Adjustable Metal Screen Frame for Roof Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical equipment screen systems face issues with durability, water leakage, complex installation, and high costs due to insufficient materials, flawed designs, and intricate assembly processes, leading to potential safety hazards and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A metal tubing-based screen frame system with a weather-proof finish, comprising a base tube, upright tube, and diagonal tube with adjustable components, allowing for easy assembly, watertight roof penetration, and flexible installation, using standard roofing products and reducing the need for on-site welding or specialized skills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wood is used for framing, then initial cost is lower, but durability and weather resistance deteriorate due to rotting and decay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs steel tubing as the primary framing material, combining the strength and durability of metal with weather-resistant coatings. This composite approach (metal substrate + protective finish) resolves the contradiction by providing both structural integrity and long-term weather resistance, eliminating the rotting issues inherent in wood while maintaining cost-effectiveness compared to aluminum.
2Reliability
If aluminum beams are used instead of steel, then corrosion resistance improves, but material cost and susceptibility to recycling theft increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from aluminum to steel, but compensates for steel's lower inherent corrosion resistance through the application of weather-resistant coatings and finishes. This parameter transformation allows the use of cheaper steel material while maintaining the corrosion resistance property through surface treatment, thus resolving the cost contradiction.
3Strength
If complex connectors and joints are used to strengthen the frame, then structural strength improves, but assembly complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the framing members into a continuous welded steel tube structure, eliminating separate connectors and joints. The welding process combines multiple tube sections into unified structural elements, providing full-strength continuous framing without the complexity of assembling multiple discrete components. This resolves the contradiction by integrating strength and simplicity into a single fabrication approach.
4Ease of operation
If the frame penetrates the roof at an angle for equipment access, then equipment maintenance becomes easier, but watertight integrity deteriorates due to difficult sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pre-fabricated flashings and sealing components during the frame manufacturing process. The angled penetration is pre-configured with integrated waterproofing elements that are installed simultaneously with the frame, ensuring watertight integrity is established before roof installation. This preliminary integration of sealing solutions resolves the contradiction by making watertightness as inherent as the structural function.
5Adaptability or versatility
If custom-designed screen systems are created to fit specific equipment, then adaptability improves, but manufacturing cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the screen system into modular components: standardized frame sections, adjustable bracing elements, and configurable panel assemblies. These modular units can be combined in various configurations to adapt to different equipment sizes and shapes, providing custom fit without requiring entirely custom-designed systems. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling standardization of components while maintaining overall system adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical equipment screen system that's used to hang a wall, façade, signs or other items. Made up of multiple triangular, metal frames that are easily adjusted to roof pitch and other circumstances onsite by twisting a custom rod mechanism to retract or telescope out the upright element of the frames. These frames consist of a base, angle, and upright element that are bolted together. This assembly is anchored to a structure via a prefabricated plate attached to the legs which can be oriented in a variety of ways to accommodate various installation applications. Round posts on the base can penetrate a roof membrane and allows a very simple and standard roofing detail that complies with the roof's warranty. Other embodiments are described and shown.