2783results about "Roof covering" patented technology

A coating composition comprising a resinous binder and a color effect colorant in particulate form. The colorant includes an ordered periodic array of particles held in a polymer wherein a difference in refractive index between the polymer and the particles is at least about 0.01. The colorant reflects visible light according to Bragg's law to yield a goniochromatic effect to the coating composition.

Mounting systems for mounting solar panels to a surface are disclosed and can include panel clamp assemblies and rail clamp assemblies. Panel clamp assemblies can comprise a panel clamp having a base and arms extending from edges of the base, the base having an aperture, a rail clamp having a central portion with an aperture and two flexible tabs extending from the central portion on opposing sides of the aperture and a fastener threaded through the apertures such that that flexible tabs contact a head of the fastener and the arms extend in an opposite direction from the flexible tabs. Rail clamp assemblies can comprise a base member having a bottom and two side walls, the bottom having at least one aperture and each side wall having an elongated aperture, two clamping members and a fastener, wherein the side walls of the base member are positioned such that the opening is of sufficient size to receive the rail.

The present invention introduces a new class of lightweight tile-based illumination systems for uses wherein thin directionally-illuminating light distributing engines are embedded into the body of otherwise standard building materials like conventional ceiling tiles along with associated means of electrical control and electrical power interconnection. As a new class of composite light emitting ceiling materials, the present invention enables a lighter weight more flexibly distributed overhead lighting system alternatives for commercial office buildings and residential housing without changing the existing materials. One or more spot lighting, task lighting, flood lighting and wall washing elements having cross-sectional thickness matched to that of the building material or tile into which they are embedded, are contained and interconnected within the material body's cross-section. Embedded power control devices interconnected to each lighting element in the distributed system communicate with a central switching center that thereby controls each light-emitting element in the system.

A support system for photovoltaic cells upon a roof. A cell support structure is provided beneath each cell, such as in the form of a pair of brackets to form a photovoltaic panel. The panels overlap partially to function somewhat as shingles, to shed water off of the roof. A lower side wall of each photovoltaic panel has at least one port therein to selectively access a space beneath the photovoltaic cell. Photovoltaic cell electronics, such as an inverter for one or a series of cells. A door is provided in one embodiment which selectively covers the port and acts as a support for the photovoltaic cell electronics.

Rectangular PV modules (6) are mounted on a building roof (4) by mounting stands that are distributed in rows and columns. Each stand comprises a base plate (10) that rests on the building roof (4) and first and second brackets (12, 14) of different height attached to opposite ends of the base plate (10). Each bracket (12, 14) has dual members for supporting two different PV modules (6), and each PV module (6) has a mounting pin (84) adjacent to each of its four corners. Each module (6) is supported by attachment of two of its mounting pins (84) to different first brackets (12), whereby the modules (6) and their supporting stands are able to resist uplift forces resulting from high velocity winds without the base plates (10) being physically attached to the supporting roof structure (4). Preferably the second brackets (14) have a telescoping construction that permits their effective height to vary from less than to substantially the same as that of the first brackets (12).

A mirror or other reflecting surface is used for collecting and reflecting incident solar radiation. The mirror is supported for independent motion about a pair of axes. An accelerometer generates signals representative of an amount and direction of motion of the mirror about each of the axes. Motors or other drive mechanisms independently drive the mirror about each of the axes. A tracking device provides information about the current position of the Sun. A control is connected to the accelerometer, the motors and the tracking device for maintaining a predetermined optimum orientation of the mirror as the Sun moves across the sky. Position sensors that sense the position of the mirror relative to the earth's magnetic field may also be employed.

A system and apparatus are disclosed including PV modules having a frame allowing quick and easy assembling of the PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, the PV modules may have a grooved frame where the groove is provided at an angle with respect to a planar surface of the modules. Various couplings may engage within the groove to assemble the PV modules into the PV array with a pivot-fit connection. Further examples of the present technology operate with PV modules having frames without grooves, or with PV modules where the frame is omitted altogether.

A building monitoring computer system for monitoring building integrity may be provided. Various types of sensors may be embedded throughout or within certain portions of different types of building or construction material making up the building, such as within roofing, foundation, or structural materials. The sensors may be in wireless communication with a home controller. The sensors may be water, moisture, temperature, vibration, or other types of sensors, and may detect unexpected or abnormal conditions within the home. The sensors and/or home controller may transmit alerts to a mobile device of the home owner associated with the unexpected condition, and/or that remedial actions may be required to repair the home or mitigate further damage to the home. The sensor data may also be communicated to an insurance provider remote server to facilitate the insurance provider communicating insurance-related recommendations, updating insurance policies, or preparing insurance claims for review for home owners.

A mounting system for photovoltaic solar panels providing support for different sized panels, and/or panels having mounting holes located in different locations. A universal panel clamp includes at least one elongated hole or slot to attach to a mounting hole on a solar panel frame. A clamp is attached to an upper hole, and a second clamp is attached to a lower mounting hole. The upper clamps are attached to an upper lateral support member, and the lower clamps are attached to a lower lateral support member. This assembly may be supported by A-shaped support members having adjustable tilt arms, or posts with specially configured brackets.

Methods for fabricating sublithographic, nanoscale microstructures arrays including openings and linear microchannels utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided. In some embodiments, the films can be used as a template or mask to etch openings in an underlying material layer.

