secured to a scrim; 
 said waterproof membrane being affixed to and overlying said scrim. 
 
     
     
         3 . The roof covering system of  claim 2  wherein said sensors comprise fiber-optic sensors. 
     
     
         4 . The roof covering system of  claim 3  in which said scrim includes a top and a bottom surface, said fiber-optic sensors being located on said top surface of said scrim, and said waterproof membrane being secured to said top of said scrim, with said fiber-optic sensors located between said scrim and said waterproof membrane layer. 
     
     
         5 . The roof covering system of  claim 4  in which said scrim is porous, such that water seeping beneath said scrim will make contact with said fiber-optic sensors. 
     
     
         6 . The roof covering system of  claim 3  in which said scrim includes a top and a bottom surface, said fiber-optic sensors being, located on said bottom surface of said scrim, and said waterproof membrane being secured to said top of said scrim. 
     
     
         7 . The roof covering system of  claim 3  in which said waterproof membrane layer is affixed to said scrim by coating said scrim. 
     
     
         8 . The roof covering system of  claim 7  in which said membrane is made of polyurea. 
     
     
         9 . The roof covering system of  claim 1  comprising: said sensors being joined directly with said waterproof membrane. 
     
     
         10 . The roof system of  claim 9  in which said sensors are fiber-optic sensors. 
     
     
         11 . The roof covering system of  claim 9  comprising: said sensors being encapsulated in said waterproof membrane. 
     
     
         12 . The roof system of  claim 11  in which said sensors are fiber-optic sensors. 
     
     
         13 . The roof covering system of  claim 9  comprising: said sensors being adhered to the undersurface of said waterproof membrane. 
     
     
         14 . The roof system of  claim 13  in which said sensors are fiber-optic sensors. 
     
     
         15 . The roof covering system of  claim 9  comprising: said sensors being embedded in said waterproof membrane. 
     
     
         16 . The roof system of  claim 15  in which said sensors are fiber-optic sensors. 
     
     
         17 . The roof covering system of  claim 9 , further comprising said sensors being operably connected to a computer for interpreting the information provided by said sensors. 
     
     
         18 . The roof covering system of  claims 17  in which said operable connection of said sensors to said computer comprises a transmitter for wirelessly communicating information provided by said sensor to said computer. 
     
     
         19 . The roof covering system of  claim 3 , further comprising said sensors being operably connected to a computer for interpreting the information provided by said sensors. 
     
     
         20 . The roof covering system of  claims 19  in which said operable connection of said sensors to said computer comprises a transmitter for wirelessly communicating information provided by said sensor to said computer. 
     
     
         21 . The roof covering system of  claim 1 , further comprising said sensors being operably connected to a computer for interpreting the information provided by said sensors. 
     
     
         22 . The roof covering system of  claims 21  in which said operable connection of said sensors to said computer comprises a transmitter for wirelessly communicating information provided by said sensor to said computer. 
     
     
         23 . A roofing system comprising: a plurality of sensors placed on a roof substrate, and a water impermeable membrane placed over said sensors. 
     
     
         24 . A method of monitoring roof conditions comprising: placing a plurality of sensors on roof substrate, and placing a water impermeable membrane placed over said sensors. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  in which said placing steps are accomplished in a single step by placing on said roof substrate a waterproof membrane having integrally Joined therewith a plurality of sensors for sensing roof conditions.