Deck-Sealing Skylight Surround with Integrated Barrier
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing skylight and roof window installations often experience leakage issues due to improper application or omission of protective underlayment, leading to potential water and air infiltration, especially in colder climates with snow and thawing conditions.
Innovation Solution
A unitary deck-sealing surround with an obtuse-angled profile and integrated barrier material, featuring apertures for secure attachment to both the skylight assembly and rooftop, utilizing a compressible impermeable layer to form a watertight seal, which is designed to be easily installed and adaptable to irregular roof surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protective underlayment is applied around the skylight assembly, then water and air infiltration is reduced, but installation complexity increases and reliability depends on installer skill
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the surround, barrier material, and flashing into a single integrated unitary assembly. The barrier material is pre-attached to the underside of the surround, eliminating the need for separate application steps and reducing installation complexity while maintaining leak prevention reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier material is pre-installed on the surround during manufacturing rather than during field installation. This preliminary action ensures proper placement and coverage before the assembly reaches the installation site, reducing dependence on installer skill and ensuring consistent leak protection.
2Reliability
If felt paper or barrier paper is applied around the curb or wood frame, then leakage is minimized, but the installation process becomes more time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier material is integrated with the surround as a single unit, eliminating the separate step of applying felt paper or barrier paper around the curb or wood frame. This merging simplifies the installation process while maintaining the leakage resistance provided by the barrier material.
3Reliability
If step-flashing is used around the perimeter, then some protection against water and air leaks is provided, but effectiveness depends on installer skill and proper application
Solution Approach 1:
The flashing is integrated with the surround and barrier material into a single unitary assembly. This integration ensures that all protective elements are properly positioned and secured together, reducing dependence on installer skill for achieving effective protection while maintaining adaptability to different installation scenarios.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively minimizes the likelihood of leaks by creating a reliable air and moisture barrier, ensuring a secure and watertight seal between the skylight and rooftop, even with improper installation, and is adaptable to various installation methods and roof types.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a compressible impermeable layer to form a watertight seal
Implementation Method 2
a layer of barrier material attached to the roof abutting side thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A surround for a rectangular skylight assembly is provided. Each side of the rectangular surround is characterized as having an obtuse-angled profile having an angle of between greater than 90 degrees and about 100 degrees, the profile including a curb-abutting surface and a roof abutting surface. The curb-abutting surfaces abut curb members attached to the skylight assembly and include apertures therethrough for receipt of joining elements. The roof abutting surfaces abut a building rooftop and further include apertures therethrough for receipt of joining elements. The roof abutting side of the roof abutting surfaces includes a barrier material attached thereto. The barrier material may be comprised of any suitable impermeable material, such as a polyurethane foam or a thermoplastic elastomer.