A moisture vapor permeable metalized composite sheet is formed by coating a moisture vapor permeable sheet-with at least one metal layer and at least one outer organic coating layer. The moisture vapor permeability of the composite sheet is at least about 80% of the moisture vapor permeability of the starting sheet. The composite sheet provides a barrier to air and liquid water infiltration while having high moisture vapor permeability and good thermal barrier properties. The composite sheet material is suitable for use as a building construction wrap such as roof lining and house wrap.

A device for protection of property against high winds comprising a flexible material of predetermined strength and stretch characteristics, and in the form of a panel or several panels, utilized to protect the side of a structure including its windows and doors from the strong winds and debris impacts occurring during a hurricane. The device is anchored in a manner to space it out from the area being protected according to formula provided, and can safely dissipate substantial impacting energy. The preferred embodiment attaches to an overhanging eave and the ground below protecting in addition to the windows and doors, plantings, outdoor furniture, decorative shutters, downspouts, and such as are enclosed behind the barrier. Several methods of storage and deployment of said curtain are described including rolling, sliding, and converting to awning. The barrier has the added feature of acting as a tie down in certain applications.

A method and apparatus for installing a stanchion on a tile roof includes a tile which has an aperture and a stanchion which fits through the aperture. An existing roof tile is removed and the stanchion is connected to the roof sheathing at the place of removal. The tile is then placed over the stanchion so that the stanchion project through the aperture. In an embodiment of the invention, a sleeve surrounds the aperture and a seal provides a weather proof seal between the stanchion and the sleeve.

Rectangular PV modules are mounted on a building roof by mounting stands that are distributed in rows and columns. Each stand comprises a base plate that rests on the building roof and first and second brackets of different height attached to opposite ends of the base plate. Each bracket comprises dual module-supporting members for supporting two different PV modules, and each PV module has a mounting stud adjacent to each of its four corners. At one end each module is supported by pivotal attachment of two of its mounting studs to module-supporting members of different first brackets. At its other end each module rests on module-supporting members of two different second brackets, whereby the modules assume a predetermined angle of tilt relative to the roof. Two tethers connect the other two mounting studs to the two different second brackets on which the module rests. The tethers allow the modules to pivot up away from the module-supporting members on which they rest to a substantially horizontal position in response to wind uplift forces, thereby enabling the PV modules and their supporting stands to withstand high velocity winds without the base plates being physically attached to the supporting roof structure.

An improved gutter shield device includes a first connecting plane of roll formed metal, a second filtering plane of roll formed metal and metallic or polymer cloth, and a third connecting plane of roll formed metal combined into an integral unit.

An elongated strip of roll formed metal includes a rear vertical plane adapted to seat beneath shingles of a roof structure. The rear vertical plane is crimped by roll forming onto the second and rear longitudinal edge of a forward extending plane that combines a fine filtering membrane with an underlying skeletal support of expanded metal as an integral unit. The expanded metal and filtering membrane so joined contain two or more v-shaped downward extending longitudinal channels within the forward extending plane that transverse the length of the forward extending plane parallel to it's first edge. The forward extending plane is bound on a first and forward longitudinal edge by a first plane of that comprises a roll formed angled z-shaped connecting metal strip for securing the gutter shield to an inwardly extending flange of a k-style gutter.

Devices, apparatus, systems, and methods of installing LED (light emitting diodes) for glass tiles and glass blocks. The LEDs can be housed in flexible strips having flexible bendable transparent housing sleeves with ends that can interconnect by male and female ends to one another with various types of interconnectors. Each separate sleeve can house up to 33 LEDs in a transparent plastic sleeve. A transparent connector sleeve can be slid over the interconnected ends and heat shrunk in place. The glass tiles can be laid out to uniform joints spacings between the glass tiles of approximately 3/16 of an inch. The LED strips can be placed on a surface layer of transparent grout that has been laid in the joint spacing, followed by a top layer of transparent grout. The transparent grout can be removable grout and include clear Silicon. The LED strips can have peel and stick back layers with adhesive backing that allows mounting to the lower surface. The LED strips can be placed with glass tiles, and other types of tiles such as but not limited to ceramic tiles, stone tiles and the like, as well as with glass blocks. Splitter(s) can be used to run parallel runs of LED strips at different spaced apart locations.

Methods, systems, and devices for installing barriers in openings of gaps in or between structures such as walls, ceilings, and floors are described herein. At least one barrier molding bag is positioned in the hole or gap, and a flowable firestop material that is preferably operative to cure or harden, such as a hydratable cementitious slurry, is introduced into the bag to create a barrier in the hole or gap.

A window frame incorporating a sliding sash, the frame providing increased water resistance by incorporating an integral J-rail return, the return portion of which has a double wall to provide a depending trough at the bottom of the frame with a wall forming a chamber including the trough, opening from the bottom of the frame into the chamber and from the bottom of the trough to the exterior to provide increased dam height against water backing up and spilling over the interior sill of the frame.

A building component system includes a building component that is controllable between a first state and a second state in response to a sensed condition. The system may include a sensor on a first side of the building component and a sensor on the second side of the building component. The building component may be a window that is controllable between an opaque state and a clear state by a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) network that senses the conditions on both sides of the window